Adam Mann Builds and reviews the Dragon Models Tauchpanzer III Ausf H and shares his views on this offering as he goes.

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Thanks!

Excellant review. Dragon is basically Games Workshop HK nowadays.

Adam, thanks for a great review!

Adam
Is this kit really this bad? I mean, I've done some reviews and builds of Dragon Models other Pz. III's, and personally I don't see them bad at all. I totally agree about the DS Tracks, and they do have smaller issues, but to only rate it 60%, I personally think is a little harsh. Well, at least my 2 cents worth
Jacob

Jacob take a look at the tracks fitted around the drive wheel. I was also thinking a harsh score until I looked at that picture which made me change my mind.

Well, I stand corrected, still don't think 60% is fair, though. I totally agree about the poor quality of those DS Tracks, and Dragon Models should really start getting their heads out their a.. and , well, get back on track, so to speak
Jacob

It appears to me that whomever packed your kit was on drugs and put the wrong parts in it.
I can appreciate your low score for this screwed up kit. It does seems that Dragon did not plan this kit out very well. That is crazy you have to cut off so many parts and details.
Dragon kits by and large are very good kits and worth the extra cash for them, but this sure does not look like it.

Hey guys, I thought 60% was harsh too, but I based it on the experience of the build, which honestly was awful. Everything required removing this, or filling that and all that would have been acceptable, although annoying. But things like the tracks not being the right kind, random pieces in the box, I didn't know how to convey this kit sucked even though Dragon Panzer III kits in general are amazing. I've built more than one and the Ausf J initial is what started my Dragon fanboy like devotion. But as an avid Dragon fan I felt I had to give them a score that was fair, and that compared this kit to older Dragon Panzer III's. I thought I might take a little heat, but I'd like to think that at least this makes you think twice about this kit, because it can't even be built out of the box.

Also if I'm going to have the chance to review kits, I want to be as honest as I can be, I don't want to just nod and yes this is GREAT!. WE all spend a lot of money on this hobby and I think if a kit sucks the company should be held accountable.

Mann, I agree with you and it takes guts to do this review and be honest. I've been in this hobby for over 22 years, I grew up with dragon so to speak. What a great adventure we been on with dragon. They have been the leaders in our hobby for years and years , why ...because of WHAT'S IN THE BOX, but a few years ago things started to change, bad tracks, bad reissues, less spruces in the box. What does this action of dragon tell us...They think the name will keep selling dragon and Not what's in the Box. For me to see Dragon reverse course and start going the other way is not what we would ever think with their track record of action. But we have to face facts and those actions of Dragon lately is a reality. So we have to look to new brands thats out there and who will be the new leaders That will take that extra step, and take us on a new adventure in our hobby.

Excellent and thorough review Adam! Call it like it is bro!

I agree with the other posts. Well done review, and like the old saying goes, "you can put lipstick & earrings on a pig, but it's still a pig."

Hi Adam
Just to make this absolutly clear, I think you've done a great and very informative review. I very much respect you for being honest, which is important, not just for the fellow builders, but also for sending a signal to the manufactors. It was just the 60% label, which nagged me, that's all.
Hope we're good
Jacob

DS TRACKS!!! Dragon has been getting worse and worse. Well, at least there's Trumpeter and and Eastern European manufacturers have been getting better.

I think it is a good sign to have a review being totally honest, which means to say, yes, this kit is really crap, too. From the text only I would have thought you'd give it even less than 50%.

basco I almost did. I wasn't sure what to rate it. I teach at a college right now and 60% is the lowest D possible. Maybe that had something to do with how I got that number. Should have given it a 59% maybe. The lowest I'd seen previously was like 85% so I was a bit concerned being this up front. But seeing support from you guys means a lot and I appreciate it.

I can beat that as I gave a 50% once

Sometimes change can only be affected by telling the "UGLY" truth. If 60% is UGLY, so be it.

One of the brand new UGLY Dragon kit.

i like the panzer III, 50mm, with winterketten tracks, good kit. We should make a list of Dragon kits to avoid.

The inner ring for the idler wheels is still there. It's offered as a three piece part.

http://amps-armor.org/SiteReviews/ShowReview.aspx?id=3914

Regards,

Marc