German WWII light passenger car le.gl.Einheitz-Pkw Kfz.1 Soft Top 1:35 ICM 35582

Plastic model kit: German light passenger car from WWII le.gl.Einheits-Pkw Kfz.1 Soft Top 1:35 ICM 35582

The plastic model kit: German light passenger car from World War II le.gl.Einheits-Pkw Kfz.1 Soft Top in 1:35 scale from ICM (catalog number 35582) is an excellent proposition for model enthusiasts and military history lovers. This detailed model represents one of the vehicles that were part of the ambitious plan to standardize the fleet of military vehicles of the Third Reich.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:35
• Manufacturer: ICM
• Catalog number: 35582
• High detail of the chassis, engine, and interior
• Soft top elements included
• Decal sheet with 4 versions of markings

Markings:

1. le.gl. Einheits–Pkw (Kfz.1), 16 Pz.D, Don region, June 1942
2. le.gl. Einheits–Pkw (Kfz.1), 11 Pz.D, Ukraine, July 1941
3. le.gl. Einheits–Pkw (Kfz.1), Panzergruppe 1 Kleist, Ukraine, July 1941
4. le.gl. Einheits–Pkw (Kfz.1), I/JG51, Stary Bychów (Belarus), July 1941

Historical background: Einheits-Pkw der Wehrmacht, or "standard passenger car of the Wehrmacht," was part of the German plan to create a new, multi-purpose fleet of off-road vehicles with all-wheel drive, based on three uniform chassis. This plan was formulated in 1934, and vehicles were produced from 1936 to 1943. The goal was to replace the diverse fleet of militarized civilian vehicles that had previously been used by the Reichswehr, the predecessor of the Wehrmacht. This program resulted in the production of about 60,000 four-wheel drive passenger cars and about 13,000 6x6 trucks with a payload of 2.5 tons.

The light off-road vehicle (le. gl. Pkw) was produced by BMW, Hanomag, and Stoewer. These vehicles were used as military transporters (Kfz. 1), by repair teams (Kfz. 2/40), artillery measurement teams (Kfz. 3), and in air defense at the unit level (Kfz. 4). Despite ambitious assumptions, the program faced many difficulties, including production complexity and high costs. By 1942, 90% of military units deemed the vehicle "unsuitable for military service," and the much simpler and cheaper Volkswagen Kübelwagen proved to be significantly better in many respects.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. For assembly, separately sold modeling tools are needed (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.