Rubicon Opel Blitz

Part of the latest Rubicon Models releases is the SdKfz 305 or Opel Blitz 3-ton 4x2 Cargo Truck.

The Opel Blitz was build between 1937 and 1944 and around 70,000 units were produced. In the late years of war Daimler Benz was ordered to produce the DB 701, which was the Opel Blitz without markings built under license. The Blitz was the standard truck of the german army, was used for cargo and in variants for ambulance, communication, weapon carriage and even converted as a halftrack.

Rubicon offers the Opel variant of the 3-ton truck in this kit, covering two sprues, a single drivers cab, instructions and a decal sheet. The sprues are made from hard plastic and properly filled. There are only a few mold lines and the details are quite crisp.

The sprues cover all the parts you need and some extras, for example to include bench seats or closed canvas top. The arrangement of the single parts is logical and there are no parts that are in danger of being broken while cleaning the sprue. At first i was irritated by the crew, as they looked as if they were missing details, it is just the shiny plastic that "absorbs" the details. After a primer and first drybrush you see the detail on them.

The assembly begins with the undercarriage and you have the option to add the spare wheel beneath the load area (otherwhise on the head board inside the truck) and some tool boxes. The tyres even have slightly flattened undersides, to show the tyre pressure. Nice detail.

Next up is the load area, be sure you keep an eye on the instruction, as it is important to add the pieces in the right order. Here are again optional parts for boxes and jerry cans. Quickly build and the undercarriage is almost done.

In the next step the headboard and fenders are added, along with the rear wheels.

In the next step you can choose how to build the load area. Open or closed canves, with bench seats, tailgate open or closed. I decided to use the closed canvas and tailgate, to no need to glue in the benches etc.

The drivers cab was only put on, as i wasn't sure if i use the included rubicon crew or will add Perry drivers for my Afrikakorps. Along with the cab the external details are added, primary tools and the tow indicator. The tow indicator was tilted upwards if the truck was towing something. Beside that you can choose to use Notek lights and two different types of head lights.

The assembled Blitz looks like this and matches the size of the inferior resin kit by Warlord Games quite good. It is a bit leaner, but solid.

Building of this truck went so quickly and easy, i built two more trucks. Using the other options this time, i assembled one with benches (along the side board) and on as a weapon carrior (the PAK is only a mock up).

Last but not least, a quick view around the final build of the 3-ton Blitz.

Conclusion
The Rubicon Opel Blitz is a fine kit. At 25 Euros it is a bit more expensive than the Ebob resin and metal kit (14 GBP), and a bit cheaper than the Warlord Games kit (21 GBP). But that actually doesn't matter, as the plastic kit is so much easier and more pleasant to build and gives you a lot more options.

The casting is solid and there were no issues with the fit. The standard kit itselfs can be build multiple times and the trucks doesn't need to look like on of the others. On top of that, you can use the German Stowage Set 1 by Rubicon to individualise the truck, or add parts from other companies as well, as seated sections of soldiers or weapons like the 2cm Flak.

I can only recommend this kit, after (trying to) build two of the resin kits by Warlord Games and almost losing it over the bad fit of the drivers cab, i was really relieved that this held up to my expectations.

Link: Rubicon Models