Cyber-hobby 1/35 SdKfz 10 w/3.7cm PaK

The Sd.Kfz. 10 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug - special motorized vehicle) was a German half-track that saw very widespread use in World War II. Its main role was as a prime mover for small towed guns such as the 2 cm FlaK 30, the 7.5 cm leIG, or the 3.7 cm PaK 36 anti-tank gun. It could carry eight troops in addition to towing a gun or trailer.

The basic engineering for all the German half-tracks was developed during the Weimar-era by the Reichswehr's Military Automotive Department, but final design and testing was farmed out to commercial firms with the understanding that production would be shared with multiple companies. Demag was chosen to develop the smallest of the German half-tracks and spent the years between 1934 and 1938 perfecting the design through a series of prototypes.

The chassis formed the basis for the Sd.Kfz. 250 light armored personnel carrier. Approximately 14,000 were produced between 1938 and 1945, making it one of the most widely produced German tactical vehicles of the war. It participated in the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of France, the Balkans Campaign and fought on both the Western Front and the Eastern Front, in North Africa and in Italy.

Some vehicles were fitted with a 3.7 cm PaK 36 or 5 cm PaK 38 anti-tank gun. Sometimes they had the cab and engine compartment armored as well. The Pak 36 was usually carried complete, but the Pak 38 was usually mounted without its wheels on a pivot mount.

This is one of Cyber-hobby's one time moldings and is a very nicely done kit. It is not a curbside and comes complete with a nicely done engine and transmission. The chassis and running gear are also very nicely detailed. The PaK 36 is an older mold (but not much older) with a two piece barrel molded in halves. The kit has some options such as an open or closed hood and alternate design battery box. Smart Track individual track links are included for heightened detail. There is more and I will let the PR folks from Dragon list them.

◦Newly tooled Sd.Kfz.10 rendered w/fine detail
◦Newly tooled injection-molded fenders
◦Newly designed stowage compartment
◦Newly created on-vehicle tools
◦Realistic circular mesh rack molded on detailed hull rear
◦Newly tooled road wheels w/precise detail
◦Driving compartment w/interior details
◦Newly tooled superstructure to accommodate PaK 35/36
◦Slide-molded suspension arms and springs w/delicate detail
◦Delicate gearbox included
◦Intricate engine housing
◦Engine represented by multiple parts
◦Crystal clear windshield w/photo-etched wipers can be folded up or down
◦Radiator cover w/accurate detail
◦Intricately detailed internal mechanical components: engine, gearbox, fuel tank, compresed air tank, suspension and exhaust.
◦Fully detailed steering components
◦Suspension system as per the real vehicle
◦One-piece slide-molded lower hull
◦Drive sprocket w/multiple part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
◦Rear crossbeam w/roller and trailer coupling depicted like the real one
◦Realistic engine hood formed from multiple parts w/open louver detail
◦Intricate 3.7cm PaK mounted
◦Rearview mirror and spotlights included
◦Includes clear lenses for headlamps
◦2 kinds of battery boxes available as options
◦Delicate fuel tank included
◦Magic track for convenience of assembly
◦Rear crossbeam w/roller and trailer coupling depicted like the real one

Markings are for one vehicle as shown on the box art from the 13th Panzer Division in Russia during 1941.

 Not many of these were developed and I guess it is logical for it to be part of a one time release from Cyber-hobby. It is a neat vehicle in its own right. Judging from the sprues you could model this as a standard half-track with a towed gun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SdKfz_10

September 2011 

Thanks towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours while they last at your local shop.

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