1:35 Kommandeurwagen type 1500A (tamiya)

Photo-etched parts for the Kommandeurwagen type 1500A, 1:35 scale

A set of photo-etched parts for a model of the German type 1500A staff car in 1:35 scale. According to the name it is prepared for the kit from the brand Tamiya, so the shapes follow the parts of that manufacturer.

What etched metal adds to a model

Etched metal is thin metal sheet with outlines and embossed detail etched into it. It manages thicknesses that injection-molded plastic cannot reach, so grilles, sheet-metal trim, grab handles and small hardware look credible after the swap even from close up. On a car whose whole body is on show, it is exactly these small things that are most visible. The extent of the parts and their placement on the car are given by the manufacturer in the instructions.

Tips for working it

• The parts are held in the fret by small tabs; cut through them with a sharp blade on a hard surface and do not tear them off.
• Make the bends in a bending tool or between the smooth jaws of a pair of pliers, so that the edge stays straight.
• Degrease the metal before gluing; fingerprints prevent the glue and the paint from adhering.
• Glue with cyanoacrylate or two-part glue; cement for polystyrene does not hold on metal.
• Before painting, apply a primer meant for metal, otherwise the paint rubs off the smooth sheet.

Who it is for

For more advanced modelers who want to take a kit to a higher level of detail and have experience of working with thin sheet. The work calls for patience and a firm surface, but the result shows at first glance.

The kit, paints and glue are not supplied, unless stated otherwise.