6221, Sd.Kfz.234/4 Panzerspahwagen. 1/35th-scale injection molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 560 styrene parts (plus 6 clear), 26 etched brass parts, one turned aluminum gun tube, three turned brass width indicator poles, two decal marking schemes and 10 pages of instructions in 28 steps.

As fans of the Sd.Kfz.234 are no doubt aware, Italeri has had, for decades, kits of all four versions of this eight-wheeled armored car: the /1, /2, /3 & /4. For their time they were considered to be very good kits; they can still be made into fine replicas with very little extra effort. But, like so many other kits, those oldies have been supplanted by this new DML kit, the first of a new generation of ‘234s.

This new kit uses the modular approach since DML fully intends to bring out all four production versions as well as a kit of a field-modified ‘234 that mounted the 2cm gun in the so-called “Schwebelaffette” compact mount. So, for instance, sprue “A” carries the upper hull/superstructure part as well as the two side fender/storage locker units, which are unique to this version. It should be noted that there were apparently three distinct styles of fender/stowage locker units. The one in this kit is the type with only two locker doors, both hinged from the top. Sprue “C” carries the parts for the PaK40 gun mount, superstructure armor plates and ammunition storage; sprue “b” the PaK40 itself (the corrected version of the field piece) and sprue “c” the ammunition, storage tubes and boxes for the PaK40, again from the original field gun kit; sprue “d” has the two parts for the gun’s shield (the cut-out edges appear to match Doyle’s drawings cited below). The remaining parts deal with the suspension (about half of the kits total parts are used here), interior details (very complete!) and the various external tools and fittings common to all vehicles in the series.

A list of features follows:

There are two different styles of wheel hubs; one with two cut-outs around the rim, the other with five cut-outs around the rim.
The suspension system can be modified by the modeler to show the wheels steering, but it is not expressly designed with that feature as an option.
The PaK40 has a choice of either a turned aluminum/styrene gun tube, or an all-styrene version.
Three different muzzle brake styles for the PaK40 are given, using a slide-mold for enhanced details; etched brass parts may also be used in lieu of styrene parts for the locking ring inside the brake.
The driver’s hatch can be modeled opened or closed.
The view-port flaps can be modeled opened or closed; they include clear parts for the vision blocks.
The vehicle width indicator poles are provided as styrene or turned brass parts, with the latter being accompanied by a bending guide on sprue “TF”.
Photo-etched brass parts are provided for the sliding parts of the PaK40 gun shields, a small access port cover for the lower rear plate, weld seam inserts for the kit-supplied jerry cans, and finally, the lift hooks on the superstructure edges.
A total of nine jerry cans are provided in styrene, but only six can be used, since that’s how many etched brass weld seam inserts are provided. They have separate mounting brackets and straps, but are curiously devoid of any form of the embossed inscriptions thought to be common on these items.
The hull interior is extraordinarily complete, including two complete driver’s seats with all controls; radio, transformers and rack; driver’s instrument panel, ammunition stowage lockers; various small items such as gas masks and MP40; engine compartment firewall, transmission cover, various frames, door handles and other details.
The cooling flaps for the engine deck are separate parts for added detail when opened; when closed there are separate parts to depict that.
There is a rack and spare tire for the rear end.
There are two different vehicle jacks provided as well as extra tools without straps or clamps, to aid those who may wish to add (not included) etched brass parts to them.

I compared the main moldings to the scale drawings in Jentz and Doyle’s Panzer Tracts No. 13, “Panzerspahwagen” and could not find any discrepancies of note. The main parts matched well and the location, size and positions of details also matched quite well. Photos also show the interior to be accurate (but this information is extremely limited), as are the different types of wheel hubs and fender/stowage locker units.

Molding is up to the usual high standards associated with the latest DML kits. Details are crisply-rendered and parts break-down generally allows for the smaller stuff to show up very nicely, especially in the area of the suspension and interior. The fit of the main parts is fine, although I am not thrilled with the fit of the superstructure (A2) to the lower hull (F). It will need work if there is to be no gap showing, although most of that is covered by the fender/stowage locker units. On the other hand, the front edge meets at the weld interlocks, which are rendered exactly as they would be in reality, a very nice touch. The lower hull part (F) and suspension system tunnel (G) are exquisitely rendered using a slide mold; these areas are light years ahead of the Italeri kit. It would have been nice if the hull side doors, as well as the engine deck access hatch lids were separate parts, but that is not a real issue. There are some knock-out pin marks on the inside of the driver’s hatch lid and the inside floor plate on the lower hull. They are quite faint and in almost all cases they are covered with other parts; the remainder are no problem and should disappear easily without compromising surrounding detail.

Unlike more recent machine guns (in DMLs “Gen2” figure sets, or the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D & E), the MG42 included here does not have a slide-molded, opened up bore, nor are the cooling slots on the top of the barrel jacket represented. I already mentioned the curious absence of embossed inscriptions on the jerry cans, but perhaps it is possible that these widely-used items came in a “plain” form. Another thing that I noticed when comparing Doyle’s drawings to the kit’s rendition of the mufflers is this: Doyle shows both exhaust pipes facing the same way (the port side points to port, the starboard side also points to port) while the kit shows them facing opposite ways (both face outwards from the center-line). I don’t know if this is a variation or an error on someone’s part, but the photos in Concord 7026 (see below) show Doyle to be correct. It is an extremely simple matter to correct: just put the part (E43) in backwards!

Remarkably for such a rare vehicle type, the two color/marking schemes given both check out against references; the above-mentioned Panzer Tracts book has a photo of WH-1758535, while Jakl’s “May 1945 in the Czech Lands” has a photo of “Blucher”. The color notes are confusing. Color H47/41 is called out in the drawings, but not listed on page two of the instructions. Color H80/54 is listed as a “khaki-green”. I would refer to the color drawings on the box top with the following notes: WH-1758535 should have a base color of Rot primer, with Dunkelgelb in a hard-edge pattern. “Blucher” might be in a three-color scheme, but the photo is inconclusive in this respect; if I were modeling it, I’d also opt for the two-color scheme seen on WH-1758535. Most photos seen depicting these late production armored cars seem to indicate a two-color scheme; see for instance page 66, Concord 7026, “4.panzer-Division (2)”, although I do not agree with the author’s interpretation of the colors.

The remaining decals cover the instrument panel dial faces and will allow the modeler to create specific license plates for any vehicle he can find references for. Finally, there are markings for the PaK40 ammo boxes and containers. But beware, since the instructions only call for the addition of markings to the large boxes; no mention is made of the placement for data stencils on the ammo tubes or the rounds themselves. I suppose if you have a PaK40 kit, it will direct you in that respect.

This kit will certainly please fans of late-war German armored cars, and since it heralds an entire new series, it will have the SGFs out there (relax…it is a jocular term) chomping at the bit for their favorite version. I’ll be one of ‘em…

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

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

- Frank De Sisto