Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad

Zoukei-Mura's 1:32 scale Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad kit comes in a small top opening cardboard box. Inside, there are two dark yellow injected styrene sprues protected within a plastic bag, a small decal sheet and instructions. The kit has been designed to support the excellent Focke-Wulf Ta152 H-1 by the same manufacturer (see review here), but it can also find it's place aside numerous other WWII Luftwaffe aircraft. There are already a lot available in 1:32 scale and even more are planned for the future.

So how does the Kettenkrad compare to the Ta152? Of course it is a lot smaller, but the quality of the moulding is comparable and the philosophy behind the kits are similar: a limited number of parts (52) for a high level of detail. Once again slide molds have been used to good effect. The tracks for example are only composed of 6 parts each and the body as well is made of a limited number of pieces. Assembling will probably only require an evening of work and this kit can be considered an easy and fast project.

Instructions and decals

The instructions are printed on a single A4 sheet of paper folded so to constitute a 4 pages booklet. I have received this sample during the Nürnberg Toy Fair and everything is written in Japanese! However I don't think it that this will be a problem since the drawings are very clear and the building sequence easy to understand. Even the painting won't pose a problem since colors are given for the Vallejo and Tamiya brand of paints using code numbers.

The decal sheet has markings for one Luftwaffe and two Wehrmacht machines. The first one is camouflaged in Dark Yellow, the second in Panzer Grey and the last one in a three color scheme. Additional numbers are provided to do a custom ID shield.

Conclusion

It's a good idea from Zoukei-Mura to have done a Kettenkrad in 1:32 scale and it's nice to see that it is, quality wise, on par with the manufacturer's excellent Ta 152 kit. This vehicle has already been produced in every other scale so it is only justice that it is now also available for the big scale aircraft lovers. The diorama potential of the subject is very high, and it's small size will be an advantage for sure as it can be placed very close to the plane model. Icing on the cake would have been the inclusion of a figure or two but these are available separately. Nobodies perfect...

Note

The Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad, like all other products from the company, is only available from the manufacturer's own distribution system. Orders can be made via Volks Japan (in Yen) or Volks USA (in Dollars).

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AeroScale.