Sd.Kfz 247 Ausf B (1/35 ICM)

 ICM Kit # 35110

 

This is a 2020 release and depicts a rare early war command vehicle. Based on the 4x4 Horch it was a relatively short lived operational vehicle, which was quite early on replaced by the Sd.Kfz 250 series. As no vehicle survived the war intact it is quite speculative as to how accurate this kit is, especially in areas of the interior and in particular the radio sets. There are however a few wartime pics of the exterior which ICM overall have managed to replicate. It is unfortunate that the engine cooling louvres are moulded solid and the tyres are rubber items. Some areas such as the weld seams and the mounting hardware on the fenders lack detail and many of the smaller items are overscale. The pioneer tool clasps are moulded on extremely crudely and there is a strange diamond pattern on the floorplate.  What can be commended is the engineering as it all slots together extremely well, especially the main upper and lower sections which left no visible gap along the whole connection.

A full build blog can be found here:  https://www.track-link.com/forums/site_blogs/45766/flat

 

 

Mancave re-shuffle

15 June 2020

It has been almost four years since my little outdoor mancave was built and in this time it has turned out to be a fantastic purchase, fulfilling all my hobby expectations and keeping my other half eminently happier.  Although I would have liked a little more room, the garden footprint available was restricted so it took a little while to figure out how to make the available space work. Up until now it has been relatively easy to update and add a few components here and there, but the time has now come for a complete overhaul.

Dragon 1/35 Sd.Kfz 184 Ferdinand (kit #6495) Chapter 1: The kit and the build

 

The Ferdinand was a heavy tank destroyer (self-propelled) used by German anti-tank units during World War II. Ninety-one units were built in 1943 under the name Ferdinand (after its designer Ferdinand Porsche using VK 45.01 (P) tank hulls which had been produced for the Tiger I tank before the competing Henchel design had been selected.

Following their use at the battle of Kursk, in January to April 1944 the surviving Ferdinands received modifications and upgrades. They were renamed Elefant in May 1944. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger (P) Sd.Kfz.184.

 The kit

DML # 6495 Premium edition with Masterclub tracks and Eureka cables. Ferdinand kit review

This a fantastic kit that was released during Dragon Models golden age of premier series armour releases. Released in 2012 it includes a metal barrel, a comprehensive fret of photo-etch including track guards, as well as all manner of toolboxes and fixings. The tracks are of the non-workable individual link type.