Opel Blitz Kfz.305, 4x2
WW II German Main Army Truck

Roden, 1/72

Reviewed by Glen Porter

Roden's 1/72 scale Opel Blitz is available online from Squadron.com

The Opel Blitz, being the best known of the German WW II trucks, has been well served by the model industry in 1/72 scale with examples from Airfix/Heller, Italeri/Esci, Mac Distribution and one coming from Academy. So, do we need another? Well yes! The first two are fairly old and lacking in detail, the Mac kit has PE in it, which will put some people off, the Academy one I haven't seen yet so I can't comment on it and anything that Roden want to produce is okay by me because of the detail and quality.

How much detail and how much quality? Heaps!

With the detail they have put into engines in their 1/72 scale WW I aircraft kits, a highly detailed truck engine was not going to present much of a problem, with all the ancillary equipment represented, even radiator and hoses and the ability to leave the side panels off so the engine can be seen. The front axle has been moulded in such a way that the steering can be posed turned although this means there is no tie rods or links but these could be scratch built with-out much ado. The interior of the cab has more than the usual detail with a full set of foot- pedals as well as gear-shift, steering-wheel and column, dash and seat. The doors are moulded closed but, due to the parts breakdown, it looks like they could be easily cut open.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The under chassis area has more than enough detail to satisfy most modellers with exhaust, tail shaft, diffs, springs, fuel tank and equipment boxes. Cargo body can either be modelled with low sides and closed canvas tilt or open with high sides, plank seats and folded hoops or you can leave the seats out and fill it up with cargo, (not included).

Decals are neatly printed with good register but you only get three sets of rego numbers and the other three vehicles are shown without. In the instructions, each vehicle is only viewed from the left and front with no indication of camouflage pattern for right, rear and top. So if you require accurate patterns, you will have to work off photos.

Cutting out and fitting the windows could be a challenge for those of us who build with our fists but for the rest of you, they should be okay.

The only real fault I could find in this kit, is the rear dual wheels (tyres) have nasty sink marks on the outside and similar marks on the four toolboxes that go under the cargo body. The front wheels however, don't seem to be affected.


 

In summary, this is a lovely kit and (with the exception of the unknown Academy offering) is far superior to earlier releases of the Opel Blitz. As for the sink mark problem, the first of Roden's “8 rad” kits had them in the tyres too, but the later kits didn't, so perhaps it's something the manufacturer will fix later.

Highly Recommended to all Braille Scalers.

Thanks to Squadron for the review sample.

Review and Images Copyright © 2005 by Glen Porter
Page Created 06 September, 2005
Last updated 06 September, 2005

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