Dragon 1/35 Sd.Kfz 10/5 w/2 cm Flak 38

Germany fielded a whole range of halftracks during WWII, with different sizes for different purposes. The Sd.Kfz.10, one of the lighter halftrack types, was conceived as a prime mover for small towed guns such as the 3.7cm PaK36 and 2cm FlaK30. Measuring 4.5m long and weighing 4.9 tonnes, this Demag-designed vehicle could carry up to eight passengers. Its top speed was 75km/h. Around 14,000 Sd.Kfz.10 halftracks were built from 1938-45, and the chassis was also used for the Sd.Kfz.250 armored halftrack. Several different specialist vehicles were based on this halftrack design, among them the Sd.Kfz.10/5. This anti-aircraft platform carried a 2cm FlaK38 cannon on a purpose-built platform on the rear of the hull. The weapon system was used by both the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe.

From what I gather, this is either a new or near new kit in terms of the Sd.Kfz 10. The Flak 38 has been around for a while and is one of Dragon's nicest flak kits. In fact, several of the photo etch bits are for this gun, including the preformed shell retention cages. The gun can be posed at several different angles, thanks to different elevation piston pieces.

The vehicle itself is not just a curb side, but has a full engine and complete driver's compartment and suspension. The kit uses Smart Track individual link tracks to provide you with the greatest amount of detail, important in a kit like this where track sag is quite noticeable. A nice touch is the inclusion of masks for the windscreen to help in painting. Here are the rest of the details.

- Newly tooled engine represented by multiple parts
- Flatbed gates can be assembled open/closed for travel or combat
- Intricate platform w/details
- Intricately detailed internal mechanical components: engine, gearbox, fuel tank, compressed-air tank, suspension, exhaust and winch
- Delicate gearbox included
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull
- Realistic engine hood formed from multiple parts w/louver detail
- Radiator cover w/accurate detail
- Driving Compartment w/interior details
- 2 kinds of battery boxes available as options w/photo-etched mount included
- Delicate fuel tank included
- Storage box can be assembled open/closed
- Gun cradle offers great definition of detail-even weld seams are present
- Round base plate with authentic details
- Accurate weld seams on the sides of gun platform
- Gun shield is molded to scale thickness
- Finely detailed clear plastic windshield w/photo-etched wipers
- Windshield can be portrayed folded up or down
- Intricate engine housing
- Rear crossbeam w/roller and trailer coupling depicted like the real one
- Fully detailed steering components
- Suspension system as per the real vehicle
- 2cm Flak-vierling 38 cannon w/accurate detail
- Three types of barrel (standard model, late model and Schwebelafette version) can be assembled
- Slide-molded gun barrel w/hollow muzzle opening
- Hole positions and shape of flash suppressor & muzzle brake supply represented
- Includes clear lenses for headlamps
- Slide-molded suspension arms and springs w/delicate detail
- Sprocket with multiple-part assembly to achieve higher levels of detail
- Road wheels with precise detail
- Magic Track for convenience of assembly

Markings are included for six different vehicles. Five of them are in panzer yellow, some with green or brown mottling. One is in Panzer grey. The first five are from  21 Pz division in Normandy during 1944, 3 Pz Grenadier Div on the Eastern Front in 1943, 1 Pz Grenadier Div at Kursk in 1943, 2 Pz Grenadier Div at Fastov in 1943, unknown unit in Russia in 1943 and the grey one is from the 1 Brig (Motorized) on the Eastern Front in 1942. The decal sheet has basically plates and a variety of letters and numbers to use on them. 

Overall, it is a neat halftrack and having the superbly detailed Flak 38 along with it is a real bonus. As widely used as these vehicles were, it is nice to have a modern kit of it to add to one's collection.

March 2011