Dragon 1/35 SdKfz 10 Ausf A w/5cm PaK 38

Germany fielded a wide range of halftracks during WWII. The Sd.Kfz.10, one of the lighter types, was conceived as a prime mover for small, towed anti-tank or antiaircraft guns. Measuring 4.5m long and weighing 4.9 tonnes, this Demag-designed vehicle had a payload capacity of 1 ton or eight troops. Power came from a Maybach 6-cylinder engine coupled to a transmission with seven forward and three reverse gears. Noteworthy is the fact that this halftrack type was the only one to employ a hull rather than a frame. Demag delivered the first vehicles in 1938, but eventually seven factories were involved in producing approximately 14,000 examples. One of the weapons it regularly towed was the 5cm PaK38 anti-tank gun, which was first used by German forces on the Eastern Front in 1941 to combat the formidable threat of the T-34 and KV-1. The gun remained in service for the rest of the war.

This kit from Dragon does not break any new ground. There are no new tool parts from their last offering, but what is new to this boxing is the 5cm PaK 38 anti-tank gun. That makes this a nice value for the builder who is looking for more than just the vehicle. This kit is not a curbside and includes a full engine. A nice touch is a set of windscreen masks for both sides of the glass. The PaK 38 has an optional gun shield as well. There are two photo etch frets included. Also note that there are two 'A' sprues. The second one is for the gun.

Here is a rundown of the bits from the Dragon PR blurb.

- Road wheels w/precise details
- Included clear lenses for headlamps
- Taillight brackets and photo-etched parts
- Circular barbed-wire bracket mounted on detailed chassis
- Delicate on-vehicle tools reproduced
- Sides of troop compartment can be folded up/down
- Rifle rack w/full detail reproduced
- Transparent windshield can be folded up/down
- Accurately detailed radiator grill and hood
- Slide-molded suspension arms and springs w/delicate details
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull
- Driver's compartment w/interior details
- Intricately detailed internal mechanical components engine, gearbox, fuel tank, compressed-air tank, suspension and exhaust
- Intricate engine housing
- Realistic engine hood formed from multiple parts w/open louver details
- Fully detailed steering components
- Suspension system as per the real vehicle
- Engine represented by multiple parts
- Delicate gearbox included
- Drive sprocket w/multi-part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
- Intricate rear compartment represented by multiple parts
- Injection-molded fenders are reproduced
- 2 kinds of battery boxes available as options
- Seats in troop compartment reproduced
- Rear chassis w/realistic tow pintle depicted like the real one
- Delicate fuel tank included
- Magic Tracks for convenient assembly

All three markings options are from the Eastern Front. The box art is the 19th Panzer Division while there are two others from Unidentified Units. The decal sheets offer license markings and the fender markings for the box art version. You can either do this in Panzer Grey or in Panzer Tan with Green or Brown markings.

CONCLUSIONS

I know that this will be well received as the few the LHS got in were quickly sold. Those wanting a light prime mover now have one that was used pretty much everywhere the Wehrmact operated.