Introduction
As many of you may be aware, MiniArt’s releases of diorama elements appeal to me greatly. I am also rather pleased to see MiniArt’s ventures into civilian vehicles, as these can also add some significant additions to a diorama that may have a bigger impact on the story than any military elements used. The Lieferwagen was utilised for many different purposes and on this occasion represents a vehicle delivering oil products.
Review
This offering from MiniArt arrives in a cardboard tray with a separate card lid. Inside there is a single plastic bag containing the model parts and an additional plastic bag containing the clear parts and decal - which is something that I do not like due to the risk of damage to the decals, and a card sleeve containing photo etched parts. It is disappointing to see quite a large box, with so much empty space but such is… Access to the various parts is good, but there are some sizeable ejector pin marks both proud and recessed that will need to be addressed. As has become the norm with many providers of late, the finesse of some parts means that damage or breakage could easily be the result during removal from the sprue.
This offering from MiniArt provides the modeller with a well detailed engine and transmission, with minimal amounts of photo etch being used. But some of the parts that are used here are very small. The chassis of the model is a single piece moulding of tubular design, to which everything is added. Again some very small photo etched parts are used, which could easily be damaged during assembly. While not included, bending instructions are provided for the modeller to create accurate brake lines in 0.2mm wire. I personally would have liked to have found the inclusion of some jigs for this purpose, but regardless, it is still a nice touch. The rear spring suspension has been well done, with springs that actually move but to show them heavily laden will require surgery to the weak representation of the shock absorbers.
Many of you will be aware of my dislike of not being able to show the front wheels of a vehicle turned, and this release has that problem, which I do not believe will be easily overcome. Mounting loops for the axles are provided in photo etch form, which while good from a scale thickness will make those uncomfortable with photo etch struggle a bit. The shell of the body are the items on which you are going to find most of the ejector pins marks, I cannot recall them being this bad on previous releases of this vehicle and so I am wondering if the sprues were removed from the moulds too soon.
The fire wall between the cab and the engine bay has some nice details added, such as the fuel tank and vehicle tools. The dashboard has clear lenses for each instrument dial, but the detail underneath these will need to be hand painted. The bench seat at the front is nicely replicated, but would benefit from some wear and tear being added via tissue paper. Once the body panels are assembled the front doors can be assembled in a position of your choice. The hood of the vehicle correctly folds at the centre and edge with nice vent detail in the side panels. Lights have been provided with clear lenses which is something often overlooked by some manufacturers.
The bed of the truck is made up with a base and four panels around it. That is the easy part as there is a good amount of photo etch in this area this will possibly cause modellers who are uncomfortable with photo etch to struggle, but I feel it is worth the effort. The rear panel could with a little effort be shown folded down for a vehicle in the process of loading or unloading. A rigid canvas is supplied along with a small amount of photo etch detailing. MiniArt has provided two large oil drums which will make a good load, but I would have liked to see some smaller oil containers in the mix.
MiniArt has provided four finishing options for this release which are:
Hamburg, Early 1950’s
Nordrhiem-Westfalen, Early 1950’s
Belgium, 1950’s
Denmark’ 1950’s
Conclusion
This release in many ways is a very complete model, in that details are provided for the modeller to replicate brake lines. I will not deny that I am disappointed to find so many raised and recessed ejector pin marks that will need to be tackled, but the detail taken as a whole mark this as a highly detailed model release. I would have liked to see some smaller oil containers along with the drums, but that can be sourced and utilised; In addition some figures would have been nice for a model that has been released in so many forms.