ARM: Review - DML 1/35 scale Kettenkrad with Infantriekarren

Kit Review: DML 1/35 Scale ?39-?45 Series Kit No. 6341; Sd.Kfz. 2 Kette nkrad Early Production w/Infantriekarren; 107 parts (92 in grey styrene, 13 etched brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); pre-order price US$28.95 via Drago n USA Online

Advantages: New way of offering older kits in useful packaging

Disadvantages: not as good a deal as the Premium Kit from 2011

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: to all German and ?Ostfront? fans

Back in 2004 DML released a kit of a Sd.Kfz. 2/2 Kettenkrad as a field wir e layer (No. 6128) with a crew of three. While it was a huge upgrade from t he ancient Tamiya kit from the early 1970s it did have some quirks and draw backs, including tiny two-piece single link tracks which were smaller than many 1/72 scale tracks. In 2011 they re-released the kit as a ?Premium? kit with the No. 61393.7 cm PaK 36 ?doorknocker? antitank gun as well as figure set 6433 of a five man crew.

Now DML has again recombined kits to create an early version of the Ketten krad and a single sprue for the tiny Infantriekarren infantry carrier. Unfo rtunately the box art by Filip Zierfuss is better than the kit, as it shows a load for the little carrier of 20 liter ?jerry? cans and a fraulein riding on the passenger seat, neither of which comes in the kit.

The ?early production? changes to the model include the motorcycle sty le headlamp and some other small details. Most important, the model now com es with a set of DS Plastic track runs vice the incredibly tiny and tedious two-part tracks from the original. While there are arguments to be made bo th ways about single link versus single run tracks for larger vehicles, I d aresay most people will appreciate not having to futz around with minuscule track links in this scale. Track details are amazingly well replicated (ch eck out the bolt head details) and these should be well received (barring f it problems). However, while DML tells you in its 1/72 scale kits how long the DS tracks are supposed to be so you can trim or stretch them to fit, th ey still refuse to add this to their 1/35 scale kit directions.

The Kettenkrad comes with a complete engine-transmission assembly, separat e road wheel arms, and interior details as before. The seat parts are now p rovided for the two-man crew carried at the rear of the vehicle. A tow hook and taillight casing is also now present. The box sides and bottom indicat e several bits have been redone such as the front fork and hull parts as we ll.

Technical assistance was provided by Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

Two finishing and marking options are provided, both for ?Unidentified U nit, 1941": panzer grey or whitewash. Decals from Cartograf consist of only license plate blanks and a number jungle but no finishing suggestions for actual plate numbers.

Overall this kit is nice but not as good a value as the 2011 ?Premium? kit which cost $1 less and gave you roughly $50 worth of models in one box .

Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

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AMPSOne
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