Ding Hao Bussing NAG 4500S w/EMC Type II Mines

[Shar2]

Bussing NAG 4500S w/EMC Type II Mines

Ding Hao 1:35

 

The foundation of the company Bussing goes back to the year 1903. Bussing is considered the oldest German lorry manufacturer. In 1931 Bussing took over AEG daughter company NAG and became Bussing-NAG. This company manufactured many lorry types from 1.5 ton to 11.5 tons payload. The Bussing-NAG type 500 was manufactured from 1939 to 1941. Beginning in 1940, it was designated Bussing-NAG type 500 S. It was propelled by a 6 cylinder, 105 HP diesel engine and had a payload of 4.75 tons. The Bussing-NAG type 500A was developed in the beginning of 1939. It was made in small numbers from late 1940 to 1942. Unlike to the Bussing-NAG type 500S it had all wheel drive. The Bussing-NAG type 4500 S was the successor model of the Bussing-NAG type 500S. Outwardly, it looked different, but it was based on the same technology. It was manufactured from 1942 to 1945. A whole range of alterations were introduced into the series production units of the Bussing-NAG 4500, especially to type 4500A. Nearly 15,000 units of the type 4500 A/S were manufactured until the end of Second World War.

 

The Model

The kit is a variant of the previously released 4500S by AFV Club which is also part of the Hobby Fan group that owns Ding Hao.  The box style is covered in a separate sleeve that is glued to the box and has to be cut to actually get the box open.  Inside the box it is literally stuffed full of sprues.  There are six sprues of yellow styrene, two of green styrene, one of clear styrene, a small etched sheet, two small decal sheets, seven vinyl tyres, a length of string and four poly caps. There are also eight resin parts included in the kit, which I will talk about later. Naturally, being from AFV Club, the truck is a highly detailed kit, but it doesn’t seem as complicated, and therefore, difficult than other manufacturers releases of similar trucks.  Whilst all the parts are cleanly moulded, with some finely rendered details there is a small amount of flash, but only on a couple of parts.  There doesn’t appear to be any signs of other imperfections, but there are a lot of moulding pips.  The tyres, although not to everyones taste are very well moulded with very fine tread detail, (certainly for road use, not cross country), and sidewall details, including the manufacturers name.  As with most truck kits, most of the detail is on the chassis and suspension parts, and this is no different, so care and attention to the instructions and parts placement will be needed to get all the wheels to sit on the ground correctly as it looks like it will be relatively easy to get the chassis slightly skewed.

 

 

 

As with most truck kits the chassis is the first section to be assembled.  Consisting of two longitudinal rails which are joined together via six cross members, the rear most one being fitted with a four piece towing hitch with its associated spring mounted behind the cross member.  Two five piece accumulator tanks are then fitted, one on each chassis rail whilst the four part exhaust/silencer is threaded through the mid section cross members and out to the left hand side.  The front bumper is then fitted with two reflectors and number plate before being attached to the front of the chassis rails.  On each rail, two footstep support brackets are attached, followed by the front mudguards, which have the footsteps moulded integrally.  The two piece fuel tank is then fitted to the right hand rail via two triangular brackets.  To the rear of the chassis, the two reflector arms are attached, and then fitted with the reflectors and the rear number plate to the left hand arm.  Up forward the radiator is fitted along with the single hooded headlight and two open headlights, which come with clear lens parts.  The rear differential is then assembled from nine parts, while the front consists of six parts. The differential and front axle are then attached to the chassis.  Each of the four wheels are built up with an inner hub which has a poly cap fitted into it, followed by the outer hub, then the vinyl tyres are slipped over the rims, and the centre hub glued into place.  The wheels are then attached to the axles.

 

 

 

Assembly moves onto the engine, which is made up from two halves of the block, to which the cylinder heads are attached, followed by the alternator, auxiliary drive cover and exhaust manifold. The gearbox is then assembled from eight parts, and then fitted with the two piece bell housing before being glued to the engine assembly, which is then fitted with the sump block.  The engine is further detailed with the fitting of the intake manifold, three piece air filter unit, coolant pipes, fan belt and fan.  The engine/gearbox assembly is then fitted to the chassis, along with the transfer box and the three driveshafts, each having separate universal joints.  The gear leaver is then attached to the top of the gearbox

 

The assembly of the cab begins with the fitting of the foot pedals and hand brake lever, as well as a couple of fixing brackets to the floor.  The bench seat base is then fitted, being topped off with a single piece seat cushion. The rear bulkhead is fitted with the single piece seat back, rear window and two hand holds. The interior of the front cab section is detailed with the fitting of the instrument binnacle, switchbox, two windscreens and a couple of fuse boxes.  The three cab assemblies are then joined together and the roof fitted.  On top of the roof there is a small light fitting complete with clear lens, along with two grab handles, two more of which are fitted to the sides of the rear bulkhead. The cab assembly is attached to the chassis, with the previously fitted gear stick, threaded through the hole in the cab floor.  The steering column is, likewise slid into a hole in the floor and attached to the steering rack, before being fitted with the steering wheel. The bonnet centre bar is then fixed between the cab and the radiator. Each door consists of a single piece door, clear window part plus internal and external door handles.  These can be fitted to the cab either open or closed positions.  The four piece bonnet, with additional PE mesh fitted to the inside of the grille, and pioneer tools to each side panel, is then fitted over the engine.  Unfortunately the bonnet sections cannot be posed open without resorting to some surgery.

 

 

 

 

The truck bed consists of as single piece bed, to which five stowage boxes are fitted to the underside, as is the spare wheel and its associated brackets. The bed is the glued to the single piece support frame, along with the rear mudguards and their attachment brackets. The front, sides and rear flap are then attached, with e the sides having extra slated top rails fitted.  The bed assembly is then glued to the chassis.  On the right hand side a large jack unit is fitted, and the assembly if the mines can begin.  Each mine assembly is made up of the lower weight unit, to which a reel of mooring wire is attached. Each mooring weight consists of no less than thirty four parts and each mine consists of twelve parts, including separate individual horns. Each mine is then attached to their associated mooring weight, which in turn is glued to their resin transport pallets. The mine assemblies can then be glued to the rear of the cargo bed.  The kit also comes with a single resin figure of a Kriegsmarine officer. The figure comes with separate arms and head but with limited options of a different pose unless the modeller does some major modifications.

 

 

 

 

Decals

The two small decal sheets contains only a fairly few decals. The first just has the registration numbers for six vehicles, and unit markings while the second contains numbers for the mines and two halves of the Kriegsmarine ensign, with dislocated swastika.  The decals are nicely printed, in register, with good opacity and definition. All variants are painted in Panzer Grey overall.

 

 

Conclusion

There’s not a lot more I can say, other than this is a very nice kit, that’s not to complex to build and will make a nice addition to any collection.  There is also so much you can do with this truck though, with endless possibilities for diorama settings or vignettes.  Modify some troops from the spares box for the crew and away you go.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

UK Distributors for