Kit Review: cyber-hobby.com 1/35 scale =93Orange Box=94 Series No. 13 (DML
1/35 scale Kit No. 9113); 687 parts (469 in grey styrene, 216 =93Magic Track=94 links, 2 etched brass) Flammpanzer III (F-1) with Bonus German Sturmpionere Figure Set; retail price US$29.95Advantages: Inexpensive kit with nice complementary set of figures
Disadvantages: original DML/Gunze Sangyo kits show their age next to =93Smart Kit=94 and =93Gen2" products
Rating: Recommended
Recommendation: for newer modelers or fans with deep parts bins
The =93Orange Box=94 series from DML=92s affiliate cyber-hobby.com are so far a mixed bag, but at least in comparison with contemporary model kits they are inexpensive and a great way for newer modelers to get into the hobby and practice their skills.
More than 15 years ago DML took over the Gunze Sangyo line of kits which were at that time among the best kits going, but were very expensive multi-media affairs and thus out of reach or out of touch with most armor fans. They took them and converted the multi-media parts to styrene and released them under their =93Imperial=94 series kits (90xx) block.
This kit is basically a number of older moldings from that series combined into one box and with the latest =93Magic Track=94 single link tracks replacing the older ones. As such, it actually has fewer parts than more recent kits and therefore is a quicker =96 and easier =96 assembly task than the other ones. For that reason, it should appeal to newer modelers who want to work on a more advanced kit than the basic models (or something like an older Tamiya kit) with more details and skill sets needed for assembly.
The hull, for example, is a one-piece affair with fixed suspension arms and very basic wheel sets. The upper hull is also one piece with applique parts for the add-on armor protection. As the Gunze Sangyo derived parts were for multiple variants, a good deal of the parts here are left on the sprues as not needed.
The kit does come with the flame tube for the Flammpanzer and basic parts for the Ausf. F version of the base tank. A 3.7 cm barrel and also a 5 cm long barrel are also present in the kit, but unless you really want an older generation Ausf. J with a mixture of details it is probably not a good idea to use it.
The only photo etched parts provided are the protective screens for the engine air exhausts on the sides of the hull, which is a good idea as that is usually the most preferred etched brass that actually gets used by modelers.
The kit offers three sets of finishing options: Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1943 (sand with green patches, red 411); Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1943 (sand, yellow 1825); and Flamm-Kompanie/ Pz.Rgt. 26, Italy 1943 (sand, white F 24).
The figures are from an early Ron Volstad designed set, and are very good indeed. They come with sections of Bangalore torpedoes, a flamethrower, an explosive charge, and a mine detector. A small version of the original painting instructions is included.
Overall this kit does not stand with more recent efforts, but it is a decent kit and at a good price with the bonus set of figures plus =93Magic Track=94 links a pretty good deal.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell