DML 1/35 Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C Rivetted Version 2-in-1 Kit First Look
By Cookie Sewell
Images by Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | May 2006 | Manufacturer | DML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C Rivetted Version 2-in-1 Kit | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 6326 | Primary Media | 838 parts (762 in grey styrene, 67 etched brass, 16 clear styrene, 5 in tan DS plastic, 2 turned brass, 2 silvered paper) |
| Pros | Choice of either riveted or welded hull provided in kit; will actually build up as a Sd.Kfz 251/2 with the 8 cm mortar | Cons | Lack of solid information on the systems tends to hurt the modeler in building the kit; many small detail parts |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $45 |
First Look
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This is another of the DML "boutique" armor kits released under their cyber-hobby.com subsidiary, and it is pretty much a repeat of their earlier Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C mit Wurfrahmen 40 3-in-1 kit No. 6284, but with both Ausf.C hulls provided in one box AND finally the mortar to build it up as an actual Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C with the mortar (from figure set No. 6215.)
As noted in the review of the 6284 kit, the rockets make a popular option as it "dresses" up any 251 halftrack and makes it more interesting, and this is the third version in this scale. Now DML offers the optional hull kit as a "2-in-1" kit, with the rocket sets or the mortar.
Each rocket launcher consists of six to eight parts (with or without optional etched brass parts) per assembly, and the rockets themselves each have four parts including a separate fuse assembly. The 30 cm rockets now appear to have had their molds touched up with the exhaust vents provided at the base of the projectile. The options for the diorama fan are going to be wide, as this permits showing loading and arming the rockets, fitting them to the frames, etc. For the more prosaic, the launcher frames are complete and may be shown either open, loaded or unloaded and prepared for travel.
The model may also be built as an Sd.Kfz.251/2 mortar and several items are included for that, including a mortar round case rack in the center of the compartment and three conversion parts to permit the mortar base and trails to mount in the fighting compartment.
The rest of the kit is either a riveted (sprue H) or the welded (sprue A/B) C model 251 from DML with newly reworked wheel sprues with more detail on the parts. While they now show the detail on the sidewalls of the road wheel tires, oddly enough there are none on the front wheels! It comes with a dedicated brass sheet including seat back spring details, and better regular tracks. Note that no "Magic Tracks" are provided, for they are the later tracks and the kit requires the early model track links.
One DS plastic figure is included, along with turned brass fender markers/mirror mounts. The large etched brass sheet provides nice touches such as the open springs for the driver's and commander's seat backs, and trim for the rocket launcher packing crates.
Four different vehicles are provided in the finishing instructions: unidentified with mortar in Panzerbraun, Eastern Front 1944; unidentified with mortar, Eastern Front 1944 in grey; WFR 40, 3rd Panzer Division, Poland 1942 (with stencils for the name "Tilsit" provided in the etched brass sheet); and two more WFR 40 launchers, one in grey and one in Panzerbraun, Eastern Front 1944. Decals are generic crosses and number plates.
Overall this provides the material to actually build the mortar vehicle or the rocket launcher.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.