"...If
you¡¦re a 251 fan, then you have to have one of these!"
<Full
review>
-
Vinnie
6293,
Sd.Kfz.251/23 Ausf.D Reconnaissance Vehicle. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia
kit containing 502 styrene parts (plus eight clear and 284 for track
links), two bags of "E-Z Track", two etched brass frets, five
DS-100 parts, self-adhesive mirror disks, four turned metal parts, two
decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 19 steps.
REVIEWER'S NOTE: this and the newly-released (and very similar) "/16"
kit obviously share many common parts. The reader is asked to forgive
me for using entire blocks of the same text for both reviews, for the
sake of efficiency.
DML's subsidiary, Cyberhobby, has, in the recent past, released short
production-run kits of specialized or very unusual vehicle variations.
In the case of this latest release, the Sd.Kfz.251/23 Ausf.D, the actual
existence of prototype or production vehicles is still a debated issue.
There is one obscure reference to it in the "Encyclopedia of German
Tanks of WW2, Revised Edition", as well as a composite photo. Therefore
this kit may be considered a "Paper Panzer"; however, the
verdict is still un-clear.
From the ground up, the kit provides two different styles of semi-workable
individual track links that come in two parts (rubber pad and metal
shoe); when sandwiched together they will remain flexible. One set is
conventionally-molded on sprues, without ejector pin marke and will
have to be cleaned-up prior to use; the other is a set of "E-Z
Tracks" that is already pre-cleaned. However, those links all have
a pair of knock-out pins that must be removed. So, it's a case of "six
of one or half-dozen of the other", regarding ease of assembly.
The belly plate and lower chassis sides is a single piece to which separate
torsion bar arms, idler adjustment arms and final drives are attached.
Etched brass parts are given to depict the added armor on the sides,
seen around the suspension's torsion bars. There are issues concerning
the details of certain suspension components. For example, the "teeth"
on the drive sprocket are centered in the rim facets; they should be
offset forward and therefore "handed" for each side. The "teeth"
should be much more substantial and should actually represent roller
bearings. The configuration of the lighting holes on the road-wheels
lacks the extremely subtle swelling; there are four weld beads at the
12, 3, 6 and 9 O'clock positions between the wheel rims and tires, but
they are far too subtle and need some texture added. Separate bump-stops
are provided, as well as a number of internal details such as the fuel
tank, transmission and other items that will not be visible on the finished
model. The front end receives a separate plate below the engine, while
the rear-end mounts several separate items including a slide-molded
tow pintle. The conventional front wheels are nicely detailed and are
mounted on axles that are designed to allow them to steer.
Internally, beginning with the driver's cockpit, there are choices of
seats, some featuring etched brass back-spring details, separate steering
column and wheel, various hand controls, separate foot pedals, and decals
for the instrument panel dial faces. It has recently been pointed out
on Terry Ashley's excellent PMMS site that the firewall below the instrument
panel is far too shallow; this is indeed so. Considering its position,
I am not sure this is a major issue; conversely, the modeler can "slice
and dice" the area to get things right. Various stowage items are
provided including gas mask container, MP38/40 and ammo magazines. A
radio is fitted in front of the starboard-side seat (but it and its
associated antenna and mount are probably superfluous for this version),
while the vision blocks have separate clear styrene inserts for the
glass blocks; these can all be posed opened or closed. A single DS-100
soft styrene driver figure is provided; he's nicely detailed and being
flexible, he should be easier to fit into his position. Further back
there are the bolted flanges that connected the front and rear segments
of the vehicle, as well as other stowage items.
New internal details specific to this version include racks for 2cm
KwK38 ammunition magazines (the separate magazines are slide-molded
so the top 2cm round is visible), new long-range radio set, complete
with transformers and junction boxes, and finally, stowed 7.92 ammunition
drums, two-to-a-rack.
