ModelArt

AFV Super Detail Photo Book #9 SdKfz.7

Reviewed By  Andrew Birkbeck, IPMS# 27087

MSRP: 2800 JPY (approx $28.00) Website: www.modelart.jp There has been a recent sudden rush by the model kit firms to produce models of the heavy work prime mover of the German Armies of WW2, the Sd.kfz. 7 eight-ton half-track. First, there was Trumpeter who issued 1/35 kits of the standard prime mover, the Sd.kfz. 7, and recently added the "early" quad 20mm Flak version, the Sd.kfz. 7/1. Recently, DML/Dragon also come on board, offering their version of the Sd.kfz. 7/1 with quad 20mm Flak, with the prime mover version due out soon. Both firms have "future" releases covering other variants. Historically Tamiya also has multiple versions of the Sd.kfz. 7 in 1/35, and Bandai back in the ‘70s issued a reasonable version of the standard prime mover in 1/48, while Hasegawa issued both the prime mover and the quad 20mm Flak version in 1/72. I think Eidai of Japan also issued one or more versions in 1/76 (again in the mid-‘70s) and these represent just the injection-molded plastic versions, as I know of at least one kit done in cast metal in 1/48, and I am sure the resin boys have also been busy over the years too. So, the modeler has quite a choice when it comes to choosing a kit of this extremely important German military vehicle.

With these releases in mind, we turn to this lovely publication by ModelArt of Japan. The 96-page, softcover book measures 8.25 by 11.75 inches. The first pages provide the reader with a reasonably well-rounded history of this 8-ton half-track written in both Japanese and English. The English text has been provided by Alan Ranger from the UK, a modeler who, like myself, grew up in the ‘60s building Airfix kits only to stumble upon the superb new kits coming from Asian model manufacturers in the ‘70s. Despite this, the English doesn’t always flow that well in some areas so, either the publishers had an editing issue, or something was lost in translation. But this is a minor criticism because the written text is, for the most part, clearly understandable. In reading the history section, one learns that there were ten versions of the Sd.kfz.7, from standard prime mover to a control vehicle for the launching of V-2 rockets, and that a total of four German manufacturers produced these vehicles (just over 12,000 in total); the two biggest being Krauss Maffei (the prime contractor for the vehicle) and Borgward. After the introductory history, the reader is launched into a series of chapters on various sub-sections of the standard Sd.kfz. 7 prime mover: engine cover, driver’s cab, crew compartment and the rear storage compartment. Within these sections, the reader will find dozens and dozens of color photos of museum and private collection vehicles, together with black-and-white period photos. All the photos come clearly reproduced and each section is accompanied by a written description of what you are looking at, together with more history on the various production changes that occurred in each area during the vehicles’ production run. Following the Sd.kfz. 7 coverage is coverage of the Sd.kfz. 7/1, the quad 20mm Flak version. Here again are dozens of color photos of museum exhibits, showing both the tractor and more coverage of the quad 20mm Flak unit itself. Again, the photos come supplemented with a nice written history of the vehicle and its guns. Next comes the section on the Sd.kfz. 7/2, which was the 37mm single-barrel Flak variant of this vehicle. Again, dozens of color photos of a museum example (both the vehicle and the Flak gun) together with a nicely-written history. The book then concludes with photo and written coverage of the Sd.kfz.7 vehicle chassis, front wheels, rear running gear, and the tracks. Once again, this section is filled with scores of color photos and a few wartime black-and-white photos. Rounding off the book are three pages of 1/35 scale drawings. In conclusion, this is a brilliant book perfectly suited to anyone contemplating building any of the current (and future) kits in 1/35, 1/48 and 1/72 scales. For the price, it offers excellent value for money and I recommend it without reservation. My thanks to Model Art providing the review sample.