135
Monday, June 12, 2017 - 01:02 PM UTC
This Syrian T-34/85 is the latest model from Dragon for the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War.
It is based on the previously released kit from Dragon’s ’39-’45 series, and updated with new components and decals to match its service in Arab forces.

This Syrian T-34/85 is announced also as most definitely a ONE-OFF item, with no future re-release.
Click Star to Rate
5 readers have rated this story.
Get a daily email with links to all our latest news, reviews, and features.

Comments

I hope your fears are proven wrong Steven, (although I don't think they will.) Does anyone make that particular turret Cowboy?
JUN 12, 2017 - 05:35 PM
Back in the day Chesapeake made a Czech T-34/85 conversion with turret, exhausts and infantry call button. I had one but sold it off.
JUN 12, 2017 - 07:18 PM
The 'boxart' shows an odd mixture of mod.40 running gear and standard Dragon T-34/85 on top of it. Something not from this world... Here is another option for your Czech conversion: LINK
JUN 12, 2017 - 09:45 PM
You can get the scalloped exhaust covers on Shapeways of in resin (TMD?) if you don't fancy making your own. I measured up the call button and housing last year but not built it yet. It's not a complex shape.
JUN 12, 2017 - 10:09 PM
Nice to see that we've got options. Looking forward to seeing the Pz IV J as well!
JUN 13, 2017 - 04:26 AM
CMK made a Syrian 1/35 turret at one time for the DML kit. Pretty nice looking if I recall.
JUN 14, 2017 - 06:21 AM
Now that I have this kit in the stash...I can report that it DOES NOT have Czech scalloped exhaust covers, or, the infantry call button, but it does have the machine gun mount taken from the IS-2 of the period. Sadly, NO turned aluminum barrel either, but the kit provided barrel is a one piece slide mold. Tracks are Magic Tracks, but sink marks are present. Another big disappointment: the engine deck is molded with NO opening or brass screen substitute provided. Decals for a single Arab machine is anemic at best and hugely disappointing too...best put the money out there and get a Star/Bison Arab/Middle East set. The kit turret comes into question as well...and if the kit turret is that far off, as I believe it is, I would trust the aftermarket for a correct turret if one can't be 'robbed' from other kits that truly depicts a true Six Day War veteran. Backed up by photographic evidence would prove most useful to see if the kit provided depiction of a Syrian Six Day War turret could 'save' this kit. I thought this kit would be as good as the SU-100 kit of the Six Day War that Dragon released...which is a damn fine kit in comparison, however, this Six Day War T34/85 fails miserably IMHO...especially for the high price being charged. By today's standard of engineering/manufacturing, this kit should be oozing