Review
This offering from MiniArt arrives in a card tray with a separate card lid. My only concern with reference to the packaging is that due to the finesse of many of the small pieces, and all being packaged together there is a risk of damage due to parts becoming distorted or physically broken. Fortunately in this example, there is no damage to the model elements and with the photo etch being packaged in a card envelope the risk of damage to them are minuscule. I do not like that the decals are packaged with the clear sprue, but again no damage has occurred.
This model offering from MiniArt provides a full mechanical set-up as regard engine and gearbox. The modeller will benefit from replicating some of the wiring loom and fuel lines. However, with that said, the oily elements of this release are exceptionally well detailed and I will restrict my criticism to the risk of damage to parts during removal from the sprue. The very high quality of detail on the mechanicals extends to the bogey assembly, where detail includes shock springs which well replicated. Obviously within these areas of the model there is room for the modeller with the ability to replace some parts with items such as, home-made springs to really make your particular model pop.
The cab of the model has all of the requisite controls, and again my only concern is damage during removal from the sprue. I believe that 2 versions of this model have been released previously, which were un-armoured versions and working from memory the biggest complaint I can recall was during assembly the finesse of some elements resulted in breakages, and so making assembly a problematic task. Now we are going back to a time period when MiniArt used to receive a lot of complaints about the plastic used being brittle. I have built a few recent MiniArt kits without encountering that issue. What I did have to be careful of, was removing some pieces with a razor blade to prevent distortion or breakage.
The tracks of the model are fully workable, and will require care during assembly to retain this functionality if required for some reason. I personally would assemble, fit and secure and not bother trying to have them workable. The armour plate protecting the crew, look to be well replicated, but I could not find confirmation of the set up as is. As such, I believe there is a possibility that the armour over the cab was a field modification - but some may know better and I implore you to shout out if you the knowledge that I do not. Looking at the detail of the armour plate, I believe it will be possible to have the cab doors open and so enabling a view inside the area and I was thinking about putting up a poster or such from the period inside the cab - something that soldiers are prone to do.
The larger mouldings do have a lot of flow marks on them, which you can see in the photographs, this has not caused any issues in this example, but it is worth checking your own. The dozer-blade assembly of the model can be set on the finished vehicle as desired. The detail looks good and when painted and weathered a modellers ability will really show. The cable that operates the height of the dozer-blade is replicated with a fine twine which is black in colour and does have a twist element to it. While I feel this cable in an acceptable option, there are metal cables available in the aftermarket areas of the hobby that I feel would further improve the definition of this element.
MiniArt has provided 4 finishing options for this vehicle which are:
103rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, US Army, Europe, 1944-45
Unidentified combat Engineer Battalion, US Army, Europe, winter 1944-45
Presumably 127th Combat Engineer Battalion, 6th US Army, Manila, Philippines, February 1945
17th Armoured Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armoured Division US Army, Germany, spring 1945
Conclusion
This offering from MiniArt has a very high level of detail present in the box, and it is the finesse of this level of detail that will make the model a challenge. I really love the mechanicals of this release in every aspect, and if you have the required skills I believe a stunning model could result. I again raise my concerns about taking great care during removal of parts from the sprue in order to avoid damage.