The vehicle is topped by a completely new 2cm KwK38 in the so-called
"Hangelafette" (suspended mount) turret. The sprue is marked
as belonging to the up-coming Sd.Kfz.234/1, so we'll be seeing lots
of this assembly in the near future. I believe DML is re-issuing a new
Sd.Kfz.250/9 and since they are in the process of producing a new Pz.Kpfw.38(t)
series, perhaps we'll see a model of the Aufklarungspanzer 38 (2cm)
some time in the future, topped by this new turret assembly. But, as
usual, I digress¡K
The turret is a multi-media affair based on all-new styrene parts. It
is far more complete and detailed than any previously seen in styrene
from any manufacturer. To begin with there are several combinations
of options for the KwK38 gun tube. It can be represented by a full styrene
version, as a partial styrene version with a turned aluminum "tube"
section, or with an exquisitely-rendered turned brass item (that includes
tiny perforations and larger slits on the muzzle flash suppressor).
These last two options require that the styrene part be cut apart and
either the turned aluminum segment put in place (between the styrene
receiver and muzzle flash suppressor), or that the turned brass item
is mounted on the styrene receiver. A jig for alignment is provided
on the styrene gun tube sprue. Finally, variations in receiver group
covers are also given.
The interior of the turret has a complete mount that will elevate, sights
(including etched brass "ring-and-bead"), balance springs,
magazine, radio and transformer, hand-wheels, two seats and co-axial
machine-gun. For the latter there is a choice of either an MG34 or an
MG42; both are from the new Gen2 figure sets and have pre-bored muzzles
and excellent cooling jacket details. Externally there are two stowage
lockers with separate lids and an etched brass and styrene anti-grenade
screen. This can be fixed in the opened or closed position and includes
support rods that can be mounted in two different positions. Strangely,
although the turret has its own radio there is no antenna mount or rod,
which should be seen on the provided "L"-shaped plate, just
above the radio that, which is integral with part H-11, the lower turret
race. There are extra parts in the kit that will enable the modeler
to add it if desired; it fits in the conveniently placed hole on the
afore-mentioned part H-11. While we are on the subject of extra parts,
it should be noted that there are also ammunition boxes and belted 7.92mm
rounds, as well as opened and folded bipods on the MG sprues. These
will be most useful since they are Gen2 parts and very well-detailed.
Externally, there are separate stowage lockers with their attendant
mud flaps; one locker on each side can be shown opened-up with the lid
having internal detail. The front fenders mount tools, exhaust muffler,
Bosch head-lamp and width indicator poles. These last items are made
from turned brass and are shaped using a jig built into one of the kit's
sprues. They receive separate "peel-and-stick" mirror surfaces
for a very convincing appearance. The upper superstructure is a large
one-piece affair with separate front plate for the driver's cockpit.
Optional clear parts are provided for the glass blocks behind the view-port
flaps; the latter can be positioned opened or closed. The usually open-topped
crew compartment is now fully plated over, with a turret race ring for
the new Hangelafette mount; it is not "keyed" (which I prefer,
since it is more accurate that way); beware lest the turret drop out
if the model is turned over. The late-production single-piece engine
deck access hatch lid is a separate part, so an engine of your choice
can be installed. Be aware that if choosing to do so, the incorrect
depth of the driver's cockpit/engine compartment firewall will then
become more of an issue. There is also a new all-styrene "Sternantenne"
(star antenna), mount and armor shroud for the rear edge of the port-side
superstructure plate, a typical feature of a reconnaissance vehicle.
Having reviewed a number of these DML '251-based kits, I can safely
say that there are no major fit issues. The belly part provides a "square"
starting point to which the side panels are attached; get these right
and the rest of the major parts will fit easily. The modeler should
also check to ensure that internal stowage items are properly positioned
so that they will not interfere when fitting the upper superstructure
in place. There are no excessive ejector pin marks (but there are SOME)
and no sink marks to be seen. Detail is crisp and there is certainly
quite a lot of it, with the interior being very "busy".
