"The
new kit looks great in the box and I strongly suggest anyone interested
in the DAK armor to order it quickly, as it is really limited edition
product."
<Full
review please click here>
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Pawel Krupowicz
6286,
Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I Initial production 1.Kompanie s.Pz.Abt.510 DAK "3-in-1",
1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 515 styrene plastic parts
(including 11 clear), one bag of Magic Tracks, three photo-etched brass
frets, one turned aluminum and 19 turned brass parts, 11 stamped brass
parts, 16 metal parts, one steel spring, one bucket, one piece of woven
cloth, two pieces of braided wire, four formed wire parts, three decal
marking schemes and ten pages of instructions in 22 steps.
The third kit to be released in DML's ground-breaking Tiger I series
will allow modelers to construct a replica of one of the early vehicles
assigned to, and specially modified by, 1.Kompanie, s.Pz.Abt.501. This
particular unit was assigned to the Deutsches Afrika Korps (DAK) and
first saw action in December of 1942 in Tunisia. Much of what I say
about this kit can be taken from my earlier review of the first kit
in this series, the Initial Production Tiger I, as follows.
The kit consists of parts molded in the typical DML light grey styrene
plastic. The kit's designers have taken extra care to ensure that there
are only a bare minimum of knock-out pin marks, while using slide-mold
technology to provide an unprecedented level of detail in certain areas.
Options include styrene parts to replace nearly all of the various metal
bits, four mantlet variations, head-lamp mount variations (including
"plugged" Bosch light sockets and alternate mounting brackets)
and road wheel variations (the front stations have the outer wheel left
off, to be replaced by a hub cap). Accessories in the form of three
multi-part jerry cans and three 8.8cm ammo boxes, with plastic full
and spent rounds are included for diorama or vignette use.
Among the almost 90 new parts are superstructure side plates, track
changing cable and fenders; hull rear plate, mud flaps, tool box, exhaust
pipe cowls and shields (in styrene or stamped/etched brass); complete
Feifel air filter system including choice of woven cloth or styrene
hoses and choice of manifold styles; revised upper hull and engine access
hatch to accommodate Feifel system and new tool and cable stowage layout;
new glacis plate with tread-plate pattern (as well as original plate
with three optional etched brass tread plate patterns), new outer drive
sprocket halves along with revise hubs for depicting a missing outer
road wheel, and finally, a new turret bustle storage locker.
There is a modest amount of interior detail included as well. For instance,
in the turret there are the commander's and loader's seats, as well
as basic gun breech and pistol port details. All hatches are fully detailed
inside and out, while the outstanding one-piece commander's cupola includes
view slits and drain holes around the outer rim, as well as separate
clear glass block inserts for the interior. Beneath the engine deck,
the engine cooling fans, fuel tanks and radiators, which can be seen
through the grills, are included. The two rear grill sections are separate
and can be fixed in the opened position for a better view of the fans.
Unlike the Initial Tiger I kit, there are stamped/etched brass engine
deck screens included in this kit. The internal torsion bars are included
and can be made to work. The bow MG34 is broken down into multiple parts
and includes the internal mechanism complete with sight, head pad and
ammo sack. There are clear inserts for the interior of the driver's
view port.
SUSPENSION
The tracks are the earlier version, which did not have the small cleats
on them, but, unlike those in the Initial Tiger I kit they are of the
style that had the same links on each side, therefore they are not "handed",
which would mean that each track run was positioned facing in opposite
directions. Mold limitations dictate that the guide teeth are not hollow.
And since these are "Magic Tracks", there are no sprue attachments
to clean up. But, this means that each link has two knock-out pin marks.
The modeler that wishes, will only need to clean the outer marks, as
the others are effectively covered by the wheels. Another feature of
these tracks is that they fit together due to friction. However, they
will not take to rough handling; gluing them as soon as possible is
something I'd recommend. There is a jig to help shape them for attachment
to the drive sprockets and idler wheels. I would also recommend that
the modeler does not glue the idler wheel arm to the hull until the
tracks are fitted. This will allow for any gap to be covered by simply
adjusting the idler wheel (after removing the small pips that position
it at a certain angle), much like on a real tank.
The road wheels are beautifully rendered and include crisp bolts, nice
texture and excellent weld beads. The tire manufacturer's name, "Continental"
is purposefully misspelled as "Continentau" to avoid copyright
infringement. The modeler can change the "U" to an "L"
with a careful swipe of a knife blade, but it is extremely difficult
to make out without magnification, so I will not even bother. The suspension
swing arms can be mounted in such a way as to leave them workable, but
the modeler must take care with the glue.
