1:100 French armored car Laffly S15 TOE

French Laffly S15 TOE armored car in 1:100 scale from Zebranomodel

The kit captures the French Laffly S15 TOE armored car in 1:100 scale. The small scale means a compact model that fits easily into a display case as well as onto a gaming table, and suits group scenes where several vehicles are needed. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted.

The real subject

The Laffly S15 is a French off-road truck chassis of the late 1930s, and an armored variant designated by the abbreviation TOE, that is, for overseas theaters of operations, was built on it as well. The vehicle had the characteristic small auxiliary wheels ahead of the front axle, which made crossing broken ground and trenches easier. The armored version was intended for service away from the European battlefield, where a mobile unit capable of reconnaissance and escort over long distances was needed.

Building and painting tips

In 1:100 scale the parts are very small, so work with tweezers and over a surface from which a lost part can be found again. Choose the glue according to the material of the parts: thin modeling cement for plastic, super glue for resin or metal parts. Spray the whole model with a primer before painting, and the small details will then hold better. Thin the paint more than usual, because a heavy layer would flood the engraving at this scale. Pick out the details with a thin wash and a fine dry brush; do not overdo the weathering, because on small models it quickly looks dirty rather than used.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of machinery in small scales who want to cover a whole unit.
• For players of tabletop wargames, where 1:100 is a common scale.
• For anyone interested in French interwar and wartime machinery.
• For builders of small dioramas, where the point is not one vehicle but a scene.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.