Review

This offering from MiniArt arrives in the usual cardboard tray, with a separate card lid. Inside the instruction booklet is loose, all of the rest of the contents are packaged together. However, there are some additional bags with the package. My biggest surprise is the amount of empty space within the box. I only have 2 concerns as regards the product and that is that there is quite a number of small fragile pieces which could be broken on the sprues or trying to locate them on the model. The other issue is that the photo etch and the decals are in a bag with the clear sprue, which causes me concern about damage happening. 

This release has one of MiniArt multi-part chassis, with 2 main rails with the rear leaf spring suspension moulded as part of the rails. All multi-part chassis’ have a risk that they will not be assembled as intended. In order to help avoid this, I would assemble the fuel tank which is step 4 and attach it to the rails as it gives you a wide part that should help you get everything aligned correctly. The tyres for this release have been supplied using the multi-layer method, which means that you will need to make sure that you clean up the mating surfaces to ensure that they close up as intended. I will say, that this form of tyre, while requiring an amount of care and attention, the result is very pleasing. Typically for MiniArt a full engine and gearbox is included in the release, but will require some scratch work to include missing wires and pipes. The axles of the vehicle are pleasing enough to my eye, but I am disappointed that the wheels cannot be shown in an orientation that could be desired by the modeller.

A detailed firewall is provided between the engine bay and the cab interior, and there is a well replicated battery, braking mechanism on the engine side. Moving over to the cab side of it, decals have been included for the instrument cluster. The steering column is full length moulded, which attaches to the steering rack at one end with the steering wheel on the other. All of the controls that are required inside the cab are included. The seating could do with a bit of roughing up, but is well replicated. Photo etched wiper arms and blades have been provided, but for those not comfortable with using photo etch a plastic alternative is present. The doors of the cab I believe could be easily shown open or closed, but you will need to take some care when assembling them as there are a lot of small details that need to be added. Another pleasing inclusion, is that the parts of the hood have been tackled in a way that they can be accurately shown open or closed, with particularly well replicated venting being shown. 

The bed of the truck, have its own mounting frame, but you will need to look at the bed detail on the underside just to do a quick check for ejector pin marks. Light and registration clusters are present. The side walls of the bed can I believe be shown open or closed, but it is my belief that they most accurately replicate a closed bed. 

6 finishing options are included, for truck engaged in a number of roles:

West Berlin, 1946-47

American Occupation Zone, Late 1940s

French Occupation Zone, Late 1940s

Soviet Occupation Zone Saxony (Leipzig) MAS. Early 1950s

Deutsche Reichsbahn DDR, 1950s

Deutsche Post, 1950s