The Modelling News: Video build review: 1/35th scale German Pkw.K1 Kübelwagen Type 82 (North Africa) from Meng Models

Is it a groundbreaking new kit or another failed crack at the king? Clayton Ockerby takes a look at Meng's new contender for the crown. The 35th scale Kübelwagen Type 82 (North Africa) in his build review...

Build review video: German Pkw.K1 Kübelwagen Type 82 (North Africa)
From Meng Models
1/35th scale
Kit No. #VS-015

Price: $14.89 USD from Hobbylink Japan
Meng website

Meng is in production of their new-tooled German Pkw.K1 Kübelwagen Type 82 (North Africa) in 1/35th scale. They have had a lot of conversations with the modelling public on this one on what to do to make this potentially the best in it's class.

The Kit:
When built up, Meng's kit no. #VS-015 "German Pkw.K1 Kübelwagen Type 82 (North Africa)" in 1/35th scale is 108mm long, 46mm wide, and 43mm high once assembled. This kit includes fine decals, quality soft vinyl tyres, and provides three paint schemes. They are calling this kit "The Lightning Horse."

There are three main sprues in this kit, with a clear and some declas. The instructions are straight forward (22 steps) and are easy to read for the modeller.

The underside of the engine block is included.

The doors have handles pre-moulded (good)....

...but they do have some ejector pin marks on the inside of the rear compartment (which is hollow, so this won't be seen).

The wheels come with full detail on both sides, with bolts and hubs on the outside...

With brakes & the lugs to fit them on the inside. The frame for the convas roof is moulded nicely in scale for the modeller.

The kit's features:
-Additionally, due to different production batches, the horn on early bucket cars was installed below the left rearview mirror, while later models had it moved to the front of the left fender. To meet the needs of modellers, we have designed two mounting positions for the horn. You can choose either position based on your preference.

This kit includes a folded soft top designed by digital sculpting. Other details of the vehicle are accurately represented. Spare jerry cans become especially important, & the model includes spare jerry cans along with their mounting brackets. The racks for the jerry cans are moulded in plastic, saving the photo-etch issues some have with these.

The front windscreen can be assembled up or down, your choice. The parts are very clear. For the headlights, Meng will provide both transparent covers and light control covers. You can choose to build either version according to your preference.

The Pkw.K1 Typ82 features independent suspension and a rear-wheel drive system, with the front axle being a steering axle. If we want to replicate steerable front wheels on a scale model, the design requires more separate parts to accurately replicate the steering mechanism. This will make the assembly process extremely complex, and the small parts may break due to insufficient structural strength. Therefore, after careful consideration, Meng decided to give up the steerable mechanism design. Instead, a separate front axle parts design excellently replicates the actual car structure. It features a simple snap-fit design.

The separate floor parts match the actual structure of the floor rails and are easier to paint.

Optional parts are included, such as a Kar 98k rifle and extra fuel cans.

The seats have that pinched effect around the edges, very nice...

The chassis has a three-stage disassembly design, reproducing the structure of the actual car.

But how does this kit build? Only one way to find out...

The Build Video:

You can see my full build of the kit in video right here, showing you what I think of the built-up model & the process in full. The apint will come in another video...