In Box Review of DML Dragon 1/35th Scale German Sd.Kfz. 251/21 Ausf. D “Drilling” Half-track
Kit no. 6217
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2004
I paid $33.98 at a local shop that went out of business.
Kit is available at Kit Linx for $63.95 and at 6 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2004
I paid $33.98 at a local shop that went out of business.
Kit is available at Kit Linx for $63.95 and at 6 locations overseas on the web.
ISTORY:
The Sd.Kfz. 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251) half-track was a World War II German armored fighting vehicle designed by the Hanomag company, based on its earlier, unarmored Sd.Kfz. 11 vehicle. The Sd.Kfz. 251 was designed to transport the Panzergrenadier (German mechanized infantry) into battle.
Sd.Kfz. 251s were the most widely produced German half-tracks of the war, with at least 15,252 vehicles and variants produced by seven manufacturers. Some sources state that the Sd.Kfz. 251 was commonly referred to simply as "Hanomags" by both German and Allied soldiers after the manufacturer of the vehicle
This has been questioned, and may have been only a postwar label. German officers referred to them as SPW (Schützenpanzerwagen, or armored infantry vehicle) in their daily orders and memoirs.
The Sd.Kfz. 251/21 - Schützenpanzerwagen (Drilling MG151s) is a anti-aircraft and ground support variant equipped with a triple-mount ("Drilling" in German means "triple") of MG151 autocannon; early version being MG151/15 mm cannon, later being MG151/20 mm Luftwaffe cannon, on a Kriegsmarine triple mount. Strong firepower, especially when organized into platoons of 6 SPW.
However, with a combined rate of fire of 2000 RPM, it could fire off its full load of 3000 rounds in just 90 seconds.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armored personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania, Kingdom of Hungary, Italian Social Republic, Independent State of Croatia, Czechoslovak Army, Yugoslav People's Army
Wars: World War II
Designer: Hanomag
Manufacturer: Hanomag, Adlerwerke, Horch, Škoda, Borgward
Unit cost: 22,560 Reichmark
No. built: Approx. 15,252
Mass: 7.81 tonnes (8.61 short tons)
Length: 5.80 m (19 ft)
Width: 2.10 m (6 ft 10 in)
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Crew: 2 + 10 passengers
Armor: six-14.5 mm (0.24-0.57 in)
Main armament: MG 34 or MG 42
Secondary armament: MG 34 or MG 42
Engine: one Maybach HL42 6-cylinder petrol engine of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 12.8 hp/tonne
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Operational range: 300 km (186 mi)
Maximum speed: 52.5 km/h (32.5 mph)
The Sd.Kfz. 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251) half-track was a World War II German armored fighting vehicle designed by the Hanomag company, based on its earlier, unarmored Sd.Kfz. 11 vehicle. The Sd.Kfz. 251 was designed to transport the Panzergrenadier (German mechanized infantry) into battle.
Sd.Kfz. 251s were the most widely produced German half-tracks of the war, with at least 15,252 vehicles and variants produced by seven manufacturers. Some sources state that the Sd.Kfz. 251 was commonly referred to simply as "Hanomags" by both German and Allied soldiers after the manufacturer of the vehicle
This has been questioned, and may have been only a postwar label. German officers referred to them as SPW (Schützenpanzerwagen, or armored infantry vehicle) in their daily orders and memoirs.
The Sd.Kfz. 251/21 - Schützenpanzerwagen (Drilling MG151s) is a anti-aircraft and ground support variant equipped with a triple-mount ("Drilling" in German means "triple") of MG151 autocannon; early version being MG151/15 mm cannon, later being MG151/20 mm Luftwaffe cannon, on a Kriegsmarine triple mount. Strong firepower, especially when organized into platoons of 6 SPW.
