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Kit,
DML 6642, Pz.Kpfw.III (5cm) Ausf.H Sd.Kfz.141 Late Production Product Specifications. 6642, Pz.Kpfw.III (5cm) Ausf.H Sd.Kfz.141 Late Production. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 586 styrene parts (including 19 clear), one bag of Magic Tracks, one etched brass fret, two pieces of pre-formed metal wire, five water-slide decal marking schemes and six pages of instructions in 21 steps. Introduction. The Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.H was seen in several variations, including that portrayed in this latest DML release in their growing family of kits of this mittlerer Panzer. This version was armed from its inception with the 5cm KwK L/43 in a re-designed turret that featured a one-piece rear wall without the bulge to accommodate the commanders cupola. The new drivers view-port, introduced on the Ausf.G, was complimented by a re-designed engine deck rear plate, which distinguished this from the previous Ausf.G. Applique armor was added to the hull front and rear as well as the superstructure front plate; the bow MG34 was fitted with an armored sleeve. During the Ausf.Hs production run, new drive sprockets and idler wheels, designed for 40cm-wide tracks, were introduced as were new shock absorbers. Vehicles shipped to North Africa also received the turret-mounted baggage bin as well as modified Tropen (tropical) engine deck hatch lids. Tracks. These individual links come loosely packed in one bag and are so-called Magic Tracks. They represent the 40cm-wide links that had hollow guide horns and plain cleat faces. In a departure from previous Pz.Kpfw.III/IV-based kits, these are not handed. 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 rubber-tired 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 as is. Further modification will allow more of a range of adjustment; 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 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 absorber mounts, as well as the various 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 30mm, with a separate applique armor plate fitted over it. A pair of three-part tow eyes is then fitted at the point where the bow transitions to the glacis plate. The hull rear plate is composed of many separate parts including an access cover, three-part tow eyes and exhaust pipe/muffler assemblies. These last come with opened pipe ends and separate mounts. An applique armor plate is also fitted here after modifying the main plate according to the instructions. The applique plate itself will need some easy modifications in order to properly fit. 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), wire cutters, a pair of S-shaped tow hooks, tool box, pry-bar, six-part jack and separate mounting brackets, jack block, fire extinguisher and three-part 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. The rear sections of the track-guards need to have a portion removed (as shown in the instructions) and replaced with a newly-configured mounting strip. 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 two-piece type, which opened fore and aft. They have separate armored guards and mounts, as do the (separate) fan access hatch lids. Included in the box is a set of the standard European hatch lids, although the instructions make no mention of them being an optional fit. Depending on where the vehicle is stationed and how it is painted and marked, these are a viable alternative. 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 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 new rear plate has a separate filler cap and another part to detail its innards if the cap is shown opened up. New mounting strips are also given and beneath this is fitted some grill-work. 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. A smoke grenade dispenser rack is mounted on the rear face. It comes in two configurations, one of which has the armored cover; the other does not. These are distinctly complete assemblies, so the un-used one can go on another model as is. The forward superstructure module is based on an internal core to which the separate roof, front and side plates are then attached. 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. The radio operators MG34 is of the later type with the slotted, armored barrel jacket. It features complete internal mount detail, and is a Gen2 molding with pre-drilled muzzle and crisp armored barrel jacket slots. The three-part pivoting drivers visor was introduced on the Ausf.G and carried over th the Ausf.H. It features working hinge pins and a clear part for the internal glass block. The final addition up front is the applique armor plate. The separate glacis plate is of the type with a pair of two-part hatch lids, one slightly wider than the other; these can be depicted opened or closed and each features an etched brass detail part for the interior. The bases for the separate head-lamps are molded in place, and clear lenses are provided for them; pre-formed metal wire parts are provided to replicate the power conduits. A separate applique plate is then fitted, followed by separate armored cowls to cover the brake cooling air openings. Turret. The upper shell is a one-piece affair, created from a slide mold; it is new for the Ausf.H and is characterized by a single-piece rear wall, without the bulge for the commanders cupola. The detail is crisp and complete, including counter-sunk screw head details (many of which are to be filled-in, according to the instructions), separate, multi-part, movable view-port flaps (with clear vision block inserts) and side wall access doors. The roof mounts a three-part fan and cover, separate signal port flap, and a pair of grab handles; the separate turret floor has a gear-tooth pattern on the ring race and can be fitted with a two-part commanders seat. The commanders cupola features two-position view-port covers, clear internal vision blocks, separate hatch lids and an external blade sight (in etched brass or styrene). 