The water-slide decals are produced by Cartograf of Italy, so they are
of excellent quality. They consist of three sheets; one has blank registration
plates of several types, along with separate numbers and WH- or SS-
prefixes. This will allow any number combination seen in references
to be depicted. The second sheet contains five styles of Balkenkreuz
national insignia. The third sheet contains several styles of Balkenkreuz
national insignia. Since all of the markings are "notional",
I cannot comment on them one way or the other.
In the final analysis, this is a limited production run kit of a possibly
notional vehicle. Therefore one would assume it may have limited appeal
to all but the die-hard fan of German AFVs. However, the overall excellent
quality of what comes in the box (despite some nagging accuracy issues)
is bound to give this latest offering a certain amount of appeal
Recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited
to:
" "Mittlere Schutzenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)", Panzer
Tracts #15-2, by T. Jentz & H.L. Doyle.
" Squadron Armor #2, "Schutzenpanzerwagen in Action",
by U. Feist & K. Rieger.
" Squadron Armor #21 "Sd.Kfz.251 in Action", by C. Kliment.
" Osprey Vanguard 32, "The Sd.Kfz.251 Half-Track", by
B. Culver.
" Tank Magazine Special Issue, July '91, Sturm & Drang 3, "Sd.Kfz.250
& 251", author unknown.
" Tank Magazine Special No.2, "German Armored Personnel Carrier",
author unknown.
" AFV Weapons Profile 57, "Schutzenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz.251
and Sd.Kfz.250", by W. Spielberger, P. Chamberlain & H.L. Doyle.
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 kits are available from retail and on-line shops; for details visit
their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.
-
Frank De Sisto
CH
6293: Sd.Kfz. 251/23 Ausf. D Reconnaisance Vehicle
1/35 injection plastic kit with decals, PE, turned and metal
The
ability of half-tracks to operate off road, crossing rough ground, mud
and snow, made them well suited to the reconnaissance role, particularly
on the Eastern Front where the road network was often limited. As a
result during WWII, the German Army developed a range of half-track
reconnaissance vehicles.
Following
the decision to drop the Sd.kfz 250 light half-track series, the Germans
mounted the six-sided Haengelafette turret on the larger Sd.Kfz 251half-track
body, creating the Sd.Kfz 251/23. The open topped Haengelafette (suspended
mount) turret was armed with a 20mm cannon and one MG and had previously
been mounted on the Sd.kfz 250/9 Neu, Sd.Kfz 140/1 and Sdkfz 234/1 armoured
car.
Information
about the Sd.Kfz 251/23 is scare, and while some writers report that
it entered production by war's end, others differ. There are no authentic
published photos of it; nor any official reports of it either entering
production or being used by the troops. The photo of it used in most
references is a composite made by combining photos of two other vehicles.
Given
the Sd.Kfz 251/23¡¦s history, it is fitting for it to be a limited edition
release from Cyber-hobby. This kit contains new tooling for upper hull,
barrel, and turret along with existing parts from the upgraded Dragon
251 Ausf D series and some photo etch.
NEW TURRET
The
newly tooled turret is crisp and the most impressive rendition of the
Haengelafette in 1/35 available with detail not featured in earlier
toolings. The sprue label indicates that it will also be used for the
upcoming Dragon Sd.Kfz 234/1. The parts are cast with no visible pin
marks and the narrow connecting gates can be easily removed.
Features
of this turret include:
*
Photo etch for the anti-grenade screens and several small details.
*
Lower turret ring which features the traverse teeth.
*
Impressive detail for the feeder and breech of the KwK38 cannon.
*
The KwK 38 can be elevated up or down and the feeder cover may be modeled
open or closed.
*
Slide molded co-axial MG 42 as seen in the Gen-2 figure sets with the
option of the MG34 (also slide molded, leaving you with one very nice
spare MG).
*
Highly detailed fittings such as the radio and its mounting frame, the
traverse hand-wheels, crew seats, fittings on the mesh screen frames
and spent shell catcher.
For
the cannon barrel, you will need to remove the injection plastic Flak
38 barrel tube from the breech, and fit either of two metal barrels.
