ICM Sd.Kfz. 223 German Radio Communication Vehicle - 1:48 ICM

[Paul A H]

Sd.Kfz. 223 German Radio Communication Vehicle

1:48 ICM

 

 

The Sd.Kfz. 223 was part of the Leichter Panzerspähwagen (light armoured reconnaissance vehicle) series of armoured cars. The Sd.Kfz. 223 was based on the 221, but featured a 30-watt radio set and roof-mounted antenna. It was powered by the same Horch 3.8 litre V8 petrol engine, coupled to a four-wheel system for better off-road performance. Over 500 examples were produced during the War.

 

1:48 is still rather a niche scale for AFV modellers, but it has been around for a lot longer than you might think.  The scale was first popularised by Bandai, who developed a fairly good range of vehicles and figures in the 1970s and 80s, before pulling out of the market some time in the 1990s. Tamiya picked up the mantle in 2006, and have steadily built up a good range of kits, focusing mainly on WWII subjects, but adding more modern subjects such as the recently announced M1A1 Abrams. Other manufacturers such as Ace, AFV Club, Airfix, Italeri and ICM have also released kits along the way. It is the latter manufacturer  with which we are concerned here, as they have just released the first kit of the Sd.Kfz 223 in this scale.

 

Inside ICM's typically robust box are five frames of grey plastic, as well as a set of rubber tyres and a small fret of photo etched brass. Full colour instructions and decals complete the package. Moulding is clean and crisp, with plenty of fine detail. Eagle eyed afficianados of the scale will have already noticed that this kit is essentially ICM's Sd.Kfz 222 (released in 2007 by ICM, and again in 2008 by Tamiya), with added parts for the 223's turret and radio gear, as well as the option of rubber tyres.

 

 

 

There is no interior to speak of, so construction kicks off by joining the upper and lower sections of the hull together. A quick dry fit of the parts suggests the fit might not be world-class, but I'm sure it can be made to go together well enough with the application of pressure (and a bit of shouting) in the right places). Crew access doors are moulded separately, but the lack of interior means most modellers will simply glue them shut. The axles, drive shaft and transfer box are all moulded as one part, which is good for ease of assembly. 

 

 

 

As mentioned previously, there is a choice of plastic or rubber tyres provided, which is a smart move on ICM's part as it caters for all tastes. Small details such as headlights, mud guards, and stowage bins are next, followed by the turret and machine gun. The MG34 is a particularly nice piece of moulding, presumably because it, along with the other new parts, is a good ten years younger than the rest of the kit. The photo etched mesh and radio antenna are the final finishing touches, along with a few tools which have been moulded separately to the rest of the kit. 

 

 

 

Decal options include:

• Sd.Kfz. 223. 2nd Panzer Division, France, May 1940 (finished in overall grey)
• Sd.Kfz. 223. Ukraine, Summer 1941 (finished in overall grey)
• Sd.Kfz. 223. Russia, Winter 1942 (finished in temporary white camouflage)
• Sd.Kfz. 223. 5th Panzer Division, DAK, Libya, Summer 1942 (finished in overall dark yellow)

The decals, such as they are, look nicely printed.

 

Conclusion

 

Any new 1:48 AFV kit is welcome in this house, and this is no exception. Even though it is based on the older Sd.Kfz.222 kit, it shows that ICM are keeping the faith with the scale. This shouldn't take too long to build, and I'm looking forward to getting started.

 

Review sample courtesy of