Roden 740 - 1:72 Borgward B 3000 S

Plastic model kit of the German Borgward B 3000 S truck in 1:72 scale

Roden 740 is a model for self-assembly representing the German Borgward B 3000 S medium truck of World War II. The B 3000 was a standardised 3-tonne truck (the so-called Einheits-LKW) produced by the Carl F.W. Borgward works in Bremen and used in large numbers in Wehrmacht logistics, including the campaigns in Poland and France and on the Eastern Front.

The version marked "S" is the rear-axle drive (4×2) variant. The model consists of plastic sprues and is intended for self-assembly and painting.

In the box you will find:

• Plastic sprues
• Decal sheet
• Assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Reference: 740
• Manufacturer: Roden
• Marking options: Wehrmacht colours (per the instructions)
• Difficulty: intermediate

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

Building the model:

This is a small 1:72 model with many fine parts (chassis, wheels, cab, cargo bed), so it calls for care when removing and gluing parts. As with typical Roden kits, expect to spend time on careful fit and seam clean-up.

Painting the truck in early-war Wehrmacht colours will call for Dunkelgrau (RAL 7021); later schemes also included complementary colours. The exact colours and markings are given in the instructions. Details are worth emphasising with a wash, and grime with pigments.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers to remove parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper
• Plastic cement
• Putty to fill seams
• Brushes and/or an airbrush and modelling paints
• A wash and pigments for in-service effects

About the vehicle – Borgward B 3000:

The Borgward B 3000 was a German medium truck of around 3 tonnes payload, produced by the Carl F.W. Borgward works in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück. It was created as a simplified, "standard" truck (Einheits-LKW) as part of reducing the number of vehicle types in German industry in the early 1940s. It came with a petrol engine (S/O) and a diesel engine (S/D), as well as in all-wheel-drive versions (A/O, A/D).

These vehicles entered Wehrmacht service in large numbers and performed a wide range of logistics tasks. About 30,000 were built in total, and production continued after the war.

Original vehicle specifications (Borgward B 3000 S):

• Type: 3-tonne medium truck (Einheits-LKW)
• Manufacturer: Carl F.W. Borgward GmbH, Bremen
• Production: 1941–1944 (and post-war 1948–1950)
• Powerplant (S version): 6-cylinder petrol 3.7 l / 78 hp (S/O) or diesel 5.0 l / 75 hp (S/D)
• Drive: 4×2 (rear-axle drive)
• Payload: approx. 3 t
• Crew: 2

About the manufacturer – Roden:

Roden is a Ukrainian maker of plastic model kits specialising in aircraft, military and historical vehicles in 1:72, 1:48, 1:35 and other scales. Its range often features subjects less common among other manufacturers, including transport aircraft, designs from both world wars and utility vehicles. Roden kits are aimed mainly at modellers who already have some experience.