Steyr 1500a and 1500a/01

Manufacturer: AMC Models(Kit #72103 & 72104)

Contents (both Boxes):

• 44 Parts moulded yellow plastic
• A small fret of PE for the Side grills and driving board
• An acetate sheet for the front window
• Packed in a Cardboard box.
• A sheet of assembly instructions
• decals comprising 1 version for each model: 1500A a Großdeutschland Div. in PanzerGrau finish (in 41 or 42); The 1500a/01 from the 10.Pz.Div./Afrika Korps vehicle in a 1942/43 Desert Finish (Tunisia)

Evaluation:

This is basically the samemodel - same sprues - with relevant pieces deleted to make thatparticular version, which is a good idea as that will keep thecost down, at least on terms of moulds. This is a limitedproduction model, which is a definition I do not understand, asthe model and moulds are new… perhaps this is a ruse toincrease prices?

As I'm a fanatic for WW IIperiod soft skins, either in plastic, white metal, resin or mixedmedia, when I've heard of this model I simply just ordered it. Ittook some 2 months to receive it, and by now I was receiving somenot so good info about it, complaining about the excessive pricetag - without doubt caused by the PE - and some not so cleanfinish of it, especially those wheels...

So, as soon as I receiveit, I just pick my references and start studying it. Whileproduced in the order of the 19000 models, very little infosurfaces about it. It seems that two main versions were made:

# 1500A/01 (here the1500A), without the exterior spare wheel on the left side(41-42);

# 1500A/02 (the 01 in AMC)with a spare wheel visible on the left side (42-45). Being bothair-cooled made this vehicle very popular on "hotareas".

Most were made bySteyr-Daimler-Puch A.G. in Steyr (Austria) to be latercomplemented by the Auto-Union A.G. production, after forced toabandon their Horch typ.40 version, much more complex and not soreliable.

They were used as normaltroop carrier, carrying a normal Truppe/Section/Squad, replacingthose missing SPW Sd.Kfz.250 and 251, as a radio vehicle, Jagd PW(panzerjager units with Panzerfaust and Panzerschrecks),commanders vehicle, prime movers for 5cm PaK 38, 7,5cm PaK 40 andsimilar ordnance, including 12cm GrW 42 mortars.

And now the usefulreferences:

# WWP (Wings & WheelsPub.) nº9, Steyr 1500A in detail, by KORAN & MOSTEK - whilepresenting very little info on this particular version, andfocusing in some obscure models, this still is the best all-roundreference for improving our Steyr;

# Schiffer Pub. GermanPersonnel Cars in Wartime, from FRANK, Reinhard, for some historyand a few photos;

# Geof Lacey's plans in1:76, G65 & G66

# For some real picturesof restored models just go to the archives on the Panzermaniacs website.

Starting with the detail,it seems to be good, with some excellent and crisp. While some ofthe kit parts seem to be on the heavy side, specially the bonnetand mudguards, overall the kit receives a very positive note,while still on the sprues.

The heaviness of some ofthe parts will give you problems during the assembly. PersonallyI will remake some of the suspension, the frontal exteriorprotection and detail the inside of the body doors. The assemblysheet is sufficient for the task.

During the scalemeasurement, I found some problems in the area of the mudguards,as these appear to be too short, compared with Geof's plans, butnot with the WWP plans, so I accepted them.

While the A version has anopen hood/tarpaulin, the 01 version has a closed one, and you areexpected to make the support arms, using some stretched plastic,or similar. I would prefer both versions of hood in the same box,and by the price all the parts should be provided.

The wheels, are withoutdoubt the major problem, as the detail is too heavy, particularlyon the wheels hub and thread, needing some serious improvementand work. Let's face it, they screwed it up. To some of you, theAL.BY's offering could be more cost effective - around the sameprice tag, at least for me on the UE - but it lacked some of thedetail present in this model. Personally, I will try to correctit using perhaps some ingenuity - a lot of mud over thewheels…

About the PE fret, this isa bonus and a curse. Personally I'll prefer no PE, with thedetails in plastic and a more accessible price. You are expectedto cut and carve the plastic parts - tricky, but the plastic is,in these parts, some 2mm wide - to insert them. This isn't verywell explained on the assembly diagram, as on these you shouldonly glue it over the plastic parts, contrary to the box drawing,which is correct.

Overall:

I have a mixed feelingsabout it:

# While I like ANY newsoft-skins in this scale, and a Steyr 1500A is a very goodchoice, the price issue is IMHO very important, especially with arelationship with quality. The detail while good in some parts isvery problematic in some others, like for example the wheels.

# Overall, using theavailable data, the dimensions are at 1:72.

If you always dream abouta plastic Steyr, this is the model for you, and if your budgetpermits it, and if you solve the wheels issue, one could build alot of different models using this model. For some of you thesecould be a lot of IF's, so just wait for some other Steyr, whileothers will "jump the wagon" like myself - is better anAMC Steyr on hand than another future one flying.

Recommended for the SoftSkin Die Hard