Tamiya 35321 - 1:35 Simca 5 Ctaff Car German Army

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Simca 5 staff car

Tamiya 35321 reproduces the Simca 5 – a tiny French passenger car, almost identical to the Fiat 500 “Topolino”, whose design was in fact developed by Fiat. After the occupation of France in 1940, the German army captured large numbers of these vehicles and pressed them into service as staff and liaison cars.

The model is made from new tooling, capturing the streamlined, compact body with its retracted canvas roof. The doors are reproduced as separate parts, and the side windows can be assembled open or closed. The included driver figure brings the composition to life.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues and clear parts (windows, headlights)
• Streamlined body with a retracted canvas roof
• Separate doors
• Side windows that can be assembled open or closed
• Driver figure
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35321
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 92 mm
• Skill level: beginner

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 beginners and makes for a quick, enjoyable project. Owing to its compact size, it works perfectly as a diorama complement without taking up much space.

For painting, German grey (Panzergrau) or dark yellow is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Car bodies are often finished with a semi-matt or satin varnish, and the interior 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)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise the detail

About the vehicle – Simca 5:

The Simca 5 is a small passenger car that debuted in March 1936. It was almost identical to the Fiat 500 “Topolino”, as its design was developed by Fiat and built under licence by Simca in France. The vehicle had independent front suspension, a four-speed transmission, hydraulic drum brakes and a 12 V electrical system. It was meant to be an affordable car for the French public, much as the Volkswagen Beetle later was in Germany.

By the time WWII broke out, many Simca 5s were already in use. After the occupation of France, the German army captured a sizable number and used them as staff cars and for liaison duties and personnel transport. Over 46,000 examples were built by the time production ended in 1946.

Original specifications (Simca 5):

• Length: approx. 3.2 m
• Width: approx. 1.27 m
• Seats: 2
• Powertrain: inline 4-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive
• Suspension: independent front
• Brakes: hydraulic drum
• Debut: March 1936
• Production: 1936–1946, over 46,000 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.