HULL
The hull's belly plate is representative of an early Tiger I and includes
the scalloped flanges that are used to connect the upper sections to
the lower sections. To this is added separate front- and rear-side panels
so that later tow hook mount variations can be made by substituting
parts. Likewise, the upper hull outer-side panels are also separate
so they can include the mounts for the provided side skirts, as well
as locating holes for the small track mounting cable (which is in plastic
or a combination of plastic, metal wire and etched brass). Excellent
weld and interlocking plate detail is given all around. There is a choice
of front plates either with or without the front mud flap bases. To
these bases, the variations of photo-etch tread plate are to be fixed.
The lower glacis plate features spare track racks and a part to be used
as a template to properly place the brackets. However, 1.Kompanie Tiger
Is did not use these.
The upper plate features separate parts for the bow MG34, including
the option of either a cloth dust cover or deep-wading seal (although
the small wing nut/bolts to fix the cover are absent from this newly
re-worked part). The driver's visor is broken down into separate parts
and can be positioned opened or closed. All vents and tools are separate,
but it would appear from reference photos that the tool fit varied on
these DAK vehicles. The driver's and radio operator's hatches are completely
detailed inside and out and include locking levers and clear periscopes.
The peculiar Bosch head-lamp mounts favored by this unit are represented
with styrene, etched brass and formed wire. The hull roof has the proper
weld layout (a first) as well as a newly-tooled separate engine access
hatch, which has fittings to mount the Feiffel system parts. The re-tooled
hull rear panel features new cowlings for the exhaust pipes, as well
as the unique sheet metal covers in either plastic or photo-etch. There
are also mounts for spare track links as seen on the lower edge of the
plate, a new tool box and new mud flaps with the characteristic curved
edge seen on these Panzers. The multi-part Feifel filter system is fitted
and includes a choice of styrene or very nicely-done woven cloth hoses.
There are two sets of pioneer tools (including a newly-tooled, slide-molded
jack block). One set has basic clamps molded on, while the other set
contains bare tools to which three-part photo-etch clamps are attached.
DML has provided bending guides for the photo-etch clamps on the sprue
that contains the bare tools, which ought to make things easier on the
modeler.
TURRET
The turret features four mantlet variations (for 1.Kp. use the version
without the rain gutter over the binocular sights) and optional turned
aluminum or plastic gun tubes. Both the aluminum and the plastic gun
tube options can be built with an internal spring to allow recoil. All
options feature the small faceted locking collar seen inside the muzzle
brake. The muzzle brake is molded using slide mold technology for a
hollowed-out bore. As an aside, there are sets of foundry casting numbers
on the sprue. The modeler can cut these off and place them where appropriate.
There is a rudimentary gun breech and a separate co-axial MG34 insert.
The turret shell itself is a one-piece affair created from a five-part
slide mold. This results in two faint seams towards the rear, which
will easily disappear after a light sanding; some molded-on detail will
have to be removed in order to fit the turret bustle storage locker
peculiar to this unit. The turret sides are properly asymmetrical in
shape, featuring the dual pistol port layout. These are separate parts,
with separate internal plugs. The roof plate clicks into place and has
a separate vent that can also be configured in the standard manner or
set up for deep wading. The one-piece, slide-molded commander's cupola
features well-shaped view ports, water drainage holes around the circumference
of the rim and a multi-part hatch assembly. The loader's hatch is also
separate and completely detailed inside and out.
As is my custom, I assembled the major components in order to see if
there were any fit problems. It would appear that DML tweaked some fit
problems noted on the Initial Version Tiger I kit. For instance, the
upper glacis now fits much better to the hull. There may still be a
slight gap where it meets the upper hull sides, so be careful when you
mount the two outer side plates. The lower hull rear plate still needs
a bit of trimming on either side of the upright section of the "T"
shape.
The instructions, although clearly rendered in the traditional drawn
style, are extremely "busy". This may lead to some confusion,
so study each step carefully before applying glue. The variations are
pointed out, but again, it will be up to the modeler to keep track of
what's going on. The crisply-printed decals from Italy's Cartograf will
allow for the three schemes given in the markings and painting section.
All options are for Tigers of Heeres s.Pz.Abt. 501 in Tunisia in late
1942/early 1943. The markings feature large white outline Tac numbers,
as well as balkenkreuz national insignia. Published photos confirm the
markings in the kit, but note that tool stowage did vary, so do check
your references. Also, more importantly, note that these Tigers would
have been factory-finished in the "Tropen" scheme in effect
from March of 1942, which consisted of Braun RAL 8020 and Grau RAL 7027.
The instructions say to paint two of the Tigers (Tac number 142 and
141) in a dark grey color (RLM grey 02), and the other one (112) in
"middle stone". This goes counter to recently un-earthed evidence
compiled by Jentz and Doyle. Also, just in case you are wondering, there
is still no documented evidence (although there is some of the anecdotal
variety) that any of these vehicles were finished in "Olive Drab
from captured US stocks".
The only problem with this kit is that it is billed as a limited-production
item, and is only available through DML's Cyber-Hobby web site. This
may make it problematic for some die-hard Tiger fans to acquire it.
