Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale ‘39-‘45 Series Kit No. 6625; Panzefaerhe Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype No. 1 - Smart Kit; 654 parts (406 in grey styrene, 216 “Magic Track” single link tracks, 22 etched brass, 9 clear styrene, 1 length of nylon string); estimated retail price US$59.95

Advantages: first kit of this vehicle in this scale in styrene

Disadvantages: requires second prototype and decking to create a ferry (see text)

Rating: Recommended (see text)

Recommendation: for all German Pzkw. IV fans

Like many combatant nations in WWII, the Germans were faced with river crossings roughly every 10 miles or so in European conditions. While taking bridges intact was obviously a priority and having engineer bridging units a must, they did not have any true means of amphibious crossings in hand during the war. The closest that they came was the boatlike Landwasserschlepper which was not armored. Later in the war Magirus was tasked with creating an armored replacement, and as such did produce two prototypes of the Panzerfaerhe (armored ferry) vehicle.

This it was not, as it was basically a large amphibious vehicle that carried any troops or cargo internally (ferries by their very nature carried their cargoes on open decking or at least on a main deck). As a result, experiments were made with a decking set that connected two of these vehicles together (and which was apparently tested with the two Magirus prototypes). But by that time (mid 1942) the Germans apparently saw such vehicles as a luxury they could no longer afford.

While several kits have recently been released of the curious Landwasserschlepper this is the first kit of the Panzerfaerhe to emerge. While it is an interesting vehicle on its own, as noted it requires two of them together to make an actual ferry and DML has shown advertising material they eventually plan to release just such a kit. (As an aside, note that the US was the only major combatant to create a true amphibious vehicle - the Roebling inspired LVT series - and get it into large-scale production. After the war the Soviets developed a number of amphibians and self-propelled tracked ferries such as the GSP.)

Other than the road wheel sets from its line of Pzkw. IV kits, DML’s ferry is new from the ground up. The kit comes with a foam bumper over the mounting bracket for the vehicle’s tow hook (seen in action on page 119 of the Chamberlain/Ellis/Jentz “Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two” with an amphibious trailer in tow) which is a nice way to protect a fragile bracket.

Assembly is like that of the tank kits and begins with the suspension. It then moves to the propeller and propeller guard (I profess ignorance of the vehicle, for it seems to lack a rudder so I have no clue how it was steered!)
The deck and casemate are next, and while they all come with separate hatches there is zero interior anywhere on the model to show by leaving them open. The armored flaps on the front of the casemate may also be positioned.

The four vent stacks come next, and where they may be folded down for travel on the original the kit only provides for them to be shown in the up or operating position. With some work they can apparently be folded down. The winch and crane are next and neither one may be shown in any position but stowed.

Step 9 covers general assembly and adding the false bow (flotation chambers) before attaching the deck. The tracks are next (dark gray left, light gray right) as well as two curious lengths of chain at the front and rear of the hull. The tracks appear to be the earlier 38 cm tracks and lack traction cleats.

Note that there are a number of holes that must be drilled out during construction. Also this kit came with an addendum that notes if you leave the armored flaps open you need to cement the clear styrene windows into the openings from the inside.

The nylon line is used on this kit for the handrail stanchions and is not part of the winch or any tow cable.

Technical assistance was provided by Notger Schlegtendal, Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundsen.

Finishing directions are provided for Prototype 1 in the hands of an unknown unit (probably either the factory or a weapons/engineer test range). A set of white crosses are provided on a Cartograf sheet.

Overall this is a nice enough model on its own, but it appears it requires the Number 2 prototype and decking to complete it as a prototype tactical ferry. Given today’s prices that may be an expensive model.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

- Cookie Sewell

6625 Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype 1
1/35 injection plastic kit with decals and photo etch

With its combination of a boat-like armored body and Panzer IV suspension the Panzerfahre could operate on both land and in the water as indicated by the name, Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper, which means armored land-water tractor. The Panzerfahre was intended to act as an amphibious supply vehicle for front line troops which could overcome most obstacles encountered in Europe including rough terrain and rivers. When used in conjunction with another Panzerfahre, a pontoon could be placed between the vehicles such that the combination acted as a ferry for trucks and light to medium armored vehicles. Only two prototypes were built in 1942 and these are documented in factory and trial photos. Photos also show tests with a floating trailer.

This kit will build into the first Panzerfahre prototype with its four distinctive air intakes. The second prototype which only had two of these larger intakes (funnels) will be released separately along with the pontoon. The two kits can be joined to make the complete ferry.

This kit is in the popular Smart Kit format and apart from the Panzer IV tracks and suspension is all new tooling. Construction appears straight forward with 10 assembly steps. Clear plastic is provided for the glass panels behind the hinged armored visors and lamp lenses. PE is used for the metal eyes and rings which secured the safety handrail (made from string) to the bollards on the deck.

