"...“gun” version of the Ausf. M will be appreciated"

<full review here>
- Cookie Sewell

6429: Sd.kfz 138/1 Geschutzwagen 38 M fur s.I.G. 33/2

1/35 injection plastic kit with multimedia accessories and decals

Designed to provide self propelled artillery for the Panzer Divisions, the Sd.Kfz. 138/1 Geschutzwagen (Grille) mounted the proven heavy infantry gun the s.IG 33 on the proven chassis of the Panzer 38(t) and was frequently used close to the front line. The more common version of the Sd.Kfz. 138/1 Grille used the Panzer 38(t) Ausf M chassis which had the engine placed in the middle of the hull allowing for the gun to be mounted above the engine and for the crew to serve the gun from a protected area at the rear of the hull.

OVERVIEW
This new Dragon kit depicts the Sd.Kfz. 138/1 with the 150mm s.IG gun and has new tooling for the gun and its mount. The gun comes with the option of a turned metal barrel.

As expected it shares many parts with the Cyber-hobby Munitionswagen 38 M which acted as an ammunition carrier for the Grille and would make a good companion for this kit in a diorama.

The model is in the popular Smart Kit format and features Magic Tracks, clear plastic for the optics and a twisted wire tow cable. It is a comprehensive kit with a busy interior including driver’s seat, internal transmission, and complete engine bay. The gatefold instructions have 19 steps of line drawings.

The photo etch fret has considerable detail particularly for some of the ammunition stowage racks and give the kit finesse. Other parts include the perforated tool box, rain guard above the radio, rifle racks, mesh shroud for the muffler, grills for the engine vents, brackets for the gas mask canisters and clamps and for the on vehicle equipment.

s.IG 33/2

On opening the kit, the first sprues I looked for were for the s.IG 33. These are designed to be enjoyable to make while being sharply detailed. The lower frame for the gun has the numerous crew heads, plate lines and internal detail. More significantly, it is designed such that the parts will easily fit together positively aligned; both halves of the lower frame have an integrated angled end which when assembled butt together ensuring a good fit, while an end plate with the detail fits over the butt join (rather than relying on one end plate to provide both the detail and structural alignment).

The gun is detailed with the breech, mount, recoil system (nice bolt detail), hand wheel, and recoil guard all comparing favorably to references. The multipart sight is made from clear plastic and has a choice of optics. The barrel tube is made from aluminum and the muzzle is deeply bored out with some subtle rifling.

SUPERSTRUCTURE

The armour plates, around the open crew compartment, have a thin profile that tapers nicely on the upper edges. The foliage loops and tie downs on the outside of the armor plates are cast onto the plastic parts, but there is the option of using some thin PE parts (included) to replace them. The exterior and interior bolt heads and join strips are finely cast.

The new gun travel lock has sharp detail including a PE part for a small plate with some screw heads. The armored plate which protected the gun when elevated has a separate part depicting its spring mechanism. The rear armor plate can be assembled up or down, which allows for the option of having it lowered in a diorama with crew handling the ammunition. The plate had a contoured rack on it where the rounds could be placed without the risk of them rolling off.

The crew/storage compartment is thoroughly detailed. Features include the firing data board, anti-skid floor, crew seat, gas masks with PE brackets, periscopes, multipart radio (fu5-Gerate 10W.S.h transmitter & UkwEh receiver) with conduit and antenna, and cartridge stowage boxes (with crisp handles etc). The plastic ammunition bins have alternative parts to depicting them empty or full. Hence it is easy to model a mix of loaded and empty bins as would happen during combat.

HULL & SUSPENSION

Thee main hull is shared with recent Marder Ausf M series kits. It is a detailed one-piece tub, which has separate parts for the rear idler mount, return roller mounts, tow hooks, access hatch and several other fittings. The front lower glacis has the spare track rack. The rear body has plenty of detail including a PE step, tow coupling and a pair of brackets to support the lowered folding rear plate.

The upper hull has the welded driver’s hood with a hatch that can be left open to reveal the driver’s seat. The transmission inspection cover can be modeled opened to reveal the detailed transmission. The side fenders have a lip (fold) on the outer edge, and separate fender support brackets. There are no predrilled holes on the fenders, so take care when fitting the tools etc.

There is a choice of drive sprockets either with or without lightening holes. For the rear idlers there is now a choice of two patterns, the first having the tear drop shaped lightening holes and the second having circular lightening holes.

The pre-cut Magic Tracks have open guide horns and minute casting numbers on each link and 99% of modelers should be happily using them without clean up.

ENGINE

One attraction of Dragon’s 1/35 Marder/Grille Ausf M series is the comprehensive engine bay. The engine block is multipart and has accurate small detail such as the gasket heads. Numerous other engine bay fittings such as the battery, air filter, radiator, fan with the numerous blades and belt reproduced crisply, filter and varying tubes are all included. For completeness all you really need to add is some wire for the electrical cables etc. Equally you could leave the bay closed and use the engine for another project.

PAINT SCHEME & DECALS

The instruction sheet presents three paint schemes. The scheme on the box art is of a gun from Leibstandarte at La Gleize during the 1944 Battle of the Bulge and has a brown and green camouflage of clustered spots over a yellow base. The second vehicle is also from Leibstandarte, this time in Normandy 1944 and has a camouflage scheme of green clouds with brown outline over dark yellow and a blowtorch emblem on the sides. The last vehicle is from the Eastern Front and is all yellow with three Balkan Crosses.

RECOMMENDATION

Dragon’s Sd.Kfz. 138/1 Geschutzwagen is a welcome addition to there range as it fills a gap for 1/35 modellers in providing an up to date model of this self-propelled gun. The inclusion of numerous features offers plenty of potential for displaying the kit to highlight its detail either as a standalone model or as part of a diorama. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord