In Box Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
German 3cm Flak 38/103 Jaboschreck w/Trailer
Kit no. 6353
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
I paid $18.44 for my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Available at 4 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2006
I paid $18.44 for my kit at a local hobby shop that went out of business.
Available at 4 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 103 ("MK" - Maschinenkanone) was a German 30 mm caliber autocannon that was mounted in German combat aircraft during World War II. Intended to be a dual purpose weapon for anti-tank and air-to-air fighting, it was developed from the MK 101. Compared to the MK 101 it was faster firing, and was originally intended to develop a higher muzzle velocity than the MK 101. Unlike the MK 101, the MK 103 used a belt feed, allowing it to potentially carry a larger ammunition load.
The MK 103 used electrically primed rather than percussion-primed ammunition. The operating mechanism differed from the recoil-operated MK 101 in that it used a combination of gas and recoil operation. After firing, gas pressure served to unlock the breech, while barrel recoil was used to cycle the action (eject spent cartridge and load a fresh one).
Because of a combination of lower grade steels and lighter components, the mechanism of the MK 103 was not as strong as the MK 101. To counteract this weakness, HE ammunition with a reduced load of propellant was used, resulting in a loss of about 100 m/s in muzzle velocity compared to the MK 101, but the rate of fire was increased. The MK 103 entered service in 1943 as the main armament of the Hs 129 B-1 ground-attack/tank-destroyer aircraft, mounted on the underside of the fuselage in a conformal gun pod.
The original specification for the MK 103 called for it to fit inside an aircraft's engine mounting (possibly as a Motorkanone, firing through a hollow propeller hub), but it proved to be too large and heavy to fit into small fighters like the Bf 109. If mounted elsewhere, such as in the wing, the asymmetric force of the cannon's recoil tended to yaw the aircraft's nose to one side.
The only known usages of the MK 103 in a Motorkanone installation were in the Do 335 and the Ta 152 C3 . A modified version with a reduced-profile barrel, the MK 103M, was developed and possibly tested for use as a Motorkanone cannon on single-engine fighter planes such as the Bf 109K, but probably never saw active service.
As a consequence, the MK 103 was largely restricted to the role of an air-to-ground weapon for use against armoured vehicles. Projectile weights for the MK 103 were 330 g (12 oz)) for the HE/M ammunition and 355 g (12.5 oz)) for APCR ammunition. Armour penetration for APCR 42–52 mm (1.7–2.0 in) / 60° / 300 m (980 ft) or 75–95 mm (3.0–3.7 in) / 90° / 300 m (980 ft).
Later in the war the MK 103 was also used as a ground-based anti-aircraft (AA) weapon, using single or dual mounts. It was also used as a flak autocannon in the Flakpanzer IV "Kugelblitz". Developed alongside the MK 103 was the lighter MK 108 cannon, which had a shorter barrel and used a modified blowback operating system.
It fired the same projectile, using a smaller cartridge case with less propellant, at a relatively low muzzle velocity. The shorter barrel made it more adaptable, so it saw much greater use.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Autocannon
3cm + 30mm
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Designer: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Designed: 1940
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Produced: 1943–1945
Mass: 58 kilograms (128 lb)
Length: 1,057 millimetres (41.6 in)
Barrel length: 580 millimetres (23 in)
Cartridge: 30×90RB (330g) steel casing
Caliber: 30 mm
Action: API Blowback
Rate of fire: 650 rounds/min, MK 108A: 850 rounds/min[citation needed]
Muzzle velocity: 540 m/s (1,770 ft/s)
The Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 103 ("MK" - Maschinenkanone) was a German 30 mm caliber autocannon that was mounted in German combat aircraft during World War II. Intended to be a dual purpose weapon for anti-tank and air-to-air fighting, it was developed from the MK 101. Compared to the MK 101 it was faster firing, and was originally intended to develop a higher muzzle velocity than the MK 101. Unlike the MK 101, the MK 103 used a belt feed, allowing it to potentially carry a larger ammunition load.
The MK 103 used electrically primed rather than percussion-primed ammunition. The operating mechanism differed from the recoil-operated MK 101 in that it used a combination of gas and recoil operation. After firing, gas pressure served to unlock the breech, while barrel recoil was used to cycle the action (eject spent cartridge and load a fresh one).
Because of a combination of lower grade steels and lighter components, the mechanism of the MK 103 was not as strong as the MK 101. To counteract this weakness, HE ammunition with a reduced load of propellant was used, resulting in a loss of about 100 m/s in muzzle velocity compared to the MK 101, but the rate of fire was increased. The MK 103 entered service in 1943 as the main armament of the Hs 129 B-1 ground-attack/tank-destroyer aircraft, mounted on the underside of the fuselage in a conformal gun pod.
The original specification for the MK 103 called for it to fit inside an aircraft's engine mounting (possibly as a Motorkanone, firing through a hollow propeller hub), but it proved to be too large and heavy to fit into small fighters like the Bf 109. If mounted elsewhere, such as in the wing, the asymmetric force of the cannon's recoil tended to yaw the aircraft's nose to one side.
The only known usages of the MK 103 in a Motorkanone installation were in the Do 335 and the Ta 152 C3 . A modified version with a reduced-profile barrel, the MK 103M, was developed and possibly tested for use as a Motorkanone cannon on single-engine fighter planes such as the Bf 109K, but probably never saw active service.
As a consequence, the MK 103 was largely restricted to the role of an air-to-ground weapon for use against armoured vehicles. Projectile weights for the MK 103 were 330 g (12 oz)) for the HE/M ammunition and 355 g (12.5 oz)) for APCR ammunition. Armour penetration for APCR 42–52 mm (1.7–2.0 in) / 60° / 300 m (980 ft) or 75–95 mm (3.0–3.7 in) / 90° / 300 m (980 ft).
Later in the war the MK 103 was also used as a ground-based anti-aircraft (AA) weapon, using single or dual mounts. It was also used as a flak autocannon in the Flakpanzer IV "Kugelblitz". Developed alongside the MK 103 was the lighter MK 108 cannon, which had a shorter barrel and used a modified blowback operating system.
It fired the same projectile, using a smaller cartridge case with less propellant, at a relatively low muzzle velocity. The shorter barrel made it more adaptable, so it saw much greater use.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Autocannon
3cm + 30mm
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1943–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany
Wars: World War II
Designer: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Designed: 1940
Manufacturer: Rheinmetall-Borsig
Produced: 1943–1945
Mass: 58 kilograms (128 lb)
Length: 1,057 millimetres (41.6 in)
Barrel length: 580 millimetres (23 in)
Cartridge: 30×90RB (330g) steel casing
Caliber: 30 mm
Action: API Blowback
Rate of fire: 650 rounds/min, MK 108A: 850 rounds/min[citation needed]
Muzzle velocity: 540 m/s (1,770 ft/s)
THE KIT:
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a 3cm Flak 38/103 Jaboschreck w/trailer being towed by a half-track that has a crew of 6 men aboard it, down a dirt road by a creek.
Both the gun and the halftrack are overall earth yellow, with no markings shown.
The men all wear field-grey uniforms with steel helmets.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Unassembled model. This kit contains over 190 parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one gun.
One side panel of the box shows black and white illustrations of features of the kit: Brand new 3cm Flak 38/103 gun assembly, first time as a 1/35th scale kit. Slide-molded gun barrel with hollow muzzle end. Flash suppressor and muzzle brake intrically reproduced in plastic and photo-etched parts.
Bonus 3cm ammunition belt and spare rounds. Updated platform structure for 3cm Flak 38/103. Targeting-sight modeled in plastic and photo-etched parts for extreme detail.
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of a 3cm Flak 38/103 Jaboschreck w/trailer being towed by a half-track that has a crew of 6 men aboard it, down a dirt road by a creek.
Both the gun and the halftrack are overall earth yellow, with no markings shown.
The men all wear field-grey uniforms with steel helmets.
The lower left corner of the box art says: Unassembled model. This kit contains over 190 parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one gun.
One side panel of the box shows black and white illustrations of features of the kit: Brand new 3cm Flak 38/103 gun assembly, first time as a 1/35th scale kit. Slide-molded gun barrel with hollow muzzle end. Flash suppressor and muzzle brake intrically reproduced in plastic and photo-etched parts.
Bonus 3cm ammunition belt and spare rounds. Updated platform structure for 3cm Flak 38/103. Targeting-sight modeled in plastic and photo-etched parts for extreme detail.
The other side-panel of the box shows more features of the kit in color: Bonus brass PE gunner’s shield. Bonus preformed PE gun shield. More PE parts and the decal sheet. Followed by: Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. In multiple languages, including English.
A CAUTION that when you use glue or paint do not be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Copyright of the kit is 2006, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
A CAUTION that when you use glue or paint do not be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Copyright of the kit is 2006, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
The box bottom has drawings on a black background showing the details and different positions the barrel can be fixed.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 5 medium-grey parts trees in sealed cello bags and a black vacuformed tray with a clear vacuformed lid that holds 9 brass PE frets in individual openings.
The decal sheet and letter C medium-grey tree are in a cello bag with a cardboard backing.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 7” x 10” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a listing of GSI Creos and Model Master brands of hobby paints. In 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 3 through to page 6 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps.
Page 7 has four line-drawings of 2-views of the gun. Showing elevation angles for it the barrel of the gun: angle 0, 20, 40 and 60.
Page 8 is a painting instruction for the gun It shows a 5-view profile and the decal sheet. However, it does not say where to put the markings on the decal sheet onto the gun. Bad move Dragon !
It says it is how it looked with an unknown unit on the Eastern Front in 1945.
Below is Dragon’s office address in Austria. The copyright of 2006 and decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English. A worthless gesture because you are not told where on the gun these markings go.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the gun base parts, plastic shield parts, seat etc. (88 parts) 28 parts are excess.
The kit holds 5 medium-grey parts trees in sealed cello bags and a black vacuformed tray with a clear vacuformed lid that holds 9 brass PE frets in individual openings.
The decal sheet and letter C medium-grey tree are in a cello bag with a cardboard backing.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 7” x 10” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown blued-out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a listing of GSI Creos and Model Master brands of hobby paints. In 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 3 through to page 6 gives a grand total of 11 assembly steps.
Page 7 has four line-drawings of 2-views of the gun. Showing elevation angles for it the barrel of the gun: angle 0, 20, 40 and 60.
Page 8 is a painting instruction for the gun It shows a 5-view profile and the decal sheet. However, it does not say where to put the markings on the decal sheet onto the gun. Bad move Dragon !
It says it is how it looked with an unknown unit on the Eastern Front in 1945.
Below is Dragon’s office address in Austria. The copyright of 2006 and decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English. A worthless gesture because you are not told where on the gun these markings go.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds the gun base parts, plastic shield parts, seat etc. (88 parts) 28 parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: the trailer base and wheels etc. (45 parts) 21 parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds 6 parts for elevation, supports, etc.
There are 2 different medium-grey trees marked as being letter D. The smaller one of the two holds the gun barrel and supports etc (10 parts)
The larger medium-grey letter D tree holds more parts of the gun, a belt of ammo and single rounds etc. (22 parts)
The 9 brass PE frets are next. They hold the shields, supports, shield hinges, muzzle, etc.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents. For what it is worth, without instructions on how to use it.
There are no figures included and surely should have been added.
Otherwise the detail is great.
Recommended.
Otherwise the detail is great.
Recommended.