PMMS
Voyager Models
Sd.Kfz.234/1
Voyager 1:35 Set # PE 35133
(for Dragon #6298)

Review by Terry Ashley
Dragon
This is another comprehensive update set from Voyager Models, this time designed for the Dragon Sd.Kfz.234/1 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen (2cm) (kit #6298) and has two large etched brass frets with another four smaller brass frets and two stainless steel frets for the fine mesh screens for the turret and engine deck. Also included are three short lengths of 0.5mm plastic rod and two turned brass 20mm rounds plus a small photo film sheet for the instrument panel dials to make another packed multi-media update set.

Some of the smaller frets are from the previous Voyager Sd.Kfz.234 sets with the two larger frets new for this set as are the turret cage screens.

The standard of etching is again excellent with very clean parts featuring very fine relief and the usual engraved bending lines where required. The separate front section of the turret is in thicker metal to give a good scale effect which also helps make the thinner turret shell a very robust assembly when attached.

As with previous sets there are some very fine parts that will require care when removing from the frets, in filing the attachment scars and during assembly and some experience working with etched parts would be helpful.

Foremost in the set is the turret with the etched parts completely replacing the upper turret shell and rear storage boxes as well as the top opening screen cage covers plus a number of the parts for the 2cm gun itself with just the lower turret ring, main gun and mounting remaining from the kit.

Things didn’t start all that well as there are four small tabs attached to the top edges of the etched turret which are designed to be rolled up forming part of the workable hinges for the screen cage. But these are not easily identified and look just like the other fret attachments which I dually cut off removing the turret part and I guess there won’t be workable hinges on my turret, so be warned. The same goes for the cage frame parts but these are more obvious due to the finer frames compared to the large turret shell.

Moving on the turret shell has weld seam embossing on the junctions which are designed to be bent away from the engraved bend lines which is the opposite to the normal procedure and again you have to watch this as the instructions don’t actually tell you this and you have to be on your wits and don’t just go ahead and bend into the lines as usual.

Weld seam embossing and screw head detail on the etched turret shell
Voyager Models

You also have to make sure the thicker front turret panel is perfectly lined up with the inner section before soldering or gluing with cyanoacrylate to ensure the turret shell sits evenly after assembly.

Voyager Models

With the separate rear turret storage boxes you have to take extreme care as there are actually no bending lines indicating where to bend for the two box sides but it is level with the end section embossed detail and the small upper tab you have to bend inwards first to rest the separate lid on. This tab has to be again bent away from the engraved line and again highlights the need for careful study of the instructions before doing any bending or gluing.

The hinges for the box lids can be made workable if you are careful during assembly with the boxes just butt joined to the rear turret panels.

The upper screen cage frames are very fine and you have to bend the sides down along the centre line of the upper frames and using a good etched bending tool will be essential to get the bends without distorting the frame and also watch as there are more small hinge making tabs along the bottom of the frame, so don’t cut these off either.

Added to the etched frame is the extremely fine stainless steel mesh screens which again will require care during assembly to get them lined up correctly before gluing but they do help to make the screens more robust when attached. There are the large inner etched brackets provided as well as the kit parts H19/25 and H18 which can be used in conjunction with the etched brackets provided or replace these with thinner wire as indicated in the instructions, but you will have to provide the wire yourself as it is not included.

With the 2cm KwK38 gun there are etched parts for the shell ejector shut cover and lower cradle parts as well as the small forward gun shield all of which are straight replacements for the kit parts. Also included is two small 10 round magazines from the separately available Voyager set #AP 066 and these build into excellent magazines and include two 20mm brass round to add if showing the magazine away from the gun. The magazine loading collar is also provided in etched brass which requires you to cut the moulded on plastic collar from the kit gun but this and the magazine adds considerable detail to the gun.

Voyager Models
Voyager ModelsVoyager Models

Adding the assembled etched turret shell to the lower plastic turret ring may require some subtle tweaks to the side angle bends but overall the fit was really quite good here. Of course the usual due care is needed and test fit before gluing to make sure everything lines up correctly but I didn’t have any problems lining up the two correctly and no trimming was required.

Also included is a new flash suppressor for the muzzle which is designed in the same manner as that from ABER (set #35 L-42) where the muzzle collar and cone suppressor are separate etched parts that require careful bending and the end result very much depends on the modellers skills but thankfully Voyager give you two suppressors in case you destroy one in the process.

The rear engine deck screens and frames are replaced entirely with etched parts and more fine stainless steel mesh screens and some careful bending is required on the louver frames. The louvers themselves separate parts that pivot on the attachment lugs and can easily be repositioned but it would be advisable to glue these as they should all be at the same angle and not all over the place.

The large storage box on the right rear fender is again entirely replaced with etched parts with separate latches and tool clips for the tools stowed on the outside of the box and is fairly straightforward in construction.

Other external parts include the rear spare tyre bracket, the remaining tool clips and brackets including the multi-part jack brackets as well as quite elaborate Jerry can racks for the front fenders and additional details for the Bosch head lights and rear view mirror on the left width indicator stalk plus the star antenna bracket and star antenna itself plus other smaller brackets about the hull.

It should be noted that the box top photo shows the full etched fenders but these are not included in the set but are available separately.

On the interior there is the driver’s instrument panel in etched metal with the photo film dials, plus the rear seat springs and radio rack that requires you to cut the moulded on rack from the kit radio.

Also included is a large and intricate magazine rack for 10 magazines on the forward left side wall with two smaller racks added behind the larger rack but the British Tech Intel Reports on the Sd.Kfz.234/1 indicate there should be racks for 24 x 10 round magazines mounted on the inner left hull wall plus one magazine in the gun for a total of 25 magazines giving a 250 round capacity, so it appear you may need another larger rack to conform with the Tech Reports.

Conclusion:
This is a comprehensive update set for the Sd.Kfz.234/1 with many intricate and delicate parts plus some assemblies that will require extreme care with the set definitely not for the inexperienced modeller.

But overall while there are some adventures along the way the level of detail will add greatly to the already high level of detail in the Dragon kit, especially with the turret parts and engine deck intake louvers and screens.

Highly recommended

Photo film, Metal and Resin parts
Voyager ModelsVoyager Models
The etched frets
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Voyager Models
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Thanks to Voyager Models for the review set.



Page Created November 16, 2006

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