Description
ICM Unimog S 404 with Drehringlafette Ring Mount 1/35 Model Kit
The ICM Unimog S 404 with Drehringlafette Ring Mount (35139) is a 1/35 scale plastic model kit representing a Bundeswehr military truck fitted with an MG3 machine gun on a rotating mount above the cab. This armed configuration allowed the Unimog to operate as a mobile machine-gun platform, providing ground support and engaging low-flying aerial targets.
Containing 260 parts, the kit features a detailed engine, chassis and cab interior, together with the distinctive Drehringlafette mounting system. Decals for four marking options are included, allowing the completed model to represent different Bundeswehr vehicles.
The Bundeswehr Unimog S 404
The Unimog S 404 was developed in response to the West German Bundeswehr’s post-war requirement for a light military truck capable of operating across difficult terrain. Its compact dimensions, four-wheel-drive system and effective suspension made it well suited to military transport duties where conventional road vehicles would struggle.
The original vehicle featured a 2,900 mm wheelbase and a payload capacity of 1.5 tonnes. Power came from a 2,195 cc six-cylinder petrol engine producing 82 hp. Combined with its robust frame and suspension, this gave the Unimog S 404 the cross-country capability required for military service.
Over its production history, the S 404 appeared in numerous configurations, including cargo trucks, enclosed Koffer-bodied vehicles, ambulances, mobile radio stations, workshops and snowploughs. Armed versions extended its usefulness beyond transport and support duties.
Drehringlafette Ring Mount and MG3 Machine Gun
The Drehringlafette was a rotating machine-gun mounting system installed above the Unimog’s cab. Its tubular framework was supported by brackets attached to both sides of the vehicle, providing a raised position for the gunner.
Equipped with an MG3 machine gun, the mounting system offered a full 360-degree field of fire. This arrangement enabled the truck to serve as a mobile weapons platform while retaining the off-road capabilities of the standard Unimog S 404.
ICM reproduces this distinctive arrangement with a detailed Drehringlafette structure and MG3 machine gun, making the roof-mounted weapon system a prominent feature of the finished model.
Model Kit Features and Contents
- 1/35 scale Bundeswehr Unimog S 404 military truck
- 260 parts in total (250 + 10)
- Detailed Drehringlafette rotating ring mount
- MG3 machine gun
- Detailed engine and chassis
- Detailed cab interior
- Decals for four marking options
- Completed model length: 144 mm
- Completed model height: 86 mm
- Detailed assembly instructions
Assembly and Marking Options
The kit’s detailed engine, chassis and cab components provide an opportunity to model the mechanical features of the Unimog S 404 alongside its military equipment. The Drehringlafette framework and MG3 machine gun distinguish this version from the standard transport truck.
Four decal marking options are provided for finishing the vehicle in Bundeswehr service. Once assembled, the 144 mm long model represents the compact military truck in its armed configuration, complete with the elevated rotating machine-gun mount above the cab.
