DML 1/72 Sd.Kfz.166 Stu.Pz.IV Brummbär Mid Production Kit First Look
By Cookie Sewell
| Date of Review | August 2010 | Manufacturer | DML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Sd.Kfz.166 Stu.Pz.IV Brummbär Mid Production | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 7242 | Primary Media | 195 parts (187 in grey styrene, 6 etched brass, 2 DS Plastic track runs) |
| Pros | First new mold of this vehicle in some time; nicely done details and assembly based on previous Pzkw. IV kits; optional position hatches and “slide molded” parts | Cons | No zimmerit; no solid road wheels for modified vehicles |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $19.95 |
First Look
DML has now added its first Sturmpanzer IV kit to its line of 1/72 Pzkw. IV kits and it shows the results of the evolution of those kits. Packed with a number of details (read tiny, tiny parts) this kit provides the mid production variant of the vehicle but does not come with zimmerit (even though it is shown on the box art).
The parts breakdown is conventional and makes use of the past designs as mentioned above. Each bogie consists of two twin road wheels molded together and separate front faces for each outside wheel. However, whereas most of the Sturmpanzers tended to switch to solid steel road wheels very quickly due to fracturing problems this kit does not provide them but only the regular Pzkw. IV style.
Fenders are separate with separate details and the engine deck assembly consists of some nine parts. Etched brass cold weather covers are provided as well as what appears to be an external air cleaner on the right fender.
The casemate has no real interior to speak of but does have some of the detail parts installed from inside and also has a swiveling ball attachment for the 15 cm howitzer. This consists of a barrel insert and ball arrangement to permit it to swivel and still provide the correct design. All sights are separate parts.
The side skirts are single piece plastic parts with a number of hanger and attachment parts to mount them on the fenders. These include hangers (A103) and the hanger plates (A88/89) and some standoff bars on the fenders to ensure the schurtzen plates hang correctly.
Technical information for the kit was provided by Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson (I suspect it was part of what they provided for the larger 1/35 scale kits in this case).
Painting and finishing information is provided for three vehicles: Stu.Pz.Abt. 216, Italy 1944 (brown squiggle over sand, white 2); Stu.Pz.Abt. 216, s.H.Pz.Jg.Rgt. 656, Ponryi 1943 (green and brown spots over sand, white 20); Pz.Div. “Schliesen”, Frankfurt 1945 (brown and green stripes over sand, white 46). A small sheet of Cartograf decals provides these markings.
Overall this is a nice model and another member of the very well done DML Pzkw. IV family.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.
Sprue Layout
- A 85 Fenders, gun, casemate details, fine details
- A 20x2 Side skirts and hangers
- B 2 Casemate and lower hull
- E 4x2 Bogie carriers
- F 20 Road wheel centers
- G 4 Idlers
- H 4 Drivers
- K 8x2 Road wheels
- M 8 Return rollers
- X 2 DS Plastic track runs
- MA 6 Etched brass