Revell SpPz2 Luchs A1 A2 1:35

Price around £26.99 GBP (Nov 2014)
Review by Geoff Coughlin

Thanks to Revell for supplying our review sample. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model stores. For details visit www.revell.de/en

A bit of background…

The Spähpanzer Luchs (English: Lynx) is a German 8×8 amphibious reconnaissance armoured fighting vehicle(Spähpanzer) in service since 1975 with the German Army, who used 408 in their armoured reconnaissance battalions. It was developed by Daimler-Benz between 1968 and 1975, replacing the M41 and the Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz.

The all-wheel drive Luchs made by Thyssen-Henschel (now: Rheinmetall) is well armoured, has an NBC protection system and is characterized by its low-noise running. The eight large low-pressure tyres have run-flat properties. At speeds up to about 50 km/h, all four axles can be steered. As a special feature, the vehicle is equipped with a rear-facing driver with his own driving position. Up to the first combat effectiveness upgrade in 1986, the Luchs was fully amphibious and could surmount water obstacles quickly and independently using propellers at the rear and the fold back trim vane at the front.

The 20 mm Rheinmetall MK 20 Rh 202 gun in the turret is similar to the one in the Marder IFV. The upgrade to the Luchs A1 starting in 1986 included the incorporation of a thermal observation and gunnery system, which replaced the original infrared/white light night vision system mounted to the left of the turret. VHF radios have been the German SEM 25 / SEM 35 FM short range radios from LORENZ. HF long-range radio was the (old!) AN/GRC 9 with the LV 80 100 Watts RF amplifier for morse code. This was replaced by the XK 405 100 Watts SSB HF radio made by Rohde & Schwarz in Germany and the incorporation of the new SEM 80/90 radio system gave it the designation SpPz 2 Luchs A2. The Luchs was replaced by the Fennek in Bundeswehr service.

Initial assessment

There seems to be a little confusion over whether this is or is not a completely new-tool model from Revell – I couldn’t find a date stamped into the moulding showing 2014 (that is visible in the M48 releases at this time that are new-tools). Frankly, who cares? Some of you might and apologies if that sounds a little flippant, but this is a good kit by any standards looking at the sprues and overall package. So, by Revell adding this SpPz2 “Luchs” in 1:35 scale to their range we can all be happy.

Moulding quality is to a high standard with very fine levels of detail across the board. The attached images should speak for themselves and you can decide what you think, especially as armour is probably your area. So I offer a basic insight into this Revell kit that’s widely available and this will be good news to all of you that are interested in armour modelling in this scale.

The package

Sprues moulded in dark green plastic form the basis of the model, rubber/vinyl tyres, a set of instructions, and small decal sheet make up the package.

Sprue trees

This is a good-sized model, as is the real subject. You can see that the hull top is very clean and crisp, as is just about everything else. The detail is cleanly and accurately moulded onto the surface and will look excellent when spray painted and given a subtle wash and maybe filters and other weathering of your choice. The moulded detail throughout is good and although I can’t give an opinion on accuracy, what you get certainly looks consistent with some of the images I have seen on the Internet.

Clear parts

The small lenses and other clear parts are clear and free from defects.

Other highlights include

The detail on the hull top, range of small detail equipment accessories like stowage and fittings and simply the subject are all positive features of the kit. You’ll see from the images attached of the completed manufacturer’s kit that it will look impressive when completed.

The rubber/vinyl tyres are supplied as separate items that will make painting easier and moulded detail is good – at least you won’t have to assemble lots of tiny individual track links but again, I know rubber tyres and accessories are not everyone’s cup of tea. They do still look and feel good though, so I think they are OK, especially if you spend time painting and weathering them – so what’s provided looks alright even in 1:35 scale.

A metal aerial wire is supplied as with many Revell armour kits.

There’s no flash or excess plastic on any of the parts, so this will help build time greatly.

Decals

There’s a small sheet with the respective number plates and unit badges for the German options contained in the kit. The quality looks good overall, although there is carrier film visible around most of the items, but applying them to a glossy finish should ensure that doesn’t show. Lots of various numbers are included for you to make up registration plates of your choice.

Instructions

These follow the usual Revell format with Revel colour references, parts and sprue layout diagrams followed by a 52-Stage build and finishing sequence. The sequence looks to be logical to me but of course you will want to leave off all the small, delicate parts like the aerial until near the end of the build to avoid damage.

To sum up

This is a good package and I reckon that you’ll be made up if 1:35 armour modelling is your area of interest – there’s just something about the shape of the “Luchs” that looks ‘right’. Most of the mainstream manufacturers are releasing plenty of current AFV models and this can only be good news for us modellers, especially those interested in modern armour. Levels of detail are excellent for the scale and fit looks to be clean and pretty trouble-free.

SMN Quick summary SMN Star Rating out of 5

Geoff C.