Revell AG 1/35 Admiral Cabriolet

KIT #: 03099
PRICE: $35.25 SRP
DECALS: Three options
REVIEWER: Ray Mehlberger
NOTES:  

HISTORY

The “Admiral” began to roll off the lines in Russelsheim in 1938. The vehicle was exclusively designed and made for civilian use. In addition to the 4-door limousine a cabriolet was available. With this top of the range model the manufacturer had hoped to become established at the high end of the market. The engine, a 3.6 litre six-cylinders in-line, gave it a top speed of 132 km/h. In October 1939, when the works changed over to essential war equipment, production of the “Admiral” stopped. Of the total of 6,404 cars produced over 2,000 were the “Admirals”. The German army quickly appreciated the advantages of the robust “Admiral” and requisitioned many cars from private individuals. They were primarily used as staff cars for generals and senior officers.

THE KIT

 

The kit comes in one of those end-opening boxes with the ends held closed by those circular tape pieces. The kit itself is in a poly bag. The issue with end opening boxes is that it allows things to float around free and sometimes leak out the end once the box is open. I ended up stapling the decal sheet to the instructions to keep from losing it.

Surface details with fine engraving, authentic reproduction of engine, bonnet can be posed open or closed, detailed chassis and suspension, detailed internal fittings, top can be posed open or closed, filigree components, authentic decals for 4 vehicles. Four Revell paint colors are suggested to complete the model: anthracite grey, mouse grey, dust grey, leather brown and silver. The kit has a skill level of 5. This means that it is difficult, with over 150 parts that require a very high level of skill.

The sprues are as follows: Large tan letter A parts tree holds: the frame members, suspension parts, drive train, engine parts, seats etc. (92 parts). Large tan letter B parts tree holds: the doors, floor, canvas roof, grill, fire wall, fenders etc. (33 parts). There are 2 identical small tan letter C parts trees. These hold the tires and rim parts, the leaf springs, license plates etc. (22 parts per tree). Small clear letter D parts tree holds the clear parts (13 parts). Small tan letter E parts tree holds the parts for the folded canvas roof option. (7 parts).

 

The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 16 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format. There are 63 assembly steps in the instructions. There are 4 painting and marking options along with a small decal sheet providing license plates and instruments.

A civilian version in gloss black with a tan canvas roof. License no. IA 350 258, Berlin 1938. A vehicle with the 23rd Infantry Division in Africa brown matt overall with a tan canvas roof. It has white tire pressure stencils above the tires on the fenders, a cursive letter R on the right of the radiator and on the left rear fender. A white WH is on the right side of the trunk lid and a tactical symbol in white is on the left side. The license plate number is IS 202 272. A vehicle with the 334th Infantry Division, Italy 1945. It is in a base coat of greenish grey matt with large spots of sandy yellow matt and leather brown matt, with a tan canvas roof. On the sides of the front doors is a red diagonal arrow with a white circle outlined in black with a black palm tree in the center. This circle is repeated on the front of the right front fender and on the left side of the trunk. The license number is WH 125 4004. A vehicle with the KP 637 Propoganda unit. This is the box art subject. It has the tire pressure stencils on the fenders above the tires in white.

 

There are no figures included in the kit. It would have been nice if there had of been some.

I recommend this kit to modelers that have done a few other kits of this complexity. I do feel that the kit is a little over-priced however.

 

Kit is compliments of my wallet.

 

Editor's note. Comparison of sprues shows that this is the same as the recent  ICM kit that was previewed here back in March of 2011. This one has different markings options. Though Ray thinks it is overpriced, it is actually $12 or so less than the $47.95 SRP of the ICM kit (which does have three unseated figures).

 

Ray Mehlberger

 

July 2012

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