Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7447; Sd.Kfz. 261 Kleine Panzerfunkwagen; 109 parts in grey styrene; pre-order p rice $18.50 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
DML completes its small scale light 4 x 4 German armored car series with t he dedicated long-range radio command version. Like the preceding Sd.Kfz. 2
60 (Kit 7446) this kit provides only a single vehicle.The kit comes on four sprues of parts with separate one-piece upper and lo wer hull sections. All parts attach to the hull. However, whereas the first two had turrets this one simply has a solid plastic grenade screen with tw o flip-out hatches for access to the sides. It also provides the ?rod? type antenna vice the ?bedframe? antenna of the previous models.
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 .
New parts are provided to the basic 222/223 parts to make the 261, but unl ike the 260 where the directions note the new fenders for the left side the y do show the right side ones in this set.
This kit adds a ?clothesrail? antenna as well as a large mast with thr ee radiators to the kit,
Two finishing options are offered: Unidentified Unit, 1941(grey, WH 522808 ); 2nd Panzer Division, 1941 (grey, insignia, unreadable registration plate s). Number plates are provided along with a number jungle, all from Cartogr af.
Overall this is a nice little kit but as before one in the box makes it mo re expensive than its two predecessors.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell