ICM 1:35 Wehrmacht Self-propelled AA Vehicles

[rverissimo]

ICM 1:35 Wehrmacht Self-propelled AA Vehicles

Code: DS3526

Introduction

ICM is a well-known player in our modelling world, and over the years has consistently delivered increasingly detailed and intricate models.

This big set includes three Wehrmacht vehicles from WWII, adapted for anti-aircraft defence roles.
ICM has a proven track record of offering multiple versions of a model, providing the necessary parts for the intended configuration. This is one such case:
The set includes three models:

• s.E.Pkw Kfz.70 with Zwillingssockel 36
• Le.gl.Einheits-Pkw (Kfz.4)
• Sd.Kfz.3b with 2 cm Flak 38

The first two feature twin machine guns mounted on a pedestal inside the vehicle cabin, while the third includes the well-known Flak 38 mounted in the cargo bed.

What’s in the (big) box

Inside the large cardboard box, you'll find a total of 897 parts spread across 26 sprues, 4 instruction booklets, and 4 decal sheets.

This review is organised by model

s.E.Pkw Kfz.70

The s.E.Pkw Kfz.70, also known as leichter geländegängiger Personenkraftwagen, was a light all-terrain vehicle widely used by the German armed forces during WWII. It served as a troop carrier, command vehicle, and logistical support across various theatres, from the Eastern Front to North Africa.
This version includes a base with two MG34s mounted in parallel inside the vehicle cabin. This setup allowed for infantry support and protection against air attacks, as well as suppressive fire against enemy troops.

Sprue A
Contains parts for the chassis, engine, transmission components, and axles. The engine can be displayed by positioning the bonnet open.

Sprue B
Includes various bodywork components. The engine cooling grille details are well rendered for injection-moulded plastic.

 

 

Sprue C1
Contains the doors and the soft-top cover (3 parts).

Sprue D
Includes interior cabin parts, door handles, exhaust system, steering wheel, and exterior tools (spade and pickaxe).

Sprue E1 (x2)
Provides the wheels (4 plus a spare).

Sprue E2
Provides the tyres (4 plus spare). These are made of rubber with decent detailing.

Sprue F
Contains the vehicle’s clear parts – windscreen and light lenses. These are transparent, free from warping or scratches.

Zwillingssockel 36
This sprue includes the parts for the weapon platform. The gun detail is adequate, and the pedestal can be built in either an anti-aircraft firing position or a horizontal ground-support position.

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Decals

A small sheet includes various licence plates, national and tactical markings. They are thin, with minimal carrier film and perfect registration.

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Instructions

The instructions are spread over 28 pages (glossy cover, matte inner pages).
Construction is divided into 72 steps for the vehicle and 16 for the gun mount, with the final page showing the completed model.

Three decoration options are included.

s.E.Pkw Kfz.70, Russia, Autumn 1942

s.E.Pkw Kfz.70, sapper platoon of the Heavy Panzer Batalion 501 (schw, Abt.501), Tunisia, 1943

s.E.Pkw Kfz.70, Russia, Summer, 1943

le.gl.Einheits-Pkw Kfz.4 (Horch)

 

The le.gl.Einheits-Pkw Kfz.4 was a light all-terrain vehicle developed for the Wehrmacht in the 1930s, designed for reconnaissance and anti-aircraft support roles.
Equipped with twin MG34 machine guns, it stood out for its mobility and versatility on fronts such as Greece and the Eastern Front.
It also served with the Luftwaffe in airfield defence roles.

This model, originally released in 2021 (Ref. 35584), is presented here in the same configuration, featuring a detailed chassis, engine, and interior.
The kit includes 7 sprues for the vehicle and 1 for the Zwillingssockel 36, totalling 241 parts.

Sprue A
Provides engine components, chassis (structural body parts), and transmission.
The detail is appropriate for the scale, with fine moulding evident in the smaller parts.

Sprue B
Contains interior cabin components and additional engine parts.

Sprue C (x2)
These sprues include the wheels (fully moulded in plastic along with the rims), differential axle, transmission parts, and various interior components.

Sprue D
Provides the vehicle’s clear parts. Some are not required for this version, as it features a canvas cover rather than a hard top.

