Sd.Kfz. 250/10 Neu w/3.7 cm Pak - Smart Kit

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Summary

FirstLook

The latest from DML affiliate cyber-hobby.com takes the“Premium Edition” Sd.Kfz. 250 Neu kit and adds parts to create the Sd.Kfz. 25/10 mit 3.7 cm Pak 36. Basically this kit combines the proven sprues from the 250 series kits with the 3.7 cm sprue from the 251/10 platoon leader’s kit (6139) and a set of generic German tool, kit and weapons sprues with a handful of new parts (5).

As before this kit retains all of the upgrades from its immediate predecessor to include the one-piece slide molded lower hull and the engine, albeit with a new engine block. The suspension arms have been redone and also the drive sprocket mounts.

Once again the kit does not use DS plastic for tracks. Again, this kit uses the “Magic Track” precut links with a separate pad for each link to “trap” the pins of the next link. This is very tedious work as the tracks are about the same size as the average 1/72 scale model; again, for a “Smart Kit” cyber-hobby.com and DML should consider DS Plastic molding techniques to make single-section track runs.

As with the “Stroke 1", the tracks do mount on better detailed three-piece drivers, and the front wheels are now “sandwich” moldings to create both proper tread pattern and tread depth (five parts per tire.)

This kit adds three new parts for the 3.7 ammo rack as well as two sets of generic German weapons for the racks inside the hull. The external stowage bins still have separate access panels, so all four can be displayed in the open position. The kit now again includes the Sd.Kfz. 251 clear styrene viewers, which can also be shown either open or closed.

Most of the etched brass provides the straps and mounts for this kit inside the lower hull of the model. The directions are pretty sketchy; while they do cover the placement and use of these items, you must pay close attention when working on the interior.

Technical assistance and work on this kit was provided by Hirohisa Takada, Minoru Igarashi, Dan Graves, Tom Cockle, and Gary Edmundson.

The model comes with but one finishing option: Unidentified Unit, Western Front, 1944 (tricolor with black 222). A “number jungle” for the license plates and a tiny sheet for the hull.

Overall this is a better choice than some cyber-hobby.com kits and should prove popular with the fans of the “little” halftrack.

Sprue Layout:

A 41 250 chassis and details
C 31 250 Neu upper hull and interior components
E 37 250 Neu lower hull and details
E 3 3.7 cm ammo rack and magazines
F 168 “Magic Track” two-piece links
G 28x2 250 road wheels and front wheels
H 6 250 drivers
W 8 251 clear styrene
X 16 250 engine
Y 1 250 one piece lower hull
Y 2 Engine block
GA 64 German equipment A (helmets, canteens, mess kits, gas masks)
TG 10 German tools - pioneer tools and fire extinguishers
WB 18x2 German weapons - MP-44, 2 x MP-40, Gewehr 43
MA 19 etched brass
MB 2 turned brass width indicators
6139 43 3.7 cm PaK 36 and conversion parts

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.