Dragon, Sd.Kfz.7 8 ton Half-Track – Late Production.

—mike

Hey Michael great job on this late 7 a lot of work well done on the weathering.
How did you find the construction aspect with the Dragon kit? I am going to be building an early 7 next to pull a
sK18 and was wondering about any issues.
Anyway truly a fine piece of art you got there.

Regards

Horst

Nicely done, though I'm confused about which photo is the final version?

Thank you, Horst!
Funny! ... The Dragon 'Sd.Kfz.7 8T Halftrack Smartkit' was my first kit purchase since my return from my 30 year hiatus (November, 2013). Upon opening the box; I nearly wet my pants when I saw sprues containing over 520 parts!!! I just began de-sprueing and organizing. Subsequently, I decided to put this build into a holding pattern, as I felt the need to learn a few things before totally destroying my investment. Completion was February 28, 2014.

In the meantime, I decided to build a Trumpeter '15cm s.FH 18 Howitzer' which I ordered from 'ScaleHobbyist' — still looked too complicated ... Yikes!!!!! ... I toughed that one out though; and in the end I was pleased with the results.

Meanwhile, I started watching WWII documentaries on YouTube which led to a the need for a correct towing vehicle i.e., the 'Sd.Kfz.7 8 ton Half-Track w/Crew – Early Production' which I completed much sooner than the 'Late Production.' By the time I got back to the 'Late Production,' I was more prepared and its completion went smoothly.

To answer your question: The Dragon 'Sd.Kfz.7 Halftrack Early Smartkit w/Crew' was a fun build. However, this kit did seem to have an engine cowling-to-body fit issue -- maybe that was just me but I really had to struggle to close a sizable gap. And if I'm not mistaken, I believe I saw this very same issue on an 'Armorama' feature build fairly recently. Just be aware and monitor the tip-to-tail alignment (a lot of dry-fitting as you go) and you'll be fine.

Can't wait to see your build!
—mike

Thanks Bill!
That last photo was just an earlier mock-up with some ammo and stuff tossed in. I actually have a dio in mind for that vehicle including an 88mm Flak 36 and some figures.

—mike

You're off to a great start. The gun isn't complicated to build. If in transit mode, be sure to run the barrel in and put a cover on the muzzle.

Nice. Is all that planking in the back OOB or AM?

Mark,
It's OOB treated with Vallejo Chipping Medium and scrubbed with a toothbrush.

Thanks Guys!

Nice build Mike, I did one and had the same fit issues but there always seems to be something up in any build.
I do the You Tube thing also, you know as your watching your looking to the right at all the other videos next thing you know its an hour later and you just watched 5 videos,
looks good
- John

Thanks John!
I remember "back in the day" when all we had was 'Victory at Sea.' I still have the musical score playing in my brain -- a classic! But I just love all of the new stuff that's been dug up over the last couple of decades or so!

—mike