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DML
Product Specifications.
6303, Sd.Kfz.182 Kingtiger Henschel Turret w/Zimmerit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 458 styrene parts (including 21 clear), two bags of individual-link Magic Tracks, one turned aluminum gun tube, three turned brass 8.8cm rounds, two etched brass frets, two lengths of braided metal wire, one length of brass chain, one formed metal wire part, four metal parts, eight decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 21 steps.
Introduction.
Probably one of the least-loved task associated with modeling certain German WW2 AFVs has been the application of Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste. It requires careful planning and a time-consuming application process using either putty, etched brass or resin after-market items. One can be going merrily along and then encounter problems at the worst possible time during kit construction. Also, skilled modelers usually have no trouble with this, but the novice may find this too daunting and never make the attempt.
Now DML, arguably the most innovative manufacturer in today’s hobby scene, has made a breakthrough. Using old, tried-and-true slide-molding technology, their designers have finally introduced kits that have Zimmerit molded in-situ in the areas where needed. To be sure, the introduction of this feature “in-the-box” ought to have a substantial part of the SGF community dancing in the streets.
Tracks.
From the bottom, up, we have new individual-link Magic Tracks loosely contained in two bags. These represent the type that consists of a large bridge link and a small connecting link Each large bridge link has three knock-out pin marks that the modeler will wish to eliminate. They are all subtle and stand proud of the surface; a quick swipe with a knife blade or gentle use of a motor-tool will get rid of them. It is recommended that the tracks be completely secured with cement once in place.
Suspension System.
The road-wheels are all very well-rendered and include such subtle details as the strips attached to each pair of rim bolts. These items are seen in photographs, but are often not present on scale drawings, including those by the renowned Hilary Doyle (see references, below). The often-maligned drawings by Waldemar Trojca, do show this feature. The drive sprockets are the type with nine teeth on the ring; they match Doyle’s drawings.
Hull.
The hull features excellent details and separate torsion bar swing arms, as well as an adjustable axle for the idler wheel. I strongly recommend that the modeler leave this last item loose so that the tracks can be adjusted for fit. With the type of link used on this version, it is especially important not to come out either too long or too short, because we are talking two-part links. The belly plate detail matches Trojca’s drawings quite well. Other add-ons to the hull are final drive housings and newly-tooled inner housing parts complete with properly-contoured tow hook attachment points and weld detail. The separate lower bow plate now has Zimmerit molded in place.
The rear plate features Zimmerit molded in the appropriate places; with all the separate parts that get added here, as well as the molded in-place access plates, this is where the modeler will really appreciate the efforts of DML’s designers. The plate mounts the standard style of exhaust pipes and cast shrouds. The pipes are pre-bored and feature the stiffening rod inside the opening, while the shrouds have excellent cast texture; separate lifting lugs are not provided. An excellent new multi-part vehicle jack is provided; it can be mounted on styrene or etched brass brackets. New “C”-shaped tow hooks are provided along with etched brass mounting parts. The jack block is all styrene and there is now a molded-on bracket for the separate clear styrene tube-shaped tail-lamp. The area is finished off with one-piece extended mud flaps and new metal "U"-shaped tow shackles.
Superstructure.
The superstructure is one single piece with separate engine deck access hatch lid, as well as separate driver’s and radio operator’s hatch lids. The engine deck hatch lid hinges still lack bolt details, and the two crewmen’s hatch lids are taken direct from the manufacturer’s Jagdtiger kit. Because of that, they have two sets of grab-handles each, when only one is needed. The instructions show where to put the ones that are used, but they don’t tell the modeler to fill the extra holes; consider yourself warned! There is also a nice separate mounting plate for the driver’s periscope housing; it and the radio operator’s opening get new clear styrene periscope heads. Other new parts include a fully detailed radio operator’s MG34 and mount, complete with cast “Kugelblend” (ball mount) and internal baffles; this new part has Zimmerit added. New metal “U’-shaped tow shackles are also provided. The upper lip of the glacis plate, where it meets the roof plate, has the machined gap that was added to later vehicles to improve the field of view of the radio operator’s periscope.
Aside from a bunch of detail parts for the engine deck and various dome vents, new parts are provided to depict the retracted snorkel tube. Etched brass screens (with a woven effect) are given for the engine deck grills. There is no rod antenna provided, but the base is nicely represented. Again, this is puzzling since DML certainly has these parts available. There are two sets of tools, one with and the other without clamps and brackets molded in-place; etched brass parts are provided for the latter. Likewise the two tow cables and the track changing cable are replaced by wound steel wire, styrene end loops and etched brass mounts. Or the modeler can avail himself of the simpler styrene offerings from the original kit’s parts. The fenders are nicely done and include separate front ends.
Turret.
