Bussing-NAG 2 cm KwK 38

Published on
September 12, 2014
Review Author(s)
Scale
1/72
MSRP
$22.00
Product / Stock #
72M23
Company: AMC Models
Provided by: AMC Models
Box Art

The Bussing-NAG 2 cm KwK 38, a four-wheeled German armored car, is one of two prototypes of this nature built. Historical reference for these vehicles is very hard to come by. However, it is known that they were in fact built but never put into production. It is also accepted that they were in fact field-tested, but it is debated as to which unit actually tested them. Some sources saying it was the 12th SS Panzer division, but again, there is no definitive proof of this as the data does not exist to confirm this information.

This resin model kit comes packaged in a sturdy box with all the parts contained in Ziploc bags. Unfortunately, one of the bags arrived opened, and all the parts strewn inside the box. The kit is totally resin and comes with a 20 mm metal barrel which is a very nice touch. There are a total of 51 pieces of resin that compose this kit. There is one decals sheet included of three German Balkenkreuzen. The instruction sheet is one small sheet of double-sided print outlining the four steps to building the model and the suggested painting of the completed vehicle.

The first step in assembly is to attach the axles and springs to the bottom of the hull. The step indicates that parts 23A and 23B attach in two small holes in the bottom of the hull, but these holes do not exist. The best solution is to affix the suspension to the hull first and then drill a hole for parts 23A and 23B after marking their placement.

The second step in the assembly is to attach the road wheels to the suspension. I personally deferred this step until after final painting of the vehicle.

The third step in the assembly is to attach the side skirts, parts 3A and 3B, to the top of the hull. The parts diagram indicates two slotted extensions that would fit into slots in the main hull, but those extensions do not exist on the parts, however, the slots do in fact exist in the main hull. Thus, I filled the hull slots with putty and sanded them smooth.

The fourth and final step is to attach the bumpers, mufflers, etc., and to assemble the turret, which features a very nice-looking 2 cm gun made of metal. The machine gun, part 7, is also a small hollow metal tube. The guidepost indicators, parts 19 (x3) and 20, were very difficult to remove from the resin block, which left a noticeable flat surface instead of round surface. While I was gently trying to sand these parts, they broke in two, and I replaced them with small metal wire and formed a roundhead on the top with superglue. I added a radio antenna with stretched sprue from my workbench.

I followed the kit instructions and painted the model in overall sandy yellow with a dark gray undercarriage art using Testors Model Master paints. I then added weathering using artist’s oils and pastel chalks. It was at this point that I attached the road wheels to the model. Overall, the kit built into a very nice-looking model. However, I must say that, in my opinion, the resin used for casting this kit was very brittle compared to other resin kits I have built in the past. Taking into consideration that this is a total resin kit assembly, I would recommend this kit to experienced modelers of plastic kits that want to try their hand at a resin kit. That being said, I would not recommend this kit to a novice modeler.

I would like to thank AMC Models for providing the review sample and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.

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