I''ve just updated the report on DRA6447 - El Alamein Sherman (Smart Kit) and have included the Company-published details of the new kit. The updated story can be seen:

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Looks good.

Lucky I waited to build one of those Pink ones.

Fine Molds also include plastic pieces as formers for PE parts in their kits. It's still a good idea though for annoying shapes like Sherman light guards.

BTW the habit of removing one leaf of the commander's hatch continued into the Sicily campaign.

David

Finally there is photo-etched for the tools. Thanks Dragon.

Well bless my one-piece idlers!
Some welcome additions, although calling their suspension system 'realistically reproduced' is a bit of a stretch if the bogey arms still don't 'operate' independently...
The lifting eye detail is great, as are the tail-lights if the images are to be perceived as accurate. I hope they aren't in that 'clear' plastic...
PE tie-downs are a nice touch and score points in my book. (Assuming there was ever a competition between companies )
So what is the latest word on the accuracy of the direct vision slots? They are a fair bit different to another companies' version...
Brad *
*(Trying to get his own special nickname )

Demonstrating how damned confusing the CAD images are, I have to express a few doubts as to the 'step' which seems to be between the transmission and the front glacis. Now, if actual images were available, I wouldn't bring this up...

The step does seem exaggerated compared to this battered US Army M4A1



David

With most retail outlets here in the U.S. asking around $50 (Great Models - $50.35; e-Hobbyland - $46.99), I think I'll pass. After all, Dragon's Tiger I Initial Production (No. 6252) cost me $21.95 in 2002; adjusted for inflation, that works out to $26.42 in 2008 (http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl). There is little to convince me that the latest Dragon's kits should cost an additional $20 beyond adjustments for inflation, even in today's economy. Sorry for the rant; I'm just concerned that kit manufacturers and their respective retailers are squeezing a bit too hard for some of us to remain faithful to the hobby.

John, yes, I understand where you're coming from on this, but it isn't exclusively the fault of the manufacturers - the Importers and distributors are sending the prices up more than the producers. In the middle of this are the retailers. I'm afraid, (even if I had one) economically, I find it difficult to support the LHS' as I once did and my CC details are liable to go to Hong Kong or Japan....