Tamiya 1/35 Schwimmwagen Group Build by John Miller by John Miller

Schwimmwagenpalooza!

Tamiya 1/35 Schwimmwagen Group Build

by John Miller

Tamiya 1/35 Schwimmwagen

Summary

Tamiya Schwimmwagen Type 166 Kit# 35224

Scale: 1/35

Review Type: Group Build

Advantages: Being a Tamiya kit, the build was quick and easy. Sharing the experience with a group of like-minded modelers made building the kit more educational and enjoyable.

Disadvantages: None noted except for Steve……;)

The Volkswagen Schwimmwagen (‘swimming car’) is a light four-wheel drive amphibious car, used extensively by German ground forces during WWII. With over 15,000 units built, the Schwimmwagen is the most-produced amphibious car in history. It entered full-scale production in 1941 as the Type 166. All Schwimmwagen were four-wheel drive in first gear (and reverse gears on some models) and had ZF self-locking differentials on the front and rear axles. As with the Kübelwagen, the Schwimmwagen had rear portal axels, which provided increased ground clearance, while at the same time reduced drive-line torque stresses with their gear reduction at the wheels. The Schwimmwagen had a top speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) on land.

When crossing a body of water a screw propeller could be lowered down from the rear deck/engine cover. When in place a simple coupling provided drive straight from an extension on the engine’s crankshaft. This meant that screw propulsion always drove forward. The Schwimmwagen had a top speed of 10 km/h (6 mph) in the water. For reversing in the water there was the choice of using the standard equipment paddle or running the land drive in reverse, allowing the wheel-rotation to slowly take the vehicle back. The front wheels doubled up as rudders, so steering was done with the steering wheel both on land and on water.
Text and pic edited from Wikipedia.

Introduction

I’m fortunate to have a small group of friends, The Tuesday Morning Irregulars, which meet regularly, every Tuesday morning, to drink coffee, discuss current events, take cheap shots at each other and talk modeling.

The strength of the group derrives, from a shared sense of humor and the diversity of it’s members, both in what each builds (car, plane, armor, sci-fi) and our backgrounds (Fireman, Teacher, Videographer, Engineer, Programer, Boeing Manager, Recovering Biochemist). We decided to try our first group build and the subject that met with the most approval was the Tamiya Schwimmwagen; it’s easy, builds quickly, can be finished in multiple schemes and is just a very cool vehicle.

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The best part was discussing our individual approaches to some of the little building challenges as well as the painting and weathering techniques we each used to finish our kits. Much information was shared and many laughs were had by all. Thanks, Guys!

Background

The Builds

Blaine “One-Tonne” Singleton

Blaine was the first of the group to complete his Schwimmwagen, which was built straight from the box, finished in AK Real Colors and weathered with AK pigments.

Eric “Tank Man” Christianson

Eric built his kit straight from the box except for the resin details in the rear seat, which came from an aftermarket Schwimmwagen Accessories kit by Black Dog (#35012). Eric painted his Schwimmwagen with Tamiya XF-60 Dark Yellow followed by post-shading with a mix of 30% Tamiya XF60 Dark Yellow and 70% Tamiya Flat White XF2. The Green mottles were shot with AK-Real Colors #47, OlivGrun.

Steve “Sir-Rigs-A-Lot” Kramer

Steve finished his Schwimmwagen in AK Real Colors and was responsible for starting an “Oar War” when he showed up at a Tuesday meeting with just the oar from the kit—beautifully finished with a wood-grain decal….. And, so began the oar war. My response was to also finish my kits oar with a wood-grain decal and in the process spend way too much time on it….. I’m not above peer pressure…

Mike “The Weather Man” Millette

“The Weatherman” lived up to his name turning in a very nicely finished and weathered Schwimmwagen. Mike painted his kit with a combination of AK Real Colors and Tamiya acrylic lacquers.

Brad “Model Car Czar” Huskinson

“The Model Car Czar” came up with an awesome dune buggy scheme for his Schwimmwagen. Brad finished the model with Splash “Miami Blue,” Tamiya White Surfacer and Mr. Color GGX Clear Coat. I love the looks of this Schwimmwagen.

John “Dr. Strangebrush” Miller

This Schwimmwagen was straight from the box except for the addition of a resin K98 Mauser. The model was finished with AK Real Colors and weathered with MiG and AK pigments.

John “Race Plane” Meyer

It was the consensus within the group that Best TMI Schwimmwagen Award goes to John Meyer for his Stretched Schwimmwagen or more accurately, Verlängerter Schwimmwagen, appropriately posed in front of an awesome Reno Air Race backdrop. John combined three Schwimmwagen kits, a bunch of patience, and demonstrable modeling ability to produce this awesome, one-of-a-kind, stretched Schwimmwagen. When not making stretched Schwimmwagen, John builds beautiful 1/48 and 1/32 race planes.

Conclusion

What a blast! That was a lot of fun and I think everyone in the group learned a little something in the process. Most importantly, we shared the camaraderie that only occurs when a group of modelers build the same kit in unison with the expressed purpose of sharing the experience with others in the group. Thanks, again guys!

For more on this review visit ModelPaintSolutions.com

https://modelpaintsol.com/builds/tamiya-schwimmwagen-group-build

Keep your airbrush wet!

John

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