Sd.Kfz. 260 Kleine Panzerfunkwagen

Dragon, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
 

Summary

FirstLook

DML continues its small scale light 4 x 4 German armored car series with the dedicated radio command version. But whereas the earlier Sd.Kfz. 222 and Sd.Kfz. 223 kits gave a “1+1" kit with two in the box, this kit provides only a single vehicle.

The kit comes on three sprues of parts with separate one-piece upper and lower hull sections. All parts attach to the hull. However, whereas the first two had turrets this one simply has a solid plastic grenade screen with two flip-out hatches for access to the sides. It also provides the “rod” type antenna vice the “bedframe” antenna of the previous models.

The lack of an interior is understandable but a shame as DML also offers the side doors as separate parts so it could be posed with the top and sides open. The chassis is fairly complete and the entire drive line (shafts and gearboxes) comes as a single unit. The wheels have separate hub protectors.

New parts are provided to the basic 222/223 parts to make the 260, but whereas the directions note the new fenders for the left side they ignore the right side ones completely!

Two finishing options are offered: Unidentified Unit, 1941(grey, unreadable registration plates); Unidentified Unit, 1942 (sand with brown and green overspray, unreadable registration plates). Number plates are provided along with a number jungle, all from Cartograf, but no specific vehicle numbers are called out.

Overall this is a nice little kit but one in the box makes it more expensive than its two predecessors.

Sprue Breakdown

A 54 Sd.Kfz. 222 - Vehicle parts, turrets, armament
B 26 Sd.Kfz. 223 - turret, frame antenna, accessories
D 15 Sd.Kfz. 260 - details, casemate covers
G 1 Upper hull
H 1 Lower hull

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.