Tamiya 35304 - 1:35 German Kubelwagen Type 82 - Ramcke Parachute Brigade

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Kübelwagen Type 82 “Ramcke Parachute Brigade”

Tamiya 35304 reproduces the Kübelwagen Type 82 – a light off-road car that was the military version of the Volkswagen, one of the most popular Wehrmacht vehicles of WWII. In this boxing, the model is supplemented with a set of five figures of German paratroopers from the Ramcke Parachute Brigade, which fought in North Africa.

The model captures the simple, angular body and the characteristic balloon tyres that aided driving over rough terrain. The figures are shown in natural poses: a driver, an officer, a machine-gunner seated in the rear, an NCO pointing out a direction while wearing a tropical cap, and a rifleman. The uniforms are reproduced with details typical of paratroopers fighting in desert conditions.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with the body and vehicle equipment
• Characteristic balloon tyres
• Five Ramcke Brigade paratrooper figures: driver, officer, machine-gunner, NCO and rifleman
• Equipment and weapons for the figures
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions with a painting guide

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35304
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 107 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (vehicle with figures)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to its small parts count and the excellent fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The figures are best painted separately before being placed in the vehicle and the scene, and the individual parts – especially the faces and equipment – before final assembly.

For the African scheme, yellow-brown Afrika Korps shades are recommended, while the paratroopers' uniforms are painted in tropical colours. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and uniform folds benefit 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)
• 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 – Kübelwagen Type 82:

The Kübelwagen Type 82 was created as the military version of the Volkswagen, developed from Ferdinand Porsche's design. This light, rear-wheel-drive off-road car with an air-cooled engine entered production in 1940. Its simple construction, light weight and balloon tyres gave it good mobility, and its reliability and ease of maintenance made it one of the most popular vehicles of the German army.

Kübelwagens were used on all fronts and in a wide variety of roles – from liaison and staff car to transporting light equipment. Over 50,000 examples were built during the war. The vehicle is often compared to the Allied Jeep, although it was created on entirely different design principles.

Original specifications (Kübelwagen Type 82):

• Length: approx. 3.74 m
• Width: approx. 1.6 m
• Height: approx. 1.65 m
• Kerb weight: approx. 715 kg
• Seats: 4
• Powertrain: air-cooled petrol engine, rear-wheel drive
• Maximum speed: approx. 80 km/h
• Production: 1940–1945, over 50,000 examples

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.