Tristar:Leichte Panzerspähwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz. 222

Leichte Panzerspähwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz. 222

Tristar Leichte Panzerspähwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz. 222 middle version
Kit includes:

• 2pcs of Photo etch in two different thicknesses1pc of decal by Cartograf
• 8pcs of suspension metal springs
• 4pcs of hollow rubber tire

Background history
From the 1930s, Germany developed a series of Leichte Panzerspähwagen –Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles. They were four-wheel drive, armoured and light. It used the standard sPkw I Horch 801 common chassis, which gave it agility and manoeuvrability, with a lightly-armoured body, a light weapon and radio equipment
The Sd.Kfz.221 was the first of the new series of Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles and was developed in 1934 to replaced the obsolete Kfz.13/14. The Sd.Kfz 222 was as the successor of the Sd. Kfz.221 based upon experience gained from the Sd.Kfz 221’s service. It used the Sd.Kfz.221– sPkw I chassis in succession. The hull was redesigned to house a new larger 2cm KwK automatic cannon turret instead of the less powerful MG 13/MG34 Machine Gun. Production was started in 1936 and would be divided into two versions of chassis. Early version chassis were powered by the Horch 3.5l V-8 petroleum engine, while the later version chassis changed to more a larger Horch 3.8l V-8 petroleum engine and had a modified suspension system with a new hydraulic brake system.

Usually, the Sd.Kfz.222 was issued to the Aufklärungs-Abteilung (reconnaissance battalions) and it served in all theatres, on the Western Front, Eastern Front and in North Africa. Due to the demands of protection, agility and firepower under the intensity of war, the Sd.Kfz. 222 family was gradually replaced by the eight-wheeled, half-tracked and tracked armoured vehicles but remained in service until the end of the war.

Leichte Panzerspähwagen (2cm) Sd.Kfz. 222 middle version

Details of model kit
The up-to-date standard 1/35 Sd.Kfz. 222 is one of the missing links of WW II German armoured vehicle in injection-moulded plastic kits. Three years ago, we had the opportunity to obtain an original maintenance manual of the s. PKW . Subsequently, we started to gather other information and designed an updated Sd.Kfz. 222 in 1/35 as an injection-moulded plastic kit.

sd222 manual

After lengthy study, we have identified two versions of chassis with different frames in the Sd.Kfz. 222 family
Our kit represents the early version chassis with the H-shape suspension arm. The suspension is fully detailed with metal springs, H-shape suspension arms, steering rod and wheel hubs

The Sd.Kfz. 222 is an open topped vehicle. Therefore, we have made the kit with a full interior, steering wheel and driver seat. All view ports have the option of being open or closed, and we have also included transparent armoured glass.

The kit includes four hollow rubber tires with tread detail, just as the real tire. We use artificial rubber to make our rubber tire. This material doesn’t corrode any other material of the kit. All wheels can be rotated.
We have used the wartime manual and a museum rebuilt vehicle to design the Sd.Kfz. 222 turret. The turret included the Kwk 38 gun and MG34 MG with gunner’s and loader’s seats as per the image. The gun can be elevated and depressed. All of these features are the first time in a Sd.Kfz. 222 injection-moulded plastic kit. The turret cover meshes are made with two sets of difference thickness photoetch and authentically recreate the appearance of the real thing.

Features of the kit

i. Totally new tooling Sd.Kfz. 222 kit in 1/35 scale ( 8 sets tooling)
ii. High detail early version chassis
iii. Correct H-shaped suspension arms
iv. Metal suspension spring (8 pcs.)
v. With interior detail
vi. Highly authentic two man turret
vii. The Kwk 38 and co axial MG 34 can be elevated
viii. Highly detailed photo etch turret cover mesh
ix. Turret cover mesh can be shown open or closed
x. All vehicle viewing ports can be shown open or closed
xi. Transparent viewing ports amoured glass included
xii. Transparent head light included
xiii. Real hollow rubber tires with authentic tread.
xiv. 2 different thickness Photoetch included
xv. Decal made by Cartograf
xvi. Box art painting by Mr Masami Ohnishi
xvii. WW II Bulgarian Army marking included

Markings of model kit

This kit included three markings decal as following list
1. 1./Kradschuetzen-Btl., GrossDeutschland PanzerGrenadier division, Orel, USSR, 1942
2. 20 Panzer Division, USSR, 1943
3. Bulargian Army, M222, First Army Armoured Battalion, Hungary, February, 1945