Sd.Kfz.9 FAMO - Revell 1:72

[Julien]

Sd.Kfz.9 FAMO

Revell 1:72

The FAMO was a large, 18 ton half track powered by a 270hp, 11 litre Maybach petrol engine (fuel was obviously much cheaper in those days!). The Famo could tow loads of up to 28 tonnes, making it suitable for moving medium tanks such as the Panzer IV, and artillery pieces such as the 17cm Kanone 18, the 21cm Mörser 18 and the huge 24cm Kanone 3.

The Kit
The Revell Famo was first released in 2004 and has been periodically released since that date which shows it must be a good seller. The 2015 boxing comes with new decals.The kit is made up of 6 sprues of beige plastic. First impressions are very good as the part count is high, detail is excellent and the mouldings are very clean and crisp despite what must be a few runs by now.

The ladder chassis employed by the designers of the FAMO is faithfully represented and there a pretty convincing rendition of that massive Maybach lump is included too. The road wheels and tyres are similarly well detailed, as are the chunky link and length tracks.

The crew compartment is also nicely represented, which is just as well as this FAMO is an open top vehicle, so it will be on full view. A dashboard, handbrake, gear lever and steering wheel are amongst the components that all help to bring the model alive. The rear load compartment is pretty basic, but then it was on the real thing too. A nice touch is the spare tyre, held in a cage between the load compartment and the running gear. A tow bar is also provided, which can be stowed if not used for a diorama. A piece of thin plastic film is provided for the windscreen .

Decals
A small decal sheet is provided which gives markings for two examples.

The first is surprisingly a captured example from Tunisia 1943 as used by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (British Army).

The second is a Wermacht one from 10th Panzer Division, again in Tunisia 1943.

Conclusion
It is great news that Revell have re-released this kit. They continue to give the small scale armour modeller value for money kits. Highly recommended.

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers.

For further information visit

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Nice review of a very good kit, perhaps not quite as detailed as Trumpeter's initial release, but a hell of a lot easier to build.

[Ratch]

Revell would have you paint the seat covers Satin White, surely this cannot be correct.