| KIT #: | 6316 |
| PRICE: | $ 53.00 SRP |
| DECALS: | Five options |
| REVIEWER: | Scott Van Aken |
| NOTES: | Premium Edition |
| HISTORY |
The Sd.Kfz. 250 was a light armoured halftrack, very similar in appearance to the larger Hanomag-designed Sd.Kfz. 251, and built by the DEMAG firm, for use by Nazi Germany in World War II.
Compared to U.S. halftracks, the SdKfz 250 series was less mobile, with unpowered front wheels. However, its tracks made it far more mobile than the armoured cars it replaced, and it was a popular vehicle. Most variants were open-topped and had a single access door in the rear.
The Sd. Kfz 250 was adopted in 1939 to supplement the standard halftrack. Production delays meant the first 250 did not appear until mid-1941.
| THE KIT |
Often times, Dragon takes older kits and upgrades them. This upgrading process adds new components such as photo-etched parts and sharpened detail, offering modelers revamped models that match contemporary standards. These new bits often mean a rather large number of unused pieces from the original sprues. Such is the case here.
In this case, this kit boasts a new slide molded one piece hull, multi piece front wheels, new road wheels and Magic Track tracks. There is a new etched anti-grenade screen for the 20mm turret that can be opened and closed. In addition, the gun itself can be moved in elevation. In all, 
there are 420 part to make up what is a very detailed model of this half track. To be sure, many of these parts are what make up the tracks, but many are for interior detailing as well. The kit includes detailed suspension, steering and an engine.
Instructions are a new slick paper variety that have superbly drawn illustrations and detail drawings. Oddly, they don't seem to show when the engine is installed. They have you building it up in step 9 and when you get to the last step, #28, it is magically installed! In the bottom of the box I found a small addendum sheet that seems to show the engine being installed, but it looks like they want you to put it between the front seats. Markings are for five vehicles, all in overall Panzer Yellow with scribble patterns in green and brown. All are from the 1944 time period with four of them with the 2, 6, and 116 Panzer Divisions in France and one with the 26th Panzer Division in Italy. Decals are nicely done and provides a variety of license plates and numbers as well as insignia.
| CONCLUSIONS |
This adds to an already nice selection of German half tracks and one you should consider for your next purchase.
| REFERENCES |
Thanks towww.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today from your favorite store or on-line retailer. If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.