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Kit,
Cyberhobby 6422, Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L Vorpanzer Product Specifications. 6422, Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.L Vorpanzer. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 514 styrene parts (including 19 clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, one etched brass fret, two pieces of pre-formed metal wire, eight water-slide decal marking schemes (with variations) and eight pages of instructions in 23 steps. Introduction. When the long 5cm KwK L/60 was introduced, any previously-built Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J that was retrofitted with the new gun became an Ausf.L. In addition, the gun mantlet and superstructure front plate quite often had Vorpanzer (spaced armor) arrays added as further defense against solid-shot armor-piercing projectiles. Aside from the provided markings (some of which were seen previously) the parts in the box are identical to those given in kit 6394, with two exceptions: the short 5cm gun tube has been deleted from the Blue-D sprue and two pre-formed pieces of metal wire are now included to provide for the power conduits to the conventional head-lamps. In addition, the small styrene mud-flap holders that were gradually introduced to DMLs Pz.Kpfw.III/StuG.III kits are present here. Tracks. These come loosely packed in two bags and are so-called Magic Tracks. They represent the 40cm-wide links that had hollow guide horns and plain cleat faces. These tracks are also handed, so the modeler is cautioned not to open up the bags and mix things up prior to assembly; as an added bit of help, each sides links are a slightly different color of gray styrene. Being Magic Tracks, they have no sprue attachment points, which is a definite time saver since no cutting or clean-up in that regard is required. Each has a pair of extremely faint ejector pin marks on the inner face. These can be ignored or erased as the modeler sees fit. They fit together easily but quite loosely, and must be fixed together with glue prior to handling. Suspension System. The road-wheels are conventionally molded in inner and outer pieces, with integral rubber tires. The outer faces of the wheel hubs feature perforations and weld beads where appropriate, while the tires have a facsimile of the manufacturers logo (ContinentaU) on their rims. On the inner faces, the tubes that helped join the wheel halves together are molded on, providing an unprecedented level of detail in this regard. Spare road wheels and spare track pins are also given for stowage. The return rollers are conventionally-molded in two parts (inner and outer halves). The drive sprockets come as conventional inner and outer pieces and are completely detailed. The idler wheels are also in inner and outer parts, but feature separate hubs as well as etched brass inner rings. The idler wheels also have separate cranked axles that can be very slightly adjusted; the modeler is advised not to glue them in place on the hull until the fit and sag of the tracks have been worked out. Separate internal torsion bars are given as are beautifully-detailed separate external swing arms. This will allow the suspension to be fixed in an articulated fashion if the modeler desires to place his work on a base with irregular terrain; to do so, simply cut off the pins that protrude from the hull sides, which are there in case the modeler wants a level, fixed suspension. The bump stops, final drive housings, mounting plates for the latter (with towing eyes cut in them) and slide-molded shock absorbers are also separate parts. Hull. The main part of the hull comes from a slide-mold so it is fully detailed on all faces. This includes mounts for the road-wheel torsion bar/swing arm units, idler wheel and return roller mounts, bump stops and shock absorbers, as well as the various welded flanges that connected the hull to the superstructure. Panel seams and weld beads are also present. The belly has drain plug and access plate detail molded in place, plus bolt and rivet heads, as well as weld beads. Openings for the crew escape hatches are on the side walls; separate hatch lids with separate hinges and separate internal latches complete the area. The bow plate is separate and its configuration represents the base armor of 50mm introduced on the Ausf.J. The hull rear plate is composed of many separate parts including the exhaust deflector, spacer plates, various access covers, tow eyes and exhaust pipe/muffler assemblies. These last come with opened pipe ends and separate mounts. A smoke grenade dispenser rack is mounted underneath and finally, an etched brass screen is provided to be placed under the superstructure over-hang. Track-Guards and OVM. Separate track-guards are provided, with the main parts being detailed on the top and bottom surfaces; neither is marred by ejector pin marks. The port side track guards mount, from front-to-rear, the following items: three-part Tarnscheinwerfer-Notek black-out head-lamp, marker lamp (solid or clear styrene), six-part spare road-wheel and rack, a pair of S-shaped tow hooks, a jack block with etched brass retaining strap, tool box, six-part jack and separate mounting brackets, pry-bar, fire extinguisher, second spare wheel unit, mud-flap retainer and distance-keeping tail-lamp. The starboard side mounts the following: horn, marker lamp, tool box, wire cutters, engine starter crank, axe, shovel, wooden antenna stowage trough and brake