German Assault Pioneer Team & Goliath Set

Tamiya 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

B a c k g r o u n d

The Goliath tracked mine - complete German name: Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath (Goliath Light Charge Carrier) was a name given to two German Unmanned ground vehicles, disposable demolition vehicles, used during World War II. These were the electrically powerd Sd.Kfz. 302 and the petrol-engine powered Sd.Kfz. 303a and 303b. They were known as beetle tanks to the Allies.

Employed by the Wehrmacht during World War II. They carried 60 or 100 kilograms (130 or 220 lb) of high explosives, depending on the model, and were intended to be used for multiple purposes, such as destroying tanks, disrupting dense infantry formations, and the demolition of buildings or bridges. Goliaths were single-use vehicles that were destroyed by the detonation of their warhead.

F i r s t L o o k

Tamiya has slipped this new release in under the radar - or perhaps I should say barbed wire - although they did release a 1:48 scale Goliath and Kettenkrad set some years ago.

I received a plain white box with a set of test shot sprues during the week.

Tamiya's brand new 1:35 scale German Assault Pioneer Team & Goliath Set comprises 111 parts in light grey plastic and a spool of fine copper wire. The light grey plastic is probably for the test shot only and I think we are more likely to see Tamiya's more familiar dark yellow plastic in the production kit.

The set provides two complete Goliath models made up from 39 parts each, including link and length tracks.

Surface textures are nicely done as you would expect from Tamiya, with raised rivets, pressed panels and recessed panel lines. The Goliath units are quite diminutive when built at less than 45mm in length.

Three figures are also included. These are up to Tamiya's most recent high standards in terms of sculpting, uniform drape, facial realism and natural poses.

There is a kneeling NCO with binoculars up to his eyes, a pensive looking operator with the wired remote control box and a third team member lying on the ground.

The copper wire is provided for the cable between the Goliath and the remote control.

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Thumbnail panels:

There are no decals - at least there are no decals with my test shot. I assume that there won't be any in the production kit. The real Goliath was devoid of markings, so the only decals possible would be for uniform insignia anyway.

C o n c l u s i o n

Tamiya’s brand new 1:35 scale German Assault Pioneer Team & Goliath Set is a nice addition to the military range. With the addition of a simple base it will be an interesting standalone vignette, or it might lend additional colour to a larger scene.

Thanks to Tamiya Japan for the sample

Tamiya kits are distributed in the UK by The Hobby Company Limited for the sample.