Review
This offering from ICM arrives in the usual manner of a flip-top cardboard tray with a separate card lid showing the artwork. Inside, the sprues are packaged in a single plastic bag, with the decals provided inside the instruction booklet. An examination of the contents reveals no major issues, and from previous experience building this kit should not prove difficult however, I do not know about the new parts. Sprue gates are of a reasonable size, although there are some pieces that have what I would class as excessive numbers. From the information that I have been able to ascertain only one vehicle of this design was built and apart from the aerial set up on the roof, the model is the same as was produced by the French but was refitted with Soviet 45mm 20-k gun.
As is typical for ICM, a decently detailed engine and gearbox is provided for in the build, and with some further scratch work performed by the modeller the engine bay can be accurately displayed as the panels have been supplied separately. The anti-skid diamond plate flooring is added to the main floor of the hull, which I again feel is a nice level of detail. This particular vehicle can be driven in both forward and reverse, with the driver’s being at opposite ends in the driving stations depending on which direction you are going. Internal panels have been provided and have detail on both faces, which all go to compliment the driving stations that are also present. Side access doors are separate mouldings and so can be shown open or closed - which means that the view of the interior detail is good. A large number of both ammunition both for the machine guns and the shells for the main gun have been provided.
On the underside of the hull reasonably detailed axles have been provided along with suspension stations. The wheels are not going to please everyone as the tyres themselves are vinyl rubber, which I know are not popular with everyone. External detail would appear to be correct, and the tools which despite having moulded on clamp detail. The turret has no interior detail beyond what is on the breach of the guns and the ring for rotating the turret. The machine gun used in this vehicle is a novelty as it has a drum magazine which is shown attaching to the side of the MG, which means that the ammunition is pointing in the wrong direction for ease of loading. The main gun itself has a reasonable level of detail, which should satisfy anyone with the top hatch rear doors open. If you have the rear doors open you will need to do some work on the side walls. The aerial mount is reasonably detailed, simple to mount and so should not cause any issues.
3 finishing options have been provided:
20th Panzer Division, Eastern Front, 1941
20th Panzer Division, Eastern Front, Winter 1942 (probable appearance)
Panzerspahwagen (Funk) P204 (F), Eastern Front 1943