Product Specifications.

7306, Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C mit Wurfrahmen 40. 1/72nd-scale styrene/multimedia kit, containing 209 styrene parts, two DS-100 track lengths, two photo-etched brass frets, three waterslide decal/markings schemes and six pages of instructions in eight steps.

Introduction.

This latest effort is based upon the previously released Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.C, and is essentially the base troop-carrier kit plus three new identical sprues for the rockets, their shipping/launching frames and the vehicle launcher's mounting gear. A dedicated etched brass fret and water-slide decals complete the new parts.

Tracks.

The tracks are presented in the now standard DS-100 flexible styrene material, which can be assembled using standard styrene cement. They are nicely-rendered for this scale and the material they are molded in also makes it easier to depict the characteristic sag seen on this type of track.

Suspension System.

Up front the conventional, un-powered wheels and tires are fitted to a nicely-detailed if delicate steering mechanism and leaf spring unit. For complete detail, the steering linkage is a separate part that connects this unit to the underside of the driver's compartment. There are separate final drive housings surmounted by two-piece drive sprockets; the latter do not have the rollers in the proper off-set position, but in this scale, it should go unnoticed.

The suspension system includes an essentially fool-proof method of assembly, starting with the two inner sets of road-wheels molded as a single part each. The first outer set of road-wheels is also a single part and is attached to the inner set, followed by the four outer-most road-wheels, which are all separate parts for proper definition. These are all fixed to a one-piece lower chassis tub (with integrally-molded torsion bar arms) ensuring proper alignment and spacing of a relatively complex suspension system. This is very convenient, since any misalignment will be easily noticed, especially in this scale. On the other hand, articulating the suspension in order to fit it to rough terrain in a diorama will be rather difficult. All things considered, I think the kit's designers chose wisely.

Hull.

As is the case with all these kits, the hull/belly pan is a single part that includes the lower superstructure side plates. This makes for an easier construction sequence as well as guaranteeing that the various body panels are all properly aligned.

Superstructure.

The troop compartment doors can be depicted opened or closed. The upper superstructure has the handrail seen along its inside edge molded integrally with it as well as a representation of the internal equipment mounting plate (which was not "spaced armor"); it also features separate engine access hatch lids. All tools are separate parts as are all head- and tail-lamps, turn signal indicators, and license plates (with the option to use etched brass or styrene parts). The fenders are nicely detailed with delicate bolt patterns and seams, while the stowage lockers are simply designed but exhibit maximum details. There are etched brass mud flaps for a delicate appearance. The forward machine-gun shield is presented as a styrene item only (curiously, the etched brass part seen in previous kits is absent), while there are tiny snail-drum magazines for the (rather plain) front and rear-mounted MG34s. There are two nicely-rendered jerry cans (using slide molds) and their racks, which are designed to be fitted to each of the rear doors; I suppose they could be mounted elsewhere as well. The rather bulky antenna mount and rod antenna are given, but the modeler is told they are not for use; use them and place the assembly as per references (it mounts towards the front of the top edge of the starboard side superstructure plate…remember to account for the rocket launch frames before nailing it down).

Interior.

The interior of such a vehicle is always the center of attention, and here, as in the previous '251 kits, DML has pulled out the stops. The driver's compartment has separate controls (shift levers, steering wheel and column, but no foot pedals) as well as nicely-rendered seats. There is a radio on its rack as well as view-port flaps with internal details; these can also be shown opened or closed. The internal braces that attached the front section to the rear are provided as are various stowage bins and MP40s with molded-on stowage brackets. Further back, there are rifle racks (a total of four Kar98ks are provided), bench seats, fire extinguishers and internal door hinges. The floor plate has a properly-proportioned transmission hump and delicately-rendered "dot pattern" non-skid texture on the various panels.

Rockets, Frames and Mounts.

These items are extremely delicately-molded and will look quite complex when assembled. There are etched brass parts to represent the outer plates upon which the launch box support arms were mounted; these are superimposed over more robust inner styrene parts. Then the separate arms are installed and finally the launch boxes themselves; these are textured to represent the wooden type (the box art shows the metal type). The six 32cm incendiary rockets are a single part each and include the fuse molded on the nose; remove the fuses and drill a hole in their place if your model is to represent a vehicle in travel mode. There is no detail at the nozzle ends which is curious; DML could have easily supplied etched brass disks with the proper openings spaced around the rim. I suppose that Eduard will do it when they release their inevitable etched brass detail set for this kit. Or, the modeler could detail the area himself; good luck!

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

In the main, the fit of the parts is quite fine. There are no ejector pin marks on any visible inner or outer surface and there are no sink marks anywhere to be seen.

Accuracy and Details.

Overall, the proper-appearing parts are in their proper locations. I have no 1/72nd-scale plans to compare the kit to, but will say that it looks good using the "System, Eyeball, Mk.1" that I was born with. More of an effort could have been expended on some of the smaller details such as the MG34s, the rocket exhaust ports and the drive sprockets; these are all items that would be difficult for the modeler to re-work.

Instructions.

The kit is relatively complicated, especially since there are lots of internal parts as well as all the small parts for the rocket launcher frames. So, the instructions will need careful scrutiny. They are clearly drawn and broken down into eight main steps, each with sub-steps. Except for not telling the modeler to use the antenna base and aerial (and for showing where the unit should be mounted), I found no major glitches. The painting instructions are in full-color, with colors called out using Testors or Gunze product codes.

Decals and Markings Information.

Waterslide decals from Italy's Cartograf are supplied for a total of three vehicles, including:

- Sturm-Panzer-Pionier-Abteilung 500, Warsaw, Poland, 1944, overall Dunkelgelb.
- 11.Panzer-Division, Ostfront 1942, overall Dunkelgrau.
- Unknown Unit, Ostfront 1945, overall winter whitewash.

The markings consist of only variations of Balkenkreuz national insignia, with the whitewashed vehicle having license plates on the bow and stern (with variations). Therefore, they can be considered "generic" and thus I did not research them for accuracy. In fact, they are so generic that there are no specific license plates given; the modeler must assemble the registration numbers from individual designs. These guys are very tiny, so again, good luck! With some research, the modeler can come up with other schemes, which may be preferred since these are rather mundane. There are no markings provided for the rockets either, which is a shame since this would have been a nice little detail. As usual, the printing of the decals is crisp featuring excellent registration, color saturation and very thin matte carrier film.

Conclusion.

Another nice variation of a popular vehicle series should keep Braille Scale fans of this widely-used German half-track quite content. With just a bit more effort by the manufacturer, this would have been a great kit; but "good" should prove to be "good enough".

Recommended.

- Frank De Sisto