Upgrade and Conversion Kit for Sd.Kfz. 131 Panzerjaeger II fuer Pak 40/2 Marder IIReviewed by Cookie Sewell
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Stock Number and Description | cyber-hobby.com (Dragon Models Limited) 1/35 Scale Upgrade and Conversion Kit No. 3829 for Sd.Kfz. 131 Panzerjaeger II fuer Pak 40/2 Marder II |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 53 parts (45 etched brass, 4 copper springs, 2 steel springs, 2 preformed etched brass) plus decals |
Price: | price estimated at US $16.95 separately, $10.95 with base kit purchase |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | Provides metal replacement parts for base kit, provides "Premium Edition" upgrade parts |
Disadvantages: | Did not come with base kit |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended for Marder "owners" |
FirstLook
This is the third in a new series of factory-designed "upgrade and conversion kits" offered by DML via their cyber-hobby.com boutique nameplate.
This time, the modeler gets two
frets of etched brass, two short and two long tightly coiled copper
springs, two large sections of steel springs, and two preformed side
armor plates for the casemate plus a new set of decals for three
different variants.
As before, the directions (such as they are) assume you have the
original kit and understand when and where to install these parts.
Other than the two side plates, most of the new parts are interior
details: shell storage rim catch plates, new racks for the radio
sets, and springs to represent flexible hoses or cable runs inside
the driver's compartment and fighting compartment. The other fret is
for detailing the side armor plates. Happily, as there is very
little "footprint" on the side plates, they have the internal
"baffle" plates to mount to for added strength.
Again, while the kit comes with a nice set of Cartograf decals,
there is no information provided on the three new finishing options.
This is a shame, as one has white stars with it and I have no clue
if that is a tactical marking or a captured one by Allied forces.
Overall, these are nice kits and do let the modeler have the option
of going "whole hog" or simply enjoying the very nice Marder II kit
in its lesser – but still excellent –state.
Highly Recommended
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample.