Marder III, Panzer IV, E-100 & Flakpanzer 38T Detail Sets

Voyager Model, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Luke Pitt

FirstLook

I have grouped 5 of Voyager’s newest releases for this review with a grouping of the 2 updates for the German Panzer IV.

PE35226: WW2 German Marder III Armour Plate (Tamiya)

This set has a few unique features and is the first update of this type to include holes as well as rivets, (quite innovative).

This update comprises 5 quite large photo etch frets together with 3 resin pieces, 70 odd (I didn’t count them) brass rivets, one length of wire and 1 length of rod. The 2 well laid out pages of instructions cover all of the external armour plate around the fighting compartment and the main gun.

There are 15 construction steps.

The brass itself is first class and the bend marks clearly defined. As mentioned before, the unique feature of this set is all the rivet holes are drilled out, into which the finely turned brass rivets fit snugly. I’m pretty impressed with this feature as it will allow the plates to be super glued as opposed to the general practice of soldering.

In summary, this is a great set and will add certain finesse the to Tamiya kit as well as adding scale thickness to the armour plate inside the vehicle. I believe with slight modification this set would work with the Dragon kit also (but don’t quote me on that).

PEA052: WW2 German Panzer IV E-J Stowage Bin

This is quite a simple upgrade and would suit any Panzer IV version from the “E” right through to the “J” versions.

One medium size photo etch fret is included with 38 parts on the fret.

The bin is made up of the front, middle and rear with some tricky bends being called out for. A total of 15 construction sequences are called out for in the two pages of instructions. The upper lid is made up of 8 parts and looks to be quite simple in its construction. All the latches are included and are quite detailed. The last parts are the mounting hardware and cover 5 parts for each side. This is quite a useful set as I’ve seen many photographs of this bin in a battered and bent condition and etch brass is the best way to reproduce this effect.

PE35247: WW2 German Panzer IV G update (Dragon)

This set covers 5 photo etch frets together with 3 resin pieces,12 turned brass parts, 1 length of wire, 3 lengths of brass tub, 1 length of tow rope and 1 length of plastic rod. Three well laid out pages of instructions cover 66 construction sequences and cover most of the detail on the exterior of the vehicle. The photo etch, is very well done, with cleanly defined bend marks in evidence. The spare road wheel brackets are included, as are the splash guards around the turret base. This feature is often missed with etch upgrades on the Panzer 4 and is pleasing to see. The resin castings are very well produced with no air bubbles present. Overall, this is a great set and would add a great deal to the already excellent Dragon kit.

PE35245: WW2 German E-100 update (Trumpeter)

I must confess I’m a big fan of this so called “46” German Sci –Fi stuff. Trumpeter’s recent rendition of the E-100 has a certain “wow” factor to it and it has certainly been a popular kit, with many being shown over on the constructive comments forum. This set covers 3 photo etch frets with 4 pages of instructions covering 47 construction sequences. Thirteen very well cast resin parts include the “IR” gear, loaders hatch, rear lifting hooks and antennae mount. Also included is 1 length of brass tube (intended for the gun cleaning holder) 3 lengths of plastic rod,1 small length of chain , 3 lengths of wire and 1 length of tow rope. The etch frets include upgrades for all the tool mounts, front headlight, engine screens (and so called “jabo screens”) gun cleaning tube and so called “IR” leak box on the rear of the tank (the purpose of this leak box was small amounts of incandescent material were leaked from the box so the “IR” gear could pick up a trail at night). The bend marks on all the etch pieces are clearly defined and would greatly enhance the Trumpeter kit. This set is a worthwhile addition to the very popular Trumpeter kit.

PE35230: WW2 German Sdkfz 149 Flakpanzer 38t (Dragon)

Covering 10 photo etch frets, together with 9 resin pieces, 4 brass shells and 2 lengths of wire and 1 film . The six well laid of instructions cover most of the internal fittings in the fighting compartment; with the other half devoted to the Gun. There are 81 construction sequences. The Gun shield is completely covered. Eight shell cartridge cassettes are included and cover 8 photo etch pieces each. The 4 cartridge boxes are included and cover 8 photo etch pieces. The level of detail, as well as the clearly defined bend marks would make this set a real bonus for the excellent Dragon kit. It should be noted that this set is different to the set for the Tri-Star kit (PE35237) and both sets while similar, address slightly different parts of the donor vehicle.

All Highly Recommended

Thanks to Voyager Model for the review samples

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