Thursday, 2 February 2023

Building the 8 ton Sd.Kfz. 7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen Chapter 3: Dragon Kit 6562


 
 
Continuing on from the introduction
 
Apart from the Trumpeter kit 01507 the only other Sd.Kfz.7 Holzpritsche version currently on the market in 1/35 is by Dragon. Their kit #6562 was released in 2009. 




The detail is sharp, the engineering is good, and the kit fits together very neatly. Unfortunately, it also suffers from accuracy issues, of which some are very different from the Trumpeter offering built in the last chapter. One strange anomaly, although not hugely visible on the finished model, is they have included the reinforced cargo bed framework from the Flak variant which is totally different from the cargo version. Trumpeter have it correctly represented so I can only guess that Dragon stuck with the mouldings from their earlier SP Flak gun kits! In addition, they have not updated the instrument panel to the full width horizontal design, nor have they included the later produced running gear (wheels and tracks). Late models were occasionally seen with the early wheels so although not entirely incorrect it would have been nice for Dragon to have updated the tooling for these too! 

Although no canvas tilt or framework is offered, they do provide the wooden ammo storage rack. Sadly, they also misinterpret the layout of the rear bench, and just like Trumpeter, include two side facing benches instead of the correctly orientated back to back layout. 

The kit's clear plastic windscreen moulding depicts the older style drivers side split screen which opened on the drivers side. This was dropped on the last production models in favour of two solid screens. This is provided as a single clear part in the kit so will need to be re-worked if 100% accuracy is your thing.

The cargo bed outer hinges also appear oversized but they are in the correct locations.

Other accuracy issues that are easily resolved include replacing the older trumpet shaped engine bay horn to a Bosch circular style one, and moving the cab tilt hoop frame from the load bed sides to the cab sides.

 

A full step by step build log can be found here

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