Kit, DML 6562, Sd.Kfz.7 8t Late Production Smart Kit

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

Product Specifications.

6562, Sd.Kfz.7 8t Late Production Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 388 styrene parts (including six clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, 13 DS100 parts, one photo-etched brass fret, one sheet of self-adhesive masking material, three decal/marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 16 steps.

Introduction.

A couple of years ago, DML began releasing kits of some of the major, widely-used pieces of German World War Two artillery. Currently, there are kits of three versions of the famous 8.8cm FlaK, a kit of the 15cm s.FH18 available. DML has also announced, but not yet released, a kit of the 10cm K18 (often erroneously called the 10.5cm s.K18). Naturally, speculation began immediately that a mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8-ton Sd.Kfz.7 tractor would follow. Indeed, DML did announce the standard tractor type, but had only released the Sd.Kfz.7/1 with 2cm Flakvierling 38 and an armored Sd.Kfz.7/2 with 3.7cm FlaK37, both recently reviewed here at ToT.

And the modeling community wondered

Then, surprisingly enough, the kit of the tractor found its way to this reviewer, without any fanfare. However, what has come is the later-production, austere version of the Sd.Kfz.7 artillery tractor complete with simplified metal drivers cockpit and wood load-bed, drop sides, benches and ammunition locker. Although unexpected at this time (this reviewer has no doubt that the other type is in the works), this version is certainly well-done and quite different; therefore it is most welcome.

As expected, many parts are from the previous two releases, so much of this review will be based on previous comments. In that regard, this reviewer begs the readers indulgence.






Tracks.

Each Magic Track link consists of two parts, the metal core and the rubber pad. The parts themselves are in bags and are not attached to conventional sprues. This means that little clean-up is necessary; there are just some minor mold pips to remove. If the modeler wishes to go further, the very subtle ejector pin marks seen on each main link part can also be smoothed away. The tracks will articulate when completed. This considerably eases the attachment process and also allows for authentic track sag to be very easily achieved.

Suspension System.

The actual suspension system for the track-work is based on several leaf-spring bundles as well as separate swing-arms and idler wheel tensioning axle; several of these parts are created using slide-molds for enhanced detail and easier construction. Two-part final drive assemblies are topped-off by two-part drive sprockets that incorporate properly offset rollers. The step-ring on the drive sprocket hub is further embellished by an etched brass strip that wraps around the outside; in this way the non-skid texture can be properly represented. The road-wheels are conventionally-rendered as inner and outer halves, with superbly-crisp details.

The front wheels consist of a hard styrene hub as well as an inner tire segment. The major portion of the tire is produced using DS100 soft styrene. This material can be glued with standard styrene plastic cement, something actual vinyl will not allow. Furthermore, DS100 material, being flexible, can be pulled from a steel mold while still retaining detail that hard styrene will not allow. In this case, the tread detail on the tires contact surfaces can be rendered in almost precise detail; after-market tires are not necessary. The front wheels rest on a multi-part axle and leaf spring assembly, complimented by a separate part for the steering linkage. As designed, the wheels will not steer, but a clever modeler will be able to modify the parts to do so, if desired.

Chassis Frame, Engine and Drive Train.

The engine consists of multiple parts that represent the Maybach power plant quite well; of course, wires, pipes and hoses can be added by the detail-oriented modeler. It includes a complete exhaust system with pipes and muffler. A new (for this version), well-detailed firewall plate is provided, which is embellished by various accessory items including a horn and structural members. An inner radiator face, air filters, more hose segments and braces finish the area.

The transmission is a four-part assembly, while the winch and the power take-off shaft consist of another five parts. There is no cable or hook in the box to finish the unit. A two-part fuel tank, air-brake cylinders, exhaust pipes and muffler, plus various other components complete the details in this area.

The chassis frame itself is based on a slide-molded main part to which all of the above details are mounted. The rear face of the frame is a separate multi-part affair, which included articulating tow coupling, winch cable guide rollers, air brake connection and other detail parts. Above and behind this is a new two-part rack for the spare wheel and tire; this is attached to the underside of the load-bed platform. A separate, slide-molded sub-frame completes the area

Superstructure, and Drivers Compartment.

The nose section incorporates the front bumper/fender and wheel wells in a single, well-detailed slide-molded part. It is from the previous armored Sd.Kfz.7/2 kit and does not have the opening for an exhaust pipe on the starboard side wheel-well. A tow pintle, various fillets and width indicator stems are all separate parts, while the conventional head-lamps include clear parts for the lenses or black-out covers with slits. The Notek lamp is a two-part styrene assembly that gets fitted to an etched brass mounting bracket. Other etched brass parts are included to add non-skid plate details where appropriate.

