Trumpeter, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Glenn Porter

Trumpeter's 1/72 scale Famo is available online from Squadron.com

With a count of 483 - yes you read it right - 483 plastic parts, this has got to be the most detailed 1/72 scale kit ever. Despite the actual number of parts, the box top it says 137 parts. I don't know where they got that from because my parts count is definitely correct as I checked. This quantity of parts may put some people off and 200 of those parts are the individual track links [2 parts per link] which will not help. However, after a close look at the links, it looks like they may just “click” together with only the rubber pads to be glued on. A plastic track assembly tool is supplied.

With Revell having just released a 1/72 scale Famo which everybody is saying is their best effort yet, and I believe it is, it would seem that Trumpeter have gone too far with this one. But! If you're a detail freak like me, you'll say “WHOOPEE”!

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

There's a twelve part engine, a six part gear-box and a five part winch of which very little will be seen because they are all between the chassis rails, but no matter, I'll know they're there. The twelve torsion bar swing arms are all separate from the chassis and care will have to be taken to make sure they are all aligned correctly but a pin on each swing arm and a dimple in the chassis rail should help. There are chassis cross members, torsion bar tubes, fuel tank, cushioned draw bar, winch cable feed pully and twin exhausts for the V8 engine and we are still only talking about assembling the chassis. We've still got the wheels, tracks, front suspension and body to go yet. Phew, I'm getting tired just talking about it.

Trumpeter supplies clear parts for the wind screen, a five piece A-arm tow connection for a Panzer III or IV, a tool to make wire canopy hoops or the option of folded and stowed plastic ones. I don't normally like soft rubbery tyres but these look good with two having worn treads and one fresh and none have much in the way of a mould seam. Not bad at all!

Trumpeter don't seem to have cut any corners with this one, something that is rather rare in this scale but I think some people will be put off by the parts count and opt for the Revell kit instead. For myself, I'm going to have a go at both but I will probably build the Revell one first to familiarize myself with the vehicle. This is definitely not a rainy weekend build and will be a challenge for even experienced modellers straight out of the box.

Highly Recommended.

Purchased with the reviewers funds

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

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