However, with a combined rate of fire of 2000 RPM, it could fire off its full load of 3000 rounds in just 90 seconds.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armored personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1939–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania, Kingdom of Hungary, Italian Social Republic, Independent State of Croatia, Czechoslovak Army, Yugoslav People's Army
Wars: World War II
Designer: Hanomag
Manufacturer: Hanomag, Adlerwerke, Horch, Škoda, Borgward
Unit cost: 22,560 Reichmark
No. built: Approx. 15,252
Mass: 7.81 tonnes (8.61 short tons)
Length: 5.80 m (19 ft)
Width: 2.10 m (6 ft 10 in)
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Crew: 2 + 10 passengers
Armor: six-14.5 mm (0.24-0.57 in)
Main armament: MG 34 or MG 42
Secondary armament: MG 34 or MG 42
Engine: one Maybach HL42 6-cylinder petrol engine of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 12.8 hp/tonne
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Operational range: 300 km (186 mi)
Maximum speed: 52.5 km/h (32.5 mph)
THE KIT:
DML Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Sd.Kfz. 251/21 “Drilling” parked on a grassy field. It is in a base of sand-yellow with red brown and dark green wave pattern over it. On the sides of the fighting compartment is the black no. 425 on top of a skeletal German cross. Two crewmen are atop it. One is manning the anti-aircraft guns and the other is looking through a range finder telescope. Both wear steel helmets and the man with the rangefinder wears a field grey uniform with suspenders.
One corner of the box art says the box holds one unassembled model kit of 843 plastic parts and the kit is for modelers age 10 and over, box contains a model of one armored vehicle and six figures.
One side panel of the box shows features of the kit in color: 4 decal sheets, brass width indicator poles, a silver sticker to use for rear view mirror faces, detail of both sides of lower hull are with photo-etched parts. The largest of the 3 PE frets in the kit is illustrated. There is an extra driver and gunner figure included. Vinyl uniforms and 4 BONUS anti-aircraft crew figures.
These are followed by CAUTIONS, that when you use glue or cement to stay away from an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers age 10 and older. It is not suitable for children under 3 due to sharp parts, again in the 6 languages.
The copyright of the kit is given as 2004 over DML’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address. Kit was made in China.
DML Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a Sd.Kfz. 251/21 “Drilling” parked on a grassy field. It is in a base of sand-yellow with red brown and dark green wave pattern over it. On the sides of the fighting compartment is the black no. 425 on top of a skeletal German cross. Two crewmen are atop it. One is manning the anti-aircraft guns and the other is looking through a range finder telescope. Both wear steel helmets and the man with the rangefinder wears a field grey uniform with suspenders.
One corner of the box art says the box holds one unassembled model kit of 843 plastic parts and the kit is for modelers age 10 and over, box contains a model of one armored vehicle and six figures.
One side panel of the box shows features of the kit in color: 4 decal sheets, brass width indicator poles, a silver sticker to use for rear view mirror faces, detail of both sides of lower hull are with photo-etched parts. The largest of the 3 PE frets in the kit is illustrated. There is an extra driver and gunner figure included. Vinyl uniforms and 4 BONUS anti-aircraft crew figures.
These are followed by CAUTIONS, that when you use glue or cement to stay away from an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers age 10 and older. It is not suitable for children under 3 due to sharp parts, again in the 6 languages.
The copyright of the kit is given as 2004 over DML’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address. Kit was made in China.
The other side panel has black and white illustrations of features of the kit: Conical pedestal mount, ammo bins with accurate details, MG151 mounted on delicate bracket. One piece slide-molded 3-sided armor, ammo belt with intricate details, additional armor plate for driver’s roof. MG151 with detailed cradle, brass flash suppressor for the barrel, MG can rotate and elevate, stowage box & spare ammo bins, slide-molded rear tow shackle in maximum details, front seats with details, photo etched seat back spring, two upper alternate hulls available with different engine hatches, individual track links or E-Z Track late pattern pre-cut links, improved sprocket road wheels details, engraving on wheels, clear vision blocks with interior and open or closed option, tools stowage box with open or closed option.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 14 medium-grey trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub and hull bottom nose part, a clear tree, 2 tan trees, vinyl trees, 3 brass PE frets, 4 decal sheets, a silver self-sticking sticker and E-Z individual track links inn 20 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions,
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are blued-out in the illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color list of Gunze Sangyo and Model Master brands of hobby paints in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 24 assembly steps.
Step 24 is a assembly and painting guide for the 4 crew figures.
Page 10 is a painting and marking guide for the Sd.Kfz. 251/21. It shows a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above)
A second Sd.Kfz. 251/21 is shown in a 3-view. It is overall sandy brown with a black serial no. out lined in white of 243 on the sides of the fighting compartment, over the German cross. The German cross is also on the rear doors. A white rectangular license plate is on the front with black serial no. WH-1443889 on it and again on two smaller white license plates on each of the rear fenders.
Illustrations of 2 of the 4 decal sheets in the kit are shown.
Below this is DML’s office in Graz, Austria, decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English and the 2004 copyright date repeated for this kit.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the floor, the early version upper roof section, upper side panels, rear wall and doors etc. (50 parts) 8 parts are excess.
