Geschutzwagen 38 M fur s.IG.33/2

Geschutzwagen 38 M fur s.IG.33/2
Ref. # 6429
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon
Price: £20 (Far East)
Material: Styrene, aluminium, PE

To see higher resolution photographs used in this preview, please see the GALLERY ALBUM.

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Introduction

Dragon continues to make the most of their sprue catalogue with this release of the 38(t) based vehicle mounting a Rheinmetall s.IG 33. The gun itself was first produced in 1927, and was first mounted to a Panzer I chassis in 1940, as a result of the Germans desperately trying to find an effective Infantry support vehicle. Finally, in 1943 the gun was mounted onto a Czech LT-38 chassis by Praga. The first 90 vehicles used the Ausf.H chassis with the engine at the rear, and then the engine was moved further forward, designated Ausf.M and was much more sucessful in this configuration. In total 282 Ausf.M were made up to when production ceased in September 1944.

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It's one of 'those' boxes again. The kind where you can't get the damn thing closed again once it's been opened. In this case it's because Dragon tend to include an entire sprue when all you need to use from it is one or two parts. Take a look down the bottom at picture 67 and you'll see what I mean. There are an awful lot of parts marked up in light blue as being 'Not for use'. In practical terms this makes for a wonderfully full spares box of course!

There are nine large sprues of grey styrene, twelve smaller ones, two transparent sprues, a separate lower hull, a bag of magic tracks, wire tow rope, fair-sized photo etched fret, and an aluminium barrel...that even has the correct rifling inside!

I need hardly mention with this being a new Dragon kit, that there are no sink marks, or ejector pin marks, or flash. The moulding is extremely crisp and everything it should be from a modern kit from one of the top manufacturers.

A large part of the kit is garnered from earlier releases, since Dragon are making the most of their moulds, which is great news for modellers. Years ago, a manufacturer would bring out one model, and leave the variants alone. Dragon are now making it easier for us by bringing out as many variants on a chassis as possible and making greater sales for themselves...winners all round!

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Obviously the sprues holding the main gun are new, as are the sprues with the structural elements of the fighting compartment. A close examination of the sprues holding the main gun will show that further interesting variants are planned!

Having built a couple of kits from Dragon based on this chassis there's not a lot to say. Chassis and running gear are a dream to build, going together without any fuss whatsoever. Of course, we're again offered the choice of idler wheel, and again whilst it's great to have a choice, some indication of which to use would be nice. The choice is between the round lightning holes or keyhole-shaped ones, so I suppose it's down to your references, I have none so don't know. In the absence of references to the contrary, I usually just go with the first choice offered in each case, that way I enjoy the build, which is the entire point of the exercise for me, and if it has a rivet in the wrong place I don't stay awake at nights worrying about it!

It's undeniable that there are some superb details on this kit. The Magic Track links for example. Each of the links has a tiny casting number moulded in. You'd need an exceptionally powerful lens to see it though! The fighting compartment is fully kitted out, along with an engine and transmission as per the other 38(t) based vehicles. Obviously, most of the fighting compartment is brand new and contains a wealth of photo-etched detail, including the option of having the ammunition racks full, or even partially full. There's a full radio set-up included in a delicately detailed rack, so with addition of some careful wiring this area can really be super-detailed up.

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The armoured walls of the fighting compartment have to be the thinnest injection moulded ones I've seen. They're actually moulded to a near-scale thickness instead of just the edges being bevelled to make them appear thinner. The front shield is incredibly delicate. Most of these structural elements have location marks moulded onto their inside surfaces, but these can sometimes be seen once the parts have been installed, so you might want to remove these carefully as you go along and replace with pencil marks etc. I remember that Dragon had a system of marking locations with different coloured spots on their first couple of 'Smart Series' kits…I wondered what happened to that?

Marking Options

There's only a tiny decal sheet included, with three small Balkancreuz and some Divisional symbols:

1.Pz.Div.'LAH', La Gleize, Belgium 1944 - Three colour 'bubble' scheme.
1.Pz.Div.'LAH', France 1944 - Three colour 'cloud' scheme.
Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1944 - Dark yellow.

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Conclusion

Another great kit from Dragon! One that a lot of people have been waiting for, and will no doubt be snapped up for it's conversion potential too! Recommended.

My Thanks to Dragon for the review sample.

For full information on all Dragon products, please see their website, Dragon Models Ltd.