DML 1/35
German Rocket Launcher w/Crew

The Germans and the Soviets were the biggest users of rocket projectiles in the Second World War, with the Russians preferring smaller rockets in the 82mm and 132mm calibers and the Germans using four others – 15 cm, 21 cm, 28 cm and 32 cm. The advantages to rockets are the ability to put a great number of rounds on target very quickly and more explosive per round (and anti-personnel effects) than with conventional tube artillery; the drawbacks are usually shorter range and less accuracy, ergo requiring mass.

DML has now combined the figures from the 12 cm mortar crew (No. 6090) with the rockets from their “Stuka zu fuss” kits and added a new launcher rack and rails to create the four-round ground mount version of the launcher. But in this case, unlike other DML kits in the past, it requires the entire launcher frame to be built up from etched brass – 30 pieces to each one. As a result, the appeal of this kit will be up to the modeler: if you have experience in working with brass and can solder, it will be a stunner when completed; if not, it could be a hard and frustrating slog which may not end successfully.

The rockets are the nicely done efforts seen earlier in the Sd.Kfz. 251 “Stuka zu fuss” close support rocket launcher halftracks, and come with two 28 cm and two 32 cm rockets. Decals are included that indicate which is which.

The figures are wearing the winter camouflage parkas and of the “Gen1" series – each figure consists of seven parts: legs, arms, torso, collar, head and helmet. They transpose pretty well with the bomb-loading figure from the mortar now holding up the front of one of the crates. The rest are in suitable poses for use with the launcher – e.g. laying the sights, giving the firing orders, and checking the rockets in their launcher frame.

Overall, if you like brass this is a lovely kit; if not, you may wish to give it a pass.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Sprue layout:

• A 14 Heavy rocket launcher base
• U 16 Two 28 cm and two 32 cm rocket projectiles
• MD 120 Etched brass
• 6090 35 12 cm mortar crew (five figures)