CONTENTS

The first thing which caught my attention on opening the box was the hull. The hull is a large single piece slide-molded tub which is 22cm long and has thicker sides than usual for 1/35 which gives it a very solid feel. The hull has detail on all external faces including the fairlings, hundreds of rivet heads, integrated mounts for the return idlers, bolt heads and access ports on the underside.. There are separate armored covers for final-drive housing and some small detail such as C handles on the bow and side bump stops.

The hull has a recess on the stern for the propeller which has a single piece for the three blades which are finely cast to replicate their curvature. Other rear detail includes a three part tow bar assembly, coupling point and convoy light. On the bow separate parts are used for the extensions made from thin sheet metal which would have improved buoyancy. Each end has an injection plastic chain which is made from four parts and captures the look of an articulated metal link chain quite nicely.

The deck is based on a large full length plate which is a very neat fit into the hull and has the expected level of fine detail such as hinges and rivet heads. A good percentage of the kits parts are used to add the numerous fittings on the deck. Towards the front is a raised crew compartment with hinged viewing flaps, clear plastic for the glass and separate roof hatches. Small forward fittings include rear view mirrors, headlamps (clear lens), aerial (base or rod and base), and a horn. The deck access hatches can be modeled open (no detail below or inside cabin).

The four slide molded air intakes are cast as single hollow tubes and separate parts for their bases and elbow joints. The parts are separated such that all joins are hidden which will allow modelers to readily achieve crisp results. Some photos show these intakes rotated to be fully or partly lowered, a feature which would reduce the Panzerfahre’s bulky profile.

Other deck detail includes two mufflers, depth measuring rod and the crane which is stored collapsed on the rear. As noted above the side railings are made using string for the rope, PE for the eyes and plastic for the bollards/posts.

SUSPENSION

The suspension is from Dragon’s Smart Kit Panzer IV F/G but as the idler and sprocket are spaced further apart the tracks have an extra 8 links per side. The road-wheels have the tyre and rim as one piece. The hubcaps are the later style with the recesses for the screws, while the return rollers are the earlier pattern with rubber tyres.

The pre-cut injection plastic Magic Tracks have open guide horns and are "handed" in that separate left and right side tracks are provided with the track pin facing out accordingly. To avoid mix-ups each set has its own plastic bag and shade of gray. They are the 40cm mid war pattern without chevrons.

DECALS

The suggested paint scheme which matches photos and is shown in Ron Volstad’s artwork is of dark grey on the hull and a light grey on and above the deck. Three large white Balkan Crosses decals are provided of which one is a spare.

RECOMMENDATION

The Panzerfahre will certainly please the many modelers who have been looking forward to this very new subject. The kit is professionally designed and has the features which most modelers will want to see. Highly recommended.

- Neville Lord

Kit, DML 6625, Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr.1

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

6625, Panzerfahre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr.1 Smart Kit.1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains 401 styrene parts (including nine clear), plus two bags of Magic Tracks, one etched brass fret, one length of string, one water-slide decal sheet and six pages of instructions in 10 steps.

Introduction.

Based upon automotive components and the suspension system of the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F/G, the Panzerfahre (armored ferry) was designed as a lightly-armored amphibious tug that could also cradle a ferry deck between two vehicles, which in turn could carry a vehicle in the Pz.Kpfw.IV class across deep rivers. Using 235 new parts, along with Pz.Kpfw.IV suspension and track from previous releases, DML has just released the first of the two slightly different prototypes, in this case, the Nr.1 prototytpe. As of this time, a kit of the Nr.2 prototype, with the ferry deck, is waiting in the wings. So, for those modelers whose budget and time will permit, a complete Panzerfahre can be created. Add a Pz.Kpfw.IV kit and a completely loaded unit can be depicted.

Tracks.

Starting with the tracks, DML provides the earlier type of 40cm track with smooth faces and opened guide teeth, in the so-called Magic Track individual-link style. The links need no preparation prior to assembly, if the modeler can ignore the two faint ejector pin marks on their inner faces. The links are handed, which means that they have certain details that are seen on each outer side when they are properly oriented on the suspension system. So, dont just empty them out of their bags and start throwing them together. DML has also molded them in two different shades of grey to keep the modeler from getting mixed up.

Suspension System.

The road-wheels have separate hub-caps of the type initially introduced with the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E. The wheels themselves are the widened type first introduced on the Ausf.F, which along with the 40cm tracks were able to handle the increased ground pressure resulting from the weight of the thickened armor compared to previous models of the Pz.Kpfw.IV. Each wheel/tire assembly is conventionally-molded in one piece per side and includes manufacturers logo and tire size information on the rubber rim. A total of 20 complete road-wheels are given, which leaves four extras for spare stowage. The suspension bogies do not articulate, and are in two parts each, to include separate ends for the leaf springs, and a separate hub, all of which in turn attach to a separate mount.

The final drive housings are separate parts, as are the two-part bump stops, which are fitted to five stations on either of the hull sides. The drive sprockets themselves are presented in a conventional manner in that the hubs are separate and the inner and outer halves of the toothed rings are one piece each. They are the cast, dished type seen on the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F and Ausf.G. The idler wheels are of the welded-pipe design and are also provided as inner and outer halves with the hub molded in place. These assemblies feature excellent weld bead details and can be adjusted on their (separate) axles in order to depict proper track sag.

