RODEN
1:72 scale Vauxhall D-Type • ITem No. Ro735
Not THAT D-Type!! - this is a staff car produced in Britain from 1912 until 1922 and derived from the Vauxhall Type C, probably better known as the ‘Prince Henry’, under which name Airfix did a 1:32 kit back in the mists of time. About 1500 were built for official staff duties wherever the British Army needed them, in the UK, Europe, East Africa and the Middle East, and I’m sure some ended up in India as well. King George V used one to visit the troops on the Western Front after the signing of the Armistice in 1918.
This lovely little kit comes in the usual Roden flimsy end-opening box and contains 54 pale grey parts on two sprues, five clear parts, a small decal sheet and an 8-page A5 instruction booklet. The box top illustration shows a lonely example about to be trammelled by a monstrous ghostly Male (or is it Female ?) Tank Mark IV - an odd way to illustrate the vehicle, but it is eyecatching. The spoked interior surface of the wheels is not reproduced in the kit, just the disc exteriors as shown in the images below.
Parts are very finely moulded and little flash is evident. Roden is using better quality moulding equipment these days and it shows in this kit, the downside being that this is not a cheap kit at $A21 for a vehicle 60mm long and 20mm wide!! However a lovely replica will be the reward of a little care in construction.
Chassis and running gear make up 22 parts and the rest gives a detailed body and the accessories such as lights, horn and a choice of raised or folded ‘canvas’ tilts. All parts are nicely moulded and the quilted/ buttoned seats are a delight. All colours are called out at each stage in Vallejo numbers and by name for users of other brands.
The photos show the finesse of the parts and moulded details, some of which are very fine.