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CYBERHOBBY
6473, 15cm s.IG33 Infantry Gun w/Simplified Shield Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 249 styrene parts (including three clear and 80 for the figures), 10 DS100 parts, one photo-etched brass fret, one turned aluminum gun tube, generic decal/marking schemes and six pages of instructions in 11 steps.
Introduction.
Based on their experiences of combat in the west during the Great War, Germany designed and fielded purpose-built infantry support guns. These included the small and handy 7.5cm l.IG18 and the subject of this kit, the larger and less-wieldy 15cm s.IG33. These guns were included in a standard Infanterie-Regiments table of equipment and were, in fact, crewed by specially-trained infantrymen. The more powerful, yet heavier 15cm piece is the subject of this latest Cyberhobby white box limited edition release. Virtually a diorama-in-a-box, this kit includes a crew and various ammunition and accessory options. It is a limited edition release apparently because it has what the manufacturer calls a simplified shield.
Gun and Carriage.
The gun is completely-detailed throughout and is based on parts previously seen on various DML releases, notably the Bison I. The piece will traverse, elevate and recoil if the modeler is careful with the glue during assembly.
The gun tube is provided as a turned aluminum part with rifling in the bore. The breech block can be modeled opened or closed, while the gunners sight is provided as a clear part. It too has the option of being depicted extended or retracted. A styrene and etched brass muzzle cover are included, which is an extremely nice touch. All hand-wheels are separate as are the equilibrators. The recoil slide is completely detailed, inside and out
Separate etched brass details are applied to the inner surface of the guns shield, to include range data placards. The outer surface receives pionier tools, aiming stakes and a tail-lamp. The shield itself is molded extremely thinly and really captures the look of the original quite well. It features panel and bolt detail, a separate flap for the gunners sight, a couple of storage containers and all the attachments from the shield to the mount.
The wheels are of the wood-spoke types with rubber tires, which were optimized for motorized transportation. They are from a slide mold, so the detail throughout is crisp and accurate, particularly the tread pattern on the tires. Separate brake drums and multi-part axle units make for a complex and highly-detailed assembly.
The carriage itself well-replicates the massive, workman-like (yet archaic-looking) appearance of the original, including the box-type trails. It is broken down into many parts for maximum detail fidelity and has molded-on details such as rivets and stiffening members. A multi-part earth spade is fitted at the rear end of the trails, while many smaller detail parts decorate the remainder of the assembly.
Accessories.
Eight projectiles (four each of two types) are given as are eight cartridge cases, all in standard styrene. In addition, two multi-part Steilgranat 42 finned hollow charge rounds are also provided. Four wicker ammunition transport containers are included as are four charge increments and a pair of wicker mats; these latter items are molded in DS100 soft styrene and are therefore as completely detailed as any resin part.
Figures.
A total of five multi-pose figures are called out for use in the instructions, but in fact, six complete individuals are in the box. They are in action poses and include variations provided by extra arms for all of them. They are crisply-molded and about as well-detailed as any other conventional styrene figures. Careful clean-up, assembly and painting will result in some fine little men for a diorama. Adding resin heads will bring them up to quite a high standard.
Each wears part of the basic equipment load, which includes separate gas mask containers, bayonets and gas cape pouches. They wear steel helmets and M1935 uniforms along with standard high-top boots. They lack most of their other standard equipment to include personal weapons (remember, these were infantrymen, not artillerymen), magazine pouches, water bottles, bread bags and mess kits. It is assumed that the commander would also have field glasses, but these are also not included. While these omissions are a bit troubling to this reviewer, in reality, most modelers who will purchase this kit ought to have these items in their spares collection.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Molding is up to todays high standards, with no shrink marks and all ejector pin marks are either hidden after assembly or negated by the use of small pips attached to the part. Mold seams are fine and easily dispensed with. Fit was equally excellent.
Accuracy and Details.
The gun matches photos and drawings quite well.
Instructions.
These are in the conventional line drawing style and are rather short, but due to the number of small and or moving parts, this reviewer recommends that the modeler proceed with extreme caution, carefully cleaning and test fitting parts as he goes along.
Decals, Painting and Marking Information.
The decal sheet is quite tiny and only includes gun-in-battery letters for the shield and some small stencil data for the gun itself. They are from Italys Cartograf and are of their usual very fine quality. Color schemes are either Dunkelgrau or Dunkelgelb.
Conclusion.
The only shortcoming in this kit is the easily-remedied lack of complete weapons and equipment for this guns crew. But this is really not much of an issue in this reviewers opinion. Regardless, modelers can now E-Bay their old resin kits and dust-bin the old Alan kit; a new sheriff is in town!
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to the following books:
1. Infantry, Mountain and Airborne Guns; WW2 Fact Files, ARCO, by P. Chamberlain & T. Gander.
2. 15cm s.IG33 (Sf) auf Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B & 15cm s.IG33 (towed); Nuts & Bolts Vol.19, by J. Wilhelm.
3. German Artillery at War, 1939-45, Vol.1; Concord 7059, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
4. German Artillery at War, 1939-45, Vol.2; Concord 7063, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to Cyberhobby. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
Cyberhobby kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.cyber-hobby.com.
