DML 1/72
Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger Porsche Production with Zimmerit

DML has now released the fourth of their German armored vehicle kits with the "zimmerit" anti-magnetic-mine paste pre-installed via molding the parts with the paste texture in situ. This has been well received as many modelers have hated the tedious and sometimes messy procedure of installing it on a normal kit. Like many "re-dos" of early DML 1/72 scale armor, this one has a styrene hull.

The kit is very neatly done and clean, with separate suspension bogies provided for the eight road wheels on each side of the hull. There is an engine deck underlay with separate manifold section and an optional position hatch, and grilles are included for the six deck openings, a feature which now seems to be a DML hallmark in this scale. While the aforementioned radio operator's hatch is separate, most of the rest are not and only a flap is provided for the commander. Someone must have felt tow shackles are a problem as the kit comes with 12 of them!

Most of the rest of the details are straightforward. Using their new sliding molds, DML have once again provided a 12.8 cm barrel with its muzzle already open to a depth of a few millimeters, a very nice touch and one that with some careful use of a "Flexi-File" will obviate the need to replace the barrel. Again, the sprues share some parts with the Tiger II Ausf.B kits such as the sprue with the 8.8 cm barrel and 12.8 cm barrel side by side.

The single-section tracks are well done, but are now DS plastic vice the original vinyl and can be assembled with normal styrene cements.

The main new points in the kit are the seven remolded parts with "zimmerit" texture – the upper hull, lower glacis applique, bow machine gun mount, rear plate, and side skirts. The hull paste only goes about 2/3 of the way up the side of the casemate; with the one photo I have of one of the two Porsche Jagdtigers built this is about 1/3 too far, and the upper section will have to be sanded down to get it to the right height.

The model comes with six different coloring and marking recommendations – most for s.Pz.Jg.Abt 653 in 1945, but as my references only show two were built this must be just the same ones with new paint.

Overall this is a nice idea and well executed, and as many have noted in the past it's easier to strip off detail you don't want than add what you do want.

Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.