Dragon Armor 1/72 Sd.Kfz. 251/10 ausf C

Dragon Armor has issued a 1/72 scale model of one of the LSSAH Division’s armored vehicles. It is an Sd.Kfz. 251/10 halftrack, this particular Ausf.C variant coming from the first major production series, though it was more complex to build compared to the subsequent Ausf.D. The 251/10 was issued to platoon commanders, and featured a 3.7cm PaK 36 cannon useful for giving a light antitank capability. The fully detailed antitank gun is carefully fitted with its low-profile shield onto the halftrack. The open-topped model has a full interior and that includes nicely drybrushed instrument panel and fitment of the various small bits to the interior sidewalls. The exterior has received an interesting two-color camouflage scheme of yellow sand applied over its original gray. This pattern is ideal for concealment in the grassy steppes of the Kursk area as it carries forward its complement of panzergrenadiers pressing home their attack.

Having built this in kit form, I can tell you that the folks at Dragon have done a pretty good job of things. The fastidious will notice that not all seams are scraped or filled nor are all the little sprue 'nubs' completely gone and there is a glue mark here and there, especially where the plastic bits attach to the cast metal lower hull. Though it is marketed by some as a die-cast, that is really not totally accurate as most of the bits are plastic of some sort. I have to assume that it is designed to be kept screwed to its plastic base and kept under the clear plastic cover that is part and parcel of the boxing.

However, the painting is really first rate. Not only have they hit the colors and camo just right, but the model has been fully dry-brushed to bring out all the detailing. In all the effect is one of a superbly build model.

Now the question "is this for me?". Well it depends on several things. For one thing, it is better assembled and painted than many kits I've seen. Sure, it isn't as refined as one where the builder has removed all the nubs and seams, but then, if you are mostly a collector,  for less than $5 more than the kit, you have a very nicely done model for your shelves.

January 2008

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the review kit. Get yours today at your local hobby shop or ask them to order it in for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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