Barcode: 0 89195 86719 3
Case Pack: 20 pieces per master carton
Box Size: 9.6" x 15" x 2.4"

Features:

• Unique version of Zugkraftwagen 1t w/full detail
• Newly tooled armored cover on engine hood produced in multiple parts
• Armored louvers on vehicle front
• Intricately detailed internal mechanical components-engine gear box, fuel tank, compressed air tank and exhaust
• Photo-etched straps for ammunition boxes
• Realistic looking folded soft- roof w/photo-etched detail
• Wing mirror and spotlight w/crisp details
• On-vehicle w/clasp detail
• Authentic driver's cab w/photo-etched details
• Muzzle brake w/fine detail
• Breech replicates the original PaK 38
• Slide-molded suspensions arms w/delicate detail
• Gun mount installed in fighting compartment
• Road wheels w/precise details
• Drive sprockets w/multi-part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
• One-piece slide molded lower hull
• Realistic engine hood formed from multiples parts w/open louver detail
• Delicate gearbox included
• Rear chassis w/realistic towing pintle exactly as on original
• Fully detailed steering components
• Suspension system as per real vehicle
• Intricate engine housing
• 2 types of battery boxes available as options
• Delicate fuel tank included
• Engine represented by multiple parts
• Injection -molded fenders made to thinnest possible dimensions
• Intricate components for rear compartment represented by multiple parts
• Detailed Magic Tracks reproduced

Germany fielded a wide range of halftracks during WWII. The Sd.Kfz.10, one of the lighter types, was conceived as a prime mover for small, towed anti-tank or antiaircraft guns. Measuring 4.5m long and weighing 4.9 tonnes, this Demag-designed vehicle had a 1-ton payload capacity. Around 14,000 Sd.Kfz.10 halftracks were built from 1938-45. Several specialist vehicles were based on this design, with a rather unique conversion appearing in 1941. This saw a 5cm PaK 38 L/60 gun being mounted on the rear of an Sd.Kfz.10 to create a light anti-tank platform. The wheels were removed from the PaK 38 but it retained its armored shield and the weapon could traverse. In addition, armor plate was added to the engine compartment and driver’s cab. It’s thought these unique vehicles were mostly issued to Waffen-SS units.

Dragon has already produced several 1/35 scale 1-ton Sd.Kfz.10 halftracks in plastic and these have been gladly received by modelers. This new kit from Dragon is the most potent version yet, thanks to the inclusion of the 5cm cannon. Indeed, this kit is an excellent hybrid that mates the delightful Sd.Kfz.10 halftrack with Dragon’s legendary 5cm PaK 38 anti-tank gun. The entire gun mount is completely new to suit this vehicle, plus the halftrack interior has been modified accordingly. The folded hoops for the roof are also brand new. The kit includes three armor elements for the hood, grill and windshield to perfectly recreate original vehicles. This is a spectacular halftrack with lots of firepower, and it’s certainly a welcome addition to the Sd.Kfz.10 family.

Reviews:

DR6719: 1/35 5cm PaK 38 auf Zugkraftwagen 1t
1/35 injection plastic kit with photo etch and decals

BACKGROUND

Workshop, field and other ad hoc conversions have a special appeal to military modelers. One conversion, which sometimes appears on modeling websites, is the mounting of a 5cm PaK 38 ant-tank gun to the Sd.Kfz 10 half-track. These projects being based on war time photos where the PaK was fitted to the rear of the half-track. These vehicles typically had armored plate added to the engine bay. The Sd.Kfz 10 was a 1 ton light half-track which was widely used by the Germans in WWII, including for towing the PaK 38 and 2cm Flak.

This new release closely matches such an Sd.Kfz 10 that is seen in photos serving with a Waffen SS unit on the Eastern Front.. One photo depicts it alongside Schwimmwagens on a muddy dirt road with soldiers wearing padded winter jackets and over trousers. Ron Volstad's box art very accurately depicts this vehicle and its crew.

CONTENTS

This kit's part break down reflects how this conversion would have been made. It has new parts for the armored shields over the hood and in front of the driver as well as the PaK's mounting. The vents on the front armored plate and the cut outs on the plate in front of the driver match those in a photo of this vehicle. The louvers capture the side triangles that gave them a fixed angle and are open for the vents. Other parts are from Dragon's PaK 38 and Sd.Kfz 10 series kits.

