Price around £19.99 GBP
Review by Geoff Coughlin (Nov 2012)
Thanks to Revell for supplying our review sample. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit http://www.revell.eu/ or email ukbranch@revell.de
A little bit of background…
The Mercedes-Benz W31 typ G4 was a German three-axle off-road vehicle first produced by Mercedes-Benz as a staff/command car for the Wehrmacht in 1934. The cars were designed as a seven-seater touring car or closed saloon and were mainly used by upper echelons of the Nazi regime in parades and inspections as they were deemed too expensive for general Army use.
The G4 was a development of the G1, launched in 1926. In the first three years of production they had an 8-cylinder inline engine of 5018 cc displacement delivering 100 PS (74 kW). An unsynchronized four-speed transmission transferred the power to all four rear wheels, or optionally to all six wheels. The rear wheels were attached to two rigid axles 950 mm apart, which were suspended in joint semi-elliptic leaf springs. The front axle was rigid with semi-elliptic springs. All six wheels had hydraulic brakes with servo assistance. The top speed was only 67 km/h (42 mph), limited by the type of all-terrain tyres. Only 11 of these vehicles were delivered to the Wehrmacht. The car used an elongated box-section frame that allowed for generous interior room with comfortable seating for up to 7. Seating was provided by two benches (front and rear) and one middle-placed row of seats with separate arm rests.
From 1937 a more powerful engine of 5252 cc and 115 PS (85 kW) was used. The performance remained the same. Between 1937 and 1938 16 cars were built.
From 1938 a larger motor of 5401 cc and 110 PS (81 kW) was used. Vehicles of this model were used by Adolf Hitler and his staff in parades marking the occupation of Austria and the annexation of the so-called residual Czech Republic. The last year of production was 1939. 30 cars of this model were built.
This is a useful reference source
The Revell kit…
Well, to be fair this isn’t actually a Revell kit at all, but one from ICM that’s been re-packaged under the Revell branding and may include new decals. The clue is often the tan-coloured plastic and a number of previous ICM releases have been moulded in this colour. Frankly this really only bodes well for the build because the quality of the moulding and tooling is excellent, really very impressive.
Accuracy…
This is hard to tell, but from looking at images available on the Internet the kit parts hold up well in terms of form and visual accuracy.
Kit observations…
I’ll let you decide on what you think from looking at the images attached to this review; I’ve included several close-up images to help you decide whether to make your purchase but I have to say that even I’m tempted.
- Very little flash is evident on any of the parts
- Many of the smaller parts are very delicately formed and refined
- Tyres and wheel hubs are moulded separately and this will aid painting
- Interior detail is good with decent texture to the fabric-effect parts
- Engine, sub frame, suspension and chassis are all well detailed
- Fine recessed panel lines
- Bonnet open or closed
- Open top option
- No. of parts 309
- Length 158 mm
- 1939 version.
Instructions and decals…
The instructions follow the usual Revell format and the suggested build sequence looks ok, but you’ll probably have your own approach if vehicles are your ‘thing’. The decals are good quality and in register – colour is equally good and so they should work well.
Overall…
This is an impressive package and at under £20 represents very good value for money. The inclusion of different senior ‘brass’ pennants for the generals is a good touch, making for some great diorama possibilities. You’ll have to locate a voluminous Hermann Göring to sit across the equally large back seat as no figures are included.
Highly recommended
Geoff C.