PMMS
Armour Workshop
Panzer 1B Idler Wheels
LionMarc Model Designs Set No. AW-90001
1/35th Scale
Review by Terry Ashley
With the introduction of the Panzer I Ausf.B came changes to the rear hull and the introduction of a new idler wheel which is raised off the ground and attached to the hull by a crank arm that can be rotated to adjust the track tension. These new idlers were all metal with an inner and outer disc joined by six ribs with strengthening fillets fitted at opposing angles on each rib. Around the outer disc were smaller joining fillets with initially six positioned at the end of each rib and later wheels with twelve fillets with the additional ones added centrally between each rib for greater strength.

This new set from LionMarc Model Designs has two finely cast Ausf.B Idlers with the later twelve outer joining fillets and is designed to replace the incorrect Dragon Panzer 1B idlers in the three kits issues to date, #6186 Panzer 1B, #6218 Sd.Kfz.265 kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen and #6207 Panzer 1 Ausf.B DAK Version.

Image showing the actual 1B idler and the Dragon kit idler.
Dragon

Cast in a light cream resin the wheels have no casting blocks to be removed and the only cleanup needed was to smooth the edges on some of the strengthening fillets but this is very minor and also some minor cleanup on the insides of the outer discs but again this is only very minor and quickly done with a sharp X-Acto #11.

The detail on the idlers is very good with the offset strengthening fillets nicely done although the small curvature between the lightening fillets is slightly more rounded than on the resin wheels but this is east to deal with and the outer disc detail is well represented.

The central hub details have very slight discrepancies with the centre hub disc being a little oversized and the six bolts around the hub slightly undersized. The actual hub bolts around the edge of the hub disc give the visual impression that the hub disc is hexagonal but it would be easy to replace the bolts if you wish and overall these discrepancies are getting really picky and the idlers are very visually appealing compared to the kit items.

The resin Idlers as they come before any cleanup which is only very minor
Armour Workshop
The actual 1B idler and the resin idler with larger hub bolts added
and minor cleanup as mentioned in the text.
Armour WorkshopArmour Workshop

The new idlers simply replace the kit idlers without any modifications as the axle hole is completely opened up on the back of the resin wheels and it is an easy matter to remove six of the outer joining fillets to represent the initial idlers with the six fillets if you wish and is a lot easier than adding them.

Comparing the resin idlers to the 1:35th plans in the Panzer Tracts No.1-2 and Ground Power No.71 books shows them to be spot on in diameter and rib size with as mentioned the central hub disc being ever so slightly oversized but again this may not even be noticeable on the finished kit.

Conclusion:
A simple and nicely detailed set of replacement idlers to fix about the only real inaccuracy of the Dragon Panzer 1 Ausf.B kits that could just as easily be used on other kits and the very minor cleanup needed is another bonus and is certainly a good start from this new company with more reviews of other items to follow shortly.

Recommended as it's the only "almost" correct Pz1B idler around.

References:

Thanks to Leo from LionMarc Model Designs and my credit card for the review set.


Page created 27 January 2005

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