Tatra OA vz.30
Ninetieth issue of the “September 1939” series come with 1:72 scale model kit of a Czechoslovak armoured car Tatra OA vz.30. Quite interesting subject, if you ask me. Let’s take a closer look.
Box
Characteristic graphic layout of the end-opening box clearly indicates that we are dealing with a set from the First to Fight company. This time marked with the catalogue number PL1939-90 and reinforced with a small cardboard insert, protecting the content from the rough handling.
The content, which consists of (despite appearances) four sprues made of grey plastic and a small sheet of decals.
This time we don't get any photo-etched details, not to mention the fact that the days of the free toothpick and tube of glue are way behind us.
Plastic
The largest and thus most noticeable part is the car main body, on which some of the exterior equipment has also been reproduced.
The front, featuring hood details, is accompanied by the mudguards (parts 20 and 21), which could use a bit of polishing.
Front armoured plate of the cabin (8) is also a separate element, complemented by armament occupying the entire “B” sprue.
Rear of the vehicle gets auxiliary towing hooks (12) and a hatch (14), which fill the recess seen on the main body part.
Factory lights (13, 15, 16) are supplemented by the Notek lamp, intended for the Germanised version of the car.
Vehicle's small turret sports second machine gun port and bunch of sight-holes.
Top hatch (9) comes as a separate part, as well as a base (19).
Mentioned earlier, second ZB vz.26 machine gun (or rather part of it) can be found on the “C” sprue, together with the depression angle limiter.
Lower parts of the vehicle are built around the floor part.
Which is completed by a number of suspension and exhaust components (5, 6, 7, 17, 18).
The whole thing will rest on wheels, six of them.
Externally transported equipment (spade, rescue boards for overcoming difficult terrain) is supplemented by a separately moulded container (11). It held an anti-aircraft base for the additional machine gun transported inside the vehicle, which by the way can also be found on the frame.
Not really usable when building a model straight from the box, looks nice nonetheless.
Decals
Apart from the plastic parts, the box also contains a small decal sheet with markings for several, mainly Slovak, armoured cars.
In addition to the six sets of registration numbers for vehicles of such affiliation (interestingly, among them there are no plates for the one depicted on the boxart and colour profiles), there are also markings for two machines from the German Ordnungspolizei.
Manual
Typical assembly and painting instruction is not included in the kit. A small drawings acting as a substitute for such are traditionally placed on the back of the box.
Those can also be found in the accompanying brochure, in a slightly larger format. However, there is no comprehensive information about the markings of individual vehicles, particularly German ones, which you will have to look for on your own.
Summary
New issue of “September 1939” is a typical representative of this series – simple kit of a little less known armour in 1:72 scale.
MMXXII