#u406

I never thought to use "cute" as an adjective when describing a U406/416 Unimog, but Tamiya's 1/32 Mini 4WD kit is just that.

Much of the mechanicals are carried over from the brand's other Mini 4WD models, meaning it snaps together quickly with no glue or other materials, packs a surprisingly frenetic electric motor that drives both axles, is powered by a pair of AA-cell batteries, and can be assembled in less than 10 minutes.

What I wasn't expecting is how awesome the body shell is. Mini 4WD models often distort proportion and perspective for the sake of whimsy (and to fit the standard frame), and the Unimog is no exception.  But it's surprisingly well detailed for a what could easily have been left as a mere characture.

There are molded PTOs in both front and rear. There's molded detail for both the "UNIMOG" hood script and both three-point star emblems. Heck, the trapezoidal access panel in the bed floor, designed for use with a rear-mounted three-point hitch, is molded into the body shell. Even the decals, designed as a generic truck company logo, spells out "UNIVERSAL MOTOR GERAT."

I see what you did there, Tamiya. And it's amazing.

These are the little things that could have been easily thrown by the wayside in the process of making a simple $11 kit, and yet they're here. These are the little things that help blur the line between cartoon and replica. The distortion makes you smile; the detail triggers memories of Unimogs past. These are the little things that make me love this thing so damn much. In fact, I bought one kit to build and give as a gift, but am having a hard time parting with it...

(Note: I've yet to paint and decal these things, but at least wanted to get the basic kit built. More details to come!)

Manufacturer: Tamiya

Scale: 1/32