Review: 12GO Waffenträger E-100 

This is one of three E-100 kit variants sold by 12GO (kit number 97017) and was purchased through Amazon.

The kit consists of 2,036 pieces, and once assembled it falls roughly within the 1:28 scale range for display purposes.

I purchased the kit somewhat on impulse because the exposed gun and fighting compartment looked interesting. However, while the E-100 chassis was a real late-war experimental project that was never completed, there is no known historical basis for a Waffenträger weapon-carrier variant such as this.

**Overall Rating: 3.6/5**

While some of 12GO’s kits have been very good, this particular kit is not one of them. The execution of the fictional vehicle is disappointing, especially considering the designers were not constrained by having to accurately reproduce a historical vehicle.

The completed model also lacks accessibility to view internal details and has some fragile attachment of subassemblies.

**Kit Completeness: 4.5/5**

The kit was mostly complete but was missing a couple of minor pieces. None of the missing pieces prevented completion, and they were readily replaced with spares.

**Kit Manufacturing Quality: 3.5/5**

12GO’s standard pieces routinely have adequate clutch and generally fit together well. However, a couple of the specialty/custom-molded parts did not fit securely and are very prone to falling off. A drop of glue would be needed to adequately secure them in place.

**Design Quality/Robustness: 3/5**

Unfortunately, the design incorporates many features comprised of groups of bricks attached in ways that leave them precariously balanced or cantilevered, often secured by only one or two studs. The result is a model that is delicate and prone to coming apart during handling.

The hull itself is quite robust, but handling the turret/fighting compartment is likely to leave you with a handful of assorted pieces. This makes it difficult to remove the upper assembly and rear hull cover to appreciate the internal detail without partially disassembling the model in the process

**Instructions Quality: 4/5**

About as expected and fairly standard for 12GO. The illustrations are good and generally easy to follow, although the sequence of some steps leaves you questioning the rationale behind the assembly order.

**Model Detail: 3/5**

The execution of this fictional vehicle is disappointing. Without the constraints of reproducing a historical vehicle, the designers could at least have created a mechanically plausible concept vehicle.

Instead, significant features such as the gun controls are suspended in midair with no apparent floor or platform to support an operator. Details like this detract considerably from what could otherwise have been a convincing fictional weapon carrier.

Another disappointment is that some of the most intricate details, such as the breech-loading mechanism, are hidden beneath the casemate with no convenient way to view or appreciate them. Likewise, the engine and driver’s compartment details can largely be viewed only through the small hatches. The turret/fighting compartment and rear hull deck can technically be removed, but doing so will inevitably result in numerous parts self-disassembling.

One aspect I do like is the active bogie road-wheel arrangement combined with the high number of individual track links. The suspension moves nicely, and the model rolls exceptionally smoothly.

**Historical Accuracy/Realism: 3/5**

The E-100 chassis was a genuine prototype project, although the vehicle was never completed. Various proposed turret configurations existed, including concepts related to the Maus turret.

There is no known historical design for an open-backed, minimally armored Waffenträger based on the E-100 chassis resembling this model. As such, this should be viewed as a fictional or speculative vehicle rather than a representation of an actual German project.

That in itself would not necessarily be a negative. However, even judged as a speculative concept vehicle, several aspects of the design do not represent a particularly convincing or feasible weapon carrier.

**Subjective “Wow” Factor: 4/5**

This is a difficult category to score.

On one hand, the model has a fantastic overall appearance and stands out immediately among more conventional tanks because of the massive, mostly exposed gun. It breaks away from the typical “box on a box” tank silhouette and definitely catches your eye on display.

Unfortunately, beauty really is only skin deep with this model. Once you look beyond its striking appearance, the fragile construction, inaccessible internal details, and questionable design choices keep it from having the substance needed to truly make it exceptional.  
 