The P.K.A. Kangaroo was initially developed as an armored walker used alongside the SturmKafer for battlefield recovery and support duties. B und Z based the development on their Krote autonomous walker but replaced the armed turret with a manned cockpit and manipulators.
B und Z improved the drive software and added improved ballast tanks for the hydraulics. An initial order of twenty units were delivered for battlefield testing. The prototypes performed well even under direct fire thanks to their improved armor. The lessons learned from their initial debut led to further refinements including adding an improved manipulator and mounting a high-powered laser. The Kangaroo went into series production where it performed especially well in the armored reconnaissance role.
This build is the Kaiyodo Artpla P.K.A. Kangaroo. Listed as 1/35 scale, it actually clocks in closer to 1/28-29 scale. The same problem with their earlier Kuster kit. Like the Kuster kit, it feels toylike, so I redid many details including replacing any springs with brass wire, replacing the plastic hydraulic pipes with coil springs, redoing many of the bolts, and adding missing wiring. I replaced the kit’s pilot head with one from Verlinden since their 1/35 figures are way oversized and good substitute for this unique scale. The surface was textured with thinned Tamiya putty.
The figure and interior were painted with Vallejo acrylics and weathered with oil paints and weathering pencils.
