CYBERHOBBY
Product Specifications.
6431, Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N s.Pz.Abt.501 Afrika Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 603 styrene parts (including 15 clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, two etched brass frets, seven water-slide decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 22 steps.
Introduction.
The Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N is the subject of this new DML Smart Kit; it introduced the 7.5cm KwK L/24 taken from the Pz.Kpfw.IVs that had been up-graded with a 7.5cm KwK40 L/43 or L/48 as the main armament. Vorpanzer (spaced armor panels) were fitted to the superstructure front plate, while it was sometimes seen over the gun mantle shield. Other modifications introduced during production of the Ausf.J and Ausf.L included re-designed engine deck access hatch lids for more efficient cooling in so-called Tropen or tropical climates; this kit features the final configuration where the one-piece lids hinged to open towards the front. Escape hatches and lids were deleted from the hull side panels, while the vision port flaps on both side walls of the turret were also eliminated. It should be noted that many Ausf.Ns were based on re-manufactured Ausf.J and Ausf.L hulls, which is the version provided in the box. Others were based on the Ausf.M (10./ZW) chassis, which featured provisions for deep wading; these parts are not provided in this kit.
This angled front view shows the main components as well as the suspension system in place.
This angled rear view shows the main components as well as the suspension system in place.
Tracks.
These come loosely packed in two bags and are so-called Magic Tracks. They represent the 40cm-wide links that had hollow guide horns and plain cleat faces. These tracks are also handed, so the modeler is cautioned not to open up the bags and mix things up prior to assembly; as an added bit of help, each side’s links are a slightly different color of gray styrene. Being Magic Tracks, they have no sprue attachment points, which is a definite time saver since no cutting or clean-up in that regard is required. Each has a pair of extremely faint ejector pin marks on the inner face. These can be ignored or erased as the modeler sees fit. They fit together easily but quite loosely, and must be fixed together with glue prior to handling.
Suspension System.
The road-wheels are conventionally molded in inner and outer pieces, with integral rubber tires. The outer faces of the wheel hubs feature perforations and weld beads where appropriate, while the tires have a facsimile of the manufacturer’s logo (ContinentaU) on their rims. On the inner faces, the tubes that helped join the wheel halves together are molded on, providing an unprecedented level of detail in this regard. Spare road wheels and spare track pins are also given for stowage. The return rollers are conventionally-molded in two parts (inner and outer halves).
The main parts of the running gear include the road-wheel, drive sprocket and idler wheel as shown here.
The drive sprockets come as conventional inner and outer pieces and are completely detailed. The idler wheels are also in inner and outer parts, but feature separate hubs as well as etched brass inner rings. The idler wheels also have separate cranked axles that can be adjusted; the modeler is advised not to glue them in place on the hull until the fit and sag of the tracks have been worked out.
Separate internal torsion bars are given as are beautifully-detailed separate external swing arms. This will allow the suspension to be fixed in an articulated fashion if the modeler desires to place his work on a base with irregular terrain; to do so, simply cut off the pins that protrude from the hull sides, which are there in case the modeler wants a level, fixed suspension. Bump stops, slide-molded shock absorbers and final drive housings (as well as mounting plates for the latter, which have the holes for tow hooks) are also separate parts
Hull.
The main part of the hull comes from a slide-mold so it is fully detailed on all faces. This includes mounts for the road-wheel torsion bar/swing arm units, idler wheel mount, bump stops and shock absorbers, as well as the various bolted strips that connected the hull to the superstructure. Panel seams and weld beads are also present. The belly has drain plug and access plate detail molded in place, plus bolt and rivet heads, as well as weld beads.
This image depicts the hull pan with the suspension system in place.
A major modification to this part, when compared to that included in the previously-released Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J, are the deletion of the openings for the crew escape hatches on the side walls. The hatch lid parts are still provided so if the modeler wishes to use them to depict a particular Panzer, this can be done.
The bow plate is separate and its configuration represents the base armor of 50mm introduced on the Ausf.J. The hull rear plate is composed of many separate parts including the exhaust deflector, spacer plates, various access covers, tow points and exhaust pipe/muffler assemblies. These last come with opened pipe ends and separate mounts. A new engine deck rear plate is provided that has the outer bolt details seen when smoke candle dispensers were fitted behind it. The latter is naturally now included and is composed of multiple parts. Finally, a pair of etched brass screens are provided to be placed under the superstructure over-hang on either side of the smoke candle dispenser unit.
