introduction

Three sIG 33 (schwere Infanterie Geschütz or “heavy infantry howitzer”) kits have appeared recently: Cyberhobby's horse-drawn version (reviewed by Charles Reading here ), Dragon's motor vehicle-towed variant (reviewed by me here), and most recently, AFV Club's combo kit that builds both (reviewed by me here). Additionally, the sIG 33 gun was mounted on a variety of motorized platforms, including the Pz. I, II, and III, as well as the Czech-designed Pz. 38(t) “Grille”. So they all need ammo, right?

As part of its release of its own kit, AFV Club has wisely released two sets of ammunition that can be used with either the artillery piece or the tracked vehicles, one in styrene and one in brass. This review will focus on the styrene set. The brass set is reviewed by me here.

the kit

The kit comes in the standard “clean” looking AFV Club box with sepia graphics and contains:

2 sprues of tan styrene plastic
1 sprue of vinyl parts
1 small fret of PE
a small sheet of decals with stencils

The review

This set is really a doubling of the ammunition provided in the AFV Club sIG 33 kit, along with vinyl renderings of the wicker cases used to transport artillery rounds, plus a muzzle cap for when the gun is in transit. The photo etch sadly isn’t used to provide bases for the “brass” powder charge bases, but for straps to attach the muzzle cap. The plastic rounds are well-cast, but lack the distinctive bottom "lip" or edge that the real ones had.

The rounds include HE and AP, as well as the famous bunker-busting 90kg Stielgranate 42 demolition round (lit. “handle grenade,” the term used for the handheld “potato masher” grenade issued to soldiers).

Molding is AFV’s usual crisp standard, and flash is minimal. The plastic is softer than most kitmakers I’ve dealt with, so be careful not to break delicate parts or go to heavy with the sanding stick when removing seams or spurs. The detailing is good, and when painted, the plastic rounds don't look significantly less-detailed than the brass round set, especially if displayed in one of the wooden transport frames or the wicker tubes.

Markings & Painting

The box reverse includes a good painting guide with shout-outs for six colors (though three are GSI Creos/Gunze Sangyo brands). Decals supplied for the chests and other stenciling are nothing special, but do the job well.

conclusion

This is a good kit for diorama builders who want spare ammunition and spent rounds, though the brass ammunition set is superior (and more expensive relative to what you get).