Review
MiniArt has released a new soft skin truck into their range with this being an Opel Blitz offering in 1/35th scale. The model is packaged in the usual manner of a cardboard tray and card lid that protects a single plastic bag with the model parts. The clear sprue, photo etch and decal sheet are in their own bag within the package but I still believe this risks damage to both the decals and the photo etch. An examination of the parts reveals no obvious moulding issues of concern and the gates are small in size which means easy to clean up. I also believe access for removing parts is good in all cases but there are some very small parts that could be easily broken or lost.
The oily areas of this model are very detailed and even the most demanding modeller should be happy with what is offered. The combination of photo etch and extreme detail does make this a model that is not one for the beginner and if photo etch is not your thing then give this one a miss. The modellers who are comfortable with tackling anything that comes along should love this release.
The chassis is a multi-part affair requiring a lot of care to make sure it is orientated correctly. Getting the chassis right is the most important thing as it will make the rest of the build easier. The engine and gearbox are equally as well detailed and if put on show will catch the eye. All the super detailer really needs here is I believe fuel and brake lines and the wire detail in the engine bay. There is quite a bit of fine photo etch detail that will challenge but I feel will be worth the effort. The tyres use the slice method and so as long as you clean them up completely they offer excellent6 tread detail.
The cab of the track as with oily areas very well detailed offering a great detail of internal panels. The firewall between the engine and cab offers all of the features you should find remembering that you need to add the wire. You have two options as regards the front engine grill offering with the Opel name plate or the horse shoe design. You will again be dealing with some very fine photo etch with thankfully some parts being offered with plastic alternate options. The doors can be assembled open or closed and have separate door cards which all adds to those great details. The hood of the model has also been designed with the choice of displaying the glorious engine bay.
The bed of the truck has not been overlooked where detail is concerned, but it is an area where I feel MiniArt may have gone too far with the photo etch as a lot of it is just too small to make much visual difference; however to each their own. The wood detail is good and with the photo etch and plastic combination you have a large number of display options. The canvas provides a full canvas with a very natural look to it and cannot really be improved if tackling it yourself unless you want a partial canvas only. If you prefer MiniArt has given us the option of the canvas rails installed or stowed and so you decide.
An aspect not covered in the construction is that I believe the model can be assembled in three large sub assemblies that make life easier. It means you want to go to town on the oily areas you can with great access to all areas. The exterior can also be tackled without fighting about what you can or cannot touch. Everything can then be brought together as a finished model without risk to your hard work.
MiniArt has provided five finishing options for this offering:
9th Panzer Division, Panzer-Pioneer-Battalion 86. Eastern Front, Autumn 1944
4th Panzer Division. Poland, Gdynia, January 1945
6th Panzer Division. Czechoslovakia. Spring 1945
Unidentified Medical Unit, Western Front, Spring 1945
US Army Unidentified Unit. Austria, Spring 1945