1:48 German field kitchen

Hauler 1:48 German field kitchen

A small accessory kit from the Czech maker Hauler in 1:48 scale. From it you assemble a German field kitchen of the Second World War period, that is, a mobile installation for preparing food for a unit in the field. It is not combat equipment and there is no point building it on its own for a shelf; it shows its value in a scene with vehicles, figures and terrain.

The real subject

A field kitchen was a towed installation with boilers, a firebox and a characteristic chimney. It existed both in a horse-drawn form and in one towed behind a vehicle, and it belonged to a unit just as naturally as the combat vehicles did. In 1:48 scale it is a rewarding object: it has a striking shape, plenty of small detail, and in a diorama it immediately creates a story, because it naturally gathers figures around itself.

Building and painting

Small accessories of this kind tend to be cast from resin, in some cases supplemented with photo-etched parts. Before you start gluing, wash the parts in warm water with detergent and let them dry, or the remains of release agent from the mold will keep the paint from adhering. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc; do not break them, as resin cracks. While sanding, protect your breathing; the dust is fine and unpleasant, so sand wet if possible. It is bonded with super glue; cement for plastic does not work on resin. It pays to paint it in a base gray-green shade, then darken the boilers and the chimney and add traces of soot and grease.

Who the model is for

• Builders of dioramas and vignettes in 1:48 scale
• Modelers who want to complete a scene with a rear-area item rather than another combat vehicle
• Those who have experience of resin castings
• Collectors of small military props

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and figures are not included in the package.