But, I believe the extra effort will be worth it.
Highly recommended.
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/Cyberhobby kits are limited-run items and are available exclusively
via their web site at: www.cyber-hobby.com.
-
Frank V. De Sisto
Kit
Review: cyber-hobby.com 1/35 Scale Kit 01 (Dragon Models Limited
Master Grade Models No. 6286) ; Sd.Kfz. 181 Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. E Tiger
I Initial Production 1. Kompanie s.Pz.Abt. 501 DAK 3-in-1 Kit; 950 parts
(494 in grey styrene, 223 etched brass, 180 "Magic Track"
links, 18 turned brass, 11 clear styrene, 8 metal pins, 8 metal clevises,
4 bent wire, 1 turned aluminum,1 length twisted steel cable, 1 length
of woven nylon sleeve, 1 spring); price unknown
Advantages: targeted production permits building a specific unit's
vehicles; limited production kit provides wealth of options for construction
means and methods
Disadvantages: limited production kit may have limited availability
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all Tiger fans
F I R S T L O O K
I recently found a web site for Universal Models Limited of Hong Kong.
It is quite interesting, as it gives out a great deal of history and
explains a great deal. Founded as a hobby shop in Hong Kong in 1974,
it moved on to become a wholesaler and exporter (Hobby World Ltd.) and
it also opened subsidiary companies in the US and Canada. In 1987, UML
took the step of forming its own satellite model production company
– Dragon Models Limited. Business boomed, and with the coming handover
of Hong Kong to China in 1997 a satellite model production company,
Shanghai Dragon, was launched in 1994. Now, in 2005, they are adding
cyber-hobby.com to market limited production versions of DML products.
The first of these in 1/35 scale is a Tunisian Tiger I (the same version
as the Ordnance Museum's Tiger I here in Aberdeen, as so well covered
in the book "Tiger Without a Home" and which is under renovation
in the UK right now) with suitable optional parts to make any of three
different tanks from sPzABt 501.
Most of the parts are a combination from three previous kits – Tiger
I Early No. 6252), Tiger I Late (No. 6253), and Tiger (Porsche) (No.
6210) kits. Some new bits have been added, but overall this is a mix-and-match
kit that provides all of the specific bits in one box with a new main
set of etched brass (MA fret).
While the kit has many of the same parts from the previous three Tiger
kits, there are a number of new details. The sides of the hull are new
and a specific plastic cable array (or your choice of styrene heads
and steel wire cable) are provided for making the Tiger match a 501st
tank. New rear fenders are provided, along with one set of styrene and
three etched brass sets for the front fenders. The model also has a
new glacis plate and various bins to match the Tigers fielded by the
501st.
Many other original kit parts have also been "tweaked" to
match 501st tanks. The "Feifel" air filter system is provided
with either styrene tubes or styrene head and tails to use with a woven
nylon tube option. Mounts are also provided so that you can model the
tank with missing road wheels or – with an after-market purchase – with
"shipping" tracks and not its "combat" tracks.
The "combat" tracks are provided as "Magic Track"
links, which snap together for assembly and come pre-trimmed.
Details abound. For example, the bow gun consists of seven parts for
the gun and mount and another seven for the ball mounting on the upper
glacis panel. The driver's viewer operates (slides up and down) and
as with the previous "Late" kit there is a rudimentary interior
provided in the way of fuel tanks, torsion bars, and engine radiator
fans. Where the three tanks covered differ there are callouts on the
directions for what details are used or not used or what has to be changed
to match.
DML originated the concept of optional parts, and the kit provides for
many of them in either styrene or brass (or other materials as appropriate).
Two different barrel options are provided (styrene or turned aluminum)
as well as various optional parts such as smoke grenade launchers, exhaust
shrouds, tow clevises, and the kit also includes 24 rounds of 8.8 cm
ammunition, two ammo cases, three Jerry cans, and a bucket. Finally,
four locks are included for the stowage bins, consisting of a styrene
body and etched brass hasp.
The finishing options are for three tanks: Number 112 (the Aberdeen
tank), Number 141 and Number 142. The Aberdeen tank is in what appears
to be Afrika Korps Braun (the directions call for "middle stone")
and the other two are in Panzergrau.
Overall, this is another lovely kit, and at least by having a subsidiary
company create low-rate limited production kits for them DML will not
clog up their inventory with what may not be the most widely appealing
kits. According to the flyer in the kit, the next four "cyber-model.com"
releases are: ch.c 02 (DML No. 6293) - Sd.Kfz. 251/23 Ausf. D with 2
cm turret; ch.c 03 (DML No. 6294) Pzkw. IV Ausf. E - Eastern Front;
ch.c 04 (DML No. 6295) T-34/76 STZ; and 05 (DML No. 6296) Sd.Kfz. 234
with 2 cm turret.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
-
Cookie Sewell