The 15 cm sIG 33 (schweres Infanterie Geschütz 33) was the standard German heavy infantry gun used in the Second World War. It was the largest weapon ever classified as an infantry gun by any nation. Sources differ on the development history, but the gun itself was of conventional design. Early production models were horse-drawn, with wooden wheels. Later production models had pressed steel wheels, with solid rubber tires and air brakes for motor towing. The sIG 33 was rather heavy for its mission and it was redesigned in the late 1930s to incorporate light alloys in an effort to save weight. This saved about 150 kilograms (330 lb), but the outbreak of war forced the reversion back to the original design as the Luftwaffe had a higher priority for light alloys before more than a few hundred were made. A new carriage, made entirely of light alloys, was tested around 1939, but was not accepted for service

The s.IG.33 has been featured in a number of dragon kits so it shouldn't be new to most MM readers. Those other kits have had it as part of an SPG, but this time, it is offered by itself. In addition to all that we have come to expect with this gun, like aluminum barrel and DS wicker ammo cases and brace mats, the kit also includes a bunch of figures with additional rounds to have scattered about the display. For a full rundown of features, I'll let the Dragon PR release take care of those.

- Gun recoils like the real one
- Detailed hydraulic system for gun elevation system
- Functional Richtbalken included to position the gun
- Newly tooled muzzle-loaded Stielgranate 42 "stick bomb" included as bonus
- Axle reproduced in great detail
- Aluminum gun barrel designed for s.IG.33
- Rifling inside gun barrel realistically rendered
- Scale-thickness gun shield rendered with delicate detail on both sides
- Two-directional slide-molded road wheels
- Detailed breech with two options
- Recoil system rendered with realistic bolt detail
- Spades are slide molded
- Realistic elevation mechanism allows gun to elevate
- Reproduced muzzle cover w/photo-etched belt
- Gun carriage molded with authentic detail
- Complex brake and axle assembly finely reproduced
- Periscope can be assembled in different styles
- Periscope made from clear plastic
- Tailights are newly tooled
- Bonus ammunition
- Protective wicker cases for rounds wicker ground mats included
- OVM specific to s.IG.33 are included
- German Gun Crew included

There is a small decal sheet with gun numbers and stencils on it. As about half the kit is figures (and there are six of them) with optional arms and equipment, those who just want to build the gun should have it done in short order. Oh yes, basically this was overall panzer grey or panzer yellow, though I'm sure some units did more interesting camo schemes.

A very  nice kit and one that I know 'Queen of Battle' fans will have to have in their collection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_33

April 2010

Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local shop or on-line retailer.

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