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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
6395, Sd.Kfz.251/17 Ausf.C. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 669 styrene parts (including 16 clear), five DS-100 parts, three photo-etched brass frets, two stamped/etched brass parts, two turned brass parts, peel-and-stick mirror surfaces, three decal/marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 18 steps.
Introduction.
As one would expect, DML continues to “mix-and-match” previous kit parts, along with some new parts, to create unusual variants of the Sd.Kfz.251 series of armored half-tracks. In this case, they have produced a specially-modified FlaK Selbstfahrlafette that mounted the 2cm FlaK38 on an Ausf.C chassis, to allow the modeler to construct the /17 used by the Luftwaffe’s premier field formation, the Hermann Göring Division.
In addition to providing this “conversion”, DML has also done some improving of parts in several areas, notably the suspension system and to a lesser degree the superstructure.
Tracks.
From the ground up, the kit provides semi-workable individual track links that come in two parts (rubber pad and steel shoe); when sandwiched together they will remain flexible. Each two-part link will require removal from a total of five sprue attachment points, with the attendant clean-up; however, this approach has eliminated any ejector pin marks and their clean-up (don’t you love design trade-offs?). Assembling the parts will be quite a bit of work, but will result in very well-detailed tracks that also exhibit the proper sag.
Suspension System.
The major improvement in this kit is completely re-tooled four-part drive sprockets. Each unit has an inner and outer wheel hub with well-depicted drive rollers, to which separate rubber rims are attached. When assembled, they exhibit the proper off-set of the rollers in relation to the flattened rubber surfaces of the separate rim. So, DML has finally fixed this problem; I would hope that these new parts and an instruction addendum are included in extant kits, or that DML might make these parts available separately. The outer-most and inner-most read-wheels have also been re-tooled to show the subtle swelling around the perforations; they also include weld beads on the wheel rim and manufacturer’s information on the tire rim. The conventional front wheels are nicely detailed and are mounted on axles that are designed to allow them to steer.
Hull.
The belly plate and lower chassis sides is a single slide-molded piece to which separate torsion bar arms, idler adjustment arms and final drives are attached. Separate bump-stops are provided, as well as a number of internal details such as the fuel tank, transmission and other items that will not be visible on the finished model. The front end receives a separate plate below the engine, while the rear-end mounts several separate items including a slide-molded tow pintle.
Superstructure.
The lower and upper superstructure side plates are all separate parts and they have been modified from the original; the sides have been cut away to accommodate the compartment’s new drop-sides. The overall outer width has also been modified, but still does not properly match available drawings. A new upper roof panel is fitted over the driving compartment, while the drop-sides have separate hinge and flange details as well as supports for the opened or closed positions. The spare gun tube carrying case from the FlaK38 is stowed on the new roof plate. A new front plate for the driver’s compartment has also been included and it now has clear parts for the view-port armored covers and inner glass blocks.
New external racks, with a full compliment of Kar98k rifles is provided for the forward end of the exterior, and the engine compartment access hatch lids are separate parts. New, shortened stowage lockers are also provided for the area just aft of the rifle racks.
The fenders are one part for each side and are complete with panel lines and rivet details. They mount tools, the exhaust muffler and pipe, conventional head-lamps and Notek black-out driving head-lamp. The rear convoy marker and brake light are separate and there are separate mud-flaps for the rear edge of the fenders. The odd thing about the fenders is that they do not match the ones seen on the riveted Ausf.C in reference 1, but they do match those seen on the welded Ausf.C in reference 2. Don’t ask me, I only work here…
Fighting Compartment Interior.
Internally, beginning with the driver’s cockpit, there are choices of seats, some featuring etched brass back-spring details, separate steering column and wheel, various hand controls, separate foot pedals, and decals for the instrument panel dial faces. Various stowage items are provided including gas mask container, MP38/40 and ammo magazines. A radio receiver, part B-17, is provided to be placed next to the commander’s seat, but photos show no antenna on these vehicles, so I don’t think the part should be used. A single DS-100 soft styrene driver figure is provided; he’s nicely detailed and being flexible, he should be easier to fit into his position.
The floor panel (still with undersized hump over the transmission) has been re-tooled to accommodate folding seats at the back and to make room for the new gun mount. This consists of an elevated platform on angle-iron supports, with a separate cap for under the gun’s turntable. Beware as when it is assembled, the platform has no specific locating points on the floor plate, so it will be very easy for the modeler to place it improperly. There are a total of four ammunition boxes for the FlaK38, one on each corner of the drop-side panels. At the rear-end, all of the mechanisms for the doors are separate and can be posed opened or closed. A new multi-part slide-molded MG34 from the Gen2 figure series is provided for the rear of the compartment; this is correct for some versions of this vehicle. There are some other stowage items for that area, including fire-extinguishers and, externally, a pair of jerry cans and racks for the doors.
Main Gun.
The complete kit of the previously-released 2cm FlaK38 is included, minus the stamped/etched brass gun shields; etched brass parts are included for the small shield that covered the gunner and his sight. This kit retains the etched brass screens that are used to depict the mesh that was mounted on many guns to catch spent shell cases. In reality they were stretched over frames, so DML has already pre-shaped the relevant parts to make assembly quite easy. There are other bits of brass to detail the remainder of the kit.
Of course, DML uses slide-molds where appropriate for such things as the gun tube. This allows the flash suppressor to be molded with an open bore as well as the appropriate holes and slots. Properly cleaned and painted, this will easily rival a comparable turned metal/laser-cut item. To this is added one of three different types of receiver covers so that the modeler can depict slightly different production variations. There are choices of etched brass or styrene parts to depict the shell ejector port on the gun’s side.
