Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $37.99 Website: www.dragon-models.com . At the end of the 1920's, Germany was desperately trying to replace their old WWI artillery. The answer to their problems was the 15cm schwere Feldhaubitze (s.F.H.) 18 howitzers. Designed and constructed as a new 150mm replacement for the older s.F.H.13 and Ig.s.F.H 13 howitzers used during the First World War, the s.F.H.18 had a decisively greater maximum range and a greater horizontal firing angle than its earlier predecessors. Mass production of the s.F.H.18 began in the later stages of 1933, and continued up to the end of WWII. With the significantly high destructive power of the new s.F.H.18, it was the heaviest artillery that the Wermacht and Waffen SS division could muster, serving in all major German theatres of WWII. Upon opening the box for this kit, I was quite surprised that it was not as full as I had grown accustomed to with DML kits as of late. However, I was in no way disappointed. Inside are 7 grey styrene sprues, 2 tan DS vinyl sprues, 2 photo etched frets, 1 clear sprue, 1 turned aluminum barrel, 2 brass tubes, and 1 sheet of Cartograph decals, and the customary DML fold out instruction sheet, with painting instructions for field gray, yellow, and a stripped yellow camouflage, using Aqueous Hobby Color, Mr. Color and Model Master Color. The detail on these pieces immediate hit me as stunning. Most sprues have minimal to no flash present, and any ejector pins marks appear in areas that I believe will end up hidden after being built. Here's a break down of the sprues included: Sprue A: Mainly components for the breech block and cradle. Excellent, crisp detail with some small minor inaccuracies. Sprue B: This sprue is made of the main carriage/cradle components. Again, impressive detail, but with some thicker components. Sprue C: Suspension components. Highly detailed. Sprue D: There are two of these sprues included in the kit. Here we find the single pieces wheels with deep ribbed tires, complete with detailed bolts. Sprue E: Main limber components. Again, extremely well done, with exquisite detail. Sprue G: Shells and components. 10 shells are include in two different styles (5 of each), along with charge canisters and caps. Sprue K: This is the kits only clear sprue, and is used for the sighting optics on the howitzer. Sprue L: These are the 2 tan colored vinyl sprues. These are made form Dragon's DS vinyl, and look amazing. They contain 2 wicker mats for under the howitzers wheels to prevent it from sinking into the mud, as well as 4 protective wicker shell canisters.

Also included are the two brass tubes for the equilibrators and a turned aluminum barrel, as well as 2 PE frets and decals.

On the plus side for this kit is the outstanding detail. I haven't seen detail on a styrene kit like this for a while, I am quite impressed. Also the addition of moving components, such as the breech block, gun slide (for recoil), and gun elevation make position possibilities endless. Unfortunately, all is not perfect with this kit. The kit can only be assembled in the deployed position, or the travel position, as separate components are required for each assembly. The lovely turned aluminum barrel is not grooved, which is somewhat noticeable. Although nearly flawless, there are a few mistakes in the instructions, with either missing or incorrect part numbers, as well as miss-oriented parts. And, there are no unit or theatre markings or details provided in the decals. Overall, this is a superbly engineered kit. Dragon has made extensive use of the new slide mold technology to knock out an absolutely stunning kit in my opinion. I can't wait to build this little beauty. Stay tuned! Ed.Note: Please see also John's review of the Dragon 1/35 Field Gun Crew that he will be using with this model.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.