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

By Cookie Sewell

First Look

Eight years ago DML released the first in its line of Sd.Kfz. 250 light halftracks and they were well received at the time, offering both the "alte" or angular hull vehicles that were contemporaries of the Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. A, B and C medium halftracks, as well as the "neue" or flat plate hull vehicles which were the counterparts to the Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. D models. Somewhat spartan (there was no engine and if you wanted one you had to purchase a figure set of mechanics to get it) it was nevertheless nicely done and several different variants followed in both the "‘39-‘45" and "Imperial" series kits lines.

Now DML has gone back and redone the Sd.Kfz. 250/1 Neu infantry carrier version in their "Premium Series." The large number of parts is a bit deceptive, for the kit proper includes 188 parts whereas all of the added generic German equipment, weapons and tool sprues add another 155.

To justify the increase in price, DML has done a lot of tweaking and reworking of the original kit. 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.

The new one also includes "Magic Track" precut links, but in order to maintain fidelity and permit installation DML again chose to provide 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, and perhaps here DML should have given thought to using its DS Plastic molding techniques to make single-section track runs.

The tracks do mount on new 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.)

The details for the interior are still basically those of the original kit, but all supplemental details are from the "Gen2" series figures such as the personal equipment, weapons and the on-board tools.

The stowage bins now come with separate access panels, so all four can be displayed in the open position. Also the kit now includes the Sd.Kfz. 251 clear styrene viewers, which can also be shown either open or closed. For those who are not into interior detailing, a newly molded DS Plastic tarpaulin covers the rear half of the interior. For those who are, there are two cases for "rabbit ears" binoculars provided in etched brass as well as stowage racks for them.

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 seven finishing options: 3/Pz. Aufkl. Btl., 2nd Panzer Division, France 1944 (three color); 5th SS Panzer Division "Wiking," Hungary, 1945 (two vehicles, one sand and one sand with brown bands); 1st SS Panzer Division "LAH", Kamanets, Podolsk 1944 (green over sand); Obergruppenfuehrer von Pueckler-Berghaus, Orlik-Cimelice, Bohemia 1945 (three color); Pz.Aufkl.Btl., 1st SS Panzer Division "LAH," 1944 (three color); Unidentified unit, Eastern Front 1944 (three color "patch" pattern). 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 "old chestnut" which has been improved and brought up to contemporary standards by the "Premium Kit" (also called "Green Stripe" by modelers) program from DML.

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
• W 8 251 clear styrene
• X 16 250 engine
• Y 1 250 one piece lower hull
• Z 1 DS plastic tarpaulin
• 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
• WA 18 German weapons - 2 x Kar 98K with magazines
• WB 17 German weapons - 2 x MP-40. Gewehr 43, MP-44
• WC 24 German weapons - machine gun accessories
• WC 8 German weapons - MG-34 and MG-42
• MA 57 etched brass
• MB 2 turned brass width indicators