Dragon

1/35 Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C Riveted Version

Kit Number 6246

Reviewed By Bruce Drummond, #37265

I don’t know about you, but, I’ve been waiting for an early riveted Armored Personnel vehicle.  I happen to like the early war period and the various types of equipment used.  Rivets, man, and lots of them.

Upon receiving this kit for review I found the box art appealing.  This is another of Dragon’s continuing 39’- 45’ series.  The box claims there are 564 total parts included.  They are molded in the typical gray I’ve often seen from the Dragon Company.  Of these, 9 will automatically be assigned to your parts box.  They are mainly to update date this vehicle to a transitional vehicle before the next actual production series.  In other words you can delete most of the rivets by using these extra parts.  Your option.

188 individual pieces make up the track sections.  These require minor cleanup and work well when being pieced together.  They are assembled by linking each track then gluing the track pad over the pins thus locking each link together.  With slow and careful work and gluing each length of track will be movable and attachment made easy.  I will say here that I did not notice in the instructions about how many links are needed for each side, therefore, you must test fit to the vehicle after building a reasonable length.  I can say you will have enough pieces left (about 10) to make an extra section of spares for stowage on the vehicle.

The decals provided come in two sheets and appear to be in register.  The main sheet covers Unit markings from the 1st Division all the way up to and including the 14th Division.  The smaller set covers enough numbers and white background plated to cover up to 4 individual vehicles.  They should pretty much cover any number needed to cover your favorite reference photo.  They also offered few extras for in the vehicle like a pair of shoes, 1 open and loose jacket, and 1 neatly folded.  These are a soft plastic.  I used enamel based paint on mine and am still waiting for them to dry.  I suggest an acrylic paint for these.  The instructions are typical of this company and are easy to read.  My only complaint is, as with other kits, is why they do not state how many separate links make up a complete run.

The figures given in this kit, of which there are 5 total, are of early and later uniformed types.  Some have early 39 or 40 pattern uniforms with jackboots, while others have the 1943 pattern Uniform with gaiters and low anklet shoes.  There is one driver figure dressed in a tankers Uniform or SPG type.  Go figure.  He will also need some trimming to make him fit behind the driver’s wheel and his feet do not reach the pedals.  Do you think that someone will make a 10 man crew that will actually fit this vehicle?  Maybe aftermarket?

I never scale out a kit and this one is no exception.  I did not notice many discrepancies from any reference photos, except maybe the dashboard.  The instrument panel has a cluster of 3 small gauges, while my book shows four for an early C model.  The only other noticeable item was the round drum storage box between the 2 front seats.  This was not in the kit.

I enjoyed building this kit and used only a small amount of putty when joining the upper and lower body halves.  Just be careful no to erase any rivets when cleaning up.  Any interior paint colors followed kit suggestions with the overall dark gray being added to the interior and exterior.

As always, a kit basher will always find improvement and with the addition of some aftermarket items will have a real great and effective representation of this important German vehicle and its variants.

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