Kit, Cyberhobby 6270, Sd.Kfz.138/1 Geschützwagen 38 H für s.IG33/1 Initial Production Smar

CYBERHOBBY

Product Specifications.

6270, Sd.Kfz.138/1 Geschützwagen 38 H für s.IG33/1 Initial Production Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 592 injection-molded styrene parts (including 13 clear), one etched brass fret, one turned aluminum part, one piece of pre-formed metal wire, one water-slide decal/painting option and eight pages of instructions in 25 steps.

Introduction.

Most students of the Czech-designed Lt.vz.38, a.k.a. Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), are familiar with the series of factory-yard photographs that have made their way into publication. These images usually show several views, including photos taken from above; sometimes interior details are very well illustrated.

When the first version of this kit was reviewed here at MLs ToT, the reviewer noted that the previously-referenced series of photos pertaining to the Geschützwagen 38 H für s.IG33/1 showed two different fighting compartment stowage layouts. Cyberhobby has taken that difference and has come up with a limited edition kit of the so-called Initial Production version.

As most of this kit was reviewed previously, much of the text you are reading is from that particular posting, with amendments.

Tracks.

These are the usual Magic Tracks and therefore come as individual links packed loosely in a bag. Each link has an extremely tiny pour pip between the guide horns as well as two very subtle ejector pin marks on the inner face. The fit is very good, but they will not stay together unless they are glued. The guide horns are properly hollow, and the links have a very delicate cast texture. Furthermore, they all have extremely faint casting numbers where appropriate.

Suspension System.

The suspension system is broken down much like most renditions from other manufacturers; this means that the road-wheels can be depicted in an articulated fashion to conform to terrain on a modelers display base. Planning will be needed since getting the bogies properly positioned and then getting the tracks to look right will be a bit of a challenge. The road-wheels are completely and properly detailed on both their inner and outer faces, while the return rollers have separate mounts and include manufacturers name on the rubber tire rims. The idler wheel can be mounted in various positions due to a separate cranked axle; this will ease using individual link tracks and therefore it should not be fixed in place until the modeler is satisfied with the fit of the tracks. The drive sprockets are very nicely-detailed to include the ribs and bolt patterns seen between their inner and outer halves.

Hull.

The hull is the usual slide-molded pan that includes the side walls molded in place together with the belly plate. There is proper rivet and panel details on the three outer sides, as well as suspension mount details on the side walls. Whats unique here is that there is also molded-on detail on the inner faces of the side walls, in the drivers and fighting compartment. There is also molded-on detail on the inner surfaces around the area of the drive sprockets. All this makes for a more simplified assembly process with absolutely no compromise in the detail department.

Separate inner and outer bow plates are provided as is a separate rear plate with separate circular access panel. The bow plate receives tow hooks, mounting plates, spare track links and mounting bracket. The rear plate receives more hooks and mounts as well as track tension adjustment housings (in two styles), and other details. A multi-part exhaust pipe and muffler arrangement can then be fitted, which is based on a slide-molded core; it includes a perforated etched brass guard.

Superstructure.

This is composed of Razor Edge ultra slim separate panels peculiar to this type. The edges of all plates are quite delicate and this is accomplished without any beveling, since the entire plate is uniformly thin throughout. The main side and front plates are large single parts, with the smaller segments at the rear being composed of three separate parts, two of which can be hinged in the open position.

From the bow, the glacis plate features a separate transmission access hatch lid and a Notek head-lamp with etched brass mount. A multi-part, workable gun travel lock is given, which includes optional parts for it in the raised or lowered position. The superstructure front plate features detailed inner and outer faces, with a separate view-port lid with clear styrene inserts for vision blocks.

The engine deck access doors are separate parts that include etched brass screens for their undersides. An etched brass screen is provided to cover the engine air intake grill; this includes the sliding cover for cold-weather starting of the engine. A perforated platform is fitted to one side of the engine deck, while a crew-mans chair is fitted to the other side. Between them is a very fine multi-part ammunition locker, which is detailed with etched brass and styrene parts

Separate track-guards with separate braces are then added. These have the stamped ribs represented on both surfaces and are devoid of ejector pin marks. They are fitted with the various tools commonly seen on these Czech-manufactured AFVs, all of which feature etched brass straps, brackets and clamps. A jack block, a multi-part vehicle jack, fire extinguisher and spare track links completes the OVM fit.

Fighting Compartment.

The major difference between this kit and the previous release is the stowage in the fighting compartment. Now the inner walls on the starboard side, forward, receive the radio rack to which are mounted the transmitter, receiver, transformers, loudspeaker and other ancillary items; a crewmans seat pad is now moved to that side as well. The rod antenna, mount and base are now relocated to the starboard side outer wall. The radio set is sheltered under an etched brass guard. Entirely new for this kit is an etched brass rack that holds a provided clear styrene spare glass block. Working aft, there are four vertically-stowed 15cm projectiles in their racks, with etched brass details; extra parts are provided to depict empty racks. Next comes an MP38/40 and its 9mm ammunition stowage. Up forward are three stowage cubes for 15cm charge bags plus some stowage boxes and racks. There are etched brass tie-down loops as well as replacement etched brass tie-down strips to replace those molded onto the outer surface. The small posts that helped keep the foul weather tarp in place are also provided.

