| Date of Review |
October 2007 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
German Cossack Cavalry - Premium Edition |
| Scale |
1/35 |
| Kit Number |
6410 |
| Primary Media |
194 parts (136 in grey styrene, 58
etched brass) |
| Pros |
Nice update to a good kit makes it
better; optional horse heads gives the opportunity for
different action poses by the horses |
| Cons |
Etched brass straps will need to be
annealed before use; traditional Cossack dress has fairly
thick coat edges |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$13.95 |
When this kit came out in 1997 (as No. 6065, for I went back
and looked at my notes!) I originally rated highly with the
exception of the fact that no bridle or other saddle furniture
straps were included. This upgraded version, put out under
the Premium Edition aegis, now fixes that and adds two of the
generic "Gen2" sprues to the kit to upgrade the details.
To recap the original review, the kit provides two Kuban Cossacks
in German service. One is wearing a German uniform and the
other traditional Cossack dress, so he at least can "change
sides" if the modeler wishes him to! Both wear the traditional
Cossack cap and the light sabres preferred by the Cossacks,
and the German garbed one also carries a Kar 98K.
The figures are the original DML style in that each consists
of six basic parts (legs, torso, head and arms) with separate
headgear and uniform details. The edges of the long coat of
the Kuban man are a bit thick, and modelers may want to either
thin them down or replace them.
Kit comes as either the standard bits for the horses or one
of the "Gen2" generic sprues, which provides bread
bags, ammo pouches, ponchos, and small accessories.
Most useful is the inclusion of the etched brass horse furniture
from Kit No. 6216 which now solves the original failing of
the No. 6065 kit. The fret includes horseshoes with nail holes,
bridles, halters, belly bands, stirrups, and reins. Note that
the fret will have to be held over an open flame to anneal
it before use in order to get the brass flexible enough to
replicate straps.
The original painting instructions and cover by Ron Volstad
are included, but alas DML only added a foolscap illustration
for installing the stirrups and reins and thus it is not much
help in getting a nice installation of the etched brass bits.
I wish that DML would provide better directions, as they give
you great parts but only minimal directions on how to assemble
them into a equally outstanding finished product.
Overall this is a nice upgrade to an older kit and if you
are an experienced figure modeler you will be able to get a
great result from it. I hope that DML will improve the directions,
however, so the not-so-experienced modeler can enjoy it too.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Sprue breakout:
- 6065 5 Sabres
- 6065 23 Two riders
- 6065 32 Two horses
- MA 58 German cavalry etched brass from Kit 6216
- WA 18 German Generic Weapons - 2 x Kar 98K and accessories
- GB 58 German Generic Equipment - ponchos, bread bags, ammo
pouches
Return to the Review Menu
|
