Friday, September 9

Preview: mtl.Pi.Pzwg. Sd.Kfz.251/7 in 35th scale from Das Werk...

Das Werk are again breathing new life into an older kit with new decals and instructions in their Sd.Kfz. 251/7 I - Pionierpanzerwagen. We have the colour schemes, decals & some into on the kit in CAD form in our preview...
 

Preview: mtl.Pi.Pzwg. Sd.Kfz.251/7 in 35th scale from Das Werk...

mtl.Pi.Pzwg. Sd.Kfz.251/7 
From Das Werk
Kit No #DW35030 
1/35th scale
Photo-etch parts included
Available End of October 2022
The Subject: The mtl.Pi.Pzwg. Sd.Kfz.251/7 
Sd.Kfz. 251/7 I - Pionierpanzerwagen. Another assault engineer vehicle; this had fittings to carry assault bridge ramps on the sides.

An Sd.Kfz 251/7 Ausf D captured at war's end (without a front wheel) in 1945...
This vehicle was specially designed to meet the needs of the pioneering troops of the German Wehrmacht. For example, a bench was removed to have more storage space for the pioneers' equipment and a temporary bridge was carried along.

SdKfz 251/7 Ausd D showing its fording capabilities...
There were two variants of the mittlerer Pionierpanzerwagen (Sd. Kfz. 251/7) – an armoured engineer vehicle. Gruppenwagen 1, 3, 5 and Gruppenwagen 2, 4, 6 (number means the position in a platoon). These variants differed by the armament and the engineer equipment. Serial production started in 1941 based on the C model. Two 8-ton bridge sections were stored on the vehicle. 

A Sd.Kfz. 251/7 I - Pionierpanzerwagen in the museum at Samur
The mountings of the bridge sections were often used to create additional stowage places. This is one of the many points of visual recognition (along with the big-ass bridging equipment either side) of the Sd.Kfz. 251/7 I - Pionierpanzerwagen.

The Kit: 
Das werk say that they have produced this kit in conjunction with a "well-known model manufacturer" - which means Dragon as in their recent very nice Sd.Kfz 25./1 kit. 
This kit will have four new marking choices included in the box:
19. Panzerdivision, Eastern Front, February 1945
Unknown Unit, Ardennes, December 1944
21. Panzerdivision, Normandy, July 1944
246. Volksgrenadier-Division, Battle of Aachen, October 1944

The decal sheet for this kit includes stencilling and instrument gauge dials...
Das Werk has been shown to the  kit in CAD form also that enlightens us a little as to its features. Das Werk themselves say that the kit will feature single track links along with detachable bridging elements.
You can build both the standard 251/7 or with 2,8cm Panzerbüchse. The open hull interior and engine included weapons and accessories - a good thing, as it is completely open to the viewer of the kit.
Photo-etched parts for the finer extra details of the kit are also included. It is good to see that the large rear cargo/ troop door can be built opened & closed.

This kit will be available at the end of October 2022. You can find out more information on this kit, or where to pre-order it from the Das Werk Website