I wonder if Bronco found any special features to make this a Chinese version, other than the decals. A few weeks back I did some research on German vehicles in Chinese service. This thread has two pictures of Chinese 221/222/223 armored cars: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=57350 I believe the picture marked as a 221 is actually a 223 (the visors are different and it has a frame antenna). This thread has useful information about unit allocations: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=101987 -Doug

The photo of the long line of vehicles with tthe two chaps sitting on the ground next to them also appears in the John Milsom and Peter Chamberlain book, German Armoured Cars of WW2 (A&AP). They don't have much in the text, but their caption to that photo does say "It is interesting to note the here the diversity of armament with which the Chinese have fitted these vehicles." Although it states that the vehicles are 222s, it seems probable that the same local adaptations could have been made to 221s as well. Could be an interesting lead for anyone looking for something unusual build. Whether Bronco have incorporated this type of localisation would be interesting, must say from the box art, it isn't immediately apparent. Incidentally, the same book does have another photo of a Chinese 221, plate 47.

Hi Matthew, Thank you for that information. Panzer Tracts 13 (Panzerspaehwagen) includes one picture of a 223 sold to China, but the same picture appears in one of the threads I mentioned earlier. I recently did some research on the Panzer Is delivered to China and they apparently came equipped with German MG-13s with conical flash suppressors. Perhaps the 221s came similarly equipped. Here is that thread: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/132949#1105237 It just dawned on me that the box art apparently shows a 221 in panzer grey. These vehicles would wear German three color camouflage (for 1936/37) or the green used by Chinese forces. Most of the pictures I have seen of German vehicles in Chinese service appear to wear a single, dark color. -Doug

Just buy one yesterday, now have a look The dark one is TAMIYA Sd.kfz.222 part , and the light gray one is BRONCO Sd.kfz.221 part these wheels diameter are sameness

Thank you for posting the pictures, Gaoyue. Did you purchase the Chinese Army version? If yes, can you tell us if the model includes any features specific to that version? So who is right, Doyle in 1983, Bronco in 2009, both (production variations), or neither? I think the kit looks very good and will buy one, regardless. -Doug

Oh, yes, the real car photo in 1941 is wrong, Bronco in 2009 is rihgt,OK?

Gaoyue, There is no need to be rude and sarcastic. It is difficult to tell if angles are correct by holding up a part next to a photo. It certainly looks wrong--like the rear of the Bronco kit is squashed and not long enough--but that could be an optical illusion. In the picture comparing the kit hull to the photo you are not holding the part at the exact same angle as the vehicle in the picture. Your last picture clearly shows the kit hull does not match Doyle's drawing in Panzer Tracts 13. However, if you measure the height of the rear end on the kit part and compare it to the height of the rear end in the drawing, I think you will find them close to identical. Yet, compared to the photo, the kit rear looks squashed. The tail cover clearly looks squashed compared to the photo. But again, this could be an optical illusion. I am not contradicting you--I think you are right--but it deserves further research. Can you give any other insights on what's in the Chinese Army version? -Doug

optical illusion? ALL?

Gaoyue, In your original picture from Panzer Tracts, on the tail plate I count 20 bars in the grill with triangular hinges at the bottom. For the first vehicle in your second post I also count 20 bars in the grill with triangular hinges. For the third vehicle I count 18 bars in the grill with squared hinges. The tail also looks more squat on the last vehicle. If these counts hold up it could indicate a production variation. On the kit piece I count 19 bars in the grill, oriented in the wrong direction, with square hinges. The hinges do not match your last picture. After reviewing pictures of the kit parts on Perth Military Modelling and looking at more period photos I am back to thinking the proportions are fine (only slightly off at best). Accept for the turret shape issue (which Bronco apparently fixed!) Terry Ashley found the basic dimensions acceptably close to references. I am inclined to accept his judgement unless you can make a better case, preferably supported by measurements of a real vehicle. Your ball. -Doug