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Three new releases are getting listed from Dragon Models for June 2006...

Two of the new releases are in their 'Premium Edition' Series, the third is the a well-publicized but long awaited , NEW Panzer IV..

Perhaps, before listing the New releases, it would be worthwhile to remind people as to what exactly, Premium Edition kits consist of. These are NOT simply re-releases, rather, DML have taken essentially sound releases and modernized them with the addition of items such PE (Photo-Etch) and new (metal) Gun.Barrels and additional accessories. In the case of their figure releases, they have added many of the components of the Generation Two Sets with new heads, weaponry and equipment...

DRA 6306 - U.S. Rangers, Normandy 1944 - Premium Edition Kit/Gen 2 Series



Features of this 'Reworked' set are:

- New tooled M1A1 SMG up to Gen2 standard

- New Gen2 BAR

- Newly tooled helmets

- Redesigned ammo pouch for BAR

- Four bonus heads made from Dragon Styrene (for maximum detail)

- Photo-etched parts (gun slings, helmet straps, insignia etc)

The two Armor releases are:

DRA 6312 - Kingtiger (Porsche Turret), Sd. Kfz. 182 (Premium Edition Kit)



Features:

- new multi-direction slide-molded cupola

- cupola with fine interior details - head pad and clear parts

- loader’s hatch upgraded with interior details

- new close-defense weapon can be assembled open / closed

- pilz on turret roof are new toolings

- rear turret hatch can be modeled open / closed

- pistol port on rear turret hatch can be assembled open / closed

- pistol port comes with chain when assembled open

- new muzzle brake

- bonus aluminum gun barrel

- sets of on-vehicle tools comes with and without clamps

- metal tow cable with slide-molded cable heads

- upgraded frontal MG can rotate

- bonus U-shaped metal tow hooks

- new exhaust covers

- Magic tracks

- upgraded road wheels

- new Cartograf decals

- photo-etched parts for additional plates on turret sides

- bonus photo-etched on-vehicle tool clamps

- preformed photo-etched engine grills

- photo-etched parts for details of the rear turret hatch interior

- photo-etched parts for the spare track hooks

The final New Release, is the (previously covered) 'Superkit':

DRA 6291- Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. C



An Enormous list of NEW features:

Turret & Cupola

- Newly tooled Ausf. C Turret

- Accurate weld pattern on turret

- Newly designed front superstructure plate

- Side hatches can be assembled open/closed w/interior details

- Newly tooled hatch hinges allow hatches to realistically swing open

- Pistol port can be shown open/closed

- Direct sighting post can be made from supplied photo-etched parts

- Signal ports and ventilation hatch cover can be modeled open/closed

- 5-directional slide-molded commander's cupola authentically recreates structural details

- Commander's, loader's and gunner's seats included

- Cupola hatch can be assembled open or closed

- Commander's hatch w/interior detail

- Vision port w/open or closed option

- Clear parts for vision port armored glass

Gun and Mantlet

- Newly tooled mantlet

- Slide-molded co-axial MG w/hollow muzzle

- Full co-axial MG assembly

- Complete gun assembly w/full detail

- Beautifully detailed Kwk37 L/24 gun

- Detailed gun muzzle

- Correct basket for used ammo shells

- Accurate rifling inside gun barrel

- Mantlet guard can be removed and gun unloaded like real vehicle's

- View ports can be modeled open/closed

Upper Hull

- Includes the hollowed out undercut on the turret bottom

- Incorporates toothed turret ring on turret interior

- Turret turntable unit included

- Turntable w/accurate floor pattern

- Driver's hatch and radio operator's hatch w/interior detail and external rubber bump stops

- Hatches can be assembled open/closed

- Correct driver's vision port can be modeled open/closed

- Driver's interior periscope assembly modeled in fine detail

- Brand new front pistol port

- Headlights with clear parts inside

- Accurately designed transmission and steering brake access hatches can be modeled open/closed

- Newly designed air intake w/optional photo-etched parts

- Fans and coupling modeled in several parts to provide interior detail

- Bolts and rivets are accurately represented

Lower Hull & Rear

- Newly tooled lower hull formed from multiple parts for greater detail

- Hull bottom has full and correct details

- Slide molded track links w/authentic central guide hom

- Side fenders w/pattern detail on both top and bottom surface

- Newly tooled fuel filler hatch can be assembled open/closed

- Towing eye brackets in extreme detail w/numerous separate parts

- Chain on towing eye brackets made from photo-etched parts

- Separate front and rear fenders can be posed in a folded back position

- Injected fenders are made to the thinnest possible dimensions

- Metal wire for front and rear lamp electrical wiring

- Mounting ladder can be made from photo-etched parts

- Towing cable heads have hollow ends courtesy of slide molds

- Extendable jack w/separate parts

- Detailed on-vehicle tools w/clasps are injection molded

- Additional on-vehicle tools w/o clasps

- Newly designed Ausf. C rear hull

- Cooling drain cap w/photo-etched chain

- Exhaust pipe w/fine detail

- Muffler made in multiple parts for greater detail

- Reflector w/photo-etched parts

- Hooks for tow rope made w/preformed brass rod

Wheels & Tracks

- Both left and right tracks accurately modeled

- Newly tooled early 38cm track link for Pz.IV Ausf.B/C

- Realistic suspension w/multiple component actually works like the real vehicle's

- Idler adjuster mountings have the most accurate details possible w/gear inside

- Suspension armored covers come as separate parts

- Correctly detailed idler wheels w/delicate slide molded and photo-etched parts

- Road wheels exhibit extreme detail w/separate rubber rims and hubs

- Realistic parting line on rubber rims

- Sprocket wheels w/breathtaking detail and multiple delicate parts/Optional bolts for added detail

- Final drive housing w/details on both sides

- Separate armored cover for final drive housing

- Realistically designed roadwheels and hubcaps

- Accurately portrayed width on rubber rims of wheels

Bonus items

- Bonus set fenders w/o locating holes-to preserve fender details (provide more freedom for customization by modelers)

- Newly tooled early-style jerry cans w/photo-etched parts

- Metal towing cable

- Bonus aluminum barrel

- Brass ammo