introduction

Three new sIG 33 (schwere Infanterie Geschütz or “heavy infantry howitzer”) kits have appeared recently: Cyberhobby (reviewed by Charles Reading here ), Dragon (reviewed by me here), and most recently, AFV Club (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”.

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 brass set. The styrene set is reviewed by me here.

the kit

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

4 brass HE rounds
4 brass AP rounds
8 "silver" fuses
8 brass powder charges
a fret of PE with the bases and internal fuses
a small sheet of decals with stencils

The review

This set is for the modeler who can't put up with the inferior detailing of AFV Club's sIG 33 kit-supplied ammo or their styrene supplementary ammunition set (review by me here). The shells are masterfully machined, and the powder cases perfectly round. Adding the flat bases is a bit tricky when aligning them properly, but the results are excellent.

Supplying the fuses for the ends of the projectiles is a clever design move, though applying the tips isn't for the faint of heart or anyone who hates "fiddly bits." It does make painting the shells much neater and easier.

That having been said, once painted, much of the advantage of the brass is lost. I can see the value in having turned metal rounds when they're made of brass and can show-up styrene technology, but in this case the excellence of the machining is lost under a coat of Field Gray.

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 are supplied for non-existent chests and their stenciling, a curious error on AFV Club's part.

conclusion

This is a good kit for diorama builders who want spare ammunition and spent rounds, though the brass ammunition set is superior.