DML 1/35 Sd.Kfz.250/8 Neu - Premium Edition Kit First Look

By Cookie Sewell

First Look

This kit retains all of the upgrades from its immediate predecessor but drops the small arms weapons sets for a three new parts and selected sprues from their Pzkw. IV Ausf. F1 and related “short-barreled” Pzkw. IV kits and two sprue from their Sd.Kfz. 234/3 kit mounting the same gun. As before, the biggest single item is the presence of a one-piece “slide molded” lower hull replacing three parts in the original 1999 series kits. The suspension arms have been redone and also the drive sprocket mounts. The engine from the original add-on kit is now included, which is a nice touch.

DML has not yet switched to their DS plastic for tracks for these kits. 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 “Premium Edition” kit 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.)

I have seen some comments that DML did not get the original kit interior right, but as I cannot find any interior references I have nothing to compare this kit with the prototype. Given that, the kit comes with a full six-round “ready rack” on the right side of the hull and a considerable amount of stowage on the left including racks for three more rounds. There is a single seat on the right and a locker and a bench on the left. There is an applique for the roof (K1) and a two-piece pin (H1-H2) to which the gun mounts for rotation. The directions are confusing, however, so the modeler needs to check several steps ahead to ensure that he does not get things bolloxed up.

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, Thomas Anderson, and Gary Edmundson.

The model comes with a total of four finishing options: 5th SS Panzer Division “Wiking,” Kovel, Hungary, 1945 (red-brown “mesh” over sand, Black 425); Unidentified unit, Eastern Front 1944 (mottle with crosses); Pz.Regt. 304, 2nd Panzer Division, Germany 1945 (mottle with crosses and divisional markings); and Unidentified unit, Germany 1945 (mottle with white outline crosses). The kit provides a generic sheet of markings for license plates and stenciling and a targeted sheet as well; both are from Cartograf.

Overall this is another upgraded kit with nicer details and cleaner molds, but I cannot verify if it is now more accurate or not.

Thanks to DML for the review sample.

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
• F 168 “Magic Track” two-piece links
• G 28x2 250 road wheels and front wheels
• H 6 250 drivers
• H 33 Sd.Kfz. 234/3 components
• J 36 Sd.Kfz. 234/3 components
• J 10 Generic German periscopes - clear styrene
• K 3 Stroke 8 roof and side armor
• L 19 Pzkw. IV - L/24 gun
• W 8 251 clear styrene
• X 16 250 engine
• Y 1 250 one piece lower hull
• GA 64 German equipment A (helmets, canteens, mess kits, gas masks)
• GC 14 German equipment C (offensive and defensive grenades)
• TG 10 German tools - pioneer tools and fire extinguishers
• WC 8 German weapons - MG-34 and MG-42
• MA 34 etched brass
• MB 2 turned brass width indicators