In Box Review of DML Dragon 1/35th Scale
Schwerer Panzerspahwagen (Artilleriewagen)
Kit no. 6073
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $21.74 (back in the 90’s)
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $21.74 (back in the 90’s)
HISTORY:
Armored trains saw use during the 19th century in the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), the First and Second Boer Wars (1880-1881 and 1899-1902), the First (1914-1918) and Second World Wars (1939-1945) and First Indochina War (1946-1954). The most intensive use of armored trains was during the Russian Civil War (1918-1920). There are also reports of a limited use of something like armored trains – trains carrying tanks – in the Second Chechen War (1990).
During the Boer War on 15 November 1899, Winston Churchill, then a war-correspondent, was travelling on board an armored train when it was ambushed by Boer commandos. Churchill and many of the train’s garrison were captured, though many others escaped, including wounded placed on the train’s engine.
After the First World War, the usage of armored trains declined.
They were used in China in the twenties, most notably by the warlord Zhang Zongchang, who employed refugee White Russians to man them.
Poland used armored trains extensively and successfully during the invasion of Poland, which in turn prompted Nazi Germany to reintroduce them into its own armies.
Germany used armored trains to a small degree during World War Two, however, they introduced significant designs of versatile and well equipped nature, including rail cars which housed anti-aircraft turrets, rail cars designed to load and unload tanks, and rail cars which had complete armor protection with a large concealed howitzer gun. Germany also had impressive locomotives which were used on such trains and were full armored.
During the Slovak National Uprising, the Slovak resistance used armored trains. Two of it’s armored trains, which were made in the Zvolen railway manufacturer, Huban and Stefanik, were preserved and can be seen near the Zvolen castle.
In the first Indochina War, the French Union used the armored and armed train La Rafale as both a cargo and a mobile surveillance unit. In February 1951, the first Rafael was in service in the Saigon-Nha Trang line, Vietnam. While from 1947 to May 1952 the second one, which was escorted by onboard Cambodian troops of the BSPP (Brigade de Surveillance de Phnom Penh) was used in the Phnom Penh-Battambang line, Cambodia. In 1953, both trains were attacked by the Viet-Minh guerrillas who mined and destroyed stone bridges when passed by.
Fugencia Batista’s army operated an armored train during the Cuban revolution, though it was derailed and destroyed during the Battle of Santa Clara.
Towards the end of the Cold War, both superpowers began to develop railway-based ICBMs mounted on armored trains. The Soviets deployed the SS-24 missile in 1987, and the U.S. started to follow suit with the Peacekeeper missile, but budget costs and the changing international situation led to the cancellation of both programs, with all remaining railway-based missiles on both sides finally being deactivated in 2005.
One armored train that remains in regular use is the private train of Kim Ilsung and Kim Jong-il, which the former received as a gift from the Soviet Union.
An armored train named “Krajina ekspress” (Krajina express) was used during the war in Croatia (part of the Yugoslavian succession wars) of the early 90’s by the army of Republika Srpska Krajina (self-proclaimed republic of Serbs living within Croatia that sought to remain in Yugoslavia). The train mounted a M18 Hellcat and was used successfully as a mobile artillery battery (some AA guns were also mounted) due to lack of danger from the air. Croatia then possessed only a few aircraft – mostly converted ex-crop dusters used as bombers. It was reportedly hit on a few occasions with some antitank self-propelled grenades, but the damage was minor, as most of the train was covered with thick sheets of rubber which caused the grenades to explode somewhat too early to do real damage. The train was finally destroyed by its own crew lest it fall into enemy hands during the Croatian offensive Operation Storm which overran the Srpska Krajina. The remains are now on display in Gradacac.
The advantage of armored trains is that they can be quickly moved across great distances (which was especially important in the extremely mobile Russian Civil War). They can also carry a large quantity of supplies (including ammunition and materials for track repairs. The obvious disadvantage is that they are tied to rail tracks, and destroying tracks immobilizes them. They are also easy to spot and destroy from the air. Because of this, armored trains have virtually disappeared since World War Two.
This kit is a heavy scout train car, first delivered in 1944. Originally a train equipped with this type car were supposed to have 12 cars with individual power plants, but actually they were made up with only 8 cars. This car was equipped with Panzer III Ausf. N turrets with 7.5cm Kwk short barreled guns. They could be driven down the tracks in either direction. Different types of armor were used to protect them from attack by tanks. In addition to various metal plates, cement and sandbags were used in some cases. Armored trains were sometimes escorted by a kind of rail-tank called a Draisine. One such example was the panzertrolley “littorina” which had a cab in the front and rear two sets of controls so it could be driven in either direction.
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Hong Kong,
China. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
THE KIT:
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows this armored rail car moving down the tracks and firing it’s main weapon. The commander is looking out of the turret top hatch. It is in overall Dunkle Gelb (earth yellow) with just a German cross on the sides.
