British AEC Dorchester
Armoured Command Vehicle
German Afrika Korps Captured Version Decal Sheet
Passion Models 1:35th Scale Set P35D-003
Review by Terry Ashley
The three ACV’s captured were:
- “White 1” Serial Number L4426425 used by Rommel and named "Max"
- "White 2" Serial Number L4426422 used by Generalleutnant Ludwig Crüwell and named "Moritz"
- "White 3" Serial Number L4426424 used by Generalmajor Johannes Streich.
All three were the initial No.1 body type and the Germans retained the British ‘Caunter’ paint scheme on No.1 “Max” and No.2 “Moritz” just adding large black with thin white outline German Balkenkruze to front, rear and both sides plus assigning WH numbers and tactical signs. “Max” also had the nose over painted with a random mottle cam, this being the only alteration to the paintwork on the vehicles. The few available photos on No.3 show it was over-painted with a thick wavy darker colour pattern and the Balkenkruze had a much thicker white outline than on “Max” or “Moritz” almost to the point of being completely white apart from the very thin black cross.
Available information suggests the vehicles remained unaltered apart from the engines being modified to use the heavier German tank diesel oil and while little information is available on any interior changes it can be assumed they were fitted out with German radios, the exact type is unknown. It can also be assumed they probably kept the British radios for a bit of ‘eavesdropping’ but again that’s just speculation. One notable addition was the large fold-up wooden table used by Rommel which was carried in the roof racks on “Max” when not in use.
The small colour sheet gives three view illustrations of “Max” and “Moritz” with front back and left side views, the right side isn’t shown. The illustrations show the same ‘Caunter’ pattern for both vehicles, this scheme is correct for No.1 “Max” but No.2 “Moritz” had a different pattern scheme as shown correctly in the AFV Club instructions and it would be better to use the AFV Club kit instructions scheme patterns as they also show the ride side pattern.
Rating 9/10
Various on-line reference photos and vehicle data