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In-Box Review
135
S 3000 Maultier
KHD S3000 SS M Maultier
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

The king of the soft skin is at it again, ICM have now released a KHD S3000/SS M Maultier in 1/35th scale. Yes I am biased in so much as I have become a big fan of what ICM can give us with their models without having to resort to multi-media kits, and it has to be said keeping their prices down at a level where after market bells and whistles are still a realistic consideration from a price aspect.

Review

One of the places where ICM excel is the packaging. This offering is protected by ICM’s now standard flip top cardboard box and a separate card lid with the artwork on, this approach makes ICM some of the best protected products when it comes to the rigours of postal services. Inside of this you will find a single re-sealable plastic bag containing the model parts. An examination of the contents reveals only one issue to overcome in the form of ejector pin marks, there are a few that will need to be tackled before assembly to insure that they will not and cannot be seen.

As is very common for ICM we get a very nicely replicated engine and transmission, ICM are the only company that always seems to include this sort of detail as standard. There is no photo etch or other non plastic parts, but we are still provided with a very nice and well detailed engine. The radiator fan is supplied as a separate part and looks great for a plastic piece. The only other thing I would look at doing here is to add some wiring to finish the detail off.

The chassis of the vehicle has been tackled by bringing a number of subassemblies together with chassis rails, as such you will need to take care and make sure everything remains and cures square and major issues will be ahead. The front leaf springs have some seam lines that will need to be cleaned up, but if taken gently no issues should bother you. The exhaust is made up of three parts but it has not been slide moulded and so the look of the end will be greatly improved via a little drilling out.

The next area I looked at was the axles and it is this area that while well detailed it is locked up; turned front wheels add a nice touch to a finished model I feel and that is not an issue task to scratch on this model. The tyres are vinyl with this model which I know can be a bone of contention with some modellers, but with that said I like what ICM has provided here.

The rear half track portion of the vehicle is locked flat with link and length tracks. The spring detail on the rear suspension elements is very good and should look pleasing. Due to the way ICM has tackled the wheel assemblies here they are very stable I feel while looking quite fragile. The link and length tracks are very nicely detailed and should look the part. One thing I do feel the tracks would benefit from is more use of the single links where the rise to the idler and drive wheel from the front and rear road wheels occurs. I will also say that the option taken by ICM here also makes it very hard to replicate the track sag that occurs and so after market tracks may be the way to go.

The cab of the truck is very bare, but that would seem to be the case in reality. However after a good look at what is present the only detail missing is the texture on the floor. The seat is pristine which as most of you know is a bugbear of mine where seats are concerned. The roof of the cab has two large ejector pin marks that will need attention. The doors have separate door liners and so look very good; it has also been pointed out to me that it enables a realistic representation of a window that has been lowered.

The exterior of the cab is a little disappointing in that the hood cannot be shown open; you could cut the pieces up, but they would be far too thick to provide a realistic representation of the hood, as such it falls to the after market to provide this proposition for the modeller. The lines of the cad and hood look good to me, and as far as I can tell accurate. Details such as wing mirrors, handles and wiper blades really add some nice detail here.

The wooden deck has been well replicated as regards plank detail, but no wood grain effect is present, this does not concern me as a swipe with some sandpaper will add that effect and so easier to add than remove. I am very pleased to see that ICM has managed to avoid ejector pin on the deck areas of the model. The rails for a canvas cover have been provided and so any modeller who wants to add a tarpaulin has had their work load reduced.

Conclusion

As with all of the soft skins I can remember looking at from ICM I am very pleased with what is present. The negatives for me is inability to display that fantastic engine detail that ICM has provided and the link and length tracks making track sag hard to replicate. The highs outweigh the negatives in the form of the very well detailed chassis, engine and transmission, the rear cargo bed with separate rails for a tarpaulin rate very highly with me. So taken as a whole this is another really nice addition to the ICM range of soft skins; I wonder if they will tackle any of the British soft skins?
SUMMARY
Highs: The rear deck is pleasing as are the oily parts of the model so to speak.
Lows: I really would like to have the option of displaying the engine detail, perhaps with the addition of a mechanic getting dirty.
Verdict: Another nice addition to the range of soft skinned vehicles from ICM.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35453
  PUBLISHED: Aug 28, 2017
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.86%

Our Thanks to ICM Holding!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Being a fan of the German style/type of halftrack, I'm glad to see a review that helps me to decide to add this to the stash. Any negative feature mentioned can be dealt with by the aftermarket...most of which I already have...no worries!!
AUG 27, 2017 - 11:47 PM
The other beauty John is that being ICM it will be affordable and so those after market items are a reasonable investment.
AUG 28, 2017 - 12:17 AM
Interestingly, according to John Milsom in "German Half-Tracked Vehicles of World War Two", the Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz version of the Maultier was actually the best, due to it's diesel engine being more applicable to the semi-tracked unit. Unfortunately they were in short supply, only around 2000 being built by Magirius.
AUG 28, 2017 - 08:37 PM
I have come to really appreciate the new ICM soft skin vehicles as they offer tremendous detail for a modest price.
AUG 29, 2017 - 05:52 PM
0Though waiting that kit for 35 years, I am disappointed because the roof of the cab is way TOO FLAT, SQUARE ! And of course the top of the doors or windshield... We actually have more sources with period photos than on actual kit...
AUG 29, 2017 - 07:58 PM
Looks like another ICM SoftSkin kit worth getting-- Also this a Diesel engine in the kit ! - im glad Hohenstaufen mentioned that .
SEP 08, 2017 - 02:36 AM
   
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