http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6381.html
Curiously enough, after the amount which has been published on the corrections needed on the M2, it seems that very few have actually been addressed... No etched tool brackets, the 'screw' issue has been half-sorted, and surprise, surprise bulged tires...
In other words, updates and corrections on new editions/variants of German vehicles but...
Well worth looking at if you're planning on building one...
Hosted by Darren Baker
M16 Review Up on PMMS
jimbrae
Provincia de Lugo, Spain / Espaņa
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 11:52 PM UTC
Vodnik
Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 12:06 AM UTC
It took them many SdKfz 251 version releases before they implemented some corrections (correct sprocket wheels, steering rod etc.) and some problems still remain not corrected (floor shape in Ausf.C variants), so maybe they just have that thing with all halftracks, regardless US or German
Correcting screw slot problem seems simple, but in practice means retooling all hull parts. Recessed slots in kit parts mean large number of tiny raised lines on the tool and it is not possible to add something like that to existing tool/mold without practically retooling it completely... They probably decided that this is too minor problem to spend money on complete retooling.
Wheel bulge issue on other hand is a "political" one - they claimed so loudly before that their wheels are great and only accurate, that they just cannot modify them now
Pawel
Correcting screw slot problem seems simple, but in practice means retooling all hull parts. Recessed slots in kit parts mean large number of tiny raised lines on the tool and it is not possible to add something like that to existing tool/mold without practically retooling it completely... They probably decided that this is too minor problem to spend money on complete retooling.
Wheel bulge issue on other hand is a "political" one - they claimed so loudly before that their wheels are great and only accurate, that they just cannot modify them now
Pawel
CDK
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: September 24, 2006
KitMaker: 358 posts
Armorama: 339 posts
Joined: September 24, 2006
KitMaker: 358 posts
Armorama: 339 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 02:38 AM UTC
One thing I did notice on the M16 kit sprues was the extra parts for the rear suspension, for when no Idler spring is used. I will use these on an early M2 or M4 instead of filling/sanding out the kit part. I will also assume since it was added to the edge of the existing sprue, that it will be included in all future kits as well as newer boxing's of the first two. That was a step in the right direction IMO.
I completely understand how adding the screw slot to the existing parts is just this side of impossible, ( or any depression withing a raised detail ) but details that are actually impressions on the tooling should be quite simple no ? Like all the missing detail on the battery box, surely that wouldn't be nearly as hard right ?
How about some of the stuff that is just plain missing altogether ? The winch lever sticks out in my mind with the release of this kit, as does the removable headlight stowage brackets. Of course those should have been in the first two kits as well but hey, I would've been happy to find them in this box.
Maybe they'll be in the Cyber Hobby versions...
I completely understand how adding the screw slot to the existing parts is just this side of impossible, ( or any depression withing a raised detail ) but details that are actually impressions on the tooling should be quite simple no ? Like all the missing detail on the battery box, surely that wouldn't be nearly as hard right ?
How about some of the stuff that is just plain missing altogether ? The winch lever sticks out in my mind with the release of this kit, as does the removable headlight stowage brackets. Of course those should have been in the first two kits as well but hey, I would've been happy to find them in this box.
Maybe they'll be in the Cyber Hobby versions...
210cav
Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Joined: February 05, 2002
KitMaker: 6,149 posts
Armorama: 4,573 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 07:29 AM UTC
Mine just arrived yesterday. I am anxious to match it up against the review comments.