Saturday, August 17

Takom are giving us some GREIF - also a 16th scale Rommel in their newest releases...

Takom has released details of their new releases due next month. A 16th scale Erwin Rommel & his 35th scale Sd.Kfz 250/3 halftrack "GREIF" are the subjects. We look at the CADs for the kit in our preview...


Takom are giving us a lot of GREIF - also a 16th scale Rommel in their newest releases...

Sd.Kfz.250/3 "GREIF" Rommel's command half-track
From Takom
Kit No# 2194
1/35th scale
Grey Injection moulded plastic + cable + Photo-etch parts...
The Subject: Erwin Rommel's "Greif" Sd.Kfz250/8 halftrack...
The "Desert Fox" had plenty of notable command vehicles during his time in command of the Afrika Korps. One of the most notable was the Sd.Kfz.250/3 halftrack named "GREIF" (English: 'Griffin'). This was a standard vehicle upgraded if you will with not only the regular western desert extra jerry cans and stowage, but with all of the radios and signal gear & the radio aerial frame that Rommel needed to communicate with his units in the line and the rear (if he was up front as in all the propaganda of the time showed).

Rommel amidst advancing units in his Sd.Kfz. 250/3 command vehicle "GREIF"
Saying that it was just a standard halftrack wasn't really correct then, as "Greif" featured an Sd.Kfz.250/Z Panzeraufbau armoured superstructure that had unique characteristics such as a vision port in the rear door and a different overhanging shape at the rear. 
Although there were also photos of the similar command vehicles; "ADLER" (Eagle) and "IGEL" (Hedgehog),  GREIF was the one that was most captured by propaganda reels, mostly shot in late spring/early summer of 1942, around the time of the Battle of Gazala, and the final assault on Tobruk (26 May to 21 June 1942).
The racks of jerry cans were a distinctive theme of recon and long distance halftracks. We noticed that this halftrack had it's rubber trackpads either worn off or removed. A common thing with these halftracks in the western desert.

This new kit from Takom:
This kit is a continuation of their Sd.Kfz.250 kits, this one has all of the features that would match up with "GREIF". Take a look at some of the CADs below..

The new kit's details in CAD: the front and rear views of the vehicle, showing the small amount of photo-etch in a gold colour.
The impressive array of radios for the vehicle is shown here, 
In the kit there are also two 1/35th scale figures included. The driver and Erwin Rommel himself. This is a good base to start from, as modellers will want to add their own figures anyway to be "unique" :-)
A lot of features/ options are offered in this kit. They are shown in both red and blue. From photos, you can see these options at different times, so it is great for Takom to add these. Alternate tyres, stowage, bags, a blanket, that cable and backpacks are included, sculpted digitally by the designer Jason Wong.
There is photo-etch included for the kit, showing grilles, straps, brackets & number plate amongst other parts. A cable is included for the front which matches the photos we have of the vehicle.
Apparently there are workable tracks for this kit - but whether you would want to actually turn them is something else.
The main reason for workable tracks is the positional suspension that has some range of movement..


Erwin Rommel
From Takom
Kit No# 1022
1/16th scale
Designed by Jason Wong
Grey Injection moulded plastic
We are sure this guy needs no introduction. He can be seen here in CAD lifting his Field Marshal's baton. Interestingly, he is seen here in a rather standard uniform, without some of the more unique Western Desert gear (no eye goggles etc). One might think you could use him for either a desert or a French scene before D-Day, or even any time after he became a marshal.

That is all we have on this one for now - keep tuned for more info on the kits soon...
You can see more about Takom's kits on their website or on their Facebook page.