This is the DML SdKfz 251/7 (Engineer variant), painted as a late war, Ardennes campaign vehicle. It was inspired by a colour plate in "Duel in the Mist 2" and features a factory applied late war paint scheme. I added Archer balkenkreuz, an SS number plate to the front and a shipping stencil.
It's pretty much OOTB - it's a superb kit - but I stuffed out the interior with engineer gear - boxes, explosives, mines and tools. The figures are a mixture of resin and styrene; DML, Cromwell and an unidentified resin standing figure in cold-weather trousers, panzer wrap and Hornet head (wearing cold weather cap). I added Archer SS collar titles where appropriate. Anyway, here it is:
Here is my KG Knittel Puma, coded "028". It's the excellent DML Puma, with the addition of metal RB Models antennas as the kit ones weren't really that robust. I also added metal tool clamp handles, and gave the tyres a good sanding to give them a worn look.
For anyone contemplating any of the DML 234 series kits, but who are put off by the extremely complex looking suspension - don't be. Get stuck in, but take your time and it soon becomes very clear. Don't forget to remove the small "nub" on the end of the suspension arm ball joints, as this will allow you to move the wheels. Otherwise, they'll all be dead straight.
Here is my latest disc pattern Panther G from the Ardennes offensive. It's the DML Steel Wheeled Panther using the rubber tyred wheeled that are helpfully included in the kit. The disc pattern scheme was created using the excellent Uschi Van der Rosten stencils.
Here is Panther "215", commanded by an Uscha Kruger during the Battle of the Bulge. The vehicle was k/o'd in Stoumont and is the subject of photos and an excellent colour profile in "Duel in the Mist" #1. It features the Daimler Benz "ambush" pattern scheme using dots over a tight sprayed/hardedged 3-colour scheme.
It is the recent DML kit, pretty much stock except for finer detailing. One issue I took exception with in the DITM colour scheme was that they depicted a green base colour. Surely not in a post zimm Sept/Oct '44 machine? Anyway, I painted it in a dunkelgelb base, and masked off this with blu-tac. Next came the green, and a tightly sprayed brown. The dots were added with a tooth pick dipped in paint.
Anyway - comments welcome as always!
Cheers, Dave
