Dragon

1/35 Sd.Kfz 251/17 Ausf D

w/2cm Schwebelafette

Kit Number 6292

Reviewed By Dave Morrissette, #33653

Talking with some of the armor guys in IPMS, they have been singing the praises of lots of Dragons releases and when the opportunity to review this kit came up, I begged John Noack for the chance.

Being a plane and figure guy, I am used to buying a kit and looking for some aftermarket to add to it.  Dragon eliminates the looking.  How?  This kit comes with the following:

• 17 clean, crisp sprues of gray plastic
• 3 photo-etch sheets
• 1 pre-formed PE gun shield
• EZ Link track, bagged and not on the sprue
• 1 clear sprue
• Three turned metal parts including the gun barrel
• Resin tarp cover for the back
• 2 decal sheets and one aluminized paper (for mirrors)

This is one heavy box!

First choice for me was to decide a scheme and I choose the winter scheme for the Fuhrer Grenadier Brigade, Luxembourg, 1944.  There are eight total schemes to choose from, with lots of variety.

The kit starts with the bottom and there is a transmission, gas tank, axles and muffler included which the floor will cover.  The running gear arms are attached and I must say there are the best molded tiniest parts I have ever seen! I spent lots of floor time communing with the carpet throughout the build looking for a piece that leapt from the tweezers! Bottom assembly would finish with the road wheels and the front tires but I left these off for easier painting.

The interior is built next and there are plenty of options to fill it up besides the parts in the directions.  There are extra rifles, machine guns, gas cans and all manner of stuff for the lived in look.  Decals are individually printed for each dial on the instrument panel.  There are two seat options also.

Once the floor is done, it is attached to the bottom and you need make sure things are aligned as from this point on, you will be building off of the bottom with the angled sides and front.  I painted a majority of the interior prior to installing the sides and had no problems.  The sides and top install well but small amounts of putty were required to smooth things out.  Options occur throughout the build as far as using PE or plastic pieces and the option is the modelers.  The tools chests were attached to the sides and a final quick sand and wash was done to get the vehicle ready for paint.

I turned my attention to the 35-piece 2 cm gun.  I used the PE options as they fit very well and added detail.  I used the pre-formed PE gun shield and all part fit well.  I also elected to use the turned metal barrel to make sure the barrel was true to shape.  Dragon included a form on the side of the gun sprue to make sure the alignment is perfect.  You just assemble the gun in the form and it is true and square - a great touch.  Again, they are very small and it is worth taking the time to make the sub assemblies called out in the instructions for an accurate and true fit.  The gun is very nice when built up.

Last, I assembled the two front tires and the road wheels for the tracks.  Things went smoothly and I coated all of the parts with Humbrol matt HU083 Ochre followed with a misty pattern of green and dark red.  Decals were applied after a gloss coat and went on well.  I then misted the white camouflage pattern over the top per the drawing and sealed to let dry.

Now the part I was most fearful of- the individual track lengths.  I can say, for me, this took a little getting used to using but with Testors cement and some patience, the links are very nice.  Two patterns are offered with the kit- one as EZ Link and the other as two sprues.  The EZ links are already detached and that is a huge plus.  These were painted and attached and the weathering commenced with MiG powder, real rust and multiple washes.  I final fault and the little shiny piece for the mirror and done.

I have two observations, first, what a nice kit- good fit, great detail and many, many options Second, what a huge value.  All the metal, PE and plastic is a mere $32.  Heck, most 1/48 planes are more than that without all the goodies.  I can heartily recommend this offering to anyone interested in armor - it is a wonderful kit and the extras make after market parts unnecessary.

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