My hobbyshop list the DML M983/Patriot combo as available. Are the any images of the tractor on the net to see if its better than the Trumpeter release?

It looks pretty good from the pics at Dragon's website. They may just be CAD renderings though, can't really tell.

I have both kits and can take some comparison photos if that would help. I am no expert on accuracy though. I can tell you the Dragon kit is nicely detailed and cleanly cast but it looks like the drive shafts are straight and all the differentials are the same as I recall. I can check that tonight when I get home.

One interesting point, there are two chassis side frames and some misc frame parts in the kit that are shown in the plans as 'not used'. Not sure why they are included.

Hi Hans-Hermann, if you go to Hobby Search, you can bring up the Model kit with the parts and the instruction sheet, that shows a 2nd HEMMTT frame in the bag, but it is not used! Could it be, that Dragon has another HEMMTT version in the pipe line?

The HEMTT semi uses a shorter frame than the other "standard" HEMTTs. I suspect these "not to use" frame parts are for other longer HEMTTs that Dragon has in the pipeline for the future! (That is another reason for them to go ahead and issue their Patriot - b/c there is more to come.)

Just a guess.

Mike, that's what I think, there are other versions coming out. Let's see what Dragon will come up with.

Now that I am deep into modern military vehicles especially HEMTTs, in a big way this is very interesting news.

One gripe: even Dragon has followed the rest of the pack (Italeri and Trumpeter) in making all four differentials gearhead diffs, where in reality the two outboard axles should be simple differentials. Oh well!

I am not an expert but it looks to me like Dragon is using the Italeri HEMTT kit with added parts including new frame rails and 5th wheel. The sprues with the cab parts from each kit line up exactly.
Michael, love the work you did on your HEMTT.

Thanks John I appreciate your comments.

Question: Does the "new" Dragon HEMTT have just one working cab door? The old Italeri kit had only one door that could be built in the open position.

UH-OH! Let the "conspiracy theorists" begin their "rumor-mongering"! Mike, you may just have opened up yet another "Pandora's Box" by noticing the single "optional" open/closed door feature on both kits. What do you bet that someone will state that DRAGON bought, begged or stole the rights for a new HEMTT from ITALERI, just because of the door in question..?

Mike,
Yes, the cab has only one openable door, the drivers.
I have both kits and the sprues with the cab parts, as well as the sprues with the drive components, are identical in both kits, even down to the part numbers. It looks like Dragon added the necessary additional parts to build the M983 version.
Mike, your latest build will come in very handy, it turns out

Damn, I should have checked Hobby Search, first!
Unfortunatly, DML did go again the way with their Black Plague release and uses the Italeri kit as base. This means that it`s a NO GO for since the Trumpeter release is way better. ANOTHER Black Plague disappointment!

Hi, Hermann!

Yeaaah, BLACK PLAGUE... Enough, (not)said...

I'm glad that John clarified the point that I brought up earlier in this thread about the kit possibly being a copy, purchase or hijack of the basic ITALERI HEMTT...

There is NOTHING like a part-by-part comparison to dispel any apprehensions that modellers may have about which kit to buy. The TRUMPETER kit, now that it has been gone over, seems to be the best choice in the matter, unless price is an issue for the buyer, not that the DRAGON HEMTT is cheap, either. If one wants more bang for the buck, one of the more expensive kits just MAY be the way to go...

Now I know enough NOT to buy the DRAGON kit, and waste easily TWICE the money. If I ever get around to it, I'd probably spring for the TRUMPETER HEMTT/Patriot offering, but just a basic M983 "Tractor" kit, would be fine for me in the immediate future...

Would be EXTREMELY nice if TRUMPETER were to go ahead and expand their HEMTT kit into several different versions...

Comments, opinions..?