One side panel has three color photos of 2 other variants of this armored rail car made up (not the box arts). They are kit no. 6071 s.Sp. Kommandwagen, kit no. 6073 s.Sp. Artilleriewagen (this kit) and kit no. 6072 s.Sp. Infantriewagen. I personally see little or nil difference in these.
This is followed by CAUTIONS about the kit in 6 languages (including English). The kit is said to be not suitable for children under 3 due to small parts, in multiple languages. Italeri is the importer for Europe in Italy and their street address is provided. The kit is intended for modelers age 10 and older.
The other side panel has 3 color walk around photos of this model made up. Followed by the copyright date of 1997 and DML DRAGON’S street address in Hong Kong, China.
Armored trains saw use during the 19th century in the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), the First and Second Boer Wars (1880-1881 and 1899-1902), the First (1914-1918) and Second World Wars (1939-1945) and First Indochina War (1946-1954). The most intensive use of armored trains was during the Russian Civil War (1918-1920). There are also reports of a limited use of something like armored trains – trains carrying tanks – in the Second Chechen War (1990).
During the Boer War on 15 November 1899, Winston Churchill, then a war-correspondent, was travelling on board an armored train when it was ambushed by Boer commandos. Churchill and many of the train’s garrison were captured, though many others escaped, including wounded placed on the train’s engine.
After the First World War, the usage of armored trains declined.
They were used in China in the twenties, most notably by the warlord Zhang Zongchang, who employed refugee White Russians to man them.
Poland used armored trains extensively and successfully during the invasion of Poland, which in turn prompted Nazi Germany to reintroduce them into its own armies.
Germany used armored trains to a small degree during World War Two, however, they introduced significant designs of versatile and well equipped nature, including rail cars which housed anti-aircraft turrets, rail cars designed to load and unload tanks, and rail cars which had complete armor protection with a large concealed howitzer gun. Germany also had impressive locomotives which were used on such trains and were full armored.
During the Slovak National Uprising, the Slovak resistance used armored trains. Two of it’s armored trains, which were made in the Zvolen railway manufacturer, Huban and Stefanik, were preserved and can be seen near the Zvolen castle.
In the first Indochina War, the French Union used the armored and armed train La Rafale as both a cargo and a mobile surveillance unit. In February 1951, the first Rafael was in service in the Saigon-Nha Trang line, Vietnam. While from 1947 to May 1952 the second one, which was escorted by onboard Cambodian troops of the BSPP (Brigade de Surveillance de Phnom Penh) was used in the Phnom Penh-Battambang line, Cambodia. In 1953, both trains were attacked by the Viet-Minh guerrillas who mined and destroyed stone bridges when passed by.
Fugencia Batista’s army operated an armored train during the Cuban revolution, though it was derailed and destroyed during the Battle of Santa Clara.
Towards the end of the Cold War, both superpowers began to develop railway-based ICBMs mounted on armored trains. The Soviets deployed the SS-24 missile in 1987, and the U.S. started to follow suit with the Peacekeeper missile, but budget costs and the changing international situation led to the cancellation of both programs, with all remaining railway-based missiles on both sides finally being deactivated in 2005.
One armored train that remains in regular use is the private train of Kim Ilsung and Kim Jong-il, which the former received as a gift from the Soviet Union.
An armored train named “Krajina ekspress” (Krajina express) was used during the war in Croatia (part of the Yugoslavian succession wars) of the early 90’s by the army of Republika Srpska Krajina (self-proclaimed republic of Serbs living within Croatia that sought to remain in Yugoslavia). The train mounted a M18 Hellcat and was used successfully as a mobile artillery battery (some AA guns were also mounted) due to lack of danger from the air. Croatia then possessed only a few aircraft – mostly converted ex-crop dusters used as bombers. It was reportedly hit on a few occasions with some antitank self-propelled grenades, but the damage was minor, as most of the train was covered with thick sheets of rubber which caused the grenades to explode somewhat too early to do real damage. The train was finally destroyed by its own crew lest it fall into enemy hands during the Croatian offensive Operation Storm which overran the Srpska Krajina. The remains are now on display in Gradacac.
The advantage of armored trains is that they can be quickly moved across great distances (which was especially important in the extremely mobile Russian Civil War). They can also carry a large quantity of supplies (including ammunition and materials for track repairs. The obvious disadvantage is that they are tied to rail tracks, and destroying tracks immobilizes them. They are also easy to spot and destroy from the air. Because of this, armored trains have virtually disappeared since World War Two.
