Tamiya 35297 - 1:35 Sd.Kfz.232 Africa-Corps

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Sd.Kfz.232 (8-Rad) armoured car “Afrika-Korps”

Tamiya 35297 reproduces the Sd.Kfz.232 (8-Rad) – a German heavy reconnaissance armoured car. Its eight-wheel running gear with all-wheel drive and steering gave the vehicle high speed and manoeuvrability, and the front and rear driving positions allowed a rapid withdrawal. A distinctive feature was the large frame antenna of its long-range radio.

The model captures the vehicle's massive, angular shape along with its equipment details. The 20 mm cannon is fitted with a turned aluminium barrel, and the light guards and small brackets are reproduced using photo-etched parts. The included early-type jerry cans and equipment help give the model a realistic look.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and frame antenna
• 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 cannon with a turned aluminium barrel and an MG34 machine gun
• Photo-etched parts (light guards, small brackets)
• Early-type jerry cans, tools and equipment
• Two figures: a standing officer in tropical uniform and a commander torso in the turret
• Decal sheet for four marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35297
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 193 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (complex running gear, photo-etched parts)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders, although the complex eight-wheel running gear and small photo-etched parts require patience and cyanoacrylate glue. The turned aluminium barrel gives clear detail sharpness.

Paint colours are chosen according to the option: yellow-brown Afrika Korps shades for the African schemes, or German grey or dark yellow for the European and Eastern options. The instructions give paint codes for the four marking options. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail benefits from a wash.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched and metal parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Sd.Kfz.232 (8-Rad):

The Sd.Kfz.232 belonged to the family of Schwerer Panzerspähwagen heavy armoured cars used by German reconnaissance battalions. It was distinguished by its eight-wheel running gear with all-wheel drive and steering and by its long-range radio with a large frame antenna on the hull roof, which made it a long-range communication and reconnaissance vehicle. The turret housed a 20 mm automatic cannon and a coaxial machine gun.

The vehicle was characterised by a high top road speed and the ability to drive in both directions thanks to its dual driving positions. The Sd.Kfz.232 performed well on many fronts – from Western Europe, through the Balkans and the Eastern Front, to North Africa, where its mobility was particularly valued.

Original specifications (Sd.Kfz.232 8-Rad):

• Length: approx. 5.85 m
• Width: approx. 2.2 m
• Height: approx. 2.9 m (with frame antenna)
• Combat weight: approx. 8.3 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 20 mm KwK 30 L/55 automatic cannon
• Secondary armament: 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
• Powerplant: Büssing-NAG V8 petrol engine, approx. 150–180 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 85 km/h (road)
• Range: approx. 270 km
• Armour: 8–30 mm

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.