Sprue E
Includes the necessary parts to adapt the chassis and cabin interior with mounting plates for the machine gun base.

Sprue F

Decals

A small sheet includes various licence plates, national and tactical markings. They are thin, with minimal carrier film and perfect registration.

Instructions

The instructions are spread over 24 pages (glossy outer pages, matte inner pages).
Construction is divided into 81 steps for the vehicle and 16 for the gun mount, with the final page showing the completed model.

Three decoration options are included:

1. le.gl.Einheits-Pkw (Kfz.4), Luftwaffe Ground Units, Greece, 1940
2. le.gl.Einheits-Pkw (Kfz.4), 1st Panzer Division, Greece, 1941

3. le.gl.Einheits-Pkw (Kfz.4), 11th Panzer Division, Eastern Front

Sd.Kfz.3B with 2 cm Flak 38

The Sd.Kfz. 3B was a half-track version of the V3000S truck, adapted by the Wehrmacht to handle difficult terrain.
In this variant, it was fitted with the 2 cm Flak 38 anti-aircraft gun, effective against aerial targets and light vehicles.
With fold-down side panels to ease operation, it became a mobile air defence platform used across various fronts during the Second World War.

Sprue A
This sprue (which includes many small and detailed parts) draws attention to the Ford V8 engine components. Particularly notable are the cylinder head covers, clearly showing the spark plug and bolt positions.
Radiator, differential and transmission parts are also well detailed.

Sprue B
Provides some of the parts needed for the front and cabin of the vehicle.
Several parts on this sprue are not used in this version.

Sprue C
Contains components for the cargo bed (moulded to resemble wooden planks), as well as the front wheels and a spare tyre, all moulded entirely in plastic.

Sprue D
A small sprue that includes the platform parts mounted in the cargo bed, where the Flak 38 will be installed.

Sprue E
Includes the plastic tracks (individual links for curved sections and segments for flat areas). In my opinion, these are easier to work with and paint than rubber alternatives, and more realistic.
Suspension components, track wheels and exhausts are also provided.
The wheels show injection marks on their structure, but these will be hidden once assembled, as they face inward.

Sprue E1
A small sprue with one ammunition box for the Flak 38.

Sprue G
Provides the transparent parts for the cabin – windscreen and optics.
These are moulded in clear plastic, free from scratches or distortion.

Sprue H
Contains most of the cabin and interior parts. The detail is appropriate, with rivets visible where body panels were joined.
Some injection marks should be removed, especially on the inside of the doors and roof, as they may remain visible after assembly.

Flak 38 Sprues
Two sprues  and a decal sheet are included for building the Flak 38. A separate review of this gun can be found on the forum [here].

Decals

A small sheet includes a licence plate, tactical markings, stencils and instrument panel.
They are thin, with minimal carrier film and perfect registration

 

Instructions

The instructions are spread over 20 pages (glossy outer pages, matte inner pages).
The first page provides historical context and technical specifications, along with a paint guide referencing ICM’s own colour range.
Construction is divided into 89 steps for the vehicle and Flak 38, with the final page showing the completed model.
The cargo bed’s side panels can be displayed either folded down or upright.

Two generic decoration options are available:

1. Sd.Kfz.3b with 2cm Flak 38 AA gun (camouflage version), 1944–1945

2. Sd.Kfz.3b with 2cm Flak 38 AA gun (winter camouflage version), 1944–1945

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Conclusion

This review was long and photo-heavy, but the set truly deserves it.
The three vehicles are not large in scale, which is appealing for modellers with limited display space.
In fact, the sturdy cardboard box could be reused to store the completed models!

The detailing across all three kits reflects the quality ICM is known for, though care should be taken with injection marks that may remain visible after assembly, making it competitive in terms of value for money,
The instructions are clear and precise, with helpful alerts when choosing between versions.
Overall, considering the contents and quality, this is a highly recommended set!

our thanks to ICM for the sample review!

Ricardo Veríssimo

[FullArmor]

Thanks for review👍

I am still amazed by the quality of the ICM kits. Lots of detailed parts and usually the engines are also modeled.

Also instructions are better than old kits.

I am now building ICM kit No35507 W.O.T.6 truck.