Tamiya 35180 - 1:35 German Tank Engine Crew

Plastic figure kit: German Tank Engine Crew with Maybach HL230 engine in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35180 goes beyond a standard figure set: alongside two Wehrmacht mechanics it contains a model of the Maybach HL230 — the engine used in the Tiger I, Panther and King Tiger. It lets you show a tank from an angle rarely seen on display shelves: opened up and under maintenance.

The figures are posed at work on the engine and are accompanied by a range of workshop equipment, from a tool box and drum to a ladder and battery. The tooling dates from 1994 and the kit belongs to the Military Miniature Series.

What is in the box:

• Plastic parts for two mechanic figures
• Maybach HL230 engine model for self-assembly
• Workshop equipment: tool box, drum, oil can, torch, wrench, screwdriver, hammer, battery, ladder
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35180
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Series: Military Miniature Series
• Number of figures: 2
• Tooling: 1994
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The figures and the engine are supplied for self-assembly and painting.

Assembly and painting:

Assembly is quick and accessible — the figures consist of few parts and the fit is typical of Tamiya. It is worth carefully removing the sprue gate marks and smoothing the mould seam lines before painting; on figures, any blemish on a face or uniform shows up clearly later. Many modellers find it convenient to paint the torso, head and hands separately and glue everything together afterwards.

The engine and the workshop items offer plenty of scope for weathering — in reality they were covered in grease, dust and fuel stains. Field-grey and grey shades (for example Tamiya XF-65 Field Grey or XF-63 German Grey) make a good starting point for the working uniforms, while the engine itself works well in dark grey with a wash and metallic accents. The instructions give Tamiya paint codes.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (for example Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes, including fine ones for faces and details
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to bring out engine details and uniform folds
• Optional: pigments for dust, grease and mud effects

About the soldiers – German armoured maintenance crews:

The effectiveness of the German panzer divisions depended not only on the fighting crews but also on their technical services. Vehicle maintenance was handled by workshop companies (Panzer-Werkstattkompanie), equipped with cranes, recovery vehicles and stocks of spare assemblies. Replacing an engine in the field was a job of many hours, requiring the engine deck to be lifted and the powerplant hoisted out of its compartment.

The Maybach HL230 was a twelve-cylinder V-form petrol engine of roughly 23 litres, producing around 700 hp. It powered the Panther and the King Tiger and was also fitted to the Tiger I (earlier examples of that tank used the less powerful Maybach HL210). The engine was worked hard in these heavy vehicles, which made regular servicing and repairs part of everyday life in armoured units.

This kit recreates exactly that: mechanics bent over a removed engine, with tools, a drum and a ladder around them. It is a rewarding diorama subject, telling the story of the war from the side of logistics and workshop labour rather than combat.

Historical background:

• Formation: technical services and workshop companies of the German armoured forces, Second World War
• Engine: Maybach HL230, petrol, 12-cylinder V configuration, approx. 23 litres, around 700 hp
• Applications: Panther, King Tiger and Tiger I
• A field engine change required a crane and many hours of work by a team of mechanics
• Use of the kit: workshop dioramas and maintenance scenes with 1:35 German tanks

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business initially traded in timber and produced wooden models from the late 1940s, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. In 1968 it launched the 1:35 Military Miniature Series, which grew to hundreds of items and established the standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and very good parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya figures are valued for their natural poses and clearly rendered uniforms and equipment. Besides plastic kits, the company offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. Tamiya is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.