French Armoured Car AMD35 1940

Tamiya 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

B a c k g r o u n d

The Panhard 178 (officially designated as Automitrailleuse de Découverte Panhard modèle 1935, 178 being the internal project number at Panhard) or "Pan-Pan" was an advanced French reconnaissance 4x4 armoured car that was designed for the French Cavalry before World War II.

It had a crew of four and was equipped with an effective 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun.

A number of these vehicles were taken over by the Germans in 1940 after the Fall of France and employed as the Panzerspähwagen P204 (f).

Production continued for the benefit of Germany for some months after the armistice of June.

After the war a derived version, the Panhard 178B, was again taken into production by France.

* Historical text and technical details adapted from Wikipedia

F i r s t L o o k

Tamiya’s latest mix-and-match re-boxing is their 1:35 scale French Armoured Car AMD35 1940.

ICM originally released their Panhard 178 AMD-35 in 2015. The armoured car itself comprises 153 cleanly moulded in a dark tan coloured plastic parts and four vinyl tyres.

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The vehicle features full engine and fighting compartment detail. Hatches and doors are separate so you may show off all that nice interior detail if you choose.

Surface textures are really well done, including crisply raised domed rivets in different sizes, pressed metal effect, grilles and non-slip flooring.

The four tyres are soft vinyl with a clean tread pattern and no centreline seam, so they are certainly useable. They are much better than the vinyl tyres included with the reboxed ICM ANH truck that I reviewed recently, although there is a slight, ragged seam on the sidewall.

Next in the package is a small sprue offering a partial French WWII Commander figure for the turret hatch, plus rolled packs, fuel drums, ammo boxes and a spare helmet. These are made up from 21 parts in green plastic, dated 2007.

Markings are supplied for three vehicles – two French and one German. All three vehicles are finished in overall Olive Green.

Decals are in register and well printed.

C o n c l u s i o n

This is another worthy Tamiya reboxing of a very good recent ICM kit plus a garnish of useful Tamiya parts, including a Commander figure.

Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample

Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited for the sample.