Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8T (Sd.Kfz.7) Holzpritsche (Dragon)
Mar 20, 2023 8:53:13 GMT -5
`Boots`, chromdome35, and 7 more like this
Post by losboz on Mar 20, 2023 8:53:13 GMT -5
Having completed two 1/35 Trumpeter 8T (Sd.Kfz.7) kits (recently posted one here) over the last few years I figured I would finish a couple of the Dragon versions. Between a few other projects my plan this year was to complete two of the Dragon kits I had started some years ago.
First up will by Dragon's kit #6562. This was the final all wooden cab and cargo bed version (Holzpritsche) and was released way back in 2009.
The details are sharp, the engineering good and the kit fits together very neatly. Unfortunately, it has very different issues from the Trumpeter offering. The largest issue is an inaccuracy concerning the cargo bed framework. Although not hugely visible on the finished model, Dragon have not designed new mouldings but have just included the reinforced framework from their Flak variant which is totally different from the cargo version. The Trumpeter kit's framework is correct. In addition, they have not updated the instrument panel to the 'late' full horizontal panel used on the newly designed wooden cab, nor have they included the late running gear (wheels and tracks). Late versions were occasionally seen with the early wheels (The hubs are visably different) and only very few received the final tracks so although not entirely incorrect it would have been nice for Dragon to have updated the tooling for these too!
Although no canvas tilt is offered, they do provide the wooden equipment rack, but just like Trumpeter, they also misinterpret the layout of the rear bench, and 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 with opening which was dropped on the Holzpritsche vehicles in favour of two solid screens. Other issues that are easily resolved include replacing the engine bay horn to represent the Bosch circular style one and moving the cab tilt hoop frame from the load bed to the cab.
A full and excellent kit review can be found here:
www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6562.html
I started this build in around 2015 and the main components have already been assembled. The only aftermarket parts I used was a set of 'Quick wheel' front wheels. These come in two parts so they can be presented minus the rim and tyre as I will presented on this build. To construct them the star shaped spokes simply 'click and turn' into the rim and tyre section.
I built the kit up in sub sections to make painting easier but unlike my Trumpeter kit build, on this occasion I had already attached the cab to the chassis. This means that some areas I would have liked to improve on will have to remain. These are some WIP build pics I took back in 2015.
A 'beat up' image of the real thing. Notice half the wheel rim hanging off the star shaped inner wheel hub and the other half sat on the ground below it. This vehicle has the curved upper cab side panel and the rear drop side cut out was to allow it to be lowered whilst towing. The cab canvas supporting hoop is sticking out of the cab floor.
The image below shows the rifle rack holders attached to the storage rack (arrowed) which was a very late re-vision which allowed a simple removal and convertion to a flatbed. The rack location pins (circled) can also be seen as the rack has fallen out of the cargo bed location slots.
The rear back-to-back style bench remains in the example below.
Both the images below show the smaller, late style headlamps not supplied in either of the Holzpritsche kits. The first image shows a short, bevelled cab side panel and the second a curved.
The pics below were taken before the Trumpeter kit was painted so we can compare them side by side. The most striking difference is the height of the tilt frame! The Trumpeter tilt looks far too low, and this seems to be confirmed in period images. The next thing to notice is how soft the Trumpeter kit’s details look in comparison. The Radiator housing fins being a prime example. The front fender profile difference is also clear to see here. The Dragon kit has the correct one. The Trumpeter model's running gear and front wheels also sit a little lower on the chassis.
Re-working some Dragon kit inaccuracies.
Although it would now be tricky to re-work the load bed platform without damaging existing fittings, I did want to address the most visual inaccuracy. Dragon do not provide the late style instrument panel and as they do not provide a cab tilt cover this will be very noticeable. I had not been aware of this issue when I built the kit, so this was now to be remedied. Although the Trumpeter kit’s panel would still have required extending as the Dragon cab is a few millimetres wider, I didn’t have one spare so building one from scratch was the only alternative.
Carefully removing the old panel and framework the first thing to remedy was the inclusion of the priming fuel tank to the firewall. Luckily this part can be found in the kit. It looked very different to the Trumpeter part but as only the lower portion would be visible it could be added. Using the Panzer Tracts 22-4 book for reference, the new panel was constructed from plastic card, photo-etch, and scraped off switches from the old panel. It wasn’t perfect but under paint and with dial decals it will be presentable.
The old style central panel provided in the kit
Scratchbuilt full panel
As the kit has been built up with displaying the engine in mind, the trumpet style ‘early’ horn was replaced with the correct style circular Bosch item, taken from the Trumpeter kit.
The bonnet/hood photo-etch tool clasps were replaced with 3D resin ones and again the headlights were replaced with a smaller ‘later’ style set. Although the radiator housing manufacturers logo would have been absent on a vehicle this late in the war, the fact that I have already attached it makes removing it difficult so that will also have to remain.The cab canvas metal hoop frame should be attached to the rear of the cab side panels. All the kit's illustrations bear this out but strangely the instructions have you attach it to the cargo wooden frame! I had also draped some green stuff tarps over it when I originally built it so unfortunately this error will also remain.
Looking at drawings in the Panzer Tracts book, other kit inaccuracies that will also require work as the kit builds up include the cab under-seat metalwork. It should sit further back on the floor and not sit flush with the cab side panels and there is no driver’s seat cut out for the deeper cushion. Another more visible anomaly concerns the cargo bed hinges. They look to be far too chunky in scale and there is no detail on the inner face.
