BACKGROUND

During early 1943 on the Eastern Front German troops under Field Marshal Manstein successfully recaptured the Ukrainian city of Kharkov.  This victory stabilised the front and avoided further losses following on from the defeat at Stalingrad.  In his book “Ostfront” Charles Winchester described Kharkov as the “Last Blitzkrieg”.

In the vanguard of this counter-attack was the elite Panzer Grenadier division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler.   The LSAH were well equipped with a range of tanks and other armoured vehicles, of which many are now available as kits.

CONTENTS

The sheet comprises of one 10cm x 15cm (4” x 6”) sheet of water slide decals with markings in white, red and black for 8 vehicles. Painting and marking instructions are included for all vehicles.  The quality of print register is good with accurate alignment of multi-coloured markings.  From expereince with related sets I would suggest using a decal setting agent.

The subjects covered are

*  Panzer II Ausf F with turret numbers red “558”.  (Tamiya make a Pz II F).
*  Panzer III Ausf J early - red “556” (Dragon/Revell).
*  Panzer III Ausf J Befelswagen - “555” two in red and 1 white outline. This vehicle could be built from the Dragon/Revell kit.
*  Marder III Ausf H -red “26” named “Lausbub” (Italeri).
*  Panzer IV Ausf G L/43 - red “556”. (Italeri, Dragon)
*  Sdkfz 250/1 Alte with unit markings for a motorised anti-tank company (Dragon).
*  Sdkfz 251/1 Ausf C with the rear Balkan cross split into two decals (Tamiya).
*  Mercedes 1500 A with with markings for the 13th motorised infantry company and the “Abstand 30m” convoy marking (Scale Model Accessories, ADV/Azimut).

Fourteen LSAH unit symbols with the key emblem and 17 Balkan Crosses in vary styles are included. The registration plates for the Mercedes and half-tracks feature accurate double rues.

The instruction sheet contains scale plans clearly showing the position of the decals on each vehicle and provides painting instructions based on combat photos of the actual vehicles.  The painting instructions go the extent of showing the original “grey” coming through the whitewash with the edges and lower hulls more worn and also identify those areas, that were not whitewashed.

To confirm the accuracy of this decal sheet, I compared it to period photos of the LSAH. I found photos for 7 of the vehicles and in each case the photo(s) supported both the decal choice and the painting guide down to registration plate numbers.

SUMMARY

With the recent publishing of new photos of the LSAH during the Kharkov offensive, this sheet will be welcomed by many modellers.  The sheet is accurate and well researched and provides a good range of decals, which are interesting alternatives to those included with the kits.  I appreciated the inclusion of thorough painting and marking illustrations.

REFERENCE

Squadron Signal’s "Panzer Colors vol. III" and "SS Armor" both contain photos of several of the vehicles on this sheet.

FOOTNOTE

The Revell/Dragon Pz III Ausf J instructions show how to assemble it as a late version.  The kit includes the shorter L/42 barrel as fitted to earlier versions as a spare part.  Achtung Panzer vol. 2 shows how to rearrange the tool layout for an early version.

The Befelswagen III Ausf J the markings are provided for can be built from Revell/Dragon Pz III Ausf J by adding a star aerial (e.g. from DML aerial set or other DML kits) and a message basket, which is spare in some DML kits (eg Pz IV F2).  A photo of this vehicle showed it had the starboard tool layout, which is example 2 on p 63 of Achtung Panzer vol. 2 and spaced frontal armour.

An early Panzer IV G can be made from the Italeri kit.  A more accurate one could be made from the DML Panzer IV G kit by using an after-market double baffle L/43 barrel and not fitting the side and turret shields or the armor plates bolted on the glacis.

Thanks to Vladimir Ziska of Elefant Corporation for the review sample.