Hull.

The brand-new and unique hull is the centerpiece of this offering; it has the fairings between the bogie units molded in place as seen on a typical Pz.Kpfw.IV-based AFV, but the similarities end there. Multi-part slide-molds were used to render this part, so details have not been compromised. Rivets, bolts, panels and drain plugs are all crisply-rendered in place, on all surfaces. On the lower sides, the mounts for the return rollers and idler wheels are molded in place. The final drive cover and bogie units all have detailed mounting surfaces, so if the modeler wishes to leave some off to depict a maintenance scenario, this will aid him.

The hull molding is quite substantial (meaning the walls are thick) so there is virtually no warping to be seen. The bow plate features a pair of separate two-part buoyancy cells, as well as the mount and large retaining chain characteristic of these vehicles. The side plates each have several hand/foot-holds molded in place, as well as optional separate bumpers. The stern plate is where the action is; it houses the screw (propeller) and its guard. Above that is a multi-part tow point, the characteristic length of chain and a standard Notek distance-keeping tail-lamp.

Main Deck.

The other major new component is the deck plate. It is also a substantial molding with virtually no warping in any direction. It has finely-rendered rivets as well as various hinges and stanchion mounts molded in place. Note that certain holes must be opened up from the insides for this particular version. Four separate access hatch lids are then added as well as a separate circular engine compartment access hatch plate. A multi-part capstan is placed centrally aft of the access plate and this is followed with two multi-part exhaust mufflers. Up forward, behind the armored cockpit housing is a multi-part winch, with cable molded in place. This assembly is rather simplistic, and will benefit from the addition of an overhanging bit of cable, with its associated end-loop.

Other nautical gear for the deck plate includes separate bollards and separate stanchions. The latter have bits of the included string stretched between them. The sections of string all get etched brass end-hooks so they can be attached in near scale-fashion. Optionally, the stanchions can be folded down in their stowed position. A separate anchor is also stowed on the deck, but its means of attachment for use (chain) is not provided. A pair of very hefty boat-hooks is also provided. Four large, multi-part engine cooling towers are also a part of this kit; they give this vehicle a very distinct look in their deployed state. Although the instructions show them deployed for use, they are also configured to be posed retracted. The stacks are from a slide-mold; simply remove the very slight mold seams and you are ready to continue. A multi-part jib is stowed all-the-way aft. Other more standard vehicle-type attachments include what I think may be typical German turn indicator stems and rear view mirrors.

Cockpit.

The driver radio operators cockpit is based on a slide-molded shell that has the various view-port openings as well as bullet splash guards molded in place. Separate flaps and hinges, with clear styrene windows, make up each movable assembly. The two roof hatch lids are standard Pz.Kpfw.IV items, complete with internal latch detail and molded-on signal-port flap. A large search-light with clear lens is an optional fitting, while small lift hooks are also added to the rear face of the cockpit enclosure. Large head-lamps, with clear lenses flank the enclosure, and a three-part Notek head-lamp is complimented by a small horn. Note that the place upon which the cockpit enclosure is set is not open to the interior, so if leaving the hatch lids open, some cutting of the deck plate will be the order of the day.

Painting & Markings.

The small water-slide decal sheet, from Cartograf, contains markings for one vehicle. They are all in white and include three Balkenkreuze national insignia in broad outline form and a single-digit vehicle number; these are matched in contemporary photographs as being correct. The color call-outs are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints. Unfortunately, they present a problem in that one of them is called out in the instructions by a number that is not listed; this is the lighter color of the deck and all of its fittings. The base color of the hull is listed as RLM sand-brown. However, in checking the Steel Masters article, its author makes the case for Dunkelgrau hull and a lighter gray deck when the prototype was originally built. He then states that Dunkelgelb overall with a slight change in markings was the norm later in the vehicles test career.

Instructions.

These are in conventional line-drawing style and are rather brief. They are less complex than a typical set from DML, but they do have their errors. Note in step 7 that parts C34 and C35 are reversed, and that parts B6 and B7 do not exist. They are actually parts C38 times four. A small addendum leaflet is provided to properly cover some items in steps 6 and 10.

Accuracy and Details.

The hull is noticeably shorter and shallower than the 35-year-old side-view line drawing in the Panzer Tracts title listed in the reference section. Visually, it compares very well with the limited number of available photographs spread out within the cited references.

Molding, Engineering and Fit.

Typical for DML, parts fit was fine all around. Seams are subtle and easily cleaned, while there were no ejector pin marks on any visible surface except the track links. No flash or shrinkage was in evidence.

Conclusion.

So, there you have it: another unusual German subject from the King of the genre. There may possibly be major accuracy issues with the hull, IF the plans in the cited references are accurate. One hopes that DML and its consultants (who, BTW, only have LIMITED input in the form the final product will take) had more comprehensive references than I do.

- Frank V. De Sisto