Short History

The HMMWV was designed primarily for personnel and light cargo transport behind front lines, not as a front line fighting vehicle. Like the previous Jeep, the basic HMMWV has no armor or protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats. Nevertheless, losses were relatively low in conventional operations, such as the Gulf War. Vehicles and crews suffered considerable damage and losses during the Battle of Mogadishu due to the nature of the urban engagement; however, the chassis survivability allowed the majority of those crews to return to safety, though the HMMWV was never designed to offer protection against intense small arms fire, much less machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. However, with the rise of asymmetric warfare and low intensity conflicts, the HMMWV has been pressed into service in urban combat roles for which it was not originally intended.

Dragon Models is fast becoming the standard for 1/72 armor. Recently I had the opportunity to review their new Sd.Kfz. 222 set for IPMS. That review can be found in the archives.

Dragon has now released a new set for the Sd.Kfz. 223. The set is very much like the 222, featuring a detailed chassis, separately molded hull doors, intricate detail, and PE grenade screens for the turret. The new 223 kit comes with two complete models [like the 222 kit] and features the large “bed frame” radio antenna. The 223 kit also features and accurately shaped hull with the turret mounted off-center to the rear of the vehicle. Unlike the 222, the 223 features the 7.92 MG42 in the turret, with a flat grenade screen. Both are nicely represented on the model.

This kit is an acknowledged reissue of a kit first issued in 1966. In those days, for you youngsters out there, the big thing was motorized kits, especially armor. Accuracy was not terribly important, as long as it looked cool squeaking its way across the carpet. Usually black, the rubber tracks were stretched around the running gear and off it went. This kit is that kit, minus the stamped metal gear box, motor(s), and wired control box (no RC, kids, just levers and wires).

This upgrade PE kit comes with 2 sheets totaling over 100 pieces (part 99 has 12 pieces to it).

The first sheet has parts 1-50. This sheet has most of the ammo box details. You also get a set of mud flap enhancements.

The second sheet, parts 51-100, has most of the small interior enhancements for the tool mounts, mp5 gun mounts, tool and ammo box handles and latches, along with various enhancements such as corner plates and locks (part 92) for the boxes. You even get a set of 4 PE chains (part 55).

You can’t go wrong with this very detailed upgrade kit for your StuG.III F/8. Also see my review for the StuG.III Ausf.F/8 Interior Radio PE set – the two really go well together.

I highly recommend this upgrade kit to all detail lovers.

I would like to thank Eduard and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to conduct this review.

The L-4500 German Heavy Truck was a design caused by the shortage of metals during 1943. To reduce the amount of metal used in fabrication, the following design changes were made: the front fenders were made of sheet metal, the cabin was made of plywood on a wooden frame, and the front and rear bumpers were eliminated. These modifications stayed in production through the end of the war.

Step 1- 6. These steps direct the building of the engine. Even if you do not plan to open the hood to show the engine, you will need to at least include the main body along with parts C41 and C27 (lower pan), as it and the drive shaft that attaches to it are visible from the side. If you intend to use the mechanic figure as part of a diorama and show the hood open, you will need to do surgery to open the hood and finish the engine.