lamp. All of the tools have nice clasp details. There are a number of styrene and etched brass parts added to the track-guards so that all braces, etc. can be depicted in great detail. A very nice touch are the two different rear mud-flap configurations provided; these will allow them to be raised or lowered without any accuracy or detail compromises. Superstructure. The engine deck is a separate part and is configured much like the original; the entire assembly can be left off to depict an engine change if the modeler chooses to add an after-market engine and compartment. Coming from a slide mold, it has details on all faces including various styles of plate and weld detail as well as attachment flanges and bolt heads. Separate parts provide for the rims around the interior of the hatch openings, while others provide the hinges. The engine access hatch lids are the single-piece type, which opened forwards. They have separate armored guards and mounts, as do the (separate) fan access hatch lids. Separate parts for the lifting hooks are also given for maximum detail fidelity. All-styrene wrapped and mounted tow cables are provided for the engine deck, but I would have preferred the option of a wound wire, etched brass and styrene assembly for better detail and flexibility. There are parts included to depict the empty mounting brackets if the modeler chooses not to use the cable part. The rear plate has a separate filler cap. At the side are proper separate air intake vents, with the correct means of attachment to the walls. These are topped by etched brass screens. The roof plate features a turret ring with a properly-detailed race, devoid of the usual openings to bayonet-mount the turret. I prefer this, but this means the turret will not be especially secure on the finished model. The part is finished with more separate lift hooks as well as a turret ring shot deflector. Separate side and front superstructure panels are then fitted. These feature separate, multi-part view-port flaps that include clear parts for the vision blocks; naturally they can be modeled opened or closed. The starboard side features an antenna and its mount, while the associated stowage trough, complete with wood-grain effect is mounted on the track-guard. The radio operators MG34 features complete internal mount detail, and is a Gen2 molding with pre-drilled muzzle and crisp armored barrel jacket slots. Styrene and etched brass parts are provided for the front plate Vorpanzer array. The separate glacis plate is of the type with two single-piece hatch lids, one slightly wider than the other; these can be depicted opened or closed. The bases for the head-lamps are molded in place, and clear lenses are provided for them; new in this release are pre-formed metal wire parts to replicate the power conduits. Separate, two-part armored cowls are given to cover the brake cooling air openings. Turret. This assembly ably represents the 8./Z.W. turret, with 50mm front plate and deleted bullet deflectors on the side walls. The upper shell is a one-piece affair, created from a slide mold. The detail is crisp and complete, including counter-sunk screw head details, separate view-port flaps (with clear vision block inserts) and side wall access doors. The roof mounts a two-part vent cover, separate signal port flap, and a pair of grab handles; the separate turret floor has a gear pattern on the ring race. The commanders cupola features two-position view-port covers, clear internal vision blocks, separate hatch lids and an external blade sight. The Gepackkasten (baggage bin) on the turret rear is also based on a slide-molded part; therefore it is completely detailed on all faces. It also comes with a separate lid, which can be shown opened up; finally, its rear wall is a separate part. It shows the subtle differences in the contours at either side; this is confirmed in photos. More separate lift hooks, as well as separate pistol port covers complete this area. The 5cm KwK L/60 main gun has a complete inner breech, while the gun tube is slide-molded and pre-bored. Separate parts for the recuperator housing are given, with an exquisitely-rendered slide-molded sleeve for the gun tube provided as a separate part. The mantlet configuration has two view-port flaps, which are separate and feature internal details. Finally, the pre-bored coaxial MG 34 is furnished, mounted in its armored sleeve; a second sleeve is provided, but without the MG in place. There are a number of styrene and etched brass parts provided, all of which allow the modeler to replicate several gun mantlet Vorpanzer variations. Molding, Fit and Engineering. Like many of their recent new-tool kits, DMLs designers have gone to great lengths to provide a level of detail on the styrene parts not often previously seen. On visible surfaces (except the track links), not a single ejector pin mark was found and there was no shrinkage of any kind. Fit of major parts was excellent and mold seams were faint and easily dealt with. Accuracy. Currently available scale drawings confirm that this kit is very accurate dimensionally and that the details are substantially correct. Decals and Markings Information. The decals are the usual excellent Italian product from Cartograf. They are crisp, in register and have thin, closely-cropped carrier film. Markings for the following eight mittlerer Panzer (with two extra options) are provided: White
