Review

This offering from Zvezda in 1/35th scale is packaged in the usual standard they have adopted of a flip top cardboard tray and an additional end opening card sleeve. Inside there are 3 sprues sealed in a plastic bag with no obvious issues or concerns as regards access and detail. There is a small clear sprue packaged with a decal sheet - which would normally concern me but the amount of space inside this box makes the risk of damage low. Having looked over the sprues there are a number of small parts that could be easily lost or damaged - so you have been warned!!!! Zvezda is also one of the companies that does not provide any photo etch detail in their boxes.

Due to the exposed nature of the engine and gearbox of this type of vehicle, Zvezda appear to have addressed the essentials well, but you will of course, need to add some wire to replicate aspects of the engine which cannot be easily done in plastic. As a modeller, I appreciate that the mechanicals are built as a stand alone element, making for ease of access for adding personal detail and also detailed painting is aided by this. The wheels of the motorcycle and sidecar have been tackled in an interesting way as when it comes to plastic spokes and accurate detail inside the wheels themselves this has always been a weakness of the chosen material. Zvezda has provided the wheels in 2 halves which has allowed a very good replication of the spoke detail on both sides of the wheel and for those modellers who are not a fan of photo etch, I think will be very pleased. 

The motorcycle itself has been tackled in 2 halves, which has allowed for the ancillary parts to be added without the fear of breaking pieces or getting glue on your fingers and damaging the finish. This has also enabled the engine, gearbox and rear wheel to be added to one of the frames before adding the other frame to enclose these details. The front forks have been tackled in a similar vain and the modeller will need to consider if they wish to add the details of a throttle and brake cables. The seats of the motorcycle have simple spring suspension, which still works today and is present on some versions of Harley Davidson's to this day. Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of this model is the painting and weathering as once assembled access is poor between the sidecar and the motorcycle - So I recommend some forward thinking where painting is concerned. The design of the sidecar will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen the Tamiya one, as it is in 2 halves except for the rear panel that is provided separately. So you may be required to address some mating lines. 

Luggage for both the motorcycle and sidecar has been provided in the kit but obviously could be altered as the modeller desires. The sidecar has been provided with an MG34 and drum magazines. 2 figures have been included in this release, with the passenger in the sidecar positioned actively operating the MG34. Uniform detail places these figures early in the war, most likely I suspect the Summer invasion of Eastern Europe. The reasons for this belief are the pleated pockets, the jack boots that are present and the general cut of the uniform. Both figures have the typical Y strap webbing, with straps being well replicated front and rear, insignia on the collars is also present, but the eagle generally seen on the right breast is not present on both figures. The rider of the motorcycle has a KAR98 over his shoulder and I commend Zvezda for having included the sling portion that is missing from the stock to the body of the rider. The hands of the rider have been moulded onto a set of handlebars which can be used as an alternative to the handlebars provided on the main motorcycle sprue. 

When it comes to finishing the model 2 options have been included, one which is WH for the Army and the other has got the letters IIN which I cannot find details on and have no personal knowledge of what it would cover. Other than that issue, this is a very nice release from Zvezda in 1/35th scale and for those modellers who do not like photo etch should be a joy to build.