1:35 Sd.Kfz. 234/1 Canvas N°1

The real subject

The Sd.Kfz. 234/1 was a German heavy eight-wheeled reconnaissance armored car with an open-topped turret accessible from above and a 2 cm gun. The car was built for long range and fast movement on its own wheels, so the crews spent most of their time out of reach of workshops and carried their own equipment with them. The open fighting compartment meant that they sheltered from bad weather and from curious eyes under a tarpaulin.

What the accessory is for

The set imitates such a tarpaulin cover in 1:35 scale. On a model it does two things at once: it gives the silhouette a soft, draping shape that contrasts with the flat areas of armor, and at the same time it offers a story, because anyone reading the scene automatically takes a sheeted vehicle for a machine out of combat, on the move or on a parking area.

Building and painting tips

First try seating the part dry and adjust the contact surfaces finely as needed so that the cover sits with no visible gap. Cut the surplus material and the traces of manufacture away with a sharp blade a little clear of the part and sand the rest off. Wash and degrease the surface before painting. Canvas has a different shade and a different sheen than armor: keep it flat and noticeably warmer, lighten the folds with a dry brush and put a darker glaze into the creases. Avoid a gloss varnish, which would turn the fabric into sheet metal at once. The exact placement on the model is given in the manufacturer's instructions.

What the package does not contain

The vehicle kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.