Dragon 1/72 Kfz.70 6x4 Personnel Carrier

The L 2 H 43 and L 2 H 143 "Krupp-Protze" (unofficial designation) was a six-wheeled German truck and artillery tractor used by German forces in World War II. It was powered by a 55 hp or 60 hp (since 1936) Krupp M 304 4-cylinder petrol engine. Its main purpose was to tow artillery, especially the PaK 36. It was also used to transport infantry and other utility uses.

This vehicle was extensively used on the Eastern Front, North African campaign and in France and Sicily. The "Krupp-Protze" was of relatively advanced design. It was mass-manufactured between 1933 and 1941. Its fuel consumption was relatively high (24 Litres / 100 km on road) in comparison to the comparable Opel Blitz 1.5 t truck (16.5 liters / 100 km, produced 1938 - 1942). Total production was about 7,000 units. 

Nice to see that Dragon is getting more heavily involved in producing some non-armor kits. Following their very nice SdKfz.222 double kit, we have this Kfz.70 medium truck with a PaK 35/36 for it to tow. Newly tooled and a first time for Dragon in this scale, the kit is really very nicely detailed. Comes on four sprues with two of them duplicated for wheels and suspension parts. A clear sprue is also provided for the windscreen. There is a full chassis section on which the truck sits and having it molded this way helps to keep things properly aligned. I'll let the Dragon PR folks give you a full rundown.

- Newly tooled Kfz.70 6x4 Personnel Carrier delicately produced
- Stowage compartment molded w/details
- Delicate side panels and tailgate w/woodgrain effect
- Finely detailed vehicle tools
- Windshield made from clear part
- Intricate headlamps and pennant mount included
- Well-detailed driver's floor well
- Detailed dashboard and driver's compartment
- Delicate fuel tank included
- Full chassis represented
- Realistic suspension produced
- Intricate 3.7cm PaK 35/36 mounted on carriage w/gun trails
- Either combat or travel modes can be selected for assembly
- Gun stays and hand wheels finely reproduced

Markings are all rather generic as things go. You are given a small decal sheet that basically has license plates and a selection of numbers. The color and markings diagram show three panzer grey vehicles, all from the Eastern Front in 1943 and from unknown units. One of them has a rough whitewash over it as was typical for winter. As this was used in the Desert and the Med, one could also do some rough sand paint application as well. I have to say that including a few figures would have been nice, but one can get these from other sources.

Those of us who really like 1/72 scale armor are going to be very pleased with this one. Thanks to the high quality of Dragon molding and their relative ease of assembly, this one should be quite popular.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kfz_70

April 2011

Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local retailer.

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