Griffon Models

1/35 Sd.Kfz.138 Ausf H 15 cm sIG 33/1 "Grille" Premium Detail Set For the Dragon kit #6470

Stock Number: L350007

Reviewed By  Tom Moon, IPMS# 43192

MSRP: $85.95 Website: www.griffonmodel.com Review sample provided by Dragon Models USA www.dragonmodelsusa.com The Contents: This detail set is marketed as a Premium Edition package that consists of smaller sets for the same model, brought together in one package and offered at a savings as compared to buying them individually. The set arrives nicely packaged and protected in a rectangular box, containing all the parts plus foam packaging for protection. There are actually four sets contained in the box; L35028 - Detail PE set for the WWII German Sd. Kfz. 138/1 Ausf H 15cm s.I.G. 33/1 "Grille"; This set contains 8 frets of photo etch and several lengths of wire, ABS rod, and copper tubing. It also includes a piece of film upon which the instrument gauges are printed. L35A029 - WWII German Cartridge Cases for the 15cm s.I.G. 33; This set contains 2 frets of photo etch and 1 sheet of decals for the ammo cases. L35A043 - Brass Preformed 15cm Shell Projectile Containers for the WWII German Sd. Kfz. 138/1 Ausf H "Grille" ; This set contains 1 fret of photo etch and 7 preformed containers. L35A044 - 15cm Shell Cartridge Storage Bins for WWII German Sd. Kfz. 138/1 Ausf H 15cm s.I.G. 33/1 "Grille"; This set contains 2 identical frets of photo etch and 4 pieces of tubing to make the cartridges. If you so desire, Griffon Models has a set of preformed cartridges (L35A047) to add to these bins. Plus a bonus item is included- A resin machine gun.

The Build: I will take each set separately and comment on it and how it interfaces with the Main set (35028) and the model. L35A044 is the set for the cartridge storage bins and it includes 4 cartridges to be made from round tubing instead of requiring you to roll a flat piece into a tube. This makes for a much better looking cartridge. The individual cases are made and then stacked for mounting into the forward part of the fighting compartment. If you want to display the bin in the open position this set will be what you need. The internal structure of the bin is provided, so you can display the bin open with or without a cartridge stored. The most difficult part of this set is embossing the ribs on the bottom and top of the bins. L35A029 is for a variant of the cartridge storage bins. This set depicts individual carrying cases that would hold 2 cartridges. These can be depicted open or closed. The cartridges are to be formed by rolling a flat piece into a tube. If you intend to store the cartridge in the case the seam created by the rolling can be hidden. These parts I would classify as add-ons' as they do not replace any part of the model. L35A043 is for the preformed brass ready round containers. These are a great improvement over what is required in the regular set. The regular detail set takes the plastic ready round container part and adds the retaining straps. This set has the ready round containers made of preformed brass and you add the retaining straps and the painted ready round. The only drawback here is that the kit only provides 4 ready rounds, so unless you obtain more rounds, 3 of the containers will be empty. L35028 is the main set. This is a very extensive set and takes 8 pages of detailed instructions to cover all the parts. The interior is covered in the first 2 pages. There are additional detail parts to go with the transmission cover. The instrument panel is made up of the film to depict the gauges. The steering mechanism is a multiple choice for the builder. 1. Use the kit part. 2. Use the PE replacement part provided by Dragon. 3. Use the Griffon PE replacement part. I used the Griffon part and if you are careful during assembly, the individual levers can be moved to depict any range of movement.

The second page depicts the rebuild of the driver's seat. Be careful in the placement of the seat because you can set it too far back and it will interfere with the gun. The rear firewall has 2 different options for you to choose from, the first is an elaborate left panel vs. a plain one. The second is the right side that can be made from 3 parts or a plain one. This page also starts to update the rear deck and back end. The moveable intake screen requires careful planning to get it in place without damage.

Page 3 starts with the fender replacements. This requires the embossing of the ribs, which is a task that I have never been able to correctly do. I can get the ribs in okay, but the flat part of the fender is bowed so I resorted to using the kit fenders. If you want to correct the fender to show the kink found towards the middle you will need to use the PE fenders. Using this part will make a difference in the overall look of the model and could set your model apart from the rest. The rest of page 3 covers the pioneer tools and jack.

Page 4 details the rest of the pioneer tools and the many replacement boxes that dot the interior of the fighting compartment. The next task to tackle is the rebuild of the radio racks and frames. The first warning I can give you is that the rack is extremely fragile. It will bend if you look at it too hard. The second warning is the replacement frame A14 with the A49 spacers will not fit into the part A1 rack. To fix this I tried to fit the replacement frame A14 into the kit rack. It would also not fit as the frame with the radio is too tall. So, I removed the spacer A49 and fashioned smaller replacement spacers with plastic card.

Page 5 starts with the installation of the ready round containers (see L35A043). The storage box that sits on the rear deck is updated with a new frame, hinges and locks. Part F32, the cabinet, is too large to fit into the PE frame. The rest of this page in consumed with the building of the false floor with operating hinges to show the storage bins below. They look really good and would make for some wonderful diorama possibilities. However, the basic problem is that you have two choices of Gun mount supports. A single height I beam (Kit part F53) or stepped height plates (kit part F26 and F27). If you want to install the false floor, use the stepped height plate's kit parts F26 and F27. This will allow the false floor to sit directly on the floor without a tilt. Page 6 consists of a spring loaded plate that covers the front shield opening when the gun is raised toward its maximum elevation. This is a definite improvement over the kit part. Using the wire simulates a spring very well. You can go nuts trying to build the front travel lock mounting parts so you are fore warned. The rest of the page deals with some odds and ends and the rear shields. You can make the two rear shields moveable by using the working hinges. Finally, page 7 deals mostly with adding and replacing parts on the gun carriage. Page 8 adds the final parts with the rain cover holders. The set also gives you the option of using PE flat tiedowns or using .2mm wire and a jig to form the tiedowns. Conclusion: This set will make a positive improvement to your model. However, this set is not for the faint of heart. It covers a lot of detail and requires a lot of work.

Thanks to Griffon Models and Dragon Models USA for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the review space.