Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale "Armor Pro" Series Kit No. 7284; 10.5 cm Sturmhaubitze 42 Ausf. G; 140 parts (132 in grey styrene, 5 etched brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); price US $13.98
Advantages: totally new kit of this vehicle in this scale brings quality of the "Smart Kit" to a 1/72 scale model; offers parts for both StuG III Ausf. G Early or StuH III
Disadvantages: probably not enough brass or options for some modelers
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German and SP artillery fans
F I R S T L O O K
I am always a bit surprised when DML comes out with what is a nice kit of a popular subject and then goes back to "tweak" the kit a bit here and there to make it even better. This kit came out a few months ago and seemed to be right on the money, but DML "tweaked it" in some areas when it released the companion piece to their very nice StuG III Ausf. G Early Production kit (No. 7283).
The new kit has modified "A" and "B" sprues that now provide for both kits in one box (only one model is possible) but the modeler now has a choice - much like the original Tamiya StuG III/StuG III kit of 35 years ago - to built it up as either the gun or howitzer variant. The howitzer barrel and parts are "slide molded" on the "A" sprue and the
7.5 cm parts are now on the "B" sprue. A new bolted heavy armored bow section is also included.The rest of the kit remains as before. All of the crew access hatches are provided as separate parts, but here only the ventilators on the rear deck are provided as separate bits. It provides the "early production" features of the Ausf. G (e.g. the angular gun mantelet/ recoil cover) but only a minimal amount of interior detail (the basic gun, recoil mechanism and mounting.)
The running gear is very nicely done with molded detail on both sides of the road wheels (all separate) and the return rollers, while molded in pairs, are "slide molded" to capture the front side details. This kit now a choice in the front glacis panels, but as before they come molded together.
The fenders are separate as are most of the fender details, and the side radiator air intakes are provided both open with mesh grille brass parts and closed and sealed. The casemate is relatively complete with a pair of artillery binoculars ("rabbit ears") included for the commander. This kit does include the loader's machine gun shield but not the machine gun.
The tracks are DML's DS plastic and represent the 40 cm tracks as near as I can determine. As this is a "first look" I cannot vouch for their fit, but DML in the past cuts them a bit long to allow for sag when installed.
Two finishing options are provided: Unidentified unit, Germany 1945 (sand with small red-brown and green patches, and plain crosses) and Unidentified Unit, Ardennes 1944 ("Ambush" scheme, white 132). A very small sheet of Cartograf decals is included.
Overall this kit should be even better received than the original, but modelers who change their minds will need new decals to finish it correctly.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell