Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7446;= Sd.Kfz. 260 Kleine Panzerfunkwagen, 97 parts in grey styrene; pre-order pr= ice $17.50 via Dragon USA Online
Advantages: first kit of this particular vehicle; well-done and petite ante= nna set
Disadvantages: single model now relatively pricey
Rating: Recommended
Recommendation: to all German wheeled armor fans in small scale
=09 DML continues its small scale light 4 x 4 German armored car series with t= he dedicated radio command version. But whereas the earlier Sd.Kfz. 222 and= Sd.Kfz. 223 kits gave a =931+1" kit with two in the box, this kit provides= only a single vehicle.
The kit comes on three sprues of parts with separate one-piece upper and l= ower hull sections. All parts attach to the hull. However, whereas the firs= t two had turrets this one simply has a solid plastic grenade screen with t= wo flip-out hatches for access to the sides. It also provides the =93rod=94= type antenna vice the =93bedframe=94 antenna of the previous models.=20
The lack of an interior is understandable but a shame as DML also offers t= he side doors as separate parts so it could be posed with the top and sides= open. The chassis is fairly complete and the entire drive line (shafts and= gearboxes) comes as a single unit. The wheels have separate hub protectors= .=20
New parts are provided to the basic 222/223 parts to make the 260, but whe= reas the directions note the new fenders for the left side they ignore the = right side ones completely!=20
Two finishing options are offered: Unidentified Unit, 1941(grey, unreadabl= e registration plates); Unidentified Unit, 1942 (sand with brown and green = overspray, unreadable registration plates). Number plates are provided alon= g with a number jungle, all from Cartograf, but no specific vehicle numbers= are called out.=20
Overall this is a nice little kit but one in the box makes it more expensi= ve than its two predecessors..=20
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.=20
Cookie Sewell