This kit holds 14 medium-grey trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub and hull bottom nose part, a clear tree, 2 tan trees, vinyl trees, 3 brass PE frets, 4 decal sheets, a silver self-sticking sticker and E-Z individual track links inn 20 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions,
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 of the instructions begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are blued-out in the illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color list of Gunze Sangyo and Model Master brands of hobby paints in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 24 assembly steps.
Step 24 is a assembly and painting guide for the 4 crew figures.
Page 10 is a painting and marking guide for the Sd.Kfz. 251/21. It shows a 4-view of the box art scheme (already described above)
A second Sd.Kfz. 251/21 is shown in a 3-view. It is overall sandy brown with a black serial no. out lined in white of 243 on the sides of the fighting compartment, over the German cross. The German cross is also on the rear doors. A white rectangular license plate is on the front with black serial no. WH-1443889 on it and again on two smaller white license plates on each of the rear fenders.
Illustrations of 2 of the 4 decal sheets in the kit are shown.
Below this is DML’s office in Graz, Austria, decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English and the 2004 copyright date repeated for this kit.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the floor, the early version upper roof section, upper side panels, rear wall and doors etc. (50 parts) 8 parts are excess.
Lower case letter a tree is a tan vinyl figure. Divided into separate head, torso, lower body and arms (5 parts) It is co-joined to the other vinyl tree, letter d.
Lower case letter d tree is tan vinyl. It holds another figure divided into head, torso, legs and arms (6 parts) It is co-joined to the other vinyl tree, letter a.
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: lower side panels, dash etc. (11 parts) 1 part is excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey other letter B trees. One is co-joined to the first letter B tree. These hold benches, a machine gun etc. (30 parts each) 22 parts per tree are excess.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: engine parts, steering wheel, more machine guns, leaf springs, fighting compartment floor panels etc. (51 parts) 25 parts are excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter D trees. They hold: 98K carbines, bogies, driver’s seat backrest jerry can etc. (41 parts each) 25 parts per tree are excess.
A second small medium-grey tree is also labeled as letter D. It holds a small panel that I cannot find pictured anyplace in the assembly instructions. I don’t know what it is? It is co-joined to one of the other letter D trees.
There are two identical medium-grey letter E trees. They hold: road wheels, front tires, drive sprockets and individual track links (139 parts per tree)
Medium-grey letter F tree holds: the anti-aircraft gun parts etc. (61 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter G trees. They hold more small parts for the A-A gun (40 parts each)
Lettering jumps to the medium-grey letter L tree. It holds the upper roof section for the late version, hood top panel, figure parts etc. (25 parts) 23 are excess.
Lettering jumps again to the medium-grey letter T tree. It holds seat cushions and backrests etc. (9 parts)
There is a un-alphabetized medium-grey vinyl tree that holds coat sections (3 parts)
Letting jumps once more to the clear letter W tree. It holds the windows (8 parts)
Medium-grey letter X is the lone hull tub part.
Medium-grey letter Y is the individual loose E-Z tracks. They are in clear cello bags marked for the left and right sides. There are hundreds of each.
A un-alphabetized medium-grey tree that has DML’s kit no. 6191 on its tab holds 4 figures (divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs), a pair of binoculars, a MG34 etc. (39 parts)
In a clear plastic bag is the silver self sticking sticker holds 2 rear view mirror lenses and the dashboard instrument dial faces. It is un-alphabetized too.
MA is the largest brass PE fret. It holds side panels etc. (7 parts)
A second brass PE fret labeled as MA and from DML’s kit no. 6214 holds head phone and throat mike straps (8 parts)
MB is the turned brass ammo rounds and steel tubes that are the muzzles for the 3 barreled A-A gun (9 parts)
MC is the turned brass curb feeling rods (2 parts)
MD is the brass PE fret holding more straps (8 parts)
The 4 decal sheets complete the kits contents.
The largest sheet holds numbers and German crosses.
The largest sheet holds numbers and German crosses.
The medium sized sheet holds license plates, WH and numbers.
The 2nd medium-sized sheet holds unit insignias.
This is one neat vehicle kit. With a lot of parts that will wind up in modeler’s spare parts box. Detail is outstanding.
This kit is not for the novice modeler or a week-end project by any means.
Highly recommended.
This kit is not for the novice modeler or a week-end project by any means.
Highly recommended.