The port side inner wall now has three horizontally-stowed 15cm rounds in their holders, above which are various stowage boxes and a Gen2 gas mask, complete with etched brass mounting straps and bracket. This is similar to, but not precisely the same as, the original kit. Further aft is a range data plaque as well as a vertical stack of five charge bag stowage cubes. An MP38/40 in its rack, 9mm ammo stowage, follows. Various foul weather tarp supports finish the inside, while the etched brass tie-downs complete the outside.

There are a total of 20 15cm rounds provided already in their holders, with another four rounds supplied as loose items. In addition, there are six empty 15cm round holders which can replace filled ones at the modelers discretion; these are slide-molded for the best possible rendition and now include the straps that held the round in place as etched brass parts.

Gun and Mount.

These parts will produce a very nicely-detailed 15cm s.IG33. The gun tube is a turned aluminum item with delicate rifling inside the bore. The three-part gun sight is based on a clear styrene part that get attached to an opaque styrene base. Virtually all detail parts are separate; the elevation/traverse hand-wheel assembly consists of six parts, while the recoil slide, spring housings and carriage are all made from multiple parts. If carefully assembled, the gun will elevate and slide on the recoil tray, while the breech block can be shown opened or closed. Two styles of gun mounting base are provided to fit the entire assembly to the hull.

Interior.

The drivers compartment includes a very nice multi-part transmission/final drive unit based on a slide-molded core, with attached drivers hand controls. It has eebn up-graded with new etched brass parts, but its still incomplete. There is a multi-part drivers seat, but his instrument panel is not provided; likewise some levers, rods and his foot pedals are also absent. A bulkhead/engine compartment firewall encloses the compartment from the rear.

The engine compartment features fuel cells, battery box and various accessories, often enhanced with etched brass parts. A multi-part radiator and housing as well as fan are also given. The engine itself is broken down into many separate parts and comparing it to photographs reveals that it is visually very accurate. The instructions are a bit dodgy when it comes to the sequence in which some parts should be added; I recommend the modeler work in sub-assemblies and test fit everything prior to using glue. Just about all that is needed is for the modeler to add wiring and fuel lines for a complete appearance.

Accessories.

The kit includes a Gen2 sprue for the previously-mentioned gas mask cylinders. Also on the sprue are steel helmets, water bottles, mess kits, bayonets in their frogs, two styles of entrenching tools and a single pair of binoculars. Although only the gas mask cylinders are called-out for use, these other items can all be used wherever the modeler so desires.

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Based on my experience with the earlier release from DML, I do not anticipate any problems with the fit of any major components. No sink marks were found anywhere, and ejector pin marks on visible surfaces were non-existent, except for those seen on the tracks. However, there are pin nodes on many parts, which will require care in removal and clean-up; this is still superior to having to fill pin marks around delicate details. Mold seams are very restrained and no flash was encountered.

Accuracy and Details.

The single side-view drawing in the Panzer Tracts book, reference 2, below, indicates that the kit is visually accurate. Photographs show that the interior is very well-represented for this particular vehicle. The only major known omissions are seen in the drivers compartment and include his instrument panel, foot controls and various rods and linkages for his hand controls.

Instructions.

These are in the typical, and busy, line drawing style. Many of the main steps feature discreet sub-assembly steps, all enclosed within separate boxes.

Decals and Markings Information.

Italys Cartograf has provided a small water-slide decal sheet with a couple of different-sized Balkenkreuze national insignia. The decals are in excellent register, have sharp detail and fine color saturation. Vehicle colors are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints. The vehicle depicted is as seen in photos at the BMM factory, which had no markings.

Conclusion.

This is one of those minor variations of an AFV that fits quite well within Cyberhobbys mandate to deal with more unusual subjects. If the modeler wants to replicate this particular version of the Bison/Grille, than this kit will fit the bill.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

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

1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Revised Edition; by P. Chamberlain, H. Doyle & T. Jentz.
2. Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten; Panzer Tracts 10, by T. Jentz & H. Doyle.
3. Czechoslovak Armoured Fighting Vehicles 1918-1945; Bellona, by H. Doyle & C. Kliment.
4. Czechoslovak Armored Fighting Vehicles 1918-1948; Schiffer, by C. Kliment & V. Francev.
5. Marder III & Grille; MBI Publications, by C. Kliment & V. Francev.
6. Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Variants: 2cm, 3.7cm, 7.5cm, 7.62cm, 15cm; Zimmerit Press, by D. Nielson.
7. Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) & 35(t); AFV/ Weapons Profile 22, by J. Milsom.
8. The sIG33/1 Grille SPG; Allied-Axis Issue 2, Ampersand, author un-listed.

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.

Visit frankdesisto.com.

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