Tamiya 35358 - 1:35 German Self-Propelled Howitzer Wespe - Italian front

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Wespe self-propelled howitzer (Italian front)

The Wespe (Sd.Kfz.124) was one of the most successful German self-propelled artillery designs. The 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer was mounted in an open-topped superstructure on the Panzer II chassis, producing a light, mobile vehicle able to keep pace with armoured formations and open fire quickly from changing positions.

Tamiya 35358 is a 2018 release based on the 1996 Wespe tooling and supplemented with three new sprues, allowing the vehicle to be built in a configuration seen on the Italian front. The model reproduces the fighting compartment with the howitzer breech and crew positions, and the tracks are of the link-and-length type.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, superstructure, howitzer and running gear
• Three new sprues prepared for this release
• Link-and-length tracks (individual links and longer runs)
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35358
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 137 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (link-and-length tracks)

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

Assembly:

The model is small and builds quickly. The open-topped superstructure leaves the fighting compartment fully visible, so it is worth painting and washing the interior together with the howitzer breech before the walls are fitted. The link-and-length tracks call for a little patience — the longer runs go on quickly, while the individual links are best fitted gradually around the drive and idler wheels.

German dark yellow (e.g. Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow) makes a good base, with green and brown patches following the scheme selected from the instructions, which include the manufacturer's paint codes. The dry, pale dust typical of the Italian theatre is easily suggested with pigments applied to the lower hull and tracks. A matt varnish suits the finished model.

Tools required:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers (for track links)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: pigments for dust effects

About the vehicle – Wespe (Sd.Kfz.124):

The campaign on the Eastern Front showed that towed artillery could not keep up with fast-moving armoured thrusts. The answer was to mount the standard 10.5 cm leFH 18 divisional howitzer on the chassis of the Panzer II, by then being withdrawn from front-line service. The result was the Wespe — a light, open-topped artillery vehicle with good mobility.

The open superstructure gave the five-man crew room to work the gun and maintain a high rate of fire, but offered no protection from splinters or fire from above. Wespe vehicles operated from covered positions, supporting attacks and defensive actions, and were valued for their reliability and ease of use.

Around 680 were built. They fought on the Eastern Front, in Normandy and in Italy, where the mountainous terrain and dry, dusty scenery gave them a distinctive appearance. The Wespe remained in service until the end of the war as the standard light self-propelled artillery of the panzer divisions.

Original vehicle specifications (Wespe, Sd.Kfz.124):

• Length: approx. 4.81 m
• Combat weight: approx. 11 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer
• Chassis: Panzer II tank
• Superstructure: open-topped
• Production: approx. 680 vehicles
• Role: standard light self-propelled artillery of panzer divisions

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden products, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came its first 1:35 scale tank — a scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for armour modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, well-thought-out kit engineering and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of releases covering vehicles, guns and figures from around the world. Tamiya instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the company's own range. Alongside model kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, putties, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.