Plus Model 1/35 Praga AV Command Car Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Praga AV was a three-axle command car produced by the CKD Works in Prague for the Czech Army between 1936 and 1939. Some 389 examples were produced and served in the armed forces of Czechoslovakia as well as exported to Romania, Poland, Sweden, Bulgaria and Peru. A number of Praga AV command cars were also pressed into Wehrmacht service as they were 'liberated' from the motor pools of conquered countries.

Plus Model has produced an interesting array of unique kit subjects that we'll never see in injection-molded plastic anytime soon. In this kit, they've produced the three-axle command car that I remember seeing in old photographs from World War II.

The kit is cast in beautifully detailed, bubble-free resin. As you can see in the accompanying photographs, the details are sharp. What is not shown is one additional batch of tiny detail parts that round out the kit.

To illustrate the details of this kit, you can see in the photos the six-cylinder engine block provided, though the hood is molded in the closed position. This is because you can see the engine compartment from underneath! The radiator frame and radiator are separate resin parts while the front grille and manufacturer's logo are separate photo-etched parts. While the kit is loaded with detail, there does not appear to be any hidden problems to construct this kit.

The chassis underside is very detailed. From the front-end steering mechanism and the exhaust system to the drive train and unusual leaf spring suspension.

While none of the four doors are positionable, you will be able to show off an intricate interior with the top down. From the interior door handles to the various shift and brake levers, all you're missing is the staff officer and his driver (and a nice Spitfire rolling in for a strafe kill).

The kit also provides your choice of convertible top - up or down. All of the other necessary details, from gas cans to pioneer tools, are also included. Right down to the photo-etched radiator grille, this kit will rival any of the best injection-molded plastic kits currently on the market.

By any standard, this kit is a beautiful bit of engineering to capture into 1/35 resin. For those of you familiar with Plus Models, this is no surprise as every model we've seen from this company is equally well-crafted. Do note that this kit is not for the novice modeler. You should have some experience in working with resin parts, are comfortable working with cyano glues, and have the proper tools to remove the individual parts from their mold bases without shattering the parts in question.

This kit comes recommended to all skilled modelers and will look great parked next to a Panzer II! For more information about this set and the other releases from Plus Model, visit their website at www.plusmodel.cz.

My sincere thanks to Plus Model for this review sample!