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 inner wall is a separate part. It shows the subtle differences in the contours at either side, which is confirmed in photos and drawings. More separate lift hooks, as well as separate pistol port covers complete this area. The 5cm KwK L/43 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. 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 nearly every visible surface (except the track links), not a single ejector pin mark was found; there are very shallow ones on the front plate for the turret, part E12, which were easily eliminated with fine sanding. There was no parts shrinkage or warping of any kind. Fit of most major parts was excellent and mold seams were faint and easily dealt with. I found two fit issues, both of which can be fixed by most modelers with the use of files and hobby knives. They are the hull rear applique armor panel (part U7) and the external armored cover over the 5cm main gun (parts D3 and D14). 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 five mittlerer Panzer are provided: Red/white
2, 2.Kp/Panzer-Regiment 8, 15.Panzer-Division, North Africa 1941. The markings are essentially quite accurate, especially in the case of those for Panzer-Regiment 8. With some extra research, the modeler can quite probably mark several more Pz.Kpfw.IIIs from that regiment. Instructions. These are in the usual drawn style and 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. Dont be put off by the illustration for the radio operators MG34, which shows an un-armored, perforated gun barrel. The proper armored type is indeed in the box. The instructions also direct the modeler to open up slots in the glacis plate, part V40 in order to fit the brake cooling openings armored cowls, parts V34. This is not necessary since the cowls are now fitted over the applique plate, part U4, which has the slots molded in place. Conclusion. The inclusion of several options based around the engine deck hatch lids and the rear-mounted smoke grenade discharger racks make this latest offering quite attractive to fans of this type. In short, this is a very comprehensive offering with loads of potential. - Frank V. De Sisto Kit
Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale '39-'45 Series Kit No. 6642;
Pz.Kpfw. III (5 cm) Ausf. H Sd.Kfz. 141 Late Production - Smart Kit;
826 parts (556 in grey styrene, 216 ¡§Magic Track¡¨ single links, 33 etched
brass, 19 clear styrene, 2 preformed steel wire); pre-order price US$47.95
from Dragon USA Online -
Cookie Sewell DML 6642
Pz.Kpfw. III (5cm) Ausf. H Late Production The Panzer
III Ausf H incorporated a range of improvements which reflected the
lessons learned from the first Blitzkreig campaigns. The Ausf H was
an interim model which had 30mm applique armor (zusatzpanzer) bolted
onto the hull front, driver¡¦s front plate and the rear plate to enable
it to better withstand fire from early war anti-tank guns. To cope with
the weight of the increased armor, the tacks were widened to 40cm with
the suspension components modified accordingly. This resulted in redesigned
drive sprockets, rear idlers and wider road wheel tyres, plus having
the front return idlers moved forward. This new Panzer III Ausf H is in the new Smart Kit format and with the inclusion of the revised drive sprocket (larger lightening holes), spoked rear idler, turret stowage bin and louvered vents on the engine hatches has the features typical of a late product Ausf H (early 1941 build). Such tanks were deployed in Russia and North Africa. As expected this kit shares many parts with the recent Dragon Smart Kit releases of other Panzer IIIs. The gatefold instructions have 21 steps of line drawings that are clearly laid out and the parts are designed to make construction enjoyable (e.g. minimising the need for clean up via the absence of visible sink marks). Experience with related Dragon Panzer III and StuG III kits indicates that part alignment will be very favourable making the project enjoyable.
Photo etch is provided for the air intake grills, chains below the smoke candles, upper fender supports (angled plate), commander sight, bracket for the fire extinguisher, centres for the idler wheels, detail on the rear convoy light and parts of the rear fender flaps.
The turret has been configured for a late production Ausf H. It has a newly tooled 35mm thick mantlet introduced on the Ausf H, along with the turret rear stowage bin fitted in the factory to later production Ausf H. This bin can be modelled open and has plenty of small detail such as counter sunk screw holes. The mantlet comes with a slide-molded MG34. The gun tube is a crisp one-piece slide molded part with the muzzle end bored out. The turret is based around a 3-directional slide molded shell, which has the 30mm rear plate without a cutout for the cupola. The commander's cupola has internal detail with five vision blocks made from clear plastic, and the lock mechanism and head pad on the split hatch. The ports have internal detail and can be modelled open. The toothed turret ring is integrated with the turret¡¦s base and the commander¡¦s seat is attached to it. The roof has separate parts for the varying handles, commander¡¦s sight, covers etc. On the side of the turret there are separate crisply detailed lifting hooks (2 parts for fine detail), rain guards and for the initial version the small flaps next to the main vision ports. Inside the turret the there is the gun breech, guard and spent shell catcher, providing a complete gun assembly. When assembling the turret you will need to take care drilling some holes.
