Hobbyboss M35 Mittlere Panzerwagen. 1:35

[Shar2]

M35 Mittlere Panzerwagen

Hobbyboss 1:35

 

History

In 1934, the Austrian Army (Bundesheer) needed a new heavy armored car for police duties, under the designation “M35 Mittlere Panzerwagen”. Steyr had already developed a vehicle tailored for urban operations, with sloped armor and symmetric body helping the vehicle to maneuver quickly and retreat without having to turn around. The prototype was successfully tested and accepted into service in 1935. Production spanned until 1937 with 27 vehicles being given to the army and the police. All were captured by the Germans and pressed into service after the Anschluss. In “ADGZ”, AD stands for “Austro-Daimler”, the official designation was “M35 Mittlere Panzerwagen”.

 

The ADGZ was a massive, twelve-wheeled armored car, the two external axles with their independent leaf spring suspension, and the central twin axle, with double wheels (eight in all), mated on a common suspension. It was intended for maneuvering off-road, but also for urban usage. The sloped armored body, uniformly 6 mm (0.23 in) thick (except the top and bottom) was welded and almost entirely symmetrical, with the engine at the rear, and two drivers whom could operate the vehicle from each side, switching almost immediately thanks to the dual transmission. There was a central circular turret with a double hatch on top, which could be fully opened to dominate the crowd, housing a 20 mm (0.79 in) KwK 35 L/45 autocannon. Four half-doors punctuated the sides, with the upper and lower parts opening independently. The drivers each had a small sight opening on their side, with an armored hatch and on the other side a ball mount, from which they could operate a single MG 34 machine-gun. So each end presented a driver and machine-gunner. Four headlights were also fitted, two on each end of the vehicle, mounted on the body-integrated mudguards.

 

27 (28 from other sources) Steyr ADGZs were delivered and 12 used by the Austrian Army in March 1938 in the fast division; 14 were part of the Gendarmerie. The prototype was the 27th. After the Anschluss in 1938, all these vehicles were distributed among SS units and military police. In 1939, a detachment took part in the operations in Danzig, Poland, at the opening of the war. Three SS Heimwehr Danzig armored cars were engaged and one lost in action while taking the post office. In 1941, 25 additional vehicles were ordered by the SS and used in various units in the Balkans, for police operation and fighting partisans (like the “Prinz Eugen” division). An unconfirmed source stated that tests were performed with Russian T-26 turrets after capturing many in 1941.

 

The Model

Having released several Russian heavy armoured cars Hobbyboss have now released a second version of the M35 German heavies.  The kit comes in a top opening box with an artistic impression of the vehicle driving along a dirt track.  Inside there are five sprues and two separate parts in beige styrene, one small sprue of clear styrene, one smallish sheet of etched brass, twelve rubber/vinyl tyres and a small decal sheet. As usual for a Hobbyboss kit the parts moulding is really well done, with some nicely reproduced surface details, no sign of flash or other imperfections and not too many moulding pips making for an easy clean up job. This will turn into quite a large model, well, for an armoured car, but there aren’t too many parts, so not as complicated as their Russian vehicles.

 

 

 

Construction begins with drilling some holes out in the lower hull, followed by the centrally mounted drive shaft and gearbox cover, plus the front and rear axle mounts, each of three parts, and their single piece covers. The five piece front and rear axles are then attached followed by their respective steering gear and linkages.  The centrally mounted pairs of axles are contained within a four piece suspension unit, one for each side. With these fitted the four triangular panels, two each side are glued into place, as are the front and rear glacis plates, onto which two towing eyes are attached. The two protective axle grounding plates are made of PE and need to be bent to shape before being glued in place, followed by four square boxes, one in each corner of the lower hull. The front and rear pairs of wheels are each made from the main wheel, rear rim, poly cap and rubber tyre, while the centre four are made from two wheels, two rims, poly caps and a large central hub and the rubber tyres. With the wheels assembled they can now be fitted to their respective axles.

 

 

Attention then turns to the upper hull and the fitting of four triangular hatches on the sides, each with separate handles; three pistol ports drivers and co-drivers vision ports. The prominent louvre panels on the front upper hull can be posed open or closed. Unfortunately, since there is no interior to this kit, having the panels open will mean you can see straight into the hull, so will have to be closed, yet, when operational, these panels look like they were mainly open. A bit of a quandary for sure.

 

 

 

The rear engine deck is made up from three parts and glued into place, as is the three piece exhaust and three, five piece jerry cans fitted into a two piece storage tray.  The pioneer tools are then attached; these include and pick axe, shovel, and five piece jack.  There is an array of three headlights on a support bracket that is fitted to the centre of the upper hull, between the drivers and machine gunners position. Two MG34 machine guns are assembled from three parts and slide into their respective ball sockets from the inside. Two, two piece standard headlights are fitted front and rear along with the single shrouded lights.  The standard lights can be fitted with covers with a slot in them if required. The upper and lower hulls are then joined together. Another MG34 and a 20mm cannon are fitted with their two piece ball mounts before being fitted to the respective external mounts within the turret. The three piece roof and turret ring are glued on afterward. The completed turret is then attached to the hull opening completing the build.

 

 

 

 

 

Decals

The small decal sheet is sparse to say the least.  What there are, are nicely printed and if previous experience has taught me, quite thin.  There are just a selection of German crosses, one of which is split for fitting to the louvre panels and there is only one scheme, Panzer Grey, no vehicle identification markings are included.

 

 

Conclusion

There is something about large armoured cars from any country.  They have an enigmatic air about them, as well as being slightly bonkers, as most of the early war armoured cars seem to be. It’s nice to see these vehicles released though as they will add something a bit different to a modellers collection.

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Panzer Vor!!!]

Have  developed a  taste for these A/C so will be adding to the stash

Nice kits to build as well 

[Antoine]

Thanks Dave,

A few years ago, we could have only dreamed about a resin kit.

And now comes HB.

Same story as the Skoda Turtle, it will be a nice addition to the stash, and will be certainly quickly on the workbench, then on the shelves.

[Tim T]

That's fabulous.  Utterly bonkers and definitely worth a place on the shelf.  Thanks for the review.