This Voyager Model detail set is intended for Dragon's first "3 in 1" release for the Sdkfz 251 Ausf C. This Dragon kit can be built as a 251/7 Pionierpanzerwagen carrying assault bridges, the 251/10 with 3.7cm PaK or a 251/1 with the forward MG in either the "heavy" or standard configuration. The kit also has an open fighting compartment that offers considerable potential for adding extra detail and this Voyager PE set is intended to help add this finesse.

Contents

This upgrade set from Voyager Model contains a mix of photo etch and resin parts to enhance the Dragon kit no matter which option you choose, and is also well suited to the later Dragon kit 6284 251 Ausf C mit Wurfrahmen 40 "3 in 1" see review on Track-Link when built as a 251/10. The overall level of detail and number of parts in high and the set is aimed at intermediate and experienced modellers. In general the parts in this set replace or add fine detail to the kit's own parts. Given many parts are unique to only one of the three options, you will be left with a good number of spares, which would be useful for other projects, such as combining the kit's left over parts for a conversion on another 251 halftrack, modifying Dragon's Sdkfz 251/10 in kit 6284 into the more common later version with the lower PaK gun shield, or providing ammunition cases for a diorama featuring a towed 37mm Pak.

The set includes 6 large, 3 medium and 2 small PE frets, 5 lengths of ABS rod, plastic film for the dashboard, and six cream coloured resin pieces. The gauge of the PE frets varies according to their role, with the thicker pieces being for supports and structural sheet metal, while the finer pieces are often for small detail. A four page A4 instruction sheet with clear diagrams is provided (as this is a complex set it would pay to study it carefully) and the set is packed in a sturdy two part cardboard box.

Key features of the Voyager set include:

• Detail Common to most variants of the 251 Ausf. C
• Exterior details including replacement side storage boxes with separate doors which can be positioned open or closed, latches, a pair of doors for the engine bay with workable hinges which would be useful if the kit was modelled with an aftermarket engine, rear mud flaps, two types turning indicators and an exhaust shroud.
• General small exterior detail such as lifting eyes, side mirror, tail lights and three part clamps for the spade, axe and hammer. In a positive change from an earlier Voyager set for the DML 251/1 the spade is made with an ABS rod handle and PE head.
• Considerable interior PE detail. This includes assorted mounting brackets for the numerous weapons and small fittings stowed inside the 251, replacements for the stowage bins behind the bench seats (PE works well for these bins which were made from thin sheet metal), brackets for the rifles (when assembling the kit as a 251/10, only use 2 sets of brackets per side) floor mounted bins, rear door lock mechanism, radio and mountings and dashboard (with plastic film for the dials and 1 piece of resin).
• "C" shaped brackets for the seat squabs, which are more accurate (to photos) than the solid mounting pads in the Dragon kit, have limited appeal as the PE set does not include tread plate to reinstate the area underneath the seats.
• Appliqué parts with the spring detail for the driver and commander’s seat backs.

• For the Pionierpanzerwagen thicker PE parts replace the kit's plastic supports and brackets for the assault bridge.

• For the Sdkfz 251/1 with heavy MG a resin MG42 and PE parts are included to enhance the heavy MG mounting. A PE replacement is provided for the vertical plate onto which the forward MG was mounted along with the brackets for the heavy firing position mounting. The single resin MG has perforations on the top of the barrel jacket (often missing in injection plastic) but has some pitting and soft detail.

• Sdkfz 251/10 with 37mm PaK
• New PE shield for the 37mm PAK which is finer than the kit's plastic and is double skinned with the ABS rod used for the spacing bolts. A PE breech guard for the Pak is included. A new vertical plate for the gun mounting has separate bullet splash guards which are made from thick metal to give a more realistic 3-D effect.
• Four resin 37mm ammunition boxes (1 piece per box) with soft detail, but should look reasonable on a painted model.
• Two PE frames for storing the 37mm ammunition boxes.

Recommendation

This set is well designed for the Dragon 251 Ausf C '3 in 1" with the 251/1 sMG, 251/7 and 251/10 options as it contains useful parts unique to each version that the model can be built in. These alternative parts also mean that modellers will be left with spare parts that are particularly useful for detailing or converting other Dragon or Tamiya half-track kits. Well recommended.

Voyager Model PE is available from Puma Models, the Irish and UK distributor.

User Contributed Notes