LOWER
HULL The lower hull is based on a one piece tub which has opening for the side escape hatches. The hatches are separate pieces with separate hinges and fit over open cut outs in the hull side, which allows for considerable diorama potential. The lower hull is well detailed featuring items such as weld seams, drain plugs on the bottom, while most of the bump stops, and the shock absorbers on the sides are integrated into the one piece hull tub. The middle and rear return roller mounts are integrated into the hull, while the front mounts are separate parts which allows for the front mounts to be positioned slightly forward as happened on the Ausf H.
The rear hull plate has new tooling to depict the 30mm applique armor (zusatzpanzer) which was bolted there on the Ausf H and on this kit (like the real Panzer) sits above the base armor. There is a separate cover for the starter crank, while the smoke candle racks are well detailed with each candle a separate part and PE used for the chains. The mufflers are well detailed with small detail present while the exhaust pipes have hollowed out ends.
The suspension arms are separate parts, which are linked to the separate internal torsion bar suspension arms. The angle of the arms could be adjusted to provide flexibility in positioning the Panzer in dioramas. The rear idlers have photo-etched rims and feature the spoked profile intended for use with the 40mm track links (many early H had the oval shaped lightening holes with spacers to accommodate the wider track links). The road wheels have the tyre and rim as one piece and the rubber tyres depict the 95mm wide profile. The drive sprocket is the cast profile with larger lightening holes also introduced on the Ausf H.
The tracks are Magic Tracks where each link comes loose, and for most modelers will require no clean up. These links are the 40cm wide type with open guide horns and no chevrons on the outer faces.
UPPER
HULL & ENGINE DECK The engine deck has the raised louvers fitted as part of the tropeneinsatz modification which sought to improve engine performance in hot climates. These are fitted on the split hinged hatches which can be modeled open (supply your own Maybach HL 120 engine). Like with the StuG III G, the detail underneath the hatches louvers is achieved using an extra piece for each louver and PE is provided for the screens over each side air intake.
The frontal armour has separate parts for the 30mm applique armor which has sharp bolt heads. Other frontal hull detail includes the air vent cowlings, a pair of head lamps, crisp weld beams and sharp counter sunk screw holes on the hinges for the brake access hatches. The hull MG 34 is a Gen-2 tooling and features the ball mount and the internal detail such as the grip and ammunition bag.
The side fenders have anti-skid pattern on the upper surface and underside and integrated front fenders. Most of the holes for the tools are predrilled and others require drilling. The tools have the brackets and clamps cast on for ease of assembly. One fender has a Notek blackout lamp. This kit includes fender locks (this is an angled plate made from a single folded PE part) and pre-bent metal for the cable conduits feeding the fender mounted lamps. There is a separate part for the tow cable which has the closed clamps and guides integrated into it allows for a realistic looking tow cable which captures the twisted strands of wire nicely to be easily stowed on the engine deck. Alternatively it can be left off and other parts fitted to model the empty clamps and guides. The medium sized decal sheet by Cartograf has markings for five Ausf H each of which is supported by three profiles on the instruction sheet and a colour profile on the side of the box. Markings include turret numbers, unit and tactical insignia and three versions of the Balkan Cross.
* turret number red 2, 15 Panzer Division, North Africa with DAK emblem. This is the dark yellow with olive-green overspray Panzer in the box art. A photo of this tank shows the paint was weathered by the sand and confirms the fitting on the spare wheels on the fender as seen in the box art. * hull number white 111, Panzer Regiment 3, 2nd Panzer Division, Greece 1941 dark grey with white spade unit emblem. * turret number white 712 from 1st Panzer Division, Eastern Front 1942. Also dark yellow with camouflage overspray. * turret numbers red 5 and red 6 from 15 Panzer Division, Tobruk/North Africa with DAK emblem. These are both dark yellow with olive-green overspray. Number 6 has distinctive red painted strip on the upper lip of the turret stowage box.
