ICM DS7207 - 1:72 Wehrmacht Light Armored Vehicles

Set of plastic model kits of German Wehrmacht light armoured vehicles in 1:72 scale

ICM DS7207 "Wehrmacht Light Armored Vehicles" is a combined set bringing together four German light armoured cars of the Second World War in a single box. All are built on a common, standardised Horch off-road chassis with four-wheel drive. The set lets you recreate a varied column of reconnaissance and liaison vehicles.

The set comprises: the Sd.Kfz. 222 – a reconnaissance car with a turret and a 20 mm gun, the Sd.Kfz. 223 – a communications vehicle with a frame antenna, and the turretless radio vehicles Sd.Kfz. 260 and Sd.Kfz. 261. Photo-etched parts are included for detailing, including mesh screens and antenna elements.

What's in the box:

• Four sets of plastic sprues (Sd.Kfz. 222, 223, 260 and 261)
• Photo-etched parts for detailing (including mesh screens, antenna elements)
• Decal sheet with markings for various theatres of operations
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: DS7207
• Manufacturer: ICM
• Contents: 4 vehicle models
• Number of parts: 220 (4 sprue sets)
• Difficulty level: intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The models are intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The set combines four complete models in a smaller scale, so it requires precision when assembling small parts, especially the mesh screens and antennas made from photo-etched parts. Working with photo-etched parts calls for cyanoacrylate glue and fine modelling tweezers. The interiors and small details are worth painting before they are enclosed.

For painting the vehicles, typical German schemes of the Second World War are appropriate – early dark grey (Panzergrau) or later dark yellow (Dunkelgelb) with camouflage patches, depending on the theatre being reproduced. The detail is worth emphasising with a wash, with the whole finished in a matt varnish typical of military vehicles.

Tools required:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement and cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched parts
• Fine modelling tweezers
• Brushes of various sizes and modelling paints
• A wash to emphasise detail

About the vehicles – German light armoured cars (Sd.Kfz. 222 and derivatives):

The family of light armoured cars on the standardised Horch chassis (Einheitsfahrgestell) was part of the basic equipment of German reconnaissance units during the Second World War. The vehicles had four-wheel drive, independent suspension and a rear-mounted engine, which gave good off-road mobility.

The Sd.Kfz. 222 was armed with a 20 mm automatic gun in an open-topped turret with characteristic folding anti-grenade mesh screens. The Sd.Kfz. 223 served as a communications vehicle with a large frame antenna, while the turretless Sd.Kfz. 260 and Sd.Kfz. 261 were used as radio and command vehicles, differing in their radio equipment. All were used mainly for reconnaissance and to maintain communications.

Original vehicle specifications (Sd.Kfz. 222, approximate values):

• Length: approx. 4.80 m
• Width: approx. 1.95 m
• Height: approx. 2.0 m
• Crew: 3 (Sd.Kfz. 222)
• Drivetrain: Horch 4×4 chassis with independent suspension, rear engine
• Armament (Sd.Kfz. 222): 20 mm automatic gun
• Service period: Second World War

About the manufacturer – ICM:

ICM is a Ukrainian model-kit manufacturer based in Kyiv, active since the 1990s. The company is known for a wide range of military vehicles in various scales, including combined sets bringing together several models in one box. Such sets make it convenient to build a whole group of vehicles, ideal for a diorama or a themed collection. ICM models feature carefully engineered moulds and attention to detail.