Mercedes-benz 170V berline
By Faustnik -
Manufacturer: ODEXMinicars (Kit #72D01)
Contents:
Evaluation:
High quality of castingsand details. As any resin kit, some cleaning of the parts isneeded. Some care in removing small parts from their sprues isalso needed. In my specimen there were no air bubbles and nowarping.
The lack of instructionsis not dramatic, as this item is very easy to assemble, in anycase it will be useful to use photos of the real thing. Ofcourse, the interior of the cab is open to some super-detailing,depending of your skill, will and information, not exactly bythis order.
Background:
While this is not astrictly military vehicle - like it's cousin MB 170VK, of whichsome 19.075 170 were produced in 1938-42 - some numbers of themwere impressed in service from 1939 onwards. Mostly used in thestaff car or light transport car (lPkw) role, like most ofsimilar designs: Wanderer, KdF-Wagen, Horch, Opel, Ford, Tatra,and so on.
The production startedaround 1938 ending in the end of 1940, when the War forcedDaimler-Benz, and their branch of Mercedes-Benz, concentratingonly on military designs. As this vehicle was produced in severalbatches and configurations (most bodies came from coach builder Ambi-Budd of Berlin in 2/4 doors and berline / cabrio versions) this means that they could differin many aspects. Most noticeable was the cover over the sparewheel on the back of the car early versions had a metal cover,while in the late version there isn't any cover.
During the production somerare versions also appeared as a Post Office small van, with thebody mostly from wood. This version was also pressed in themilitary service, for Postal distribution of letters inthe "Home Front", but some could get in othersservices.
After the War, in 1945,the production resumes with the production of the berline version and the small van, with austere interiors and body. Someof these were in use in Portugal as a Cab/Taxi unit until the'60s.
Overall:
As far as scale isconcern, using the available data - at least the wheelbase - theoverall dimensions are at 1:72.
Obvious conversions willbe the cabrio version,were the roof is partly cut and a tarpaulin hood insert to coverthe area, but attention look first at some photos.
An excellent choice ofsubject, at least to me, as this vehicle could be used almostfrom 1939 till 1946, in several colours and users, making it a"best buy" choice. If you want a civil vehicle inmilitary use, why not using a colourful car - gloss colours likewhite, buff, cream or black - with some white/yellow markingsduring 1939 or 1940. Another option will be using some USmarkings and make it a vehicle in the US Army service in late 45.Use your imagination and photographic sources.
The later could be aproblem, as been not a strictly military subject, few photossurface in our hobby, so these could be something like"walking on thin ice" but one could get some info from(don't expect more than 2-3 photos):
Highly Recommended
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