S.gl.Pkw Steyr Typ 1500A/01

Tamiya

Reviewed by Brett Green

 
It is sometimes disappointing when leading model manufacturers take the safest path in their choice of new kit subjects. Tamiya cannot be accused of a safe choice with their latest release!

The Steyr Typ 1500A/01 was a pug-nosed 1.5 tonne open topped truck. A 3.5 litre V8 engine powered the Austrian built four wheel drive vehicle. This combination resulted in a very creditable top speed of 100 km/h. The Steyr was employed in a wide range of roles including staff car, troop transport, gun tractor and ambulance.

Tamiya's Steyr kit is moulded in the same tan coloured styrene used for all their recent German military releases. Nearly 160 plastic parts are attached to 5 separate sprues packed in four clear plastic bags. Tamiya continue their "mini multi-media" trend by including a small sheet of vinyl mesh for engine grilles and vents, plus stamped acetate for the windscreen. Markings for five vehicles are supplied on a small decal sheet. A photo-etched grille set is available separately to substitute for the vinyl mesh, but I expect that the vinyl will lend a greater sense of three-dimensional authenticity to the model.

Options are provided to build either the early or late version of this vehicle. These types differed in the mounting location for the spare tyre. Alternate parts are provided for the side body to cater for this variation. The canvas hood is supplied furled, but separate doors may be positioned open or closed. The split windscreen may also be open, closed, raised or lowered according to the modeller's choice. A few sweeps of the hobby knife will separate the halves of the rear cargo doors (which already have detail on the inside face) suggesting more dioramic possibilities. Accessories include two figures, a telescope (7 parts), and a telescope case (4 parts). No weapons are supplied.

Wheels are secured by poly caps. This will allow the modeller to remove the wheels for painting.

The entire nose of the vehicle is moulded as one piece. While this simplifies construction, it means that we probably won't see an engine detail set.

Moulding is typically Tamiya. The parts are beautifully crisp. Surface texture for the fabric of the seats, the rolled canvas covers and the woodgrain of the stowage boxes and blocks are simply superb. Tamiya's fine detail work has never been too shabby, but this release sets new standards. Witness the thin sidewalls of the jerry can rack, the delicate rifle racks and telescope components.

Tamiya also provide detail on the inside of the wheel hubs, very convincing non-slip floor texture and separate seat frames. The lower body and bottom of the engine is well fitted out, but no engine bay detail is included.

The only bad news is the very large number of (admittedly shallow) ejector pin marks all over the inside surfaces of the doors, the side of the truck body, and the bottom of the vehicle. Small, raised marks are present on the seat frames, but these should not be visible when the vehicle is assembled. The instrument panel also looks slightly understated when compared to some of Tamiya's recent efforts.

The kit markings provide for a wide range of theatres and camouflage schemes. You have the choice of an overall grey vehicle from "Grossdeutschland" Panzer Division in 1943; two overall yellow vehicles in North Africa and Tunisia; an interim camouflage scheme used in Russia during 1942 of Dark Yellow splotches over Panzer Grey; and a three-colour late-war vehicle in the service of Herman Goring Panzer Division during 1945. Tamiya's painting instructions make no distinction between the European based Dark Yellow and the "Desert Yellow" used in North Africa - they call for XF-60 in all cases. Consult your references carefully.

This is a wonderfully detailed kit of an unusual subject. Judging by Tamiya's recent efforts, this model should fit together with few problems. Tamiya's Steyr is a very complete representation straight from the box. Another first class effort by today's leading armour model manufacturer!

For more on this great new kit see Terry Ashley's construction review (with photographs) at the Perth Military Modelling Society's excellent website

Review by Brett Green, June 1998.
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Page Created 17 June, 1998.
Last updated 22 July, 2003.

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