Model Forum / General / Models / September 2008

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Armor Pro Series Kit No.7371;
Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Ausf. C Rivetted Version and 3.7 cm Pak 35/36; 169
parts(152 in grey styrene, 14 etched brass, 2 DS plastic track runs, 1
length of stiff wire); price about US$14-16

Advantages: very nice, clean model of this popular vehicle in “small
scale”; unique but effective method of assembling running gear; towed
“doorknocker” nicely done

Disadvantages: RP parts (as in right puny!)

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German WWII “Small Scale” fans

After some hiatus DML has issued another variant of their popular
1/72 scale family of German medium halftracks, this time as the
infantry carrier with a towed version of the 3.7mm Pak 35/36 antitank
gun.

Recent information continues to give a better picture of why the
Germans were so unhappy with this gun so soon in the war. Designed in
tandem with the Soviets in 1930, at that time the gun was capable of
defeating any armor being built in the world. But by the time it got
into service, heavier armor was beginning to come off the production
lines (such as the Char 2B) and when the Germans went into Russia it
was nearly useless against the new T-34 and KV tank designs. One
recent Russian article noted the frustration of a German antitank team
leader whose gunner put 20 shots into a T-34 at point blank range
(about 100 meters) but did no useful damage. He noted the only thing
that saved them was the fact that the Soviet tankers could not see him
as he was in a blind spot for the tank’s crew.

While the Soviets changed the design of the gun to 45mm caliber so it
could fire a useful HE or canister round, the Germans were stuck with
this gun and could only use it as an auxiliary weapon after the
Soviets began to replace their pre-war and early model light tanks
with heavier ones.

For this kit DML has combined their previous Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. C hull
with its applique etched brass lower hull riveting with molds based on
their “Stroke 10" commander’s variants with the 3.7 cm gun on the roof
of the fighting compartment with a brand new carriage for the gun.
Therefore the kit is as previous models.

The new upper hull, like the previous Cs and Ds, is not a pantograph
of the larger kits but is based on the same research and drawings. 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.

Unlike the last Ausf. C kit (7306) this kit no longer comes with the
option of either the C (welded) or C (rivetted) upper hulls. Therefore
the modeler must use six sections of etched brass for the lower hull
applique to provide scale rivets. As before openings have been left to
mount the fenders through the brass to the hull.

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 with the stowage bins still closed
parts. 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!

The Pak 35/36 gun is very neatly done with a “slide molded” open
bore so it is up to speed with the larger kits. The gun comes on a
small sprue of two parts and a full carriage of 17 parts comes on
another. The modeler has a choice of towed or deployed configurations,
and the gun is very petite and nicely done. No brass gun shield option
is provided of the gun.

Directions are standard DML fare, but due to the fewer parts in their
1/72 series kits they are not as busy and much easier to read.

Painting and marking options are provided for one unit, our old
friend “Unidentified unit”, Eastern Front 1942, with hasty mud stripe
camouflage over grey.) Two generic Cartograf sheets (crosses and
license plates) are provided.

Overall another nice effort, and for early war modeling or dioramas
this will be a nice choice.

Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

Interesting - Thanks for that.

Re the gun - The Germans developed a hollow charge round that fitted over
the outside of the muzzle, this was fired using a blank. IIRC this was
effective against a T34 but not much use against the KV (which is why the
Germans started using the 88mm AA guns in the AT role in the first place,
although these did have a telescopic sight wheras the British 3.7 inch did
not (designed for electronic control)).

Regards

Mike