Kit, DML 7314, Sd.Kfz.251/10 Ausf.C w/3.7cm PaK

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED


Product Specifications.


7314, Sd.Kfz.251/10 Ausf.C w/3.7cm PaK. 1/72nd-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 153 styrene parts, three photo-etched brass frets, two DS100 track lengths, multiple generic decal/marking schemes and six pages of instructions in eight steps.


Introduction.

DML continues to bring out variations on the Sd.Kfz.251 chassis, the latest being the mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (3.7cm PaK35/36) Sd.Kfz.251/10. This was basically the standard armored personnel carrier with 3.7cm PaK35/36 based on the Ausf.C production model, in this case with a welded hull. This was intended to be a platoon leader’s vehicle in Panzer-Grenadier units.


This latest effort is based upon the previously released Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.C with welded hull/superstructure, and is essentially that kit plus a number of new sprues to make up the gun, its ammunition racks and the bench seats the racks sat on. Along with some basic detail parts in etched brass, a new etched brass shield for the PaK is also supplied, as is an all-styrene part. New water-slide decals are provided for a number of generic vehicles.


Tracks.

The tracks are presented in the now standard DS-100 flexible styrene material, which can be assembled using standard styrene cement. They can be glued down over the suspension system to depict their typical sag.


Suspension System.

The suspension system includes an essentially fool-proof method of assembly, starting with the two inner sets of road-wheels molded as a single part each. The first outer set of road-wheels is also a single part and is attached to the inner set, followed by the four outer-most road-wheels, which are all separate parts for proper definition. These are all fixed to a one-piece lower chassis tub (with integrally-molded torsion bar arms) ensuring proper alignment and spacing of a relatively complex suspension system. This is very convenient, since any misalignment will be easily noticed, especially in this scale. On the other hand, articulating the suspension in order to fit it to rough terrain in a diorama will be rather difficult.


The conventional front wheels are well-rendered; they include some nice details on the inner and outer faces of the hubs, as well as decent tread detail on the tires. The multi-part front spring/axle unit includes separate steering linkages and with some extra work, can be made to depict a turning vehicle.


Hull.

This is a one-piece affair with all torsion bar swing arms, bump stops, and rear shock absorbers molded in place. Separate final drive housings are added, as well as a tow pintle for the rear end. There is some fine rivet, panel and access port details molded on to the belly plate.


Superstructure.

The upper superstructure has the handrail seen along its inside edge molded integrally with it; it also features separate engine access hatch lids. There are two nicely-rendered jerry cans (using slide molds) and their racks, which are designed to be fitted to each of the rear doors; I suppose they could be mounted elsewhere as well. View-port flaps are detailed inside and out and can be depicted opened or closed.


All tools are separate parts as are all head- and tail-lamps, as well as turn signal indicators; there’s an optional etched brass license plate for the front as well as the rear; that medium is also used to provide mud flaps for the rear edge of the fenders. The fenders are nicely detailed with delicate bolt patterns and seams, while the stowage lockers are simply designed but exhibit maximum details.


Interior.

The interior of such a vehicle is always the center of attention, and here, as in the previous ‘251 kits, DML has gone to considerable trouble to make it as complete as possible. The driver’s compartment has separate controls (shift levers, steering wheel and column; the foot pedals are molded on the floor plate) as well as nicely-rendered seats and a radio on its rack. The internal braces that attached the front body section to the rear are provided as are various stowage bins; the MP40s also have etched brass stowage brackets. The bench seats are provided with separate underside locker front parts for enhanced detail. Further back, there are rifle racks (a total of four Kar98ks are provided), bench seats, fire extinguishers and internal door hinges. The troop compartment doors can be depicted opened or closed. The internal superstructure wall equipment mounting plates (which were not “spaced armor”) are also represented in relief where appropriate.


The 3.7cm PaK is a 13-part assembly that includes a slide-molded pre-bored muzzle for the gun tube assembly. Many separate parts make up the gun’s accessories, its elevation and traversing hand-wheels, and its sight. There is a nice styrene shield that can benefit from some thinning at its edges, or it can be replaced with the included etched brass item. A pair of etched brass ammunition racks and new styrene parts for the bench seats that they replace are included; they are complimented by seven ammunition boxes for each side. These are molded as one piece affairs with separate plates for each end, providing maximum detail.


Molding, Fit and Engineering.

These are all up to current standards and the modeler should have no problems.


Accuracy and Details.

Overall accuracy is very good, visually, according to photographs; however, I do not have any drawings in 1/72nd-scale to compare the parts to. The one main glitch is the drive sprocket rollers, which are not properly offset. Although one would hope that all features are “spot on”, in this scale I don’t believe that’s a huge issue.


Instructions.

The instructions are in the customary “drawn” style and are clearly broken down into eight steps; these are further broken down into “sub-steps” that show such things as items that repeat, items that are options or items that are replaced with etched brass parts.


Decals and Markings Information.

The waterslide decals from Cartograf are very nicely printed; there are two separate sheets. The first has blank white license plates (with and without fine black borders) with separate individual numbers, plus SS- and WH- prefixes; this will allow the modeler to depict any vehicle for which there are references and will also provide for plenty of spares. The second sheet has markings for several divisions, sets of Tac numbers, various Tac signs and shipping data plates, but only one set of painting instructions for a /10 from an “unidentified unit”.


Conclusion.

This is another fine addition to the growing range of ‘251 halftracks in 1/72nd-scale. It is a nicely-molded kit with very few vices and ought to appeal to fans of this type of vehicle.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


References consulted for this review included the following books:


1. “Mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)”, Panzer Tracts 15-2, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. “Mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)”, Panzer Tracts 15-3, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
3. “German Half-Tracks of World War Two”, Concord 7054, by F. De Sisto.
4. “Sd.Kfz.251 in Action”, Squadron Armor 21, by C. Kliment & D. Greer.
5. “Schützenpanzerwagen in Action”, Squadron Armor 2, by U. Feist & K. Reiger.
6. “Sd.Kfz.250 & 251”, Sturm & Drang 3, author unknown.
7. “Schützenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz.251 and Sd.Kfz.250”, AFV Weapons Profile 57, by W. Spielberger, P. Chamberlain and H. Doyle.
8. “Halbkettenfahrzeuge, German Half-Track Vehicles 1939-1945, Almark Wehrmacht Illustrated 4, by J. Williamson & K. Jones.
9. “The Sd.Kfz.251 Half-Track”, Osprey Vanguard 32, by B. Culver.
10. “German Armored Parsonal (sic) Carrier”, The Tank Magazine 2, author unknown.


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.


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