Next up will be paint
First up will by Dragon's kit #6562. This was the final all wooden cab and cargo bed version (Holzpritsche) and was released way back in 2009.
The details are sharp, the engineering good and the kit fits together very neatly. Unfortunately, it has very different issues from the Trumpeter offering. The largest issue is an inaccuracy concerning the cargo bed framework. Although not hugely visible on the finished model, Dragon have not designed new mouldings but have just included the reinforced framework from their Flak variant which is totally different from the cargo version. The Trumpeter kit's framework is correct. In addition, they have not updated the instrument panel to the 'late' full horizontal panel used on the newly designed wooden cab, nor have they included the late running gear (wheels and tracks). Late versions were occasionally seen with the early wheels (The hubs are visably different) and only very few received the final tracks so although not entirely incorrect it would have been nice for Dragon to have updated the tooling for these too!
Although no canvas tilt is offered, they do provide the wooden equipment rack, but just like Trumpeter, they also misinterpret the layout of the rear bench, and 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 with opening which was dropped on the Holzpritsche vehicles in favour of two solid screens. Other issues that are easily resolved include replacing the engine bay horn to represent the Bosch circular style one and moving the cab tilt hoop frame from the load bed to the cab.
A full and excellent kit review can be found here:
www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6562.html
I started this build in around 2015 and the main components have already been assembled. The only aftermarket parts I used was a set of 'Quick wheel' front wheels. These come in two parts so they can be presented minus the rim and tyre as I will presented on this build. To construct them the star shaped spokes simply 'click and turn' into the rim and tyre section.
I built the kit up in sub sections to make painting easier but unlike my Trumpeter kit build, on this occasion I had already attached the cab to the chassis. This means that some areas I would have liked to improve on will have to remain. These are some WIP build pics I took back in 2015.
A 'beat up' image of the real thing. Notice half the wheel rim hanging off the star shaped inner wheel hub and the other half sat on the ground below it. This vehicle has the curved upper cab side panel and the rear drop side cut out was to allow it to be lowered whilst towing. The cab canvas supporting hoop is sticking out of the cab floor.
The image below shows the rifle rack holders attached to the storage rack (arrowed) which was a very late re-vision which allowed a simple removal and convertion to a flatbed. The rack location pins (circled) can also be seen as the rack has fallen out of the cargo bed location slots.
The rear back-to-back style bench remains in the example below.
Both the images below show the smaller, late style headlamps not supplied in either of the Holzpritsche kits. The first image shows a short, bevelled cab side panel and the second a curved.
The pics below were taken before the Trumpeter kit was painted so we can compare them side by side. The most striking difference is the height of the tilt frame! The Trumpeter tilt looks far too low, and this seems to be confirmed in period images. The next thing to notice is how soft the Trumpeter kit’s details look in comparison. The Radiator housing fins being a prime example. The front fender profile difference is also clear to see here. The Dragon kit has the correct one. The Trumpeter model's running gear and front wheels also sit a little lower on the chassis.
Re-working some Dragon kit inaccuracies.
Although it would now be tricky to re-work the load bed platform without damaging existing fittings, I did want to address the most visual inaccuracy. Dragon do not provide the late style instrument panel and as they do not provide a cab tilt cover this will be very noticeable. I had not been aware of this issue when I built the kit, so this was now to be remedied. Although the Trumpeter kit’s panel would still have required extending as the Dragon cab is a few millimetres wider, I didn’t have one spare so building one from scratch was the only alternative.
Carefully removing the old panel and framework the first thing to remedy was the inclusion of the priming fuel tank to the firewall. Luckily this part can be found in the kit. It looked very different to the Trumpeter part but as only the lower portion would be visible it could be added. Using the Panzer Tracts 22-4 book for reference, the new panel was constructed from plastic card, photo-etch, and scraped off switches from the old panel. It wasn’t perfect but under paint and with dial decals it will be presentable.
The old style central panel provided in the kit
Scratchbuilt full panel
As the kit has been built up with displaying the engine in mind, the trumpet style ‘early’ horn was replaced with the correct style circular Bosch item, taken from the Trumpeter kit.
The bonnet/hood photo-etch tool clasps were replaced with 3D resin ones and again the headlights were replaced with a smaller ‘later’ style set. Although the radiator housing manufacturers logo would have been absent on a vehicle this late in the war, the fact that I have already attached it makes removing it difficult so that will also have to remain.The cab canvas metal hoop frame should be attached to the rear of the cab side panels. All the kit's illustrations bear this out but strangely the instructions have you attach it to the cargo wooden frame! I had also draped some green stuff tarps over it when I originally built it so unfortunately this error will also remain.
Looking at drawings in the Panzer Tracts book, other kit inaccuracies that will also require work as the kit builds up include the cab under-seat metalwork. It should sit further back on the floor and not sit flush with the cab side panels and there is no driver’s seat cut out for the deeper cushion. Another more visible anomaly concerns the cargo bed hinges. They look to be far too chunky in scale and there is no detail on the inner face.
Next up will be paint
I am currently working my way through quite a few of them. I’ve completed (recently posted on here) the Trumpeter Sd.Kfz.7 Flak 43, the Sd.Kfz.7 Holzpritsche and I am currently working on this. I have Dragon kit 6794 started and almost 100% built. Kit 6918 is yet to be opened and the ancient and venerable Tamiya kit 35148 is also a WIP. Updated with Modelkasten wheels and tracks, a huge fret of PE and some resin wheels it should make an interesting comparison with all the mid 2000 offerings.