Charles Reading presents and in depth in box review of Bronco''s SD KFZ 221 kit in 1/35th scale.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

It's great to see Bronco continuing to offer these early-war type vehicles and the inclusion of the interior is a definite plus IMHO. It's a little disappointing that they don't have the two-tone scheme incorporated into the Panzer Gray schemes on the finishing guide even though they offer markings for a Poland 1939 and France 1940 vehicle, perpetuating the idea that straight panzer gray is the only finishing option.

Thanks for the opportunity to have a look-see inside the box, Charles.

This is really a neat looking little vehicle, and looks like a fun build. Do the instructions read pretty easily?

Rudi

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/bronco/cb35013d03.htm

Rudi,
Yeah, the instructions are the 'blow up' type. They are less 'cluttered' looking than a lot of that type of instruction. I really was impressed with the booklet format on glossy paper and printed in color. I think Bronco Models is bypassing the learning curve and with several more quality releases will be among the top 5 plastic model manufacturers.

Bill,
Yes, I thought the only real shortcoming of the kit was that they didn't offer any scheme other than Panzer Grey. How cool would it have been had they researched the scheme that the 221's sent to China and included that? At the very least, a scheme for the Spanish Civil War would have broken some of the monotony of all Panzer Grey.
But, really, that's a very minor gripe considering the overall quality of this kit.

iamsu7,
Thanks for the link?

Cheers,
Charles

Thanks for the feedback Charles.

I was pretty sure I'd heard (with reference to earlier releases, perhaps the Humber) that the instructions were rather difficult to follow. I may have heard wrong. Either way I'm really glad to hear the instructions look easy to follow

Rudi

Hello, but not used in Spain nor Africa. Do not look for that paint schemes!
Regards
Javier

Javier,
Thanks for the correction. I may have spoken too soon on Spain but my references show a photo of a 221 identified as such:
" In Africa too- here at hill 102,22 kilometers west of El Gazala - the 221 served as an observation platform." (the vehicle is parked with a solder in DAK outfit standing on top with field glasses in a desert/shrub terrain)

Cheers,
Charles

That scheme would be interesting, then! I thought no 221s went to Afrika and a sand coloured one will be pretty. And I would like to know if any unit sported camouflage in September 1939...another interesting paint job...if possible.
Javier

Javier, check this out from the DAK site.

It's a pricey kit, so I hope it would not need a lot of AM upgrades. How are the tires?

About mounting the Panzerbuchse, in Panzer Tracts 13 on PanzerSpaehwagens, a pictures shows this actually fitted.

A s. Pz. B. 41 fitted to an SdKfz 221 ordered in 1942, page 13-11. This is a backfitting to vehicles already in service.

The pictures shows the Pz. Buchse as replacing the MG-34, not being fitted next or above it. The shield appears to be a spaced armour plate, and wether or not it is fixed to the 221's roof or not I can not clearly see. I think it is fixed, as the Pz. Buchse to me seems mounted on the roof as well, and not in the turret.

aargh!
mine will be sand yellow!
Thanks for the pic
Regards
Javier

If you really want to be accurate for a DAK vehicle, I would suggest going with the March '41 ordered "Tropen" scheme of RAL 8000/RAL 7008.

Schwarzgrau also is accurate for the initial vehicles.

Also, with this tropenscheme, it is accurate to put the vehicle in Russia as well...

Bill, I presume you mean 7008 and not 7007? Or do you mean 7027?

My source says it's either 8000 overpainted 2/3-1/3 with 7008 (Heeresmitteilung 1941 Nr. 281) or 8020 overpainted 2/3-1/3 with 7027 (Heeresmitteilung 1942, Nr. 315 dated 25th March 1942). There were, I understand, variants because of using supplies on-hand.

Bill,

Yep, typed too fast...I meant RAL 7008...not 7007.

Herbert, the panzer gray or panzer gray with mud is also an option...so many choices except the kit doesn't include the markings so you'd have to source or create your own, but othewise many avenues to pursue!

But that's why we are modellers... or get some Archer or other decals.

Couldn't agree more. I'm very happy to see this subject in styrene myself...and I'm sure it won't be long before Archer, Bison, or Echelon come out with something to add a little variety to this one.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this one. The hard part will be waiting for the decal and etch companies to catch up.

I notice that Bronco included the armor plate added under the chin, but not the struts that support it. I still cannot confirm if this vehicle should have the beefy supports behind the bumper as found on a 223. Regardless, a great addition to the stable. I think a Spanish Civil War example will look very spiffy.

-Doug

I have a question about the 2nd Decal Option of this kit for anybody who knows about division markings:

The instructions say it's the "3rd SS-Panzer Division 'Totenkopf', Arras, France, 1940", and this makes sense because the Totenkopf (though not yet a Panzer division) did fight alongside Rommel's 7. Panzer Division at Arras.

However the symbol on the decal is a yellow wolfsengel, not a skull and cross-bones or death's head. I wonder why this is, because my copy of Panzer Colours Vol 3 says that the wolfsengel was the symbol of the 2nd SS unit, the SS-VT Division which later became Das Reich, which I think did not fight at Arras. Have Bronco made an error then, or have I not understood properly the organisation of the Waffen-SS?

I ask this because I have the kit, I haven't started it yet, and I'm wondering what figures or other vehicles to match it with in a diorama.