The Ardelt-Rheinmetall 8.8cm PaK 43 Waffenträger was a self-propelled mount for the powerful but heavy 8.8cm antitank gun, as towed versions of this gun were too unwieldy for crews to move readily. Ardelt and Rheinmetall combined to build the first prototype and tests were conducted on this Ardelt I. The vehicle’s engine was fitted at the front of the hull, which permitted the main armament – an 8.8cm L/71 cannon – to be fitted on the rear. It utilized a 38(t) chassis with four road wheels per side. An improved prototype (Ardelt II) was later produced by Ardelt and Krupp, but the end of the war intervened before production got off the ground.

This is another one-off from the Dragon family of kits. This time, it is based on the Panzer 38(t) chassis. What that means is that you will find a lot of sprues in this kit that will only use a few parts. The majority of the kit seems to be new tool as this one has a totally different superstructure from others in this class. Aside from the gun, there is no additional stuff in the fighting compartment. I am sure that if this went into production, you would find shell racks, radios and other things jammed in there, but for a prototype, there is only the gun. This one is also light in parts compared to many Dragon kits with under 400 bits, many of them part of the individual track link system.

Here is a full list of features:

- Newly tooled handrail reproduced
- Newly tooled transmission produced in separate parts
- 8.8cm PaK Waffenträger w/newly designed glacis plate and interior
- Realistic 8.8cm gun newly designed
- Realistic ammo mounted on the side of turret
- Hatch in rear of fighting compartment can be assembled open/closed
- Realistic radio power supplies included
- Realistic gunner’s seat
- Radio rack made from photo-etched parts
- Optional photo-etched covers reproduced on driver’s seat
- Gun travel lock can be assembled in either travel or combat mode
- Slide-molded one-piece gun barrel
- Hollow muzzle brake
- Photo-etched gun armor skirt can be optionally assembled
- Intricate gun sight offers great detail definition
- Ventilation grill molded on hull front
- Fighting compartment produced in separate parts
- One-piece slide-molded lower hull
- Individual tracks reproduced
- Delicate idler wheels reproduced
- Drive sprocket w/multi-part assembly to achieve the highest levels of detail and accuracy
- Road wheels with precise detail
- Suspension system as per the real vehicle; slide-molded suspension arms and springs w/delicate detail

This one only has ten construction steps so the instructions are just four pages. Though it shows two vehicles in the painting and markings guide, both of them have no markings on them at all aand are probably the same vehicle at two different times as one is listed for 1944 and the other for 1945. It is in overall Panzer tan, just like what you see on the box art.

CONCLUSIONS

Thanks to Dragon and friends, those who revel in prototypes and very limited production vehicles have had a field day over the years. This one adds to that growing list and for the 'Wehrmact '46' crowd, you have another vehicle to which you can add your imagination.

July 2012

Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local retailer or have them order it for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note toContributors.

Back to the Main Page

Back to the Previews Index Page