This kit is in the Smart Kit format and based on experience with the Sd.Kfz 10, will be rewarding to assemble. All parts are tooled to the latest standards, and clean up will be very quick. The gatefold instructions have 15 steps of line drawings that are clearly laid out.

The kit contains a photo etch fret. Parts includes the inner arms for the canvas cover, straps for two ammunition boxes, gate plate for the gear shift, DEMAG manufacturer's logo on the grille, detail for some side bracing, rear fender extensions and the discs which sat around the hubs of some of the rear wheels.

CAB AND ENGINE BAY

The hull and forward cab are good examples of the Smart Kit format with crisp tooling and well designed parts breakdown which ensures smooth construction and pleasing results.

The cabin is open and has a detailed driving area with a complete dash which is detailed with 16 decals, as well as foot pedals and dash grab handle. Inside the cabin is the multi-part transmission which is accurate to photos and has far more detail than the equivalent parts in older kits of related vehicles. The windscreen has been replaced by a metal plate with cutouts slots for the driver and commander.

The front body has sharp detail such as on the grill and side panel air vents. External fittings include tow hooks, plastic width indicators, rear vision mirrors, muffler (near front fender), spade, and pick axe. For the vehicle in the box art, you may want to add a Notek light (as illustrated) from your spares.

As noted above the engine is protected by armor placed in front of the grill and over the bonnet. While these plates help given this conversion its distinctive character, they do prevent you showing off the kit's impressive engine bay. Beneath the bonnet there is a comprehensive Maybach 6-cylinder 4.2 litre engine, transmission, choice of battery boxes and a fuel tank. Personally I would save these parts for another project, such as the Sd.Kfz 250.

SUSPENSION

The parts for the running chassis will be familiar to many modellers. The lower hull is based on a one piece tub which includes the lower side plates all the way up to the fighting platform. It has detail on the underside and several positioning tabs and lips to ensure a positive fit with the upper body. The rear hull plate is a separate part with a tow coupling point.

The pre cut Magic Tracks are built from two parts: a metal shoe and a rubber pad neither of which needs clean-up. When assembling them, being sparing with the glue will allow the links to articulate a reasonable bit when fitting them to the kit (if not using a slow setting glue will give you time to fit them while flexible). As there are only 42 or so links on each track assembly can be quick. I found making a simple jig out of cardboard saves time when assembling small two part tracks. The sprockets have a multi-part construction offering greater finesse.

You have a choice of front tyres. One option builds the wheel from one part for each rim and two halves for each tyre. The other option, builds each tyre from five layers with a separate part for the rim, with each layer provides part of the tread profile. This option has the Continenta(U) name and blocks extending onto the sidewall. Both wheels have fine detail for nut heads, hub and holes for the valve. The front wheels are fixed to drive straight and capture the toed in angle they were aligned at.

PaK 38 & REAR

The PaK 38 is mounted on a frame made out of C girders and steel plate for bracing. The girders were anchored to the hull of the Sd.Kfz 10; while the PaK was attached to a tube, which run between the girders. As expected the girders and the rest of the mounting are new tooling. The PaK 38 has a plastic barrel and, as per the real gun, a shield which is made from two spaced layers. The breach and cradle are detailed with separate parts for the levers, guard, sights and hands wheels.

The rear compartment has an anti-skid tread and two trap doors which gave access to the running chassis, but has been stripped of internal fitting such as the seat backs. You have to drill a few holes on the floor.

This conversion retained the stowage box behind the driver and commander, as well as the rear panels where the canopy was folded. In this, kit the canvas cover is injection plastic and modeled folded down with the creases and folds depicted. PE and metal are used to make the frames. On the rear fenders are ammunition boxed with PE straps which matches photos.

DECALS & PAINTING GUIDE

This release includes a Cartograf decal sheet. The instruction sheet has three view profiles for two schemes date 1943, both of which are seen in photos.

The decal sheet includes dash dials etc, and a set of generic registration marking with prefixes for the Luftwaffe (WL), regular army (WH) and Waffen SS (two part runes) and two sets of blank white plates.

The vehicle on the box art has white wash over a grey base. If you build this one, you may want to add the jerry cans on the side (like in the box art) and some extra stowage. The other vehicle has is dark yellow with green and brown stripes and is from the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler Waffen SS Panzer Grenadier Division at Kharkov.

