PMMS LogoPMMS
Voyager Models
WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Basic
Voyager Model 1:35 Set # PE35241
Review by Terry Ashley

CyberhobbyDragon
Introduction:

Voyager Models have released three separate etched/resin updates sets for the recent Cyberhobby/Dragon release of the Sd.Kfz.250/1 Neu (kit #6427) that allows you to add as much or as little as you wish without buying one huge update set with the lot when you only want the basic updates, or just the fenders etc.

The three sets released are:
PE35241 WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Basic (This Set)
PEA141 WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Stowage bins & Fenders
PEA142 WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Armor plate

We will look at all three in turn to show what you get in each as there are some quite comprehensive updates included in the three sets.

This Set:
This set is labelled “basic” as it contains most of the smaller and more obvious updates traditionally included in update sets as well as including in resin the missing gearbox from the Cyberhobby/Dragon kit.

You should note that the box top image includes the side storage boxes and fenders in etched brass but these are not actually included with this ‘basic’ set but are only available separately in set #PEA141.

The set consists of 8 frets of etched brass in varying sizes and thicknesses, 23 parts in light cream resin, a small sheet of photo film for the instrument dials, 2 small brass “balls” for the gear level knobs, 2 lengths of brass wire and 3 lengths of thin plastic rod for a truly multi media update which is basically to normal for this type of update set these days.

Etched, Resin and Additional parts
Click for larger slideshow views

Voyager ModelsVoyager ModelsVoyager Models
Close slideshow window to return to review

Quality of the etching and the resin casting is first class without any blemishes or distortions anywhere with just the usual attachment burs to be filed from the etched parts and the casting blocks to be cut from the resin parts before use.

Some of the etched parts are very small and will need careful handling during cleanup and assembly with the parts having the usual engraved bending lines to aid in this process but a good quality etched bending tool will always come in handy.

The set could actually be called an “Interior set” as about 90% of the parts go inside replacing just about all the Cyberhobby/Dragon kit parts except for things like the seats steering wheel and Kar98 rifles.

The front suspension arms have the attachment brackets replaced with etched strip that requires you to cut away the plastic supports from the kit part and is one of only a few kit modifications required with the update set.

Moving to the interior the forward lower floor section (kit part C11) is replaced with a thick piece of brass with additional etched tread plate added along with the replacement resin gearbox and transmission with additional etched detail items.

The gearbox is nicely detailed with a small locating pin on the underside that fits into a hole in the brass floor for precise location and this part fills the void left by the absence of the kit gearbox. Added to the gearbox are two gear shift levers but these don’t match those seen in most interior shots of the 250 I have seen and some modification might be needed with these?

There are three etched parts added to the ends of the transmission but you will have to trim a little off the ends of the transmission to allow the etched parts to fit inside the kit lower hull tub.

Added to the floor are etched driver’s foot pedals and the mounting brackets for the seats to replace the lumps on the Cyberhobby/Dragon floor but the location of these is not marked. It would be best to attach the etched brackets to the kit seats and then fit the seats in place rather than the other way around as in the instruction to better position the seats. This due to the inside seat bracket being fitted to the floor and outside bracket to the side of the lower hull tub which is the correct setup.

Also added to the kit seat backs are fine etched springs (you have to shave off the moulded on kit springs first) as well as the rear frame on the left seat and box latch added to the box on the back of the co-driver’s seat.

Main parts for the interior transmission/gearbox and seats assembled, smaller details still to be added
Voyager ModelsVoyager Models

The driver’s instrument panel is provided as an etched brass panel with photo film dials that show through the holes in the panel as well as the radio mounting box entirely in fine brass and the radio itself being replaced with an resin radio for finer details with this assembly replacing the kit parts added to the underside of the upper hull. The only part of the kit assembly retained is the instrument panel itself but you have to shave off the raised detail and just use this as the backing plate for the etched/photo film replacements.

All the interior equipment brackets and clips are replaced with etched/resin items such as the side visor brackets and resin vision blocks, the equipment brackets along the side walls for the MG42 and MP40 which also have resin MG42 and MP40s provided to replace the kits parts as well as resin ammo drums and pouches.

There are fine brackets for the spare MG42 barrel container (again with container in resin) and 6 part racks for the MG42 drum magazines (in resin) and you can make to top bracket workable if you wish?

There are multi-part brackets for the fire extinguisher and Kar98 rifles and again you can make the securing bracket for the rifle rack workable with as separate small butterfly key but these assemblies will need a little care during assembly.

The large and small storage boxes mounted inside are completely replaced with etched boxes with workable lid hinges and separate small latches for good detail definition as well as other smaller brackets and the three canvas cover tilt frames are also provided in brass if you wish to fit these.

Moving to the outside the front Notek light is provided in resin with fine etched mounting brackets and all external tools have mounting brackets and workable tool clips provided in brass along with the rack attached to the outside of the rear door and the tail light assembly in 4 parts.

Other external parts include the rear number plate, MG bracket on the rear hull MG pivot mounting and securing chain on the right front fender storage box as well as the fine hooks on the upper hull sides.

Instructions:

These are now included as long foldout strips about 75cm long and 10cm high which when folded up fit neatly into the standard Voyager cardboard box these sets come in. There are two strips for this set with printing on both sides that are the usual exploded view drawings of the assembly sequences and I found these easy to follow in most cases.

As usual you should study the instructions carefully before assembly to avoid any traps and overall the instruction trips seemed to take up less space on the desk than the older style full page instructions leaving plenty of room to work.

Conclusion:

This is quite an extensive update for a “basic” set with the resin transmission and gearbox on the inside being the major components that along with the numerous etched parts adds considerable detail to the interior of the 250.

There is a bit of work involved with some of the more intricate assemblies but most of the items such as the floor/transmission/gearbox simply replace the kit parts and don’t require any real modifications to the kit to fit.

An excellent set for adding the finer details to the Cyberhobby/Dragon Sd.Kfz.250/1

Highly recommended

Also see the additional sets available;
PEA141 WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Stowage bins & Fenders
PEA142 WWII German Sd.Kfz.250/1 NEU Armor plate

References:
Book
Sd.Kfz.250 (Ausf.A&B)

Panzer Tracts No.15-1
ISBN: 0-9815382-0-7
Sd.Kfz.251
SdKfz250

Ground Power Special
GALILEO Publishing Co.,Ltd
book
Military Vehicles in Detail 1
SdKfz 250/1 to 250/12

Ian Allan Publishing.
Book
Sd.Kfz.250 Vol.I
Wydawnictwo Militaria
#173
Book
Sd.Kfz.250 Vol.2
Wydawnictwo Militaria
#231
Sd.Kfz.250
Schutzenpanzer
(Armored Personnel Carrier)
Ryton Publications

ISBN: 1930571291

Thanks to Voyager Models for the review set.



Page created August 29, 2008