Sd.Kfz. 223 Liechte Panzerspaehwagen 1+1

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
 

Summary

FirstLook

DML is now following up its very nice Sd.Kfz. 222 armored car set with a “1+1" kit of the Sd.Kfz. 223 light armored radio car, which again provides two complete kits in one box. More for use as a command vehicle in scouting units, this one had a smaller turret mounting only a single 7.92mm machine gun but had a powerful HF radio transceiver for communications with higher echelons.

The kits each come on two sprues of parts with separate one-piece upper and lower hull sections. All parts attach to the hull and in the case of the turret it does come with a rudimentary interior (the gun attaches to a tab inside the turret, the seat and controls to the bottom of the tab; apparently DML expects the modeler will attach the grenade screen in the “closed” position over the top of the turret thus concealing its barrenness.)

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.

This kit adds a complete frame (“handrail”) antenna along with separate pioneer tools and a set of jerry cans. These are individual cans so you are not stuck with a block across the front of the glacis.

Technical assistance was provided by Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

Three finishing options are offered: Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front 1940 (grey, white crosses); 21st Panzer Division, North Africa 1941 (sand with grey jerry cans, white crosses); Unidentified Unit, North Africa 1942 (black and white crosses, grey jerry cans). Number plates are provided along with a number jungle, all from Cartograf, but no specific vehicle numbers are called out.

Overall this is a nicely done little kit but will take some work to create a really great model. For wargaming it’s great right out of the box.

Sprue Breakdown

A 54x2 Vehicle parts, turrets, armament
B 26x2 Sd.Kfz. 223 parts - turret, frame antenna, accessories
D 2x2 Upper hull
C 2x2 Lower hull
MA 2x2 Etched brass

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.