DML 1/72 Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.C Riveted Version and 3.7cm Pak 35/36 Kit First Look

By Cookie Sewell

First Look

After some hiatus DML has issued another variant of their popular 1/72 scale family of German medium halftracks, this time as the infantry carrier with a towed version of the 3.7mm Pak 35/36 antitank gun.

Recent information continues to give a better picture of why the Germans were so unhappy with this gun so soon in the war. Designed in tandem with the Soviets in 1930, at that time the gun was capable of defeating any armor being built in the world. But by the time it got into service, heavier armor was beginning to come off the production lines (such as the Char 2B) and when the Germans went into Russia it was nearly useless against the new T-34 and KV tank designs. One recent Russian article noted the frustration of a German antitank team leader whose gunner put 20 shots into a T-34 at point blank range (about 100 meters) but did no useful damage. He noted the only thing that saved them was the fact that the Soviet tankers could not see him as he was in a blind spot for the tank’s crew.

While the Soviets changed the design of the gun to 45mm caliber so it could fire a useful HE or canister round, the Germans were stuck with this gun and could only use it as an auxiliary weapon after the Soviets began to replace their pre-war and early model light tanks with heavier ones.

For this kit DML has combined their previous Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.C hull with its applique etched brass lower hull riveting with molds based on their “Stroke 10" commander’s variants with the 3.7 cm gun on the roof of the fighting compartment with a brand new carriage for the gun. Therefore the kit is as previous models.

The new upper hull, like the previous Cs and Ds, is not a pantograph of the larger kits but is based on the same research and drawings. The lower hull is a single piece pan, less the rear area, and the axles are molded on the lower hull. The running gear for each side consists of a rear (inside) wheel section, a center wheel section, three outer road wheels, and drivers. Once installed the connectors between the individual wheels on the inside and the center are not visible, so it helps speed up assembly while making it easier to get things aligned. Tracks are the gluable DS plastic, so you can also get them to settle down on top of the road wheels with some care.

Unlike the last Ausf.C kit (7306) this kit no longer comes with the option of either the C (welded) or C (rivetted) upper hulls. Therefore the modeler must use six sections of etched brass for the lower hull applique to provide scale rivets. As before openings have been left to mount the fenders through the brass to the hull.

Interior bits include the various control levers, rifles, MP submachine guns, and other items. The hinge mechanisms for the doors are single pieces, but are non-operating types. They cement to the lower rear section, as the upper hull has the rear angular parts of the hull attached to it. The four front viewers are separate parts and can be cemented either open or closed as well, as is the hood assembly with two flaps. No engine or interior is provided for the engine bay.

The fenders are one-piece units with the stowage bins still closed parts. RP parts include the “Notek” headlight and mount and the drum magazines for the two MG 34 machine guns. The weapons appear to be very close to scale, something I don’t recall from other manufacturers in the past!

The Pak 35/36 gun is very neatly done with a “slide molded” open bore so it is up to speed with the larger kits. The gun comes on a small sprue of two parts and a full carriage of 17 parts comes on another. The modeler has a choice of towed or deployed configurations, and the gun is very petite and nicely done. No brass gun shield option is provided of the gun.

Directions are standard DML fare, but due to the fewer parts in their 1/72 series kits they are not as busy and much easier to read.

Painting and marking options are provided for one unit, our old friend “Unidentified unit”, Eastern Front 1942, with hasty mud stripe camouflage over grey.) Two generic Cartograf sheets (crosses and license plates) are provided.

Overall another nice effort, and for early war modeling or dioramas this will be a nice choice.

Thanks to DML for the review sample.

Sprue Layout:

• A 31 C upper hull
• B 38 C/D interior and road wheels
• C 28x2 C front wheels and interior details
• D 2 DS plastic track runs
• G 5 C Rivetted upper hull
• G 2 3.7 cm gun barrel and guard
• G 17 3.7 cm carriage
• I 1 C lower hull
• MA 14 etched brass
• MB 1 antenna wire