I treated myself to the limited edition of the Hetzer so that I could compare it with the scope of delivery of the standard version. In the video there is of course a comparison with the slightly larger predecessor.
Manufacturer: | COBI |
Set-Number: | 2557 |
Theme: | Military |
Release: | 2021 |
Parts: | 672 |
Figures: | 5 |
Dimensions: | |
Scale: | |
Age: | 8 |
Building Time ca.: | 3 Hours |
Instructions
The limited edition comes with 672 components, which are divided into 2 construction phases with a total of 101 construction steps. Since both the German and the Polish version can be built, there are 2 tabletop cards on the last page. Otherwise there are no surprises. COBI gray out sections that have already been built and only allows a few parts to be installed per construction step, which are shown in color.
Construction
A layer of COBI’s special tiles starts the construction of the agitator. The next step is the plates and bricks from which the tub is formed. Then a 2×2 brick in red is used, which may not really fit. However, it is only a placeholder that comes later to the spare parts. The engine is small, but it is made entirely of stones.
Parts of the armor that give the Hetzer its distinctive shape are built in many separate sections. The limited edition contains printed parts for the Wehrmacht and the Polish home troops. This is specifically about the model that was possessed by Polish rebels during the Warsaw Uprising and called Chwat. The smallest variant is used as chains. This runs perfectly even on smooth surfaces without snagging or slipping.
Finally the gungarrel is built and inserted. It can be moved up and down, but not sideways, as we know from its predecessor. The set also includes a ruin with historical significance and 5 minifigures.
Conclusion:
The new version is an all-round success and now also fits better in scale. On the other hand, it is quite filigree in some places and occasionally something falls off during construction. If you can’t do anything with the ruins, the printed Chwat tiles and the additional figures, you can confidently use the standard version. The actual tank is identical.
This post is also available in Deutsch.