The turntable can be constructed to allow the gun to rotate 360-degrees in azimuth. The gun cannot freely elevate as that would have compromised scale accuracy. DMLs designers instead provided tailored parts that will allow for four positions of the gun tube. They are zero-degrees, 20-degrees, 40-degrees and 60-degrees of elevation. When the modeler gets to this stage in construction, be sure to follow the instructions carefully so the proper parts are used.
The Sd.Ah.51 trailer is included because many parts that are used in the kit are on that sprue. With a bit of work, it can be converted into an ammunition trailer and used behind the half-track. So, we’ll describe it here although it is marked as “not for use”. The trailer can be depicted with the “landing gear” either deployed or retracted. It is nicely detailed and includes separate handles, a tool locker that can be shown opened or closed, racks for ammunition magazine containers and nicely done wheel/tire assemblies. These last also include the tiny air inflation valves. The accessories to be used on the vehicle include a pair of spare gun tubes in their opened carrying case, separate spare 20-round ammunition magazines (slide-molded for maximum detail on all faces) and two slide-molded ammunition magazine carrying boxes, with magazine inserts if depicted opened. There is also an anvil-shaped accessory (parts A-32 and A-33) which I believe was used to load loose rounds into the magazine cases. There are no spent shell cases for the shell catching screens, but appropriately-sized brass rod can easily be cut to length for that purpose.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
There was no shrinkage of any parts; the only visible ejector pin marks of note are seen on the inner walls of the superstructure sides. They will not be too much of a problem to eliminate as there are no closely adjacent details. There was no flash, while mold part lines are minimal and easily cleaned. I have constructed the gun for a previous review and had no fit issues at that time; the new hull panels and drop-sides fit very well, but the modeler must be careful to ensure that all are properly aligned, as a mistake early in construction will cause problems later on.
Accuracy.
There are no complete sets of 1/35th-scale plans in any of my cited references. Reference 9 has a single side view that was created over 25 years ago. Since no vehicle survived for measurements to be made from (the above-cited reference states that “no original reports have been found revealing the technical data…”), one must presume that the plans are an “educated guess” and that the “Mk.1 Eyeball” was used; thus there is some room for differences of opinion regarding this kit’s dimensional accuracy in certain areas, notably the size and location of the drop side panels. The best that can be said in that respect is that the kit closely resembles photos of the actual item.
Although DML did some re-tooling, the overall width of the superstructure is still too narrow; the width of the opening of the crew compartment is also still too narrow, and the part at the rear that spans the opening is in-correctly configured, according to published drawings, specifically those of H.L. Doyle in Panzer Tracts 15-2 and 15-3 (references 1 and 2). Note however, that the last point is not corroborated by contemporary photos; it would seem that according to them, DML got this right. The driver’s compartment bulkhead should have a slanted segment on the port side; DML did a partial fix on this part, so it’s really not so bad.
Instructions.
These consist of traditional line drawings. As usual, colors are keyed to Gunze and Model Master paints.
Decals and Markings Information.
Water-slide decals for three vehicles are provided by Cartograf of Italy. They are in perfect register, have crisp, sharp edges and excellent color saturation. They depict the following, all from FlaK-Regiment Hermann Göring at various times and in various locations:
• FlaK-Rgt. Hermann Göring, 1942.
• FlaK-Rgt. Hermann Göring, Tunisia 1943.
• FlaK-Rgt. Hermann Göring, East Prussia 1944.
Each of these variations is documented in photographs to a certain degree, but many subtleties have been overlooked. Other designs could have been easily added to the sheet to make it more comprehensive. In addition, in several instances, the registration numbers are known, but DML only provides generic plates with separate numbers. The modeler could have been saved from much work with the addition of these vehicle-specific markings. The color call-outs are suspect, as they call for “Field Grey” (in reality a grey-green) in one instance; the color should of course be Dunkelgrau RAL 7021. I suspect that this has more to do with how certain hobby paint manufacturers describe their product, than with a lack of research on the part of DML.
Conclusion.
It’s another nice kit and it will go together well. It will provide the modeler with a very good approximation of what this vehicle type was supposed to “look like”, despite certain accuracy issues (which themselves are not all that “certain”). I suspect that most modelers, and DML fans in particular, will be quite satisfied regardless.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to the following books:
1. “Mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)”, Panzer Tracts 15-2, by T. Jentz & H.L. Doyle.
2. “Mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)”, Panzer Tracts 15-3, by T. Jentz & H.L. Doyle.
3. “Schützenpanzerwagen in Action”, Squadron Armor 2, by U. Feist & K. Rieger.
4. “Sd.Kfz.251 in Action”, Squadron Armor 21, by C. Kliment.
5. “The Sd.Kfz.251 Half-Track”, Osprey Vanguard 32, by B. Culver.
6. “Sd.Kfz.250 & 251”, Tank Magazine Special Issue, July ’91, Sturm & Drang 3, author unknown.
7. “German Armored Personnel Carrier”, Tank Magazine Special 2, author unknown.
8. “Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz.251 and Sd.Kfz.250”, AFV Weapons Profile 57, by W. Spielberger, P. Chamberlain & H.L. Doyle.
9. “FlaK Selbsfahrlafetten and Flakpanzer”, Panzer Tracts 12, by T.Jentz & H.L. Doyle.
Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.
