The Panhard EBR (Panhard Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance) is a armoured car designed by Panhard for the French Army and later used across the globe, notably by the French Army during the Algerian War and the Portuguese Army during the Portuguese Colonial War in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.

The EBR is an 8x8 wheeled reconnaissance vehicle designed before the Second World War, but with production only commencing afterwards, with over 1200 vehicles being manufactured after 1954. While being lightly armoured, the EBR was armed with the 90 mm FL-11 or 75 mm cannon known as the FL-10 or L/48 in a novel oscillating turret and supported by up to four 7.5 mm machine guns, one co-axial, one operated by the driver, one by the co-driver and one by the commander, though the latter was not found on all EBRs. The EBR had a crew of four (including two in the turret), and was powered by a 200 hp (150 kW) 6 liter 12HD horizontally opposed air-cooled 12-cylinder engine (with dual carburetors and 6.6:1 compression, enabling it to run on low-octane petrol). Based on Panhard's two-cylinder automobile engine, it was mounted under the floor of the fighting compartment, which had the unfortunate effect of requiring the turret to be removed to conduct major engine repairs.

This is yet another new tool kit from Hobby Boss and like the other recent military subjects is one that is a bit off the beaten track. Previously this sort of vehicle was done only by short run kit makers as to my knowledge, this is the first mainstream injection molded kit of this unusual vehicle.

The kit is a curbside with no interior it comes with vinyl tires. In fact there are three different tread patterns with the outside tires being rather normal while the inner ones have opposite treads. I am not sure if these actually touch the ground all the time or are lowered for rough terrain. I suspect the latter. One thing I did notice is that this vehicle can be driven 'forward' in both directions. Each end has lights and mirrors that should allow that.

With that in mind, it should not be surprising that many of the bits that attach to the hull are duplicated on both sides, including the drivers cupola. The kit has a nicely done photo etch set that include a lot of very small pieces. Some ofthese bits appear to be rivet heads or bolt heads. There are also fender reinforcement strips handles and other typical pieces.

The vehicle's turret is designed to be elevated so one has to be careful when doing the initial turret assembly. The kit also provides an optional lower turret skirt. This looks to be a canvas affair designed to keep dust and dirt out of the turret mechanism. While there are separate turret hatches, they are designed to be modeled in the closed position.

Instructions are well drawn and typical of armor kits, contain no color information. This is all provided on the usual full color painting and markings guide. There are markings for one vehicle from an unknown unit. Not sure why Hobby Boss does not provide this sort of information. While not mandatory to build the kit, it is nice to know information. The small decal sheet is well printed and typical of Hobby Boss, should work with standard setting solutions.

If you are a fan of wheeled military vehicles and want something a bit outside the norm, then this is a kit you should seriously consider. Since there were several different variants on the same basic chassis. I would not be surprised to see other versions in the future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_EBR

August 2012

Thanks to Squadron Products for the preview kit. This should be at your store today, if not, have them order it for you.

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