The outer radiator grill has the manufacturers logo (Krauss-Maffei) molded in place while the water filler cap is separate. The hood (bonnet) panel is separate; it is embellished with a pair of shovels and a pick-axe, all of which have etched brass brackets and clamps. The two side access panels include crisp cooling slot details molded in place on the outside. Tiny, separate lift handles finish off the panels, which do not have any cooling slot details on their inner sides.

The dashboard consists of two main panels and is mounted onto the rear face of the engine firewall panel. Braces, an auxiliary fuel tank, steering column and wheel, shift, brake and winch PTO levers, as well as a pair of foot pedals complete the section. No decals are provided for the instrument panel dial faces. New front-end track-guards are provided, upon which are fitted separate cockpit side panels. The area around them gets detailed with some small etched brass non-skid plates.

Heading further aft is the main load-bed. It is all-new and its component parts have at least three different wood textures, all convincingly rendered. There are multi-part bench seats, one on each side, and separate side and tail gate panels. Although not movable, all may be shown up or down; with a bit of work, a fine drill bit and some thin metal wire, hinge pins could probably be made. The next item is a multi-part ammunition stowage system which appears to replicate ply-wood shelving. It is further embellished with slatted sides and top, along with multi-part rifle racks for which two Gen2 Kar98ks are provided. To depict a partial 15cm s.FH18 ammunition load, DML provides a total of 10 projectiles and ten stub cases in conventional styrene. Additionally, in DS100 soft styrene, four wicker containers, four powder increments and two wicker mats are included. All of this will lend life to the area. A multi-part frame for a (not included) canvas foul weather cover is given and finally, various levers, brackets and braces complete this area.

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Molding is typical for current DML kits, which translates into excellent. No sink marks were noted and the few ejector pins seen will be completely invisible on the finished model. The modeler may or may not choose to address the very faint pin marks on the tracks. Mold seams are restrained and easily disposed of. When cleaning the various panels that comprise the load bed, the modeler is advised not to be over-zealous. This is because there are several very tiny locater pips that properly position certain parts; these fit into tiny holes that must first be opened up from the underside of the load-bed with a fine drill bit, as shown in the instructions. It is assumed that the parts were engineered in this manner so that the modeler has the choice of deleting these components in order to fill the area with out-sized cargo, without having to deal with already opened holes.

Accuracy and Details.

References indicate that there are no major accuracy issues. A minor issue is the inner side of the conventional wheel hubs, which are molded semi-solid with a ridge inside the spokes. These should be substantially deeper; some black paint in the (mostly-hidden) inner recesses will help the illusion here. Another item in the same category is the missing pedal in the drivers compartment. Some small details can be added to certain parts such as the drive sprocket and the chassis frame simply by employing variously-sized drill bits. The continued omission of the cable and hook for the winch is still vexing. Only two rifles are given, so the spares box will need to be raided if the modeler wishes to have full racks. Decals for the instrument panel dial faces would also have been welcome.

Instructions.

These are in the conventional line drawing style and are relatively easy to follow. Thus far, I have noted no major glitches.

Decals and Markings Information.

The decal sheet is produced by DMLs usual source, Italys Cartograf. In typical fashion, this means that the printing is crisp with fine details and excellent registration. The carrier film is clear, matte and cut close to the individual designs. Markings for three vehicles are provided and basically include registration plates, Tac signs and rail shipping labels. There are also markings provided for the 15cm projectiles that will allow the modeler to depict HE, AP, smoke and concrete-piercing types

Conclusion.

As mentioned above, although unexpected, this variation is nevertheless significant for its visual differences when compared to the standard tractor. It is very well-engineered and will look fantastic hauling the piece of ordnance of the modelers choice.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to the following books:

1. German Half-Tracked Vehicles of World War 2; Hippocrene Books, by John Milsom.
2. German Army Semi-Tracks 1939-45, Part 1, Prime Movers and Self-Propelled Carriages; Bellona, by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle.
3. Sd.Kfz.7 in Detail; Special Museum Line No.36, Wings & Wheels Publications, by F. Koran, R. Schoeters, M. Valek & J. Horak.
4. Halbketten Zugkraftwagen 8t Sd.Kfz.7/1, /2; AFV Super Detail Photo Book Vol.9 (ASDP-009), Model Art, by A. Ranger & H. Cance.
5. German Half-Tracks of World War Two; Concord 7054, by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
6. German Half-Tracks of World War Two, Vol.2; Concord 7067 (not yet published), by F. De Sisto & L. Lecocq.
7. German Halftracks in Action; Squadron Armor No.3, by U. Feist & K. Reiger.
8. Halbkettenfahrzeuge, German Half-Track Vehicles 1939-1945; Wehrmacht Illustrated No.4, Almark Publications, by J. Williamson & K. Jones.

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 shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.

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