RECOMMENDATION
The Panzer III Ausf H Late is a welcome extension to Dragon¡¦s series of Smart Kit Panzer IIIs. It has accurately captured the defining features of this early 1941 Panzer with crisp tooling and will be make an impressive model out of the box. Definitely recommended. - Neville Lord Pz.Kpfw.III
(5cm) Ausf.H
The Panzer Kampfwagen III Ausf.H was the first Panzer III to have a turret specifically configured to mount the 5cm KwK L/42 gun, although the same gun had been fitted to the late production Ausf.F and the Ausf.G. In addition to some changes to the transmission the Ausf.H also underwent changes to the drive sprocket, it becoming simpler to manufacture, and for the first time a stowage bin was fitted to the rear of the turret. The Kit Contents It's another of those very full boxes. This is usually as a result of the kit being an extremely complex one, or because there are a lot of redundant parts. This time it's actually a mixture of the two. I'm reasonably sure that everything inside the box has been released in a different kit at one time or another. If there is anything brand new then I can't find it. We have sprues from various StuG III kits, other Panzer III variants, and even one from a Panzer IV kit. Since Dragon (or Cyber-Hobby) has already released many different variants of the Panzer III, then I suppose this is to be expected. All the features you would expect of a late production Ausf.H are here, just that they haven't been released in this combination by Dragon before. Some were on the Ausf.F and some were in the Cyber Hobby Ausf.J etc. Construction begins with naturally enough with the assembly of the running gear onto the one-piece lower hull, this model having the torsion bar suspension as in the real thing. Everything is sharply detailed as in the other Panzer III releases, such as manufacturers logo's on the road wheel tyres and return roller rubbers. The tracks for this kit are supplied as 'Magic Track' individual links, although to be absolutely perfect they do need a small pip shaving off and a quick swipe with some fine abrasive to remove two very feint ejector pin marks on either side of each link. The track links are not 'handed' with this one, so we're given just one bag of links. The lower rear hull wall is given a new armoured section on this one with cut-outs to go around the idler wheel adjustment screw housings, and a smoke candle rack with photo-etched chains is supplied. The fenders supplied as separate pieces have the tread pattern on both upper an lower surfaces, however, the upper surface is marred by numerous dimples acting as locating points for the large number of tools etc., that this vehicle carried on them. I mean...they're useful, but only if you're using the tools exactly as supplied in the kit, and lots of modellers now choose to enhance the detail of their models with aftermarket supplied photo-etched clamps. A better way would have been to have the top surface unmarked and small dimples on the underside to show where to drill through should you wish to use the kit supplied tools. The engine deck moulding is specific to the Ausf.H with the armoured vent covers traversing the engine deck rather than running longitudinally. Also included are two Photo-etched grills for the air intakes. This vehicle had a specific and complicated method of stowing the tow rope, and it's provided as a coiled injection moulded part, which usually means it's terrible and needs badly replacing. No change there then. If you don't fancy using it then we are helpfully offered a set of empty brackets to use instead, and thankfully they have holes! Holes mean you can thread an aftermarket cable through them! Moving to the front there are add-on armour pieces included for the front wall of the superstructure, and two pieces for the front of the hull. The gun supplied with the kit isn't a new one of course, being supplied in an earlier release of a different version. Dragon claim the gun shield or mantlet is new for this one, but it actually isn't, as it was supplied in the Cyber-Hobby Ausf.J kit. You'll find yourself going cross-eyed trying to find it though, as it's marked as E9 on the instructions, and although if you look hard enough you'll be able to find a part E8 and even an E11, there is no E9. The actual mantlet you're looking for is part E15. The mistake seems to have happened because that part was called E9 in the Ausf.J kit, but has been re-numbered for this release, but that stage in the instructions taken straight from that kit. At the rear of the turret we're given the new turret stowage bin that was first fitted to the Ausf.H, but then retro-fitted to earlier variants. Two versions of the bin are indicated on the instructions, although only one is supplied, the difference being made by some deft work with a scalpel blade should you wish. Markings-wise there are five versions depicted on the instructions, three from 1941, and two from 1942. Three of the five schemes are from North Africa; with the other two being from Greece and the Eastern front....see below for full details. Conclusion It definitely fills a gap, although if you're the kind of modeller that needs that gap to be filled then you've probably already assembled the necessary parts to build one. Still...most Axis fans will definitely want one of these! -
Vinnie Branigan Copyright 1998-2011 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved |