Jim gives us a peek at what''s inside the box of this new(ish) kit from Dragon Models.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hello
I browsed Armorama in read-only for a long time, but today I've registered specially to post a reply to this review.

This kit is a few steps back for DML, and moreover - its price completely does not fit to kit quality.
Price was about 60$
For this money:
- NO clear parts.
- NO Photo-etched parts, even no grills.
- NO metal barrels.
- Simplified detailing.

Just take a look:

Even road light is made from usual plastic. No clear lights, no optics.



Expample of simplifyings: grips on hatches made with hatches, like Tamiya in 1970.

Moreover, my kit was defected:



Bended MG's

The worst thing:




Not-coaxial holes in all idler-wheels. It makes a terrible dimension deformations during assembling:


I've contacted Dragon Care regarding defects. They told they'll take a look and.... nothing. No updates in my ticket since August.


My conclusion - such detaling and kitting without even clear parts was allowed 15-20 years ago for some 3rd party model producer. Not in 2014 and not for DML. And not for 60$. 30$ - ok. There are a lot of older and cheaper DML kits with great detaling and kitting, with lot of PE-parts, with metal barrels, etc.
Kit is not recommended.


Sorry for any mistakes, I have not enough practice in English.

So .... what is the verdict when it commes to accuracy et.c. ?
/ Robin

I saw on ML that the turret dimensions are completely inaccurate and require a major rework. I am unsure as to the rest of the tank, but here is the link: http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/message/1412543593/Building+a+M6A1+Dragon+with+correction+of+the+turret%27s+shape+...

At least the main barrel seems to be molded in one piece, but is the muzzle drilled out?

Another disappointing "B" team effort from Dragon. Quite a few What the heck!? Mis-steps in the molding and detailing. No rolled metal/cast texture or are my eyes that bad?


But it's still on my list of kits to get.

I guess it all comes down to what you expect from the model. I built mine OOB, it went together well and looks good on the shelf. I actually enjoy my hobby...

There are two camps here...

As there always are. If you want to build out of the box (and that's perfectly fine by me) then this kit apparently goes together rather well and looks more or less like the real thing. If that's a $60 value for the indvidual, then it is a good kit for that person and I'm happy for them.

If you are a rivet counter (as I am) then it has significant issues. The issues are NOT as bad as those of the M013A1 or M103A2, which are brutal. The M6A1 can be fixed with access to photos and putty and a modicum of scratchbuilding skill, which I think I posses.

For 60-70 bucks it's well overpriced for what you get. Not for the lack of PE or metal barrels or whatnot, but for the lack of accuracy. As I've said before, I don't mind paying a premium for a niche vehicle with basic detailing as long as the shapes are accurate. I can fix all the rest with a little effort.

I recently scored the kit (and the new KPZ70) for CDN$40 each, no tax or delivery, at a show! For _that_ price, it can be pretty crappy and I'm still happy. :-)

Paul

I did a build of this kit back in August. If anyone is interested check the Forems /WW2 Allies section. There is a fix for the hatch problem.

the entire tank is inaccurate overall dimentions are off

Nick, I'd love to know more about exactly what the discrepancies are and what referances you used to get there. I haven't dug out my limited material yet, so it would be great if I had the same referances you do to use on my model.

Paul