Kit, DML 6463, Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J Initial Production Smart Kit
June 3 2009 at 7:56 PM
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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
Product Specifications.
6463, Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J Initial Production Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 511 styrene parts (including 19 clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, one etched brass fret, four water-slide decal marking schemes and six pages of instructions in 21 steps, plus addendum leaflet.
Introduction.
The German Panzerkampfwagen III was the ultimate pre-war expression of what would eventually be termed as a main battle tank. A medium tank, the Pz.Kpfw.III was designed specifically to do battle with enemy tanks and so was initially armed with a 3.7cm KwK, which was an adequate gun for the mid-to-late 1930s. By the end of the French Campaign in 1940, the need for a more powerful armament was felt, as well as heavier armor. So a short 5cm KwK L/42 was fitted and the armor on the frontal arc increased to 50mm. Later the long 5cm KwK L/60 was introduced, creating the Ausf.L.
The latest gem from DML will allow the modeler to produce a replica of the earliest version of the Ausf.J. Features include solid two-piece European engine deck hatch lids in non-Tropen configuration, hull-side escape hatches, new drivers visor, new ball mount for the radio operators MG34, and tow points drilled into the front end of the hull side armor, among others. About the only thing this reviewer would have welcomed would have been a complete set of Tropen (tropical) engine deck hatch lids for maximum versatility.
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 sides 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 manufacturers 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 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. The bump stops, final drive housings, mounting plates for the latter (with towing eyes cut in them) and slide-molded longer shock absorbers are also separate parts. Many Ausf.Js mounted the shorter shock absorbers as well, but this option is not in the kit.
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 welded flanges 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. Openings for the crew escape hatches are on the side walls; separate hatch lids with separate hinges and internal latches complete the area.
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 smoke grenade dispenser rack is mounted underneath and finally, an etched brass screen is provided to be placed under the superstructure over-hang.
Separate track-guards 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 track-guards. The tools have nice clasp details, while the tow cable mounts and jack mounts are separate parts.
Superstructure.
The new 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. Separate parts provide for the coaming around the interior of the hatch openings, while still others provide the hinges. The main hatch lids came in two segments, one of which opened forwards, the other aft. They are solid and do not have the later openings or armored guards originally associated with the Tropen configuration. Separate parts for the lifting hooks are also given for maximum detail fidelity. All-styrene wrapped and mounted tow cables are provided for the engine deck, but Id have preferred the option of a wound wire/etched brass/ styrene option for better detail and flexibility. The rear plate has a separate filler cap. At the side are proper separate air intake vents, with the correct means of attachment to the walls. These are topped by etched brass screens. Tantalizingly, there are several un-used parts that go to make up some (but not all, drat it!) of the Tropen engine deck hatch lid configuration.
The roof plate feature 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 as well as a turret ring shot deflector.
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 track-guard. The radio operators MG34 features complete internal mount detail and is a Gen2 molding with pre-drilled muzzle and crisp barrel jacket perforations.
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 them. Separate, two-part armored cowls are given to cover the brake cooling air openings.
Turret.
This assembly ably represents the 8./Z.W. turret, with 50mm front plate and deleted bullet deflectors on the side walls (however, the latter are provided as separate parts and shown as optional in the instructions. 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, separate view-port flaps (with clear vision block inserts) and side wall access doors. The roof mounts a two-part vent cover, separate signal port flap, and a pair of grab handles; the separate turret floor has a gear pattern on the ring race. The commanders cupola features two-position view-port covers, clear internal vision blocks, separate hatch lids and an external blade sight.
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. It shows the subtle differences in the contours at either side; this is confirmed in photos. The instructions tell the modeler to remove the molded-on wood strip details on this part. More separate lift hooks, as well as separate pistol port covers complete this area.
The 5cm KwK38 L/42 main gun has a complete inner breech, while the gun tube is slide-molded and pre-bored. Separate parts for the recuperator housing are given, with an exquisitely-rendered slide-molded sleeve for the gun tube provided as a separate part. There mantlet configuration has two view-port flaps, which are separate and feature internal details. 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. There are a number of left-over parts on the sprues some of which go to make up the spaced armor on the mantlet.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Like many of their recent new-tool kits, DMLs designers have gone to great lengths to provide a level of detail on the styrene parts not often previously seen. On visible surfaces (except the track links), 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.
Accuracy.
Currently available scale drawings appear to confirm that this kit is very accurate dimensionally and that the details are substantially correct.
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 four tanks are given as follows:
All are colorfully-marked, with the 2.P-D Panzer having winged dragons over a geometric design on the turret side walls; the 11P-D features its well-known ghost insignia. The markings are substantially correct and for the most part they mesh properly with the parts in the box. But, as always, its up to the modeler to make the best of whats in the box; proper research is the order of the day!
Instructions.
These are in the usual drawn style and except for the markings placement info (some color information is dubious, and in many cases is not given at all), 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.
This is a fine continuation of the Pz,Kpfw.III series and bodes well for the advent of a Tropen version in the future. It has a number hidden parts options that proper research will bring to the fore, regardless of whether or not they are shown in the instructions. Indeed, the modeler will discover that what is in this box is more than meets the eye.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Panzerkampfwagen III, Ausf.A, B, C und D, Panzer Tracts 3-1, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
2. Panzerkampfwagen III, Ausf.E, F, G und H, Panzer Tracts 3-2, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
3. Panzerkampfwagen III, Ausf.J, L, M und N, Panzer Tracts 3-3, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
4. Panzer III & Its Variants; Schiffer, by W. Spielberger.
5. Panzerkampfwagen III; Achtung Panzer 2.
6. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
7. Pz.Kpfw.III; Wydawictwo Militaria 11, by Z. Barowski & J. Ledwoch.
8. The Panzerkampfwagen III at War; Concord 7010, by M. Jerchel & W. Trojca.
9. Panzerkampfwagen III & IV 1939-45; Concord 7065, by T. Cockle.
10. Panzerkampfwagen III in Combat; Tankograd 4005, by M. Zöllner.
11. Panzer III in Action; Squadron Armor 1, by U. Feist.
12. Pz.Kpfw.III in Action; Squadron Armor 24, by B. Culver & D. Greer.
13. The Panzerkampfwagen III; Osprey Vanguard 16, by B. Perrett, D. Smith & M. Chappell.
14. Panzerkampfwagen III; AFV Profile 2, Profile Publications, by W. Spielberger.
15. Panzerkampfwagen III Ausfuhrung J; Bellona Military Vehicle Prints Series 32, by W. Spielberger and H. Doyle.
Reviewers 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.
