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"... This kit has some extraordinary detail for the interior and flamethrower units ..." <full
review here>
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DML
6247: Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Ausf. D Flammpanzerwagen
Equipped with two 14mm flamethrower projectors, one mounted on each side of the hull, the Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Ausf. D Flammpanzerwagen was effective in attacking enemy troops in bunkers, cellars or in positioned secured by barbed wire. Combat reports indicate that they were particularly effective in counter attackers or at night when the fires caused by the flames lit up the battlefield to the advantage of accompanying infantry. Six Sd.Kfz. 251/16 flammpanzerwagen were authorised for issue to each Panzergrenadier regiment.
This new kit is based on Dragon・s recent Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf D half-track series and features the parts to equip the half-track with the later configuration of the flamethrower system. This version featured new flamethrower projectors with new blank cartridge ignition system and new larger shields for the operators (new sprue V), while deleting the 10mm hand held flamethrower, which had previously been mounted on the rear, but had been considered impractical in some field briefings. As with Dragon・s Ausf C version of the 251/16 the kit includes the Kobe fuel pump and two internal containers, which held the 700 litres of flame oil.
As expected most of the sprues come from Dragon's existing 251 Ausf D range and this kit includes the upgraded parts from later releases. The upper hull has the more common split engine access hatch on the bonnet. The model also contains a new PE fret. The kit contains around 800 parts and many sub-components have been broken down into multiple parts, hence it will require several modelling sessions to build. While well suited for most modellers, care should be taken when aligning key parts such as the road wheels.
CONTENTS
The Kobe fuel pump and its 1.1 litre engine, the fuel tanks, pipes and the flame projectors are the kit・s distinguishing parts and are crisply molded with many detailed parts. The parts, including the operator・s shields (injection plastic only), have been designed to be free of visible casting marks and the completed flamethrower system is an impressive mini-model own its own. Two of the tubes require shortening. The guardrails for the projectors are pre-formed metal parts and are attached to the top of the fighting compartment by PE brackets.
The instructions suggest fitting a rifle rack on a sidewall. A photo of a Sd.Kfz. 251/16 Ausf C shows this rack fitted. However other references indicate that the small arms were often a forward machine gun and the two MP38/40 submachine guns (included in kit). These automatic weapons were well suited to the close quarter fighting which the 251/16 was used for.
Some of the features and upgrades including in this kit are:
Braided
string for the projector hoses 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 from experience can be removed quickly from the sprue with a fresh blade, but make sure to correctly align the three pins on the pad and be sparing with the glue. The other are 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.
The multi-fold instruction sheet has 17 steps and drawings in the black, white and blue format, which are printed in a good large size and appear easy to follow.
CREW
This model includes Dragon styrene figures for three of the four crew members. The driver figure wears a M43 field cap and M1942 field jacket with matching trousers and ankle length boots. The two flame projector operators each wear flame protective clothing and have a choice of heads, one with a field cap and the other wearing the protective mask and goggles. Each operator has a different pose and both are in action. The fourth (not included) crewman was the commander who also manned the forward MG and the radio.
MARKINGS The instruction sheet has four view profiles of two half-tracks. The one shown on the box art belonged to the 5th Panzer Division when fighting in Warsaw in 1944 and was dark yellow with irregular green camouflage lines. The other ：644； which has a colour side profile on the side of the box, is from an unidentified unit on the Eastern Front 1944 and has a three colour camouflage with large ．cloud・ like brown and green patterns.
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 three Balkan Crosses (black centre with white outline) and the tactical numbers ：644； (blues with white outline) and ：214； (red with white outline).
RECOMMENDATION With all the crisp detail and interest of the flamethrower system ensures that the Sd.Kfz 251/16 Ausf D with its unique fighting compartment will look impressive when finished, while also being rewarding to build. The inclusion of the flamethrower operator figures, choice of tracks and various mixed media parts adds to the kit・s appeal and value for money. Definitely recommended.
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"... The kit shows how the 251 series has evolved, for they now offer such niceties as doors for the side stowage bins over the fenders and ..." <full
review here>
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