HobbyBoss Sd.Kfz. 222 Light Armoured Vehicle. 1/35

[Shar2]

Sd.Kfz. 222 Light Armoured Vehicle

HobbyBoss 1:35

 

History

Adoption of the SdKfz 221 series of armoured cars in 1935 by the German Army eventually led to a broadened line of similar cars all based on the same power pack, design form, and running gear of the original in the SdKfz 222 and SdKfz 223. The SdKfz 222 was an up-gunned form mounting a combination 20mm cannon with 7.92mm machine gun in its turret. The 222 also increased the crew by one to three so a dedicated gunner could manage the armament. All of the vehicles in the family were of the same 4-ton, light-class design though the 22-models proved slightly heavier in practice thanks to the additional armament and its applicable ammunition stores required. The 222-model retained the original's open turret as well as its folding mesh protector which was designed to keep enemy grenades from entering the fighting cabin in action.

Production of the SdKfz 222 variant spanned from 1937 into 1943 to which some 990 of the type were eventually delivered. Early forms lacked radio sets up until early 1942 and the original MG13 machine guns were upgraded to the MG34 machine gun in 1938. Finally, during 1942, the original KwK30 cannon was upgraded to the KwK 38 series and a different chassis was used which led to the Ausf.B.

The SdKfz 221, 222, and 223 cars succeeded over earlier German Army armoured cars because they were built atop a dedicated armoured car chassis designed with the rigors of military service in mind. This also improved cross-country travel which was an important quality of a modern mechanized force. All three variants held inherent 4x4 wheel drive and four-wheel steering capability and used the same Horch V8 gasoline engine which simplified in-the-field repair work and general logistics. The engines were installed in a rear compartment on all marks, leaving the central and frontal hull sections for the crew and armament. A spare road wheel was carried externally, on the right hull side in case of emergency.

The addition of heavier armament added slightly more weight to the SdKfz 222 design which already was forced to manage the armoured superstructure. Sloped armour was seen on all faces of the hull superstructure which offered protection from small arms fire up to 7.92mm in calibre. The 222-model could engage other light-armoured vehicles through Armour-Piercing (AP) projectiles and enemy infantry concentrations through use of a High-Explosive (HE) 20mm shell. 180 x 20mm projectiles were carried aboard along with 1,050 x 7.92mm rounds of machine gun ammunition. However, it still remained a reconnaissance-minded and scouting vehicle first and not intended a direct-combat vehicle - its armament intended for local defence. Their compact dimensions did make them hard targets to train in on at range but protection for the crew was, on the whole, lacking against larger calibre weaponry.

 

The Model

This is yet another of the old Tristar moulds being put back into good use, and a good looking kit it is. The box art is the same as the Tristar packaging with the colour artists impression of a pair of vehicles on the road, surrounded by a yellow boarder. As with the other kits, all the parts are beautifully moulded, with the sprues in a sandy yellow styrene.  There are seven sprues in the yellow styrene, one of clear styrene. There are also four rubber tyres, one sheet of etched brass, eight small springs and a smallish decal sheets.  There is no sign of flash or other imperfections, but there are quite a few moulding pips that will need to be cleaned up. Looking at the parts count and layout, it doesn’t appear to be a complicated build, but the interior and suspension detailing means it would probably not be easy for a novice modeller.

 

 

 

Construction begins with the chassis, the two rails being joined together by seven cross-members and the three piece rear differential.  The four upper wishbones are then attached, one per corner, followed by the three piece front differential, drive shaft and attachment shaft. Two towing hooks are fitted to the front of the chassis, followed by the front bumper, two shock absorbers per axle, complete with actual metal springs and the lower wishbones. Each wheel is made up from  five parts, plus the rubber tyre, these, and the nine piece steering rack are then fitted to the chassis and the whole assembly put to one side.

 

 

 

The lower hull is fitted with the fighting compartment floor, followed by the build up of the interior details.  These include the drivers pedals, steering column, battery box, five control sticks to the front, while to the rear there are two storage boxes and a seat frame. The engine compartment bulkhead si then fitted, as is the two piece drivers seat and six piece ammunition box and rack.  The turret basket frame is then assembled and fitted with the commanders seat, rotation hand wheel and gearbox, plus turret control pedals. The 20mm cannon is made up from four parts.  This is then attached to the nine piece gun mount along witht eh two piece MG-34 machine gun.  Pipe work is then attached to eh mount, before the assembly is attached to the turret basket assembly, with the addition of the traversing gear and trunnion mounts. 

 

 

 

The interior is further detailed with the addition of various items such as binocular cases, pistol holster, stowage boxes, interior frames as well as the two, three piece side doors, external towing hooks to the rear, large storage box on the left hand side and spare wheel on the right hand side. The rear wheel arches are attached and fitted with more gear, such as the large jack, tool boxes, light clusters, tow cable, as well as the exhaust. The upper hull section is fitted with the vision ports which can be posed open if required.  The engine hatches are glued into place, as are the headlights, lower glacis plate, pioneer tools and rear mounted extension box. The interior of the upper hull has more detail fitted in the shape of gas mask cases, steering wheel and instrument panel, which has decal instruments, vision port hinges, bolt croppers, and gun cleaning rod case.

 

 

 

The upper and lower hulls are joined together and the four piece front wheel arches attached. These are fitted with hooded lights, corner extent poles, and wing mirrors.  The gun mounts/turret basket is the pushed into place so that it can traverse before the six piece turret, plus three piece radio set and mounting, is assembled and pressed into place. The two turret hatches are fitted with their respective PE anti grenade screens before being glued to the turret in either the open of closed positions. The two piece aerial base is attached as is the PE decking to the rear of the turret.  The completed hull assembly is then glued to the chassis assembly, completing the build.

 

 

Decals

The small decal sheet contains markings for three vehicles, they are nicely printed, in register and opaque.  The three options are:-

 

• 1./Kradschuetzen-Btl., Gross Deutschland Panzer Grenadier Division, Orel, Russia, 1942 in overall Panzer Grey
• 20 Panzer Division, USSR, 1943, in overall Panzer Grey with Dark Yellow splotches
• Bulgarian Army, M222, First Army Armoured Battalion, Hungary, February, 1945, in overall Panzer Grey.

 

 

Conclusion

I was pleasantly surprised with this kit having a full interior, excellent news for those who like to have all the hatches open or for use in a diorama. It’s only small, but they have packed a lot into it, and it looks like it will build into a very nice little model.

 

 

Review courtesy of

 

[marky sparky]

Looks good but I wish they'd stop using those rubber tyres or at least have the option for plastic ones, they're the devils work!