Bronco Models 1/35 German Light Staff Car Stabswagen Model 1937 Cabriolet Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | December 2009 | Manufacturer | Bronco Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | German Light Staff Car Stabswagen Model 1937 Cabriolet | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 35047 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Nicely detailed kit | Cons | |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $44.98 |
First Look
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Before the outbreak of World War Two, German car maker Opel released a new luxury model to compete against the successful cars from Mercedes-Benz, Horch, and Maybach. This new car was the Opel Olympia and it produced as a sedan and as a convertible (cabriolet).
When the German war machine started ramping up, many of these vehicles were put into military service to provide transportation to senior officers. The Opel Olympia was produced between 1935 and 1940.
Bronco Models has released a new-tool kit of this unique German staff car produced by Opel. This kit is a simply laid out model that has a number of nice touches. The kit is molded in desert tan styrene and presented on three parts trees plus separately packaged body and convertible top. Five sprues molded in black provide five layers that make up each tire plus wheel and hub. One small green tree provides a pair of Jerry cans and a small gray tree provides a machine gun and ammo pouch. The kit is rounded out with one clear tree for the windows.
The kit features a separately molded convertible top which can be depicted stowed to reveal the nice interior. The fit of the top was so tight coming out of the box that I thought initially that it was molded top-up.
The doors are separately molded and the interior door panels and rear seat side panels are molded separately. These trap the front and rear side windows should you want to pose the vehicle with the windows rolled up. The separate interior panels also make detail painting of the interior even easier.
The exterior detail is also well done as you have a pair of gas cans stowed on the rear of the vehicle as well as the compulsory black-out driving lights.
Markings are provided for the following three examples:
- All-gray Wehrmacht vehicle with Italian operating area plates
- Gray and tan Wehrmacht vehicle with northwest Europe ID plates
- Olive drab US Army vehicle captured and used in 1945
The instructions provide paint colors for Gunze Sangyo, Hobby Color, Humbrol, and Tamiya.
Bronco Models continues to turn out some impressive models and this one is no exception. These kits are definitely an AMS modeler's delight.
This kit is highly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!