Powered by a 4.2 litre Maybach 6cyl engine the SWs was a big armoured tractor built by Bussing Nag. It was an impressive vehicle being 6.92m long and 2.5m wide, weighing in at a hefty 13.5 tonnes. All this led to performance figures of 300kms range on a tank of fuel and delivering a top speed of around 27 kph. Designed in 1942, it was produced between 1943 to 1945 with just over 800 units built. Production was continued by TATRA in Czechoslovakia after the war ended, testimony to its robust design no doubt.
I was excited when this kit arrived for review. After reviewing other kits from their range, I had started to develop a liking for their products and on opening the box I wasn’t disappointed, Wow! The kit is cast in their usual pale grey resin and comprises just 26 parts and a sheet of what appears to be stainless steel mesh for the fold down bed sides. All the parts are individually wrapped in clear plastic pockets, and all protected in a robust cardboard box. No decals or instructions are included, so you will have top source markings yourself, as for the lack of instructions, I believe assembly of the kit will be self-evident even to the newest of novice modellers.
Right, on to the kit starting with the running gear. The tracks and outer running wheels are cast as one unit, with the inner wheels and inner drive sprocket cast as separate pieces respectively, location and alignment of the left and right track units on to the hull suspension is via extended pins on the hull torsion bar swing arms, the fit and alignment is outstanding! The front wheels and Tyres are beautifully formed with a nice moulded in weighted bulge, the tread pattern is crisp and well defined along with the bolt and outer face wheel details. As a side note, the front tyres seem a little wide, but without clearer references I shall err on the side of the manufacturer, having said that, when the tyres are mounted on the front suspension unit and the chassis is sitting on the tracks and wheels they don’t look out of place. I guess this may be one of those cases that if it looks right, it must be right!. Well, that’s my opinion, others may differ.