Dragon Models Ltd
2cm Flak Crew w/Sd.Ah.51 Trailer
Kit Number: 6368
Reviewed by  Kip Rudge, IPMS# 40597

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MSRP: $10.95

Sometimes I can never quite figure out what model manufacturers are thinking when they release a kit. And then it occurs to me that perhaps it is not important that I understand...

But then it also occurs to me that the only thing that separates us from the monkeys (besides credit card debt), is the desire to understand what model companies intend for us.

And so it goes with this figure/accessory kit from Dragon.

What's in the box is a four-figure (as opposed to full-figured) crew for the 2cm Flak 38 6288 and the Sd.Ah.51 trailer to tote the gun around on. The paradox exists in that if you have the AA gun, then you have a trailer, but if you buy this crew set, you have another trailer. Now the possibility exists that another company has issued a kit that can be carried on the Sd.Ah.51 and DML has thoughtfully provided a means of transport... but nothing comes to mind right off the bat. Some people ponder cold-fusion; I cogitate on extra Sd.Ah.51s littering model benches across the globe. Sigh...

In any event, DML has delivered a pretty nice crew to populate virtually any light to medium flak piece you may be building. Provided is a gun operator, spotter and two loaders, along with the aforementioned and puzzling Sd.Ah.51. Also in the box is a spare barrel case with a couple of boxes for 20mm ammo magazines.

The figures are not Gen 2 or premium edition, but don't let that deter you. They are well detailed and the poses, while not overly animated, are enough to impart life to your scene.

All the figures sport the Luftwaffe flak uniform, which I think is a first in 1/35th styrene figures.

The figures assembled in the usual DML manner, which is to say fairly quickly and without incident. The ammo magazines fit nicely into the hands of the loaders. Unfortunately the binoculars for the spotter in my example were broken, so I just built him pretending to search the sky for planes. For the most part, the Ron Volstad-designed figures are well proportioned outside of my unconfirmed notion that the shoulders are just slightly too broad. And I only got that impression from one figure, so it may be my imagination ... or incompetence.

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The trailer is a simple, straightforward build that results in a very nice rendition of a pretty common piece of German equipment. I can't compare it to similar efforts of other manufacturers, but I was impressed by the detail and crispness of the moldings. Careful painting and weathering could make this a really nice background piece to help bring a larger scene to life. Would have been nice if Dragon had taken the trailer a step further and provided parts to build the ubiquitous ammo trailer for the flak.

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All in all, the set is a sweet little addition to your flak project. I think the word is - Potential.

Thanks to Dragon USA for this review sample.

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