DML 1/72 Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.2 Kit First Look
By Cookie Sewell
| Date of Review | June 2012 | Manufacturer | DML |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.2 | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 7437 | Primary Media | 77 parts (75 in grey styrene, 2 DS Plastic track runs) |
| Pros | Third and last kit of this vehicle in this scale in styrene completes the family; use of slide molding simplifies construction | Cons | Nothing major noted |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $19.95 |
First Look
As before, the “Neubaufahrzeug” (new construction vehicle) – Nb Fz for short – vehicles used Rheinmetall developed hulls, first with a Rheinmetall rolled plate turret and then a faceted Krupp one. Prototype 1 had the former and Prototype 2 the latter design, and all three pre-production machines used the Krupp design. The Rh-B turret also mounted its unique twin gun arrangement (one 3.7 cm antitank gun and one 7.5 cm support howitzer) one above the other, whereas the Krupp turret placed them side by side (7.5 cm on the right). Initially the small turrets were planned to mount twin MG 13 7.92mm machine guns, but in reality only fitted single weapons. A third MG 13 was mounted in the mantlet of the main turret as well.
While all of them were built between 1934-35 they were still under test in 1940 when it was decided to send the three O-series tanks to Norway. One was destroyed but the other two were later returned to Germany.
This kit is basically the same as the Nos.3-5 kit from a while back but with different decals. The box art states it has a new turret shell and hull to replicate the soft steel of the prototype. As before, the entire upper hull and sponsons are molded as a single piece with many of their details in place, and it is a spectacular piece of work. The lower hull is actually a single piece belly and two running strips for the suspension units; however, here all of the bogies comprise a single unit with only the lead bogie wheel separate.
Much of the kit’s design parallels the larger ones but wisely here the tracks are single piece DS Plastic runs.
The two “wing” turrets consist of four pieces each with closed hatches. Only the commander’s hatch in the main turret is a separate part. It comes as a two-piece “dustbin” cupola with a split small head-sized hatch inside a larger one. If you wish the hatches opened you have to split them yourself, but due to the size and shape you will probably have to scratchbuild them.
As this another prototype version of the tank, the directions provide for two one options for the one vehicle. One is in in grey and brown camouflage as with Pz.Abt.z.b.V. 40 in Norway and one is for a three-color camouflage scheme in Germany in 1935 (sand/olive green/brown). A tiny sheet of Cartograf crosses are included but not shown on the directions.
Overall this should exhaust any options for the NbFz in this scale.
Thanks to DML for the review sample.
Sprue Layout:
- A 20 Turret base, fenders, exhausts, details
- A 12x2 Drivers, idlers, return rollers
- A 4x2 Small turrets
- B 21 Suspension, main guns, hull details, belly pan
- C 1 Main upper hull section
- D 1 Turret shell
- Z 2 DS Plastic track runs