Kit, Bronco Models CB-35002, German 28cm s.Wurfgerät 40 auf GW H39

BRONCO MODELS


Product Specifications.

CB-35002, German 28cm s.Wurfgerät 40 auf GW H39. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 531 styrene parts (including 264 for individual-link tracks), one piece of chain, one turned brass gun tube, six metal springs, three decal/markings schemes and 12 pages of instructions in 13 steps.


Introduction.

In typical fashion, the Germans took many captured AFVs into their service, either directly related to a combat situation, or in a more considered way. The latter means was especially true of Czech- or French-manufactured AFVs. Either production was continued under German auspices as was the case with the Czech LT vz.38, or the “Beutepanzer” (“booty” or captured tanks) were modified for German use, as was the case with the majority of French types taken into use.


One such type was the French Hotchkiss H39 Cavalry Tank. Numbers of these tanks were extensively modified for use as self-propelled guns, or in some cases more modest modifications included the mounting of the 28cm Wurfrahmen un-guided rocket launchers on more-or-less standard gun tanks. Following their release of the “normal” French version, Bronco Models have now come up with this latest version, which mounts the afore-mentioned rockets, their packing crates and their launch frames.


Tracks.

The tracks consist of crisply-molded individual links that fit well to each other. They have a very subtle cast texture and are completely devoid of any ejector pin marks. They do not stay together using friction and will need glue to keep them manageable when they are installed.


Suspension System.

The suspension system contains some improvements over the original release, but does not go far enough. For instance, while the hub for the idler wheel now properly has six bolts around its rim (instead of the original kit’s eight), there are still no bolts on the face of the wheel disk itself. According to drawings in reference number 6, which contain the only 1/35th-scale plans that I have access to (a port-side view of the 10.5cm le.FH18 auf Pz.38H), the drive sprocket is too small. The distance between the bogie centers do not precisely match the drawings, but the difference is minute. On the other hand, the other suspension components (the bogie trucks) match the cited drawing extremely well. A very nice touch is the inclusion of metal springs for the bogies; thankfully, they do not allow for toy-like articulation, but for a more accurate appearance of the finished assembly


Hull.

This consists of a slide-molded part that includes the rear panel molded in place; the side walls include the mounting plates for the bogie units and return rollers, complete with bolt detail. Access plate details are depicted on the belly as are weld beads, which run around the side walls. The rear end has openings to which the separate idler wheel adjustment housings and tow hook are attached. There is a mold seam back there, which will need removal, while there is some casting texture that will need repair or enhancement once the operation is complete. There is no trench-crossing skid included in this kit.


Separate, two-part final drive housings are provided as are separate, two-part idler wheel housing/axle mounts. The final drives must be faired in to the hull/bow castings with putty, while the idler axles should not be fixed in place until the tracks are fitted.


There are three different front ends provided in this kit, only one of which is designated for use. The part includes the “HOTCHKISS” manufacturer’s plate molded on and has some casting texture included. Front tow points and clevises are added as separate parts, as is one of the vent cowls. Separate fenders have various tools, head- and tail-lamps attached, but there are no German fittings included, such as Notek head- or tail-lamps, nor is the characteristic antennae mount for the German radio included; while the former was probably never fitted (according to most photos), the latter almost certainly was.


This kit includes, as did the previous one, some basic interior assemblies such as the transmission along with its associated final drive links, drive shafts and brake housings; a basic engine block with separate fuel tank, and a driver’s compartment complete with seat and foot/hand controls, plus steering linkages. There is also a nice engine/fighting compartment bulkhead unit, given as one part.


Superstructure.

This part has a separate engine deck panel as well as separate driver’s compartment view ports and hatch lids. The prototype’s superstructure was made from cast sections, bolted to each other and to the hull. The cast feature is delicately-rendered, while the contours of the superstructure, especially around the engine deck, capture the look quite well, according to photos. General arrangement drawings in reference number 1, if properly proportioned, would indicate that the superstructure casting, as seen in plan view, may not be wide enough, especially at the apex of the center of the piece.


