Dragon
1/35 Pz.Sfl.IVb 10.5cm Le.FH.18/1 Sd.Kfz.165/1 Ausf. A
Smart Kit
Kit Number: 6475
Reviewed by  Michael Delano, IPMS# 45465

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MSRP: $53.95
Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com

The Geschutzwagen IVb is one of those interesting 'what if' vehicles produced in small numbers during World War II. Equipped with a 105mm light field howitzer and mounted on a variation of Panzer IV chassis, the Pz.Sfl.IVb was not a tank, but a true self-propelled artillery piece.

True to the 'Smart Kit' mantra, Dragon has released yet another excellent rendition on a fairly obscure armor piece. Before starting, I have to note that one great thing about this kit is actually about the parts that are not used. There are a plethora of remaining detail parts and even a complete set of standard Panzer IV road wheels, idlers, and suspension spring assemblies (I might use these on an old Tamiya Panzer IV).

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Opening the box, you are greeted with 17 gray plastic sprues, 1 clear plastic sprue, a respectable sheet of brass, tow cable, and separate bags of left- and right-hand Magic Track links. The decals are the usual high quality you would expect from Cartograf, though very limited in the actual markings available.

Painting and marking details are provided for two different Eastern Front units of Pz.Art.Rgt. 16 of the 16th Panzer Division.

Before starting this kit, it is important to note that there are a number of errors and omissions on the instruction sheets in the following steps:
  • Step 10: In the top sub-assembly, the instructions refer to part 'G26' - That should actually be part 'G28'
  • Step 10: In the bottom sub-assembly, note that part 'G33' appears to be one piece - actually it is a combination of part 'G33' and part 'G8'
  • Step 12: The part labeled as 'G6' is actually part 'G37'
  • Step 12: In the machine gun assembly, parts labeled 'C19' and 'C20' are actually parts 'C18' and 'C19', respectively. Additionally, parts labeled 'C21' and 'C18' are actually parts 'C20' and 'C21' respectively.
  • Step 12: In the sub-assembly for the main gun elevation and rotation mechanisms, parts 'G39', 'G40', 'G41', and 'G77' are unlabeled.
  • Step 19: In the sighting mechanism, the part labeled as 'G59' is actually part 'G56'
I have to admit that while there is normally an incidental reversal of part numbers here and there on Dragon kit instructions, I don't believe I have ever seen this many errors and flat-out omissions on one of their instruction sheets.

With that said, the omissions and errors on the instructions were the only problems I had with this kit. Since I was given the choice of two Eastern Front units, I chose to go with the Eastern Front unit - that is, I decided against using the personalized markings altogether.

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I started the kit by bringing together the sub-assemblies in 7 groups:
  • Main gun.
  • Turret and turret interior details.
  • Road wheels, idlers, and sprockets.
  • Lower hull .
  • Upper hull and fenders.
  • Hull Interior details.
  • Left- and Right-Hand track lengths.

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[review image] I was very pleased with the interior details as they include ammo boxes, a rear bulkhead, a fairly detailed floor, and even loose 105mm shells.

All sub-assemblies were primed with Mr. Surfacer 1200 and followed with a base coat of a mixture of Tamiya German Grey (XF-63) and Tamiya Neutral Grey (XF-53) at a ratio of 70/30 XF-63 to XF-53. Several acrylic washes of black and varying greys were applied and the whole thing was sealed with Floquil Flat Finish.

[review image] The track was done using a base of Testors Model Master Gunmetal non-buffing Metalizer. Once dry, several oil washes were applied and each run given a dry brushing once over with Tamiya Metallic Grey (XF-56)

Overall, I was very pleased with this kit and how everything came together. Normally, I'm not a fan of open top AFV's, but with the fun I had with this one, I may look into more of them.

Many thanks to Dragon and IPMS USA for the opportunity to review this kit!

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