6247, Sd.Kfz.251/16 Ausf.D Flammpanzerwagen. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 454 styrene parts (plus eight clear and 284 for track links), two bags of "E-Z Track", one etched brass fret, 17 DS-100 parts, self-adhesive mirror disks, two turned brass parts, one piece of woven cloth tube, two metal parts, two water-slide decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in 18 steps.

REVIEWER'S NOTE: this and the newly-released (and very similar) "/23" 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.

Yet again, DML has released another version of the ubiquitous mittlerer Schutzenpanzerwagen Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D, the "slash 16" Flammpanzerwagen (armored flame-throwing vehicle). It is naturally based on the latest iterations of the basic Ausf.D kit, along with the special parts that make up the /16, taken also from the previously-released model based on the Ausf.C chassis.

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, minus knock-out pin marks, on sprues 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 sprockets are centered in the rim facets; they should be offset forward and therefore "handed" for each side. In addition, the roller bearings are rather under-sized. 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, 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.

The troop compartment is chock full of gear for the pair of staggered waist-mounted 14mm Strahlrohren (spray tubes) flamethrowers. The DKW moter-driven Kobe pump is nicely-rendered and contains styrene parts, woven cloth hoses for the spray tubes and solder for piping. A pair of fuel tanks is provided, one for each spray tube, while new vertically-oriented rifle racks are given to stow the crew's individual weapons. There are also two new single seats for the flame projector operators, as well as other stowage items unique to this vehicle. Shield variations (with optional etched brass detail parts) are also provided for the flame projectors, which also include various levers and locking devices. The wealth of detail given presents a complete and intricate group of assemblies, which are the real center of attraction for this model.

A pair of new figures is supplied; these are produced using DS-100 soft styrene for enhanced detail. They both have alternate heads, one of which includes the special protective hoods and goggles. The usual shielded MG is provided for the front of the m.SPW, while there is also an MG for the rear-mounted AA position. The machine-guns are the later MG42, both of which have separate drum magazines and mounts. The rear doors can be shown opened or closed and feature separate levers and locking hardware, with optional etched brass parts. A separate "T"-shaped external opening handle is also provided, something seen only on DML kits of the Ausf.D.

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 and roof plates 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 engine deck access hatch lids are separate parts, 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.

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 Balkenkreuz national insignia and two sets of Tac numbers. The third sheet consists of the dial faces for the driver's instrument panel. Two sets of markings are provided; they are:

- "Blue/white 644", unidentified unit and location, Summer 1944, in a base of Dunkelgelb with Olivgrun and Rotbraun overspray.
- "Red/white 214, 5.SS-Panzer-Division, Warsaw, Poland, Summer 1944, in a base of Dunkelgelb with Olivgrun and Rotbraun overspray.

References indicate the markings given are correct, although the 5.SS vehicle is listed as simply "5.Panzer-Division".

This kit has some extraordinary detail for the interior and flamethrower units, giving it a unique and properly busy look. As with all DML Sd.Kfz.251s, there are some annoying problems, but the kit still has a rather strong appeal. And, that's much better than a stick in the eye!

Highly recommended.

- Frank De Sisto