German Bundeswehr Truck Unimog S 404 B with House-Type Body
ROCO 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review
Lkw 1.5 t gl geschl is the designation of the closed (shelter type) version of the Unimog 4×4 truck. The model shown here is a battalion signals vehicle with external antenna mast. Similar Unimogs were used as field ambulances, workshop and command vehicles. The shelter is not entirely correct, it should have an external heater unit in place of the shelf for the camouflage net. The mistake may be hidden by draping a cammo net over of the shelter when the vehicle is parked. The stepladders at the side and rear doors are scratchbuilt from brass wire and inserted into the underside of the shelter floor. Rear lights and a rear license plate holder also need to be scratchbuilt to complete this vehicle.
Contents
- Unimog S 404 B with shelter
Evaluation
The model has only 14 parts and it is sold fully assembled, ready to play. There is some flash around stowage boxes, front bumper and mud guards. Serious modellers will take the Unimog apart, remove flash and glue the parts together permanently. The cab and house type body are nicely detailed and will be fun to paint. The shelter requires a little extra detailing to make it look realistic.
Tail lights, the rear license plate holder, and one of the stowage boxes on the right-hand-side of the vehicle are not included in the kit. These parts are easily scratchbuilt using plastic card and slices of plastic rod or expanded sprue.
Stepladders at the side and rear doors are not included, but may be scratchbuilt from brass wire.
Cab doors do not open. The canvas cab cover may be removed, but there is no kit part representing the folded cover. This part may be scratchbuilt from tissue paper. The windshield folds down, but the hinge parts are a little out of scale. Windshield wipers and rearview mirrors are not included in the kit. ROCO offers several vehicle upgrade kits which include such small parts. Decals are not included, they need to be purchased separately.
Compatible with HO scale model railroad equipment and miniatures by Märklin, ROCO, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.
Possible Conversions
- Civilian overland camper truck
The Unimog 1.5 t 4×4 truck with shelter was the standard signals, office and workshop vehicle of the Bundeswehr until replaced by second generation Unimog 2 t tmil gl trucks. The model may be used as a battalion signals vehicle in wargames.