Plus Model 1/35
Skoda Typ 952 Kabrio

By Michael Benolkin

History

During the mid-1930s, the Czech industrial base had been absorbed to support the German war machine. One company so conscripted, Skoda Works, was producing vehicles of various types. One such vehicle was the Typ 952 Kabrio, produced as a middle class passenger car between 1941 - 1943. The Germans liked the comfort and ruggedness of the vehicle that it was inducted into the Wehrmacht.

Two major versions were produced from the 1600+ built:

• Kfz.15 - standard staff car (hardtop), 30 of which were converted to ambulances.

• Kfz.21 - luxury staff car (convertible), 100 produced.

It wasn't long before the German SS had 'acquired' every Kfz.21 produced and supplied them to their highest-ranking officers.

The Kit

The kit consists of 83 resin parts, plus a sheet of photo-etched details. The parts are very nicely molded and I didn't find an air bubble in any part of the kit. The molded detailing is also very well executed as you can see in the accompanying photographs. Layout of the kit is very much like that of an injection-molded kit from Tamiya or Italeri. Each of the subassemblies is very much a kit of their own.

Nevertheless, the Skoda kit is very simple and straightforward in its construction. The instructions are all graphical and very clear - not many parts to assemble in each step. The front wheels can be attached in whatever position you'd like - straight ahead or turned to some degree.

The chassis underside is very detailed. From the front-end steering mechanism and the exhaust system to the drive train and unusual leaf spring suspension.

While none of the four doors are positionable, you will be able to show off an intricate interior with the top down. From the interior door handles to the various shift and brake levers, all you're missing is the staff officer and his driver (and a nice Spitfire rolling in for a strafe kill).

The kit also provides your choice of convertible top - up or down. All of the other necessary details, from gas cans to pioneer tools, are also included. Right down to the photo-etched radiator grille, this kit will rival any of the best injection-molded plastic kits currently on the market.

Markings are provided for two SS staff cars and one captured machine. The box art depicts one of the staff cars painted overall panzer grey, while the other is in an overall desert yellow. I don't imagine that these appeared with a white overcoat for Russian Front duties…

The captured machine was painted an overall Olive Green and sported white stars around all sides of the vehicle. The instructions don't say who the lucky American officer was that acquired this captured vehicle, but it saw service in Northern France.

Conclusion

Very nice kit. I would not hesitate to recommend this to any modeler of intermediate or advanced skills. Because of the resin and photo-etched materials, construction is going to be exclusively using cyano after removing all of the parts from their carriers. This precludes most beginning builders.

If you are tired of posing Kubelwagens and Steyr Command Cars on your dioramas, this kit is a must-have. The subject is too unique and yet from a very visible portion of the German military not to have included in your next project.

This is Kit Number 100, Skoda Typ 952 Cabrio from Plus Models of the Czech Republic. You can view this kit along with the rest of their online catalog at www.terms.com/plusmodel or contact them directly at plusmodel@mbox.terms.cz.

My sincere thanks to Plus Model for this review sample!