A newly-tooled exhaust pipe and muffler replaces the one in the previous kit (where it more resembled the type seen on the earlier H35); it is of the proper configuration, but still lacks the characteristic shield over the muffler. This can easily be added by the modeler with some sheet styrene or brass.


Turret.

The turret features some internal detail in the form of a gun breech with separate hand-wheel. The gun itself can elevate and is complete with a turned brass front end. It also has a separate external mantlet as well as a co-axial machine-gun assembly. The commander’s cupola is the type as modified by the Germans; they cut the height down and added split, opening hatch lids. The remainder of the turret features separate view-ports, lift hooks and other small fittings. The cast effect is delicately-rendered and the rear access hatch lid can be opened or closed after assembly.


Rockets and Launch Frames.

The packing crates for the rockets are the wooden type and therefore the parts have a rough wood-grain texture; this may be a bit over-done, but they will certainly look the part after painting and weathering. The rockets come in five parts each and include separate nose fuses; leave these off if depicting the model in travel mode, since they were not fitted until immediately before a fire mission. The bases of the rockets have the tiny venturi tubes crisply-molded, but lack the central dimple. This can be easily added with a slice of styrene rod of the appropriate diameter. Decals are provided for the nose of the rockets; this is something that other manufacturers seem to have ignored, so I am glad to see that Bronco took that extra step.


The remainder of frame units consists of the mounts for the hull, the elevating plates, and the launch crate holders.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Overall, the molding is quite nice. There was no shrinkage on any parts and ejector pin marks are minimal and usually on a surface that will not be seen on the finished model. I did a fit check of the main components, but not the rockets and their framing. For detailed information on that aspect of the kit, I urge the reader to check Terry Ashley’s review over on PMMS


Accuracy and Details.

As mentioned, I have no complete, reliable plans for this vehicle. What I do have indicates some problems with the drive sprocket size, as well as some contour and width issues with the superstructure castings. I am happy to see that Bronco did correct the exhaust muffler and the idler wheel hub; but in both cases, the manufacturer did not go far enough. For a German-manned vehicle, there must be a radio antennae and tripod-shaped base added; again Bronco should have given one, but it should not be a major problem for the modeler to scratch-build the item. For more on the issue of the kit’s accuracy, I suggest the modeler “Google” this site for some recent comments by Steve Zaloga, regarding the first Bronco release.


Instructions.

These are of the drawn style and are quite adequate. Colors are keyed to Gunze, Tamiya and Humbrol paints, and there are additional color notes throughout the instruction sequence.


Decals and Markings Information.

The three sets of water-slide decals are printed by Cartograf of Italy. They are crisp, have excellent registration and color saturation, and have a matte film that is cropped close to the edges of the designs. Aside from the previously-mentioned markings for the rockets, three sets of markings are given. These consist of a Roman “I”, “II” and “III”, with no other markings present. I have not been able to verify any of them (one way or the other) with the references that I have access to. All selections are base-painted in Dunkelgelb and have stripes of Rotbraun and/or Olivgrün applied in a wave pattern.


Conclusion.

While an improvement on the earlier release, Bronco did not go far enough, nor did they provide one obvious German addition (the antenna mount). There are some other accuracy issues as well, at least as far as I can tell from my admittedly limited references. But, overall, this will certainly present the modeler with a decent replica of an unusually-modified tank; certainly the so-called “SGFs” will appreciate that!


Recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. “Hotchkiss H35/H39”, Trackstory 6, by P. Danjou.
2. “Chars Hotchkiss, H35, H39 and SOMUA S35”, AFV Weapons Profile 36, by Maj. J. Bingham, RTR.
3. “Panzers in Normandy, Then and Now”, After the Battle, by E. Lefèvre.
4. “Normandie 1944, Le Choc Des Blindés”, Histoire & Collections, by Y. Buffetaut.
5. “Prinz Eugen: Balkans Archive”, by F. Gray & B. Crosby.
6. “Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten”, Panzer Tracts 10, by T. Jentz & H.Doyle.
7. www.chars-francais.net.



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