Model Forum / General / Models / October 2005

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No.
7223; Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. C; 135 parts (127 in grey styrene, 5 etched
brass, 2 in tan DS plastic, 1 section of metal wire); retail price
$11.98

Advantages: very nice, clean model of this popular vehicle in "small
scale"; unique but effective method of assembling running gear

Disadvantages: RP parts (as in right puny!)

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German WWII "Small Scale" fans

F I R S T    L O O K

    DML has been doing a really bang-up job on many different versions of
the popular German 251 series halftracks in 1/35 scale, and has now
started releasing a line of 1/72 scale kits of these armored personnel
carriers. The first one out is a welded hull Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C with
a really comprehensive decal sheet providing at least seven different
painting and marking options.

    The kit is not an actual pantograph of the larger kits, which would
make it a nightmare to try and assemble, but still appears based on the
same research and drawings used for the 1/35 scale kits. I remember
years ago getting an Edori one which was both simplified and apparently
made in ABS plastic and trying to turn it into a decent 251 model in
1/76 scale, and now this kit solves the entire problem in one go.

    The lower hull is a single piece pan, less the rear area, and the
axles are molded on the lower hull. The running gear for each side
consists of a rear (inside) wheel section, a center wheel section,
three outer road wheels, and drivers. Once installed the connectors
between the individual wheels on the inside and the center are not
visible, so it helps speed up assembly while making it easier to get
things aligned. Tracks are the gluable DS plastic, so you can also get
them to settle down on top of the road wheels with some care.

    The model comes with simplified (well, compared to the 1/35 version)
interior fittings but they are quite tiny as noted and will require a
good deal of care. Interior bits include the various control levers,
rifles, MP submachine guns, and other items. The hinge mechanisms for
the doors are single pieces, but are non-operating types. They cement
to the lower rear section, as the upper hull has the rear angular parts
of the hull attached to it. The four front viewers are separate parts
and can be cemented either open or closed as well, as is the hood
assembly with two flaps. No engine or interior is provided for the
engine bay.

    The fenders are one-piece units, but the stowage bins are only offered
as closed parts. The front MG 34 shield is offered as either a single
piece of styrene or a three-piece etched brass option. Other RP parts
include the "Notek" headlight and mount and the drum magazines for
the two MG 34 machine guns. The weapons appear to be very close to
scale, something I don't recall from other manufacturers in the past!

    Painting and marking options are provided for: "Grossdeutschland",
Kursk 1943 (sand with green and brown stripes); "Grossdeutschland"
Eastern Front 1942 (grey); 4th Panzer Division, Eastern Front 1943
(sand); "Grossdeutschland", Eastern Front 1943 (sand with grey
bands); unknown unit, Eastern Front 1943 (sand); 4th Panzer Division,
Eastern Front 1944 (sand with mottled camouflage); Panzer Lehr, Hungary
1944 (sand with green and red-brown bands). A number jungle is provided
for the license plates.

    Overall this is a nice effort and only needs figures to really set it
off.

    Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell