Dragon 1/35 SdKfz 10 Ausf B (1942 production)

KIT #: 6731
PRICE: $56.00 SRP
DECALS: Three options
REVIEWER: Scott Van Aken
NOTES:  

HISTORY

Germany fielded a whole range of halftracks during WWII, with different sizes for different purposes. The Sd.Kfz.10, one of the lighter halftrack types, was conceived as a prime mover for small towed guns such as the 3.7cm PaK36 and 2cm FlaK30. Measuring 4.5m long and weighing 4.9 tonnes, this Demag-designed vehicle could carry up to eight passengers. Its top speed was 75km/h. Around 14,000 Sd.Kfz.10 halftracks were built from 1938-45, and the chassis was also used for the Sd.Kfz.250 armored halftrack.

THE KIT

This is not the first kit of this vehicle, but it is the first time that Dragon has provided it as a standard half-track. It is great to see this one being done in its normal form as many who build light artillery pieces have been wanting this version for some time. There is much that is the same between this kit and the earlier /5 anti-aircraft variant. However, the entire body aft of the driver is new to this kit. At least, I think it is.

Here is a full rundown of the bits from the Dragon PR blurb.

- Newly tooled Sd.Kfz.10 rendered w/fine detail
- Newly tooled wing mirror and spotlight
- Newly designed cloth pattern
- Newly designed road wheels w/precise details
- Included clear lenses for headlamps
- Taillight brackets and photo-etched parts
- Circular barbed-wire bracket mounted on detailed chasis
- Delicate on-vehicle tools reproduced
- Sides of troop compartment can be folded up/down
- Rifle rack w/full detail reproduced
- Transparent windshield can be folded up/down
- Accurately detailed radiator grill and hood
- Slide-molded suspension arms and springs w/delicate details
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull
- Driver's compartment w/interior details
- Intricately detailed internal mechanical components engine, gearbox, fuel tank, compressed-air tank, suspension and exhaust
- Intricate engine housing
- Realistic engine hood formed from multiple parts w/open louver details
- Fully detailed steering components
- Suspension system as per the real vehicle
- Engine represented by multiple parts
- Delicate gearbox included
- Drive sprocket w/multi-part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
- Intricate rear compartment represented by multiple parts
- Injection-molded fenders are reproduced
- 2 kinds of battery boxes available as options
- Seats in troop compartment reproduced
- Rear chassis w/realistic tow pintle depicted like the real one
- Delicate fuel tank included
- Magic Tracks for convenient assembly

All three markings options are from the Eastern Front. The box art is the 337 Infantry Division in 1944. In Panzer Grey is the 1./s Panzer Division vehicle at Kharkov in 1943 and the other is from an unidentified unit in 1942. Aside from a fender marking and plates, they are otherwise unadorned. The small decal sheet has a bunch of markings you can use for other units if you know what they stand for.

CONCLUSIONS

I know that this will be well received as the few the LHS got in were quickly sold. Those wanting a light prime mover now have one that was used pretty much everywhere the Wehrmact operated.

December 2012

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. This one is available now at your local shop or on-line retailer.

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

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Previews Index Page