One is a turned brass barrel which has an integrated flash suppressor
with the vents milled out. The other option is a turned metal tube where
you add the flash suppressor from the Flak 38 barrel (flash suppressor
vents are solid). A jig is provided to align the parts.
ARMOURED
HULL
This
kit features a new upper hull, which has a metal roof plate, which fully
encloses the fighting compartment like on the smaller Sd.Kfz 250/9.
The engine bay is covered by a one-piece hood, which opens to the rear
and is typical of late production Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf D. There are recessed
screw holes on the bonnet and bolt heads on the hull. A crow¡¦s foot
or star aerial (Sternantenne) is mounted on the rear of the driver¡¦s
side of the hull. The tools are injection plastic with molded on clasps
and brackets.
The
interior is amply detailed with the full layout for the driver and commander¡¦s
compartment (radio, MP38/40, pedals, photo etch for the seat backs etc),
one rear bench seat and assorted fittings on the sidewalls. The more
interesting fittings are a nicely detailed radio with both transmitter
and receiver and the racks for the 20mm ammunition clips. About four
of the slots for the clips are empty and there is an option to fill
them with loose clips.
The
completed kit has radios in three locations, but only one aerial. Photos
of one Sd.Kfz 140/1 with the sternantenne also had a standard aerial
on the turret. The instructions suggest that you leave off the turret
aerial mounted, however you could consider inserting spare part g3 or
U18 into hole on the top of the protruding bracket on part H11.
OTHER
DETAIL & TRACKS
Some
of the features and upgrades including in this kit are:
*
Brass width indicator rods (sprue C contains a jig for bending the rods
to the right angle)
*
Clear vision blocks, which can be modelled either open or closed
*
Photo etch applique detail for the lower hull.
*
Upgraded front tyres and upgraded rear road wheels with ¡§VORWERK¡¨ sidewall
markings.
*
Driver figure wearing a M43 field cap and M1942 field jacket with matching
trousers and ankle length boots. This figure is molded in Dragon styrene,
which provides some give when positioning, although as he will not be
visible on the assembled kit I expect he will often be used for other
projects.
*
Silver stickers for both side mirrors.
A
choice of two track types is provided, leaving the modeler with a useful
spare set. One set is the early style (with lightening holes), which
are two part separate link tracks with one part for the rubber pad and
the other for the shoe. The shoes do not have any injection marks and
can be removed quickly from the sprue with a fresh blade. The other
type is the pressed pattern with rubber shoe, which being Dragon ez-track
come loose from the sprue allowing for quick assembly; although some
modelers may wants to remove the injection marks.
Other
spares include a standard open topped upper hull, two standard injection
plastic MG42s, a pair of Gen-2 machinegun ammunition cases and loaded
ammunition belts, open and closed bipods for both the MG 42 and MG34,
and the beams for fixing the Pak 40 to the Sd.Kfz 251/22 ¡¥Pakwagen¡¦
along with the ammo bins.
The
multi-fold instruction sheet is in the black, white and blue format
and appears easy to follow.
MARKINGS
The
three Cartograph waterslide decal sheets all have crisp register. A
medium sized sheet has numerous individual digits for registration plates
and Wehrmacht ¡§WH¡¨ and Waffen SS prefixes (the runes are broken into
two parts) as wells as two sets of blank white plates (one with and
one without black outlines), which will allow modellers to depict any
specific 251 with these two forces. A small sheet has 5 dashboard dials
and the third sheet contains five sets of four Balkan Crosses (2 styles
of white outline, two styles of black centre with white outline and
one solid black).
The
instruction sheet has four view profiles of two half-tracks with paint
schemes typical of those seen on the Sd.Kfz 251 series during the final
battles in Europe.
RECOMMENDATION
The
Sd.Kfz 251/23 is full of detail and this combined with the ambiguity
surrounding its history will ensure that many modelers enjoy making
this late war half-track design. The newly tooled Haengelafette turret
which includes its own photo etch fret is excellently detailed and a
highlight of this kit. Definitely recommended.
