Hi all,

I started this one last night, and this kit is the best of Tamiya all rolled together. Perfect fit, crisp detail, plenty of working parts ( for if that floats your boat) and clear, good instructions. If only Tamiya would apply these standards to all their kits... Anyway, that's enough of the gussing stuff, let's get to the model in hand.

This is the latest kit, which comes with the trailer and plenty of metal and PE. The rubber tyres are very nice, and if the model is weighted down ( probably by screwing it to a base) the tyres seem to be giving a nice bulging. Last night I got as far as you see in the pic's, and also finished the basic's of the cab. But now I need to start to paint the interior before it's added. I won't put the crew in the cab ( well, maybe one, reading a magazine.... ) as the owner will want a tank being hauled on to the trailer ramps.


The Wagon sans cab or trailer


Trailer rear bogie and fifth wheel detail. The detail is amongst Tamiya's best efforts. The bogie is movable, for undulating dio ground work, and the fifth wheel hinges both lateral and sideways...


Trailer in position, the complete model, with extended ramps, will be in exess of 25 inches long..

Any comments or observations are much appreciated.

Cheers
Henk

I have always wanted a DW. Glad to hear it's a good fitting kit. Looks great so far.

It is a very nice kit. I have two DWs and one just the M26 tractor.

Here are several pages of diagrams for you:
http://ferreamole.it/images/Dragon/m25_dw_01.htm

For photos (note that the trailer is the M15A1 and not the kit's M15):
http://ferreamole.it/images/m25a1/m25a1_01.htm


http://tanxheaven.com/m26dr/m26.htm

One thing, the tires didn't bulge barely at all. There is a photo of a Panther (serious overload) being put on the M15 trailer. None but the smallest perceptable bulge!

Two DW's... there's always one... :-) nice links Roy, thanks for those.

Despite having to go and do some work last night, I managed to get some paint done and do a bit more construction.


The cab has not been fixed yet, I hope to finish painting the interior tonight. Added the exhaust, toolbox and a-frame.


The steps are finished of with some rather nice checker plate, and I've also added the ramps.

Cheers
Henk

by the looks of the photo, this model appears to be quite a complex project. Am definitely keen to observe your progress through this one as i might think of getting it in the near future.

Hi Henk:
I think an essential detail for the Dragon wagon are the tubes that come from the oil resevoir that dripped onto the chain drives of the tractor. The idea that the vehicle required a constant lubrication is just crazy to me!

http://ferreamole.it/images/Dragon/m26_062F.jpg

http://tanxheaven.com/m26dr/CNV00006.JPG

I think it's coming along nicely. I had one of these kits and let it slip through my hands. I won't make that mistake again. Keep us updated.

Just about finished the interior of the cab. I've also added the trailer wheels, but now I'm a bit stuck for tonight, as I forgot to bring the instruction book.... . One day I will forget my head... :-) .

Jeremy, you're not wrong, this kit is involved. Not so much complex, as the break down is very good, as are the instructions. No guessing what should go where here. Just follow the instructions and you can't go wrong. There are many 'moving' parts, but they don't need to be build movable for the model to be compleet.

Roy, I won't add much to this kit (apart from the fact that it doesn't really need anything adding) but those are a very good idea. Thanks for the reminder.

Some pic's


The inside of the cab/roof. I'll still have to add some decals to the fire extinguisers.


Cab floor, instrument panel etc.


Fifth wheel, unfortunately this will all be covered up by the trailer...

Cheers
Henk

Aww Henk she's a bewdy!!
It's amazing what good pics can show. Never having built a truck, I could see my interest peaking with each pic you posted... Differs to being on auto pilot when building most of my Shermans
The extinguishers look a convincing colour, and decals will enhance them greatly.
What is the tank you have planned to be hauled?
Brad

Thanks Bradley, glad you like it so far. Who knows, maybe you can be tempted over ( come... you know it makes sense... just the one... try the wheels, you'll like them... :-) ) If somebody would have told me three months ago that from then all my models would be a shade of brown I would have laughed... . And here I am, apart from the Pzr IV Schmallturm ( now abandoned.. ) I have not build anything German..
I'm glad you like my pictures, they are taken against all the rules, close up, no tripod, with a flash... But I supppose the do show the detail with out worrying to much about the colour shade.
So, by demand, here's the fire extinguisers with the decals...






And tonight I also managed to get the winches done. I'll get some more pic's of the winches individual, close up, as they are yet another sub assembely of this kit that sets it apart.



Oh, as for the tank to go on the back, I've not heard from the guy who'm I building this for yet, so that's a mystery for now...

Cheers
Henk

Nearly there.. All the main buildiing is done, now I have too add it all together and add a few odds and ends. Tommorow I'll be finishing the building work, and hopefully finish the main coat of paint. Then the best part starts, weathering this beast.
Apart from looking good, a real plus with rubber tyres is that they can be easily added after all the painting has been done, no need for masking or brush painting.


Winches with all the gear and brake levers


Trailer 'attached', sofar the only 'dissapointment' is the little winch for the spare wheel, compared to the rest of the kit it is very basic and almost looks like an after thought..


Trailer landing legs. As with so many other parts, these are movable, to give you all possible options to display this beast in a variety of dioramas.

Cheers
Henk

Thanks for sharing your build pictures.

I have this kit on the shelf but I have just needed the motivation to start building it. Your pictures certainly do help!

Its sure is impressive when built.

Hi Jeff,
all I can say to anybody who has one of these on the shelf is : What's it doing there, gathering dust??
Really, just start at the beginning and build it. It is worth it. This is such a mean, butch, sexy looking machine, I think I may actually go and buy one myself.. .


Cheers
Henk

Just about finished, I should get the base to use on Monday, to start the dio. Of course the sherman needs some more work, but the idea is that it was disabled by a mine, and then used as target practise by an 88...







Cheers
Henk

I would love to start it but at this moment I have no place to keep a model that big. Believe me I am looking forward to the day when I can start this thing. I love the look of it!

I am hoping to get cracking on it in March.

Nice job you did there. The dusty dirty tires look great.

Jeff

I know ive said it before but im going to say it again , I WANT A DRAGON WAGON

It looks fantastic Henk , first time ive seen a full shot of the beast. Great work on the weathering


Ian