ARM: Review - DML 1/72 scale Flakpanzer V Coelian

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7236; Flakpanzer V ?Coelian?; 124 parts (122 in grey styrene, 2 DS Plastic tr ack runs); pre-order price US$19.95 via Dragon USA Online

Advantages: nice new turret on a Ausf. G hull

Disadvantages: older hull with screw holes and mountings; no etched brass p arts will disappoint some modelers Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German Panther fans

Years ago DML released a 1/35 scale kit of the ?Coelian? prototype twi n 3.7 cm AA tank based on a Panther Ausf. G chassis. While the actual vehic le never went into production for a number of reasons (mostly delays and a bigger need for gun tanks) it has always been popular with Panther fans as a fairly attractive vehicle. DML has now returned with a 1/72 scale version of this vehicle based on their Ausf. G kits with a totally new turret.

The hull consists of three parts - upper, lower and stern plate. The road wheel arms are premolded into the lower hull but in the case of this kit us es totally separate wheels for each axle. The idler wheel consists of two p arts and even the small intermediate roller is included.

The tracks now come as with all recent DML 1/72 scale kits with an indicat or that the tracks are to be 182mm in overall length. These measured out at 183mm but once formed to the right ?sag? should appear right on the mo ney.

All side details are separate but the pioneer tools and OVM come ?bundle d? into assemblies for simpler installation.

All hatches are molded in place on both the hull and turret with the excep tion of the engine deck, which comes with the false engine to cover the scr ew assembly mount in the older mold hull bottom. (The other one goes under the machine gun blister on the glacis, but no screws are provided for assem bly.) Anyone wanting to use figures in the hatches has some work on his han ds to make changes.

As there are no etched brass parts modelers wanting them will have to eith er borrow from an earlier DML kit or seek aftermarket parts.

The turret makes good use of slide molding to capture details with the dru m trapped for elevation. The barrels have hollow flash hiders which is a ni ce touch in this scale.

Technical assistance is not listed but is assumed to be from Tom Cockle an d Gary Edmundson.

Two finishing options are provided: ?Unidentified Unit? Germany 1945 ( tricolor with black crosses); Unidentified Unit, 1945 (sand with a primer r ed turret, black crosses). A tiny sheet of six crosses from Cartograf is pr ovided.

Overall Panther fans will be happy to see this vehicle in this scale to jo in the previous Panther releases.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

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AMPSOne
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