Build Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
German Sd.Kfz. 250/8 NEU 7.5cm KwK-37 (L/24) “Stummel”
Kit no. 6102
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Available 3 places overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Available 3 places overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Sd.Kfz. 250 (German: Sonderkraftfahrzeug 250; 'special motor vehicle') was a light armoured half-track, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.
The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard half-track. Production delays meant that the first vehicle did not appear until mid-1941.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1941–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania
Wars: World War II
Designer: Demag
Designed: 1939–1940
Manufacturer: Demag, Adlerwerke, Büssing-NAG, MWC
Unit cost: 20,420 ℛℳ
Produced: 1941–1945
No. built: Approx. 6,628
Specifications (Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf. A)
Mass Load: 5,800 kg (12,800 lb)
Length: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
Width: 1.945 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Crew: 2 + 4
Armour: 5.5–14.5 mm (0.22–0.57 in)
Main armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 34 machine guns
Sd.Kfz. 250/8 leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (7.5 cm)
Support variant armed with a 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 gun and an MG 34
Engine: Maybach HL42 TRKM 6-cylinder, water-cooled petrol of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 17.2 hp/ton
Transmission: 7 + 3 speed Maybach VG 102128 H
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Ground clearance: 28.5 cm (10 in)
Fuel capacity: 140 L (37 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 300–320 km (190–200 mi), Cross Country: 180–200 km (110–120 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 76 km/h (47 mph)
The Sd.Kfz. 250 (German: Sonderkraftfahrzeug 250; 'special motor vehicle') was a light armoured half-track, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.
The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard half-track. Production delays meant that the first vehicle did not appear until mid-1941.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Half-track armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin: Nazi Germany
In service: 1941–1945
Used by: Nazi Germany, Kingdom of Romania
Wars: World War II
Designer: Demag
Designed: 1939–1940
Manufacturer: Demag, Adlerwerke, Büssing-NAG, MWC
Unit cost: 20,420 ℛℳ
Produced: 1941–1945
No. built: Approx. 6,628
Specifications (Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Ausf. A)
Mass Load: 5,800 kg (12,800 lb)
Length: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
Width: 1.945 m (6 ft 5 in)
Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Crew: 2 + 4
Armour: 5.5–14.5 mm (0.22–0.57 in)
Main armament: 1 or 2 x 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 34 machine guns
Sd.Kfz. 250/8 leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (7.5 cm)
Support variant armed with a 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24 gun and an MG 34
Engine: Maybach HL42 TRKM 6-cylinder, water-cooled petrol of 100 PS (99 hp, 74 kW)
Power/weight: 17.2 hp/ton
Transmission: 7 + 3 speed Maybach VG 102128 H
Suspension: Overlapping torsion bar (track) Leaf spring (wheels)
Ground clearance: 28.5 cm (10 in)
Fuel capacity: 140 L (37 US gal)
Operational range: Road: 300–320 km (190–200 mi), Cross Country: 180–200 km (110–120 mi)
Maximum speed: Road: 76 km/h (47 mph)
THE KIT:
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture 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 Sd.Kfz. 250/8 that is emerging up the bank of a river it has just crossed. It is in a blotch-pattern camouflage of a base of earth-yellow with green blotches. It has a skeletal white German cross on the sides of its hull and no other markings. The driver is looking out of the top. He wears a black Panzer uniform and field cap. He has a pair of earphones on his head.
One side panel of the box has a one-paragraph history of the half-track in 6 languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
This is followed by: Kit not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. In multiple languages, including English.
There is a CAUTION that says: When using paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In multiple languages, including English.
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture 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 Sd.Kfz. 250/8 that is emerging up the bank of a river it has just crossed. It is in a blotch-pattern camouflage of a base of earth-yellow with green blotches. It has a skeletal white German cross on the sides of its hull and no other markings. The driver is looking out of the top. He wears a black Panzer uniform and field cap. He has a pair of earphones on his head.
One side panel of the box has a one-paragraph history of the half-track in 6 languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
This is followed by: Kit not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. For modelers aged 10 and over. In multiple languages, including English.
There is a CAUTION that says: When using paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In multiple languages, including English.
The other side panel shows 4 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address. Kit made in China.
What’ in the box:
The kit contains 13 medium-grey parts trees, a section of black vinyl mesh screen and the decal sheet in sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins at the top 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 suggested paint color list of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints. In six languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 25 assembly steps.
Step 12 is for painting and assembling the figure.
Page 8 is the marking and painting guide for the half-track.
It shows a 5-view in the box art scheme (already described above) No unit is mentioned for it. The bottom of the page has decal application instructions on it, in 6 languages, including English.
The kit contains 13 medium-grey parts trees, a section of black vinyl mesh screen and the decal sheet in sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins at the top 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 suggested paint color list of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints. In six languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 25 assembly steps.
Step 12 is for painting and assembling the figure.
Page 8 is the marking and painting guide for the half-track.
It shows a 5-view in the box art scheme (already described above) No unit is mentioned for it. The bottom of the page has decal application instructions on it, in 6 languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the bottom, side panels, drive sprockets, leaf spring, axle etc. (41 parts)
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the bottom, side panels, drive sprockets, leaf spring, axle etc. (41 parts)
There are 4 identical medium-grey letter B trees. They hold road wheels etc. (20 parts ea.). Also shown are the track links described later.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: the top, lockers, floor section, seats etc. (31 parts) Three parts are excess.
There is no letter D tree.
There is no letter D tree.
Medium-grey letter E tree holds: more side panels, rear wall and door etc. (35 parts) Four parts are excess.
There are 4 identical medium-grey letter F trees. They hold individual track links (40 links per)
Medium-grey letter G tree holds: dashboard, shield panels etc. (32 parts)
Lettering jumps to the small medium-grey letter Z tree. It holds the parts of the figure (5 parts)
There are several parts that need to be added to the model such as the MG support, spare wheel tools, etc. (13 parts).
I have added the Jaguar brand tan plastic detail sets to the kit and the first set is the front wheels.
The second set is road wheels and drive sprockets.
A third set is side and 2 different front panels, lockers and rear door and potato masher hand grenades.
I also added an Eduard brand steel PE fret.
I have assembled the chassis, main gun, drove sprockets, axles etc.
The detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.