Separate fenders are provided, with the main parts being detailed on the top and bottom surfaces; neither is marred by ejector pin marks. There are a number of styrene and etched brass parts added to these main parts so that all braces, etc., can be depicted in great detail. A very nice touch are the two different rear mud-flap configurations provided; these will allow them to be raised or lowered without any accuracy or detail compromises. Most of the tools, as well as the five-part jack, two-part, slide-molded jack block and two-part convoy tail-lamp are attached to the fenders. The tools have nice clasp details, while the jack mounts are separate parts; new parts for the KwK L/24 bore swabs and rack are also included.
The modular lay-out of the superstructure parts is shown here as is the details on the under-surface of the track-guards.
Superstructure.
The engine deck is a separate part and is configured much like the original; the entire assembly can be left off to depict an engine change. Coming from a slide mold, it has details on all faces including various styles of plate and weld detail as well as attachment flanges and bolt heads. The four hatch lids are separate parts, with proper coaming detail around the hatch openings and separate hinges. The air intake cowls that surmount the hatch lids are separate parts as are their mounts. Separate parts for the lifting hooks are also given for maximum detail fidelity. Two all-styrene tow cables are provided for the engine deck, but I’d have preferred the option of a wound wire/etched brass/ styrene option for better detail and flexibility. At the side are proper air intake vents, with the correct means of attachment to the walls, including their internal openings. These are topped by etched brass screens.
The engine deck is a separate part, much like the actual Pz.Kpfw.III. Note the engine access hatch openings and the various lids for them, as well as the details on the inner and outer surfaces.
The roof plate is configured to mount Vorpanzer (spaced armor). It features a turret ring with a properly-detailed race, devoid of the usual openings to bayonet-mount the turret. I prefer this, but this means the turret will not be especially secure on the finished model. The part is finished with more separate lift hooks, but the modeler is instructed to remove the pins that would help place the turret ring shot deflector, which is not for use. References should be consulted because it is quite possible some Ausf.Ns had this feature, especially those made from re-manufactured Panzer.
Separate side and front superstructure panels are then fitted. These feature separate, multi-part view-port flaps that include clear parts for the vision blocks; naturally they can be modeled opened or closed. The starboard side features an antenna and its mount, while the associated stowage trough, complete with wood-grain effect is mounted on the fender. The radio operator’s MG34 features complete internal mount detail and is a Gen2 molding with pre-drilled muzzle. The Vorpanzer is then fitted using styrene and etched brass parts.
The separate glacis plate is of the type with two hatch lids, one slightly wider than the other; these can be depicted opened or closed. The bases for the head-lamps are molded in place, and clear lenses are provided for the lamps themselves. Separate, two-part armored cowls are given to cover the brake cooling air openings.
Turret.
The upper shell is a one-piece affair, created from a slide mold. The detail is crisp and complete, including counter-sunk screw head details and side wall access doors. The side walls of the turret are devoid of the openings for vision port flaps, which were dispensed with earlier. The roof gets a two-part vent cover, separate signal port flap and grab handles; the separate turret floor has a gear pattern on the ring race. The commander’s cupola features two-position view-port covers, clear internal vision blocks and separate hatch lids. Triple-tube smoke grenade launchers are provided for both sides of the turret; they include separate rounds to fit into each tube.
The turret and its two main components, the Gepäckkasten and the commander’s cupola.
The Gepäckkasten (baggage bin) on the turret rear is also based on a slide-molded part; therefore it is completely detailed on all faces. It also comes with a separate lid, which can be shown opened up; finally, its rear wall is a separate part. More separate lift hooks, as well as separate pistol port covers complete this area.
The main gun has a complete inner breech for the 7.5cm KwK L/24, with an exquisitely-rendered slide-molded recuperator housing for the gun tube provided as a separate part. There are two mantle shields provided, but only one is marked for use. Although not seen on any Ausf.Ns for which markings are provided, at least two of these Panzer did have the Vorpanzer (spaced armor) fitted over the mantle shield, as seen in references 10 and 11. Finally, the pre-bored coaxial MG 34 is furnished, mounted in its armored sleeve; a second sleeve is provided, but without the MG in place.
Accessories.