The turret is very well done and comes from a multi-part slide-mold. This is necessary in order to properly render the Zimmerit, which is superbly represented. The separate front plate has openings for the co-axial MG34 as well as the gunner’s sight. All detail parts are separate and include new parts for the loader’s hatch lid, two types of fan vent covers and shell ejector port hatch lid. A “Nahverteidigungswaffe” (close defense weapon) with internal details and closed or open port is provided. The rear escape hatch is very completely detailed inside and out. It features a removable “MP Stopfen” (pistol port plug) that can be shown opened and hanging on its retaining chain; in addition it is represented with two styles of Zimmerit pattern. Etched brass parts are also given for the plate seen over the inner mechanism.
There are actually two commander’s cupolas in the box; one has rain channels cut into it, the other does not. Each uses slide molds to correctly render the opened periscope covers and also includes a new hatch lid, with internal details, as well as clear periscope heads. There is an extra head, designated as not for use in the instructions. The modeler can use it in place of the separate solid styrene head for the loader’s periscope mount. There is also a “Fliegerbeschußgerät” (anti-aircraft mount for an MG34) for the cupola ring; however no MG34 is provided for it.
The main gun has some internal breech detail. There are two 8.8cm L/71 sectional type gun tubes provided in the box; one is a turned aluminum part with a slide-molded muzzle brake, while the other is a conventionally-molded two-part all-styrene affair. The “Topfblende” (pot mantlet) for the main gun has subtle details molded onto it. These represent machining or casting marks; leave them on. As an aside, the mantlet for the earlier turret (I absolutely REFUSE to call it by the “P”-word!) as well as the rear plate and rear hatch lid are also provided with Zimmerit molded in place; I would assume that this means a kit of this version is in the works.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Detail and molding is excellent, while parts fit overall is also excellent. Where it counts there are no visible knock-out pin marks, except for one surface of the separate tow points that cover the final drive housings, parts P1 and P2. They will be easy to eliminate and no detail will be compromised during the process. The Zimmerit pattern certainly looks the part and is simply fantastic.
Accuracy and Details.
Overall, the kit matches the drawings in the cited references very, very well.
Instructions.
The instructions are presented in the less-popular photographic style, with annotations in the form of small windows with line drawings. I really have no problem with them and neither should the average modeler. But yes, they are different and take some “getting used to”. Except for the fact that the modeler is not instructed to create an antenna (none is provided), and the lack of mention of the alternative to use a clear periscope head for the loader, they are “good to go”.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals are printed by Cartograf and are crisp, thin, and have excellent color saturation. All multi-color designs are in perfect register. Markings and color scheme information is provided for eight schweren Panzer:
These vehicles all had Zimmerit and were base-coated in Dunkelgelb. The instructions show the use of Rotbraun and/or Olivgrün over the base; Black 131 has a winter white-wash covering. All markings are confirmed as accurate using the references cited below; my compliments to the project’s consultants!
Conclusion.
Aside from the odd and still puzzling omission of a proper radio antenna and anti-aircraft MG34, this is as complete a kit of the Tiger II as one would wish for. Add molded-on Zimmerit and…WOW!
Highly recommended.
Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. “Schwere Panzerkampfwagen”, Panzer Tracts No.6, by T. Jentz and H. Doyle.
2. “Germany’s Tiger Tanks, VK45.02 to Tiger II”, Schiffer, by T. Jentz and H. Doyle.
3. “Tigers in Combat I”, Fedorowicz, by W. Schneider.
4. “Tigers in Combat II”, Fedorowicz, by W. Schneider.
5. “Sd.Kfz.182 Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger Ausf.B Königstiger, Vol. 1”, by W. Trojca.
6. “Sd.Kfz.182 Pz.Kpfw.VI Tiger Ausf.B Königstiger, Vol. 2”, by W. Trojca.
7. “Tiger”, Squadron Armor In Action No.27, by B. Culver.
8. “The Tiger Tanks”, Osprey Vanguard No.20, by B. Perrett.
9. “Kingtiger Heavy Tank 1942-1945”, Osprey New Vanguard No.1, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
10. “Panzerkampfwagen Tiger”, Achtung Panzer No. 6, by M. Bitoh, H. Kitamura & M. Udsuki.
11. “Pz.Kpfw VI Tiger I and Tiger II (Kingtiger)”, AFV Profile No.48, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
12. “Tiger”, Sturm & Drang No.1.
13. “German Heavy Tanks”, Decimus, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
14. “Panzerkampfwagen VI, Tiger I and Königstiger”, Aero, by W. Spielberger & U. Feist.
15. “The Tiger Tanks”, Aero-Armor No.1, by H. Nowarra, U. Feist & E. Maloney.
16. “Panzers at Saumer No.1”
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 fro retail and mail order shops; for details visit their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.
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This message has been edited by zappa93 from IP address 66.114.70.215 on Sep 27, 2007 4:25 PM