RECOMMENDATION

The combination of the Sd.Kfz 10 half track with additional armor and the Pak 38 ant-tank gun ensures that this kit will stand out and have that extra appeal. The parts are crisp and offer an interesting out of the box project. Definitely recommended.

-Neville Lord-

5cm PaK 38(Sf) auf Zugkraftwagen 1t

Manufacturer: Dragon Models
Scale: 1/35
Material: Styrene & Etched Brass
Serial Number: 6719
Price: TBA

Dragon:
Germany fielded a wide range of halftracks during WWII. The Sd.Kfz.10, one of the lighter types, was conceived as a prime mover for small, towed anti-tank or anti-aircraft guns. Measuring 4.5m long and weighing 4.9 tonnes, this Demag-designed vehicle had a 1-ton payload capacity. Around 14,000 Sd.Kfz.10 halftracks were built from 1938-45.
Several specialist vehicles were based on this design, with a rather unique conversion appearing in 1941. This saw a 5cm PaK 38 L/60 gun being mounted on the rear of an Sd.Kfz.10 to create a light anti-tank platform. The wheels were removed from the PaK 38 but it retained its armoured shield and the weapon could traverse. In addition, armour plate was added to the engine compartment and driver's cab. It's thought these unique vehicles were mostly issued to Waffen-SS units.

Kit Contents
Dragon has previously released a few different versions of this small halftrack, but this one is definitely worth another release!

Inside the box there is the usual mix of light grey styrene sprues, etched brass fret, two small ziploc bags, one with the tracklinks themselves and the other containing the track pads, decal sheet, and six-sided instruction sheet. There's no transparent sprue supplied with this version, since there's no windscreen etc. We're still supplied with what's essentially a completely detailed model of the vehicle, down to the torsion bar suspension and full engine beneath that hood. We're supplied with a newly tooled armoured cover for the engine compartment too.

Construction begins with the assembly of the running gear and suspension components onto the one piece lower hull/chassis. With this release we're offered a choice between constructing the two front road wheels from two halves, trapping the centre hub between them, or from a series of 'slices' that reproduce the tread pattern with increased definition and detail.

The suspension is constructed from road axles that are moulded integrally with each of the suspension bars, that are themselves then inserted through the side of the hull. The drive sprockets are produced from multiple parts, offering the best detail, and the tracks, as mentioned above, are supplied as individual links with separate track pads to hold them together, so resulting in a fully workable set of tracks.

The engine and transmission are fully detailed, with some etched parts for things such as the gear lever gate. The louvered engine cover that's supplied in all the other kits of this series are still used and supplied with this kit, but in addition there is a new louvered front piece to represent the additional armour, plus a large part that fits on top of the engine hood to represent more armour, along with an armoured windshield.

Decals are provided for all the dashboard dials in the driver's cab, which is itself fully detailed of course.

At the rear of the vehicle, the entire cargo bed has been replaced with a newly tooled floor and sides to take the newly tooled mount for the PaK 38. There is also a folded back canvas roof supplied, with some etched brass detail, although note that there is no option supplied for having the roof raised. There are two ammunition boxes with etched bras straps provided for stowing on the rear of each fender.

The PaK 38 itself is of course, the now quite old Dragon release. The mount for the gun is newly tooled though and specific to this version.The gun itself is supplied complete with trail legs and wheels etc., although of course, these are not used for this model. The gun stands up well, and is nicely detailed, although it shows its age in some respects, such as the large seam you're going to have to disguise running the length of the gun slide, and the horizontally split muzzle brake, which definitely needs to be replaced if you can. Other parts, such as the double layer gun shield, are surprisingly well detailed and moulded with an almost true to scale thickness. On the plus side, since the gun itself is fairly old now, there are aftermarket detail sets out there that are specifically tailored for it.

Markings-wise, there are only two schemes illustrated on the instructions, both from the Eastern Front sometime during 1943, one identified, one unidentified. See below for fuller details.
Conclusion
Apart from a couple of small problems with the first one or two versions of this halftrack released by Dragon, it's been almost universally well received, and this one shouldn't contain any surprises. Dragon almost has them down to an art form by now. Superbly detailed, and just as superbly engineered, it will build into a superb looking model of this unusual vehicle. Recommended.

-Vinnie Branigan-