This summer, Dragon's Panzerfähre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype returns… in Panzerfähre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr.II. Matthew Lenton gives his view of the new bits.



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Thanks!

I read your review of the last version but wasn't impressed with the vehicle and didn't comment about it, sorry. But with this one I reread part of the first and this new one and you're reviews have changed my mind, sort of. If I could find one at a good price I'd be tempted to get one as, as you say, it's a big and interesting vehicle. I found this review and the last very informative and appreciate that this site has reviews of this calibre. It is just so sad that Dragon seems to be lowering the standard that they took so long to develop and has been talked about in other threads. Did you have any problems with all the road wheels fitting well on the suspension? A few guys that I know mentioned that the Pz IV wheels are a bit wobbly on their pegs. Very informative review, thanks.

Regards,
AJ

Thanks AJ, for your appreciation of this review and indeed of this type of review on this site.

It certainly is hard to fathom what is going on in the Dragon mind; it's been widely speculated that a reason for the apparent trend towards simplification is because easy to build kits have a wider appeal. I would have thought however that the apparent drop in quality in terms of the moulding of those parts that there are, doesn't seem to make sense in those terms. Certainly on this kit some of the components seem very precisely moulded, e.g. the deck, while others, as mentioned in the review, seem sloppily executed.

As to the wheels, well, yes, this did get a mention in the first review in fact as follows:
So once this basic grey painting is done, I attach the tyres to their hub caps, then carefully assemble them, along with the sprockets, idlers and rollers, to the hull. Care is needed to get all these wheels lined up nice and straight and even, and keep them that way while they set; each side is done on successive evenings, resting the model on a piece of foam so as not to knock off the wing mirrors. Careful and patient…

So, yes, patience is needed in terms of the wheels cannot be stuck on one side and then the model flipped straight over to do those on the other side. I think it was the case that I used the table top and a steel rule to ensure that they were all aligned and correctly vertical. Using a glue that is slightly slower setting helps in that you can still adjust the first wheel even after you have the other seven attached - the old Humbrol Poly70. I think ever since I read something about aligned road wheels being one of the things that competition judges home in on, I have been conscientious about trying to get this right...

@firstcircle -Matthew,

Another impeccably detailed review that may be setting quite a standard for reviews in general. Seeing this second kit has also peeked my curiosity about the potential in building one of these (perhaps even a pair with a scratch-built ramp between them. Of course with suitably thought out enhancements of the nature that Dragon now deems unnecessary (open hatches, railing stanchions etc). This contradiction in standards within the same kit appears to be the norm in the predominance of their recent releases.

I am very disappointed to see some flash, sloppily thought out moulding (large and/or inconveniently placed sprue attachment points) and a few parts with rather nasty looking moulding seams. When these seams appear on smaller parts with complex contours it will make cleaning them up most difficult. The oversized locating holes for certain parts that you mention is also totally unacceptable for a supposedly "Pro" kit.

The issue you had with cutting off the muffler tail pipes due to no clear demarkation point also is something that I've had the misfortune to deal with in recent kits. Would not the "old Dragon" have gone out of their way to make sure that something like an exhaust pipe would have a hollowed out end?

I was quite amused when I read your quote from the 2006 review and then your statement comparing some parts to 1960's Airfix kits. In truth I nearly snorted out my morning sip of coffee!

As for AJ's question about the Panzer IV suspension, it is as you stated something to take your time with. I have seen a few at club meetings and shows and the majority have had some alignment issues with the road wheels. As for a glue to use with them, on this side of the pond I might recommend Testors tube cement which seems to be available everywhere. I often use this type on builds with numerous road wheels.

Cheers,
Jan

I wasn't trying to be funny... I promise. I was inspired to go back and read the old reviews by some of the similar comments about other recent Armor Pro releases; I had also been reading about some other related "historic" matters - ahem. In case you are interested, that review was for the Hummel Early Version, and I must admit that I am tempted to obtain the kit to see for myself.
Overall, I think that despite the shortcomings you and AJ are right to be tempted by this kit, since it is so different from other armour kits, but I do think it is begging to be put on to a scenic base with plenty of water.

PS, in relation to your assertion about slide moulded exhaust pipes in the old days, I read this in another old review: That said, some of the areas in construction, whilst superbly detailed, do seem a touch 'over-engineered' I'm not sure that a one-piece moulding wouldn't have been sufficient for the rear exhausts/covers - slide moulded exhaust tubes are also present..
That's from T34/76 Mod. 1941.

https://www.google.nl/search?q=panzerfahre+ii&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1tKxUZDMJMSa0QXiioCYBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=900#facrc=_&imgrc=BJxfDuLl3L1kyM%3A%3BHa_ano91gZTI0M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fchicomiranda.files.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F09%252Fpanzerfahre1.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fchicomiranda.wordpress.com%252Ftag%252Fveiculos-experimentais%252F%3B750%3B348

The link shows clearly that the structures are part of the driver's and commander's position and not (only?) intended as vents.

Hi Paul, not 100% if this is the photo you mean, but if so I think this is Prototype Nr.I but with the funnel type tubes removed from the vents; you can see the base of the front vent arrowed 2, and also the shape of the prow is square with the side of the hull rather than angled in, arrowed 1.

OK! Since I only looked at the box art I thought you refered to the big structures at the front. I do not see the samen vents on the Dragon model.
Maybe, these kind of equipment was not as standard as we may think and was every type subject of minor changes.
Would love to see an old Wehrmacht film with these pioneers................