Academy- German Panzer I Ausf. B & Motorcycle

For the First Look of this kit, head here: https://www.amps-armor.org/SiteReviews/ShowReview.aspx?id=15310

Kit Construction

We begin with the Zundapp motorcycle for the first eleven steps. Step 1 builds up the front fork and wheel, as well as handlebars, while steps 2  takes on the rear wheel and engine. Fit was excellent and it really was a treat to build this tiny thing.

Step 3 brings the two parts together into the frame and step 4 adds more engine bits, as well as the kickstarter and pedals. Steps 5 & 6 add the fuel tank, bike saddlebag, and seats- as well as the frame for the sidecar.

Steps 7 & 8 involve the sidecar assembly, as well as its two saddlebags and seat. Step 9 adds the back panels and the support for the machine gun. Step 10 adds the sidecar to the bike frame and the leaf springs and tire to the car. Bike construction ends on step 11 with the spare tire and machine gun, which should be added after the passenger figure is in. You see a nasty sink mark on the interior side of the sidecar, but the figure covers this up well.Speaking of the figures-- their fit is great and they really look amazing when paint is added. There is a good expression on the passenger's face- like he is berating the driver for taking the turn too sharp. 

The last page of the first manual contains Steps 12 & 13 which assembles the lower hull tub of the tank. Fit is good- but be mindful of the alignment of part B33 which is the bar supporting the rear hitch. If you don't align it correctly the hitch plates won't fit in their slots.

The road wheels assemblies and suspension arms are attached in steps 14 & 15. If you are careful wirth the glue, the road wheels spin freely on their axles. Steps 16 & 17 add the rear idler, sprocket, and return rollers- as well as the bar that goes over the road wheels.

Note the Continental labels on the road wheels and return rollers

Moving on to step 18- we add the link and length tracks to both sides. They click together and hold with some Tamiya Extra Thin. The top hull deck is then added- and construction of the hull armor plates takes place in steps 20 & 21. I'd suggest painting the interior black before adding the engine deck part A25 to the hull, as there is no engine and one may see that through the engine grill holes. There is ample room inside if you can source an aftermarket engine. Steps 22 & 23 add the rear fenders, exhaust, engine hatches, jack, and some pioneer tools. If you are adding the PE shield for the exhaust, be sure to do it here as there is no indicator on this step about adding it. The PE attachment directions are separate from the build in the color insert which seems helpful until you forget they are there and need to add the shield afterwards, making it much more difficult. Step 24 adds more tools, as well as the fire extinguisher and jack block. The front fenders, lights, antenna, and tow hooks are added in step 25. The last two steps assemble the turret with the two machine gun barrels, and the half figure for the commander if you choose to add him to the open hatch. The detail on him is a little soft compared to the other two- I had a difficult time getting his features to pop- but a wash helped. The tow cable is a thin piece of thread which looks more like dental floss but does the job.

Painting and Weathering

Which scheme you choose determines how much of the PE bits are needed. I chose the last scheme based in Poland so only needed the exhaust shield. I used primarily Tamiya paint for the dark grey scheme. Afterwards, I came across reading that through Poland, the Pz. Is were painted in a two-tone scheme of dark grey and dark brown- so hopefully you read this before it is too late...I did not and decided to just go as is since the decals were on and it is just going on the shelf. Weathering was done with a custom pigment mix that I fixed with Tamiya thinner. Bike was done in dark grey as per the single profile in the guide- and the figures had the PE gorgets and decal uniform insignia attached.

Yup...it was at this moment I realized the missing PE shield...

+

Conclusion

This was a truly fun build from Academy- the newly tooled kit really is stellar, although there are some ejection marks to address if you are inclined, although the one in the sidecar is covered completely by the rider. I started this kit during the Olympic opening ceremony and here we are on day 11 and it is done. Fit was extremely good and the tracks worked well. The figures were nice (other than the soft features on the tank commander), despite my developing painting skills. Just take note-- maybe copy the PE page of the color manual and stuff it in the instructions so you don't forget like I did. I hope to see more new tooled kits from Academy soon!

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Model Rectifier Corporation for this review kit.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves, AMPS Albany

If you liked this review, consider joining AMPS. Your annual membership
includes six copies of AMPS's magazine, Boresight,
and helps to support our ongoing reviews.

Click here for more information about joining AMPS