A total of 12 20-liter jerry cans are provided for stowage peculiar to vehicles from this unit. These each consist of four styrene and one etched brass part each. However, the etched parts will not fit unless a locater pin is removed on one of the styrene halves; additionally, since super glue is introduced into the equation, alignment of the parts is made more difficult than necessary. Two sets of styrene racks are provided; one for the turret roof and the other for the engine deck, both of which are further embellished with etched brass parts. In addition, two pick-axes and two small tool lockers are provided for use wherever the modeler wishes.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Like many of their recent new-tool kits, DML’s designers have gone to great lengths to provide a level of detail on the styrene parts not often previously seen. Although not a new technique (it is as old as injection-molding), slide-molds have been used in a very intelligent way either to allow for better detail rendition, or for ease of assembly. On visible surfaces, not a single ejector pin mark was found and there was no shrinkage of any kind. Fit of major parts was excellent and mold seams were faint and easily dealt with. As usual, the road-wheels and return rollers will require the most effort to clean, since there are 24 of the former and 12 of the latter; all have seams around their middles as well as sprue attachment points to deal with.
Accuracy.
Where I could match the kit’s components and dimensions against reliable scale drawings, I found no discrepancies of any import. Physical details compare well with available photographs. The options seem to be well thought out but as always the modeler is cautioned to reference as many photos as possible before selecting any particular one.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals are the usual excellent Italian product from Cartograf. They are crisp, in register and have thin, closely-cropped carrier film. Markings for seven Panzer are given as follows:
1. Red/white 03, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
2. Red/white 04, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
3. Red/white 07, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
4. Black 832, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
5. Black 242/Mäusauge, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
6. Black outline 124, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
7. Black outline 133, s.Pz.Abt.510, Tunisia 1942-43.
By and large, the markings provided are substantially correct, with several (1, 2, 3 & 5) verified in photos. Scheme 5 should have white outlines on the Tac numbers, which may quite possibly be red instead of black. In addition, these Panzer would not have been painted overall Dunkelgelb RAL 7028 as the instructions suggest, but rather the Tropen (tropical) color scheme in effect at the time. From March 1942 it should be: Braun RAL 8020 as the base, with bands of Grau RAL 7027 covering the remaining 1/3 of the Panzer.
Instructions.
These are in the usual drawn style and except for the color info, appear to be well-done. As usual, they are busy, and there are many steps within steps. Modelers are cautioned to proceed with care, especially when considering which physical options go with a particular markings scheme.
Conclusion.
Although not the most widely-used version of the Pz.Kpfw.III, the Ausf.N served in particular with some of the early Tiger Abteilungen, thus their relative popularity. This kit is accurate, very well-engineered and nicely packaged with options. With proper use of references a rather unique model will be the result; this will be especially welcome by those modelers who have an interest in the final battles in North Africa.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curley Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Panzerkampfwagen III, Ausf.E, F, G und H; Panzer Tracts 3-2, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. Panzer III & Its Variants; Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
3. Panzerkampfwagen III; Achtung Panzer 2.
4. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; Arms and Armour Press, by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
5. Pz.Kpfw.III; Wydawictwo Militaria 11, by Z. Barowski & J. Ledwoch.
6. The Panzerkampfwagen III at War; Concord 7010, by M. Jerchel & W. Trojca.
7. Armor of the Deutsches Afrika Korps; Concord 7021, by T. Cockle & A. Wrobel.
8. Panzers in North Africa; Concord 7043, by J. Healey & J. Restayn.
9. Afrika Korps; Tanks Illustrated 17, Arms and Armour Press, by G. Balin.
10. Panzer III in Action; Squadron Armor 1, by U. Feist.
11. Pz.Kpfw.III in Action; Squadron Armor 24, by B. Culver & D. Greer.
12. The Panzerkampfwagen III; Osprey Vanguard 16, by B. Perrett, D. Smith & M. Chappell.
13. Panzerkampfwagen III; AFV Profile 2, by W. Spielberger
14. Panzer Colors III; Squadron 6253, by B. Culver & D. Greer.
15. Panzerkampfwagen Ausf.N; Bellona Military Vehicle Prints Series 20, by W. Spielberger and H. Doyle.
16. Tigers in Combat I; J.J. Fedorowicz, by W. Schneider.
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 sources. For information and images see their web-site at: www.dragon-models.com.
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