1:35 Kübelwagen Covered Windscreen

Kübelwagen – covered windscreen 1:35 – accessory (Firma49)

This is not a model of the vehicle but an accurate replacement part and accessory for a model of the German light field car Kübelwagen in 1:35 scale. Firma49 is a Czech maker of accessories for modelers, produced by precise SLA 3D printing in resin. The part represents the windscreen folded down and covered with a tarpaulin – the covered windscreen variant. In the field the windscreen was often folded onto the hood and covered, because reflections gave away the position of the car and the tarpaulin also protected the glass.

The real subject

The Kübelwagen (VW Type 82) was a German light field car of the Second World War, the counterpart of the American Jeep, built on the underpinnings of the later Volkswagen Beetle. It served as a liaison, reconnaissance and staff car on every front. The windscreen folded down and covered with a tarpaulin is a typical field detail that gives a model or a diorama an authentic combat look.

Tips for working with resin

Carefully separate the part from its casting block, wash it free of mold release agent residue and fit it in place of the part from the original kit; glue it with cyanoacrylate glue. Printed resin is brittle – warming it in hot water before cutting helps. Paint the tarpaulin so that it matches the rest of the car; the texture of the fabric comes out after a wash and light dry-brushing.

Who it is for

• builders of Kübelwagen models in 1:35 scale who want the variant with the covered windscreen
• builders of dioramas with German front-line vehicles
• modelers looking for an authentic field detail instead of the standard windscreen

This is an accessory to a model, not a complete model of the vehicle. It is supplied unpainted; paints, glue and the base model are not included in the package. The part is also made in 1:48 and 1:72 scales.