This kit is a heavy scout train car, first delivered in 1944. Originally a train equipped with this type car were supposed to have 12 cars with individual power plants, but actually they were made up with only 8 cars. This car was equipped with Panzer III Ausf. N turrets with 7.5cm Kwk short barreled guns. They could be driven down the tracks in either direction. Different types of armor were used to protect them from attack by tanks. In addition to various metal plates, cement and sandbags were used in some cases. Armored trains were sometimes escorted by a kind of rail-tank called a Draisine. One such example was the panzertrolley “littorina” which had a cab in the front and rear two sets of controls so it could be driven in either direction.
DML Dragon is a prolific model company based in Hong Kong,
China. They make all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
THE KIT:
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows this armored rail car moving down the tracks and firing it’s main weapon. The commander is looking out of the turret top hatch. It is in overall Dunkle Gelb (earth yellow) with just a German cross on the sides.
One side panel has three color photos of 2 other variants of this armored rail car made up (not the box arts). They are kit no. 6071 s.Sp. Kommandwagen, kit no. 6073 s.Sp. Artilleriewagen (this kit) and kit no. 6072 s.Sp. Infantriewagen. I personally see little or nil difference in these.
This is followed by CAUTIONS about the kit in 6 languages (including English). The kit is said to be not suitable for children under 3 due to small parts, in multiple languages. Italeri is the importer for Europe in Italy and their street address is provided. The kit is intended for modelers age 10 and older.
The other side panel has 3 color walk around photos of this model made up. Followed by the copyright date of 1997 and DML DRAGON’S street address in Hong Kong, China.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 14 grey parts trees in 5 sealed cello bags, the small decal sheet and the instructions. .
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion folds out into 8 pages in 14” x 8 1/8th “ page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, followed by the parts trees illustrations. Some parts in these illustrations are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS about the kit in 6 languages (including English), followed by international assembly symbol explanations and a list of Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby colors, Mr. Color and Italeri hobby paints suggested to use to complete the model. The bottom of the page has the first 3 assembly steps.
Page 3 through 6 have a balance of a grand total of 13 assembly steps.
Page 7 has a 4 view of this armoured rail car in the box art scheme. It is overall dunkle-gelb (earth yellow) with black push arms on the front and rear. A German cross is shown on the sides..
Page 8 has an unnumbered step for assembly of the tracks and roadbed parts. The bottom of the page has decal application instructions in 6 languages (including English).
Grey letter A parts tree holds: The hull tub, roof and end panels etc. (20 parts) Two parts are blued out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess.
This kit contains 14 grey parts trees in 5 sealed cello bags, the small decal sheet and the instructions. .
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion folds out into 8 pages in 14” x 8 1/8th “ page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, followed by the parts trees illustrations. Some parts in these illustrations are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with CAUTIONS about the kit in 6 languages (including English), followed by international assembly symbol explanations and a list of Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby colors, Mr. Color and Italeri hobby paints suggested to use to complete the model. The bottom of the page has the first 3 assembly steps.
Page 3 through 6 have a balance of a grand total of 13 assembly steps.
Page 7 has a 4 view of this armoured rail car in the box art scheme. It is overall dunkle-gelb (earth yellow) with black push arms on the front and rear. A German cross is shown on the sides..
Page 8 has an unnumbered step for assembly of the tracks and roadbed parts. The bottom of the page has decal application instructions in 6 languages (including English).
Grey letter A parts tree holds: The hull tub, roof and end panels etc. (20 parts) Two parts are blued out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess.
Grey trees lettered B – C – D & I are co-joined. B – C & D are two identical trees each. There is only one letter I tree and it holds the tools (13 parts) with 5 being excess.
The two identical grey letter B trees each hold one side wall of the rail car.
The two identical grey letter C trees each hold: vision flaps, a tow hook, machine guns and their mantle parts etc. (25 parts each) All these parts are used.
The two identical grey letter D trees each hold: undercarriage support beams, wheels, axles etc. (12 parts per tree)
The two identical grey letter D trees each hold: undercarriage support beams, wheels, axles etc. (12 parts per tree)
Grey tree letter E holds: the turret sides, top and front panel etc. (51 parts) 25 parts are excess.
There is no letter F tree.
There is no letter F tree.
There are 2 identical letter G parts trees. They hold road bed wooden tie rails and a length of track etc. (15 parts per tree) 2 parts per tree are excess.
Also included in the kit is the road bed itself with the locations for the wooden ties molded into the bed.
Grey letter J parts tree holds: the turret bottom, roof top bullet splash rails, turret front panel and mantle etc. (12 parts) All these parts are used.
The small decal sheet just has two German national crosses on it.
There are also no crew figures provided and no interior detail. Not even a gun breech inside the turret. So, I would glue separate hatches and doors shut.
This is a nice kit for how old it is. Some modelers might want to add detail inside it.
Kit was courtesy of my wallet back in the 90’s.
This is a nice kit for how old it is. Some modelers might want to add detail inside it.
Kit was courtesy of my wallet back in the 90’s.