outline 101, s.Pz.Abt.502, Ostfront 1942. Instructions. These are in the usual drawn style and except for the markings placement info (some color information is dubious), appear to be well-done. As usual, they are busy, and there are many steps within steps. Modelers are cautioned to proceed with care, especially when considering which physical options go with the provided markings. Conclusion. In some small ways, this release is a modest up-grade when compared to some of the earlier Pz.Kpfw.III Smart Kits from DML. These improvements, along with the new markings are all that recommends this kit compared to the original DML kit 6394. In particular, those modelers who wish to replicate an Ausf.L attached to s.Pz.Abt.502 on the Leningrad Front, will be easily able to do so with what is offered in this box. -
Frank V. De Sisto Pz.Kpfw.III
Ausf.L Vorpanzer Introduction The
Kit Contents Having built a couple of these Dragon Pz.Kpfw.III offerings I can attest to them being extremely good kits in terms of engineering, notwithstanding the odd mistake in the instructions. I'm beginning to think they make those on purpose to keep us modellers on our toes! This one...just like the others...contains some extremely nice touches, from the working torsion bar assembly to the individual link Magic Tracks. Strangely, from my perspective, I still see the odd modeller preferring vinyl tracks, yet I can't help but feel that vinyl tracks are a step backward in terms of development, and such modellers maybe just need a little more patience or practice in assembling these individual links. They're far superior; not only in terms of finished appearance, but also in potential should you wish to pose the suspension on for example, a diorama setting. I guess it's just another case of 'you can't please all of the people all of the time....'? Continuing with the running gear, each of the roadwheels comes in two halves...both detailed...with the 'Continental' logo on the tyre itself, although a leg of the last 'L' needs scraping off! Even the rubber of the return rollers has the manufacturers logo embossed on the side. The Magic Track links are supplied in two shades of grey so you don't get mixed up installing them; each having a very tiny difference consisting of which side the head of the track pin is moulded. Even if you did get them mixed up it's doubtful whether or not the difference would be noticeable at normal viewing distance! Still
on the lower hull, which is supplied nearly whole in just one part,
the escape hatches themselves, either side between the first and second
return rollers, are supplied as separate parts too. So although there's
little detail and a couple of ejector-pin marks to deal with, it does
allow the possibility of having them opened for a diorama setting? The fenders supplied in the kit are again detailed with tread pattern on both sides, although sadly, there are no photo-etched tool clamps provided for all the on-vehicle tools, and as most Axis modellers will be aware of, the fenders on these vehicles were left with hardly any empty surfaces. The tools supplied are at least of the 'Smart Series' variety, i.e. they don't have a simple block of plastic to represent the clamp but are quite detailed, even having the 'U' shape of the clamp present, but photo-etched ones would have been a nice touch. Each of the fenders is supplied with the front mud flap moulded into position but its rear mud flap supplied as a separate part. Again...it would have presented more options for modellers if both front and rear hinged flaps were supplied as separate parts. Moving onto the rear deck, there are two injection moulded tow cables with brackets moulded integrally...which I personally don't like. Happily...empty brackets are provided for those that don't like them either, and wish to replace them with their own cables or just leave them empty? The main gun has a fairly detailed, yet slightly simplified breech assembly, but will look fine though an open hatch...especially if there's a crew member in the way! The barrel itself is supplied as a one-piece injection moulded part. When I say one piece, I of course mean that you don't have to cement two halves together, and the end has also been moulded hollow with some attempt at representing rifling too. All the various bits of spaced armour, referred to in the title of the kit (Vorpanzer) are supplied naturally enough as separate parts, the ones around the mantlet in particular being very nicely represented, and making use of the supplied photo-etched parts too. Markings-wise there are eight options depicted for on the instruction sheet and catered for on the decal sheet. Four of these are in overall dark grey, three of them with applied winter whitewash, and all the rest in dark yellow. Two of the schemes are for North African vehicles, but I'm not absolutely sure this model has the correct exhausts for those versions? Perhaps somebody with a little more specialist knowledge could help out with this? Whatever the case, there are many more schemes possible than these eight offered, and plenty of aftermarket decals available, so it shouldn't leave people wanting! Conclusion
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Kit
Review: cyber-hobby.com 1/35 scale kit No. 47 (Dragon Models Limited
1/35 Scale '39-'45 Series Kit No. 6422); Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. L Vorpanzer
- Smart Kit; 754 parts (491 in grey styrene, 216 ¡§Magic Track¡¨ links,
26 etched brass, 19 clear styrene, 2 preformed steel wire); pre-order
price US$49.95 via Dragon USA Online
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