-
Neville Lord
Kit
Review: cyber-hobby.com (Dragon Models Limited) 1/35 Scale Kit No. 03
(1/35 Scale
¡¥39-¡¥45 Series Kit No. 6293); Sd.Kfz. 251/23 Ausf. D Reconnaissance
Vehicle; 1,031 parts (714 parts in grey styrene, 264 "EZ Track"
link sections, 31 etched brass, 8 in clear styrene, 5 in tan DS plastic,
4 turned brass, 2 silver paper stickers); estimated price US$45
Advantages: "boutique" kit of late war German heavy reconnaissance
vehicle; preview of DML's Sd.Kfz. 234/1 armored car kit
Disadvantages: low-distribution and limited production of "boutique"
kits; another 251 halftrack kit may glut the market
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German armor and halftrack fans
Hard on the heels of many recent DML Sd.Kfz. 251 kits is another "boutique"
kit from their cyber-hobby.com affiliate, this one being the very late
war "Stroke 23" heavy reconnaissance version with a 2 cm turret
from the light reconnaissance vehicles mounted on a plate roof.
Due to a loss of many of their reconnaissance vehicles, the Germans
began to convert anything that was considered marginal (e.g. Pzkw. 38(t)
or other light tanks) or suitably mobile chassis into reconnaissance
vehicles. The Sd.Kfz. 251/23 or Geraet 923 was a standard D model of
the halftrack with a 2 cm Haengelafette 38 from the Sd.Kfz. 234/1 mounted
on a flat plate roof and used as a heavy reconnaissance vehicle. It
was placed in production as of 28 December 1944. An Fu 12 HF radio set
was provided for communications. While there is very little information
on this vehicle available (the one photo I have is retouched and looks
to be the 1944 equivalent of Photoshop) such a vehicle would have been
useful both as a reconnaissance vehicle and as a progenitor of the modern
Warrior, Bradley or BMP-2 as an infantry support weapons system.
The new kit from cyber-hobby.com uses many of the sprues from the now
familiary DML 251 series halftracks combined with a new body sprue and
all of the turret sprues from the forthcoming Sd.Kfz. 234/1 heavy reconnaissance
car kit.
These comprise a total of about 90 parts and provide the turret, etched
brass mesh covers for the turret, and an optional turned brass 2 cm
barrel; this requires cutting off the kit's barrel and drilling a 1.2mm
(0.050") hole but an assembly jig for the gun is provided right
on its parts tree to simplify alignment. As provided the covers are
fixed either open or closed, but with some work and knowledge of soldering
it is possible to make the parts work. The new gun is a very nice piece
of work, with brass fold-down AA sights and a number of optional parts
in either plastic or brass for detailing. Oddly enough, the lower body
parts of what appear to be two crewmen (one standing, one sitting) are
provided in the kit but no upper body or other components; if one has
a large figures spares box, these two could be used to fit a crew into
the rather cramped confines of the turret.
A radio sprue with a "Crow's Foot" antenna is also included,
but as noted it will be hard to see inside the confines of the hull.
As with all of the late model 251s the kit comes with the early tracks
on the sprues and "EZ Track" precut late model tracks in two
separate poly bags. Most of the rest of the kit is familiar to those
who have built one or more of the kits, and provide the latest iteration
with clear vision blocks, optional position doors and hatches, and etched
brass detailing options for the inside and outside of the hull. Considering
the viewing angles, however, this is pretty much a waste for the driver's
compartment as it is in front of the turret and the solid roof limits
what can be seen. This includes the now standard DS plastic driver.
Two finishing options are provided, both for the Eastern Front in 1945.
One is sold Panzerbraun, the other has green and red-brown striping.
Generic "number jungle" license plates and Balkankreuze are
included as well.
Overall this is a nice kit of a rather handsome vehicle, and DML has
provided overkill on the detailing (something like aircraft manufacturers
who provide a full interior for scale 9 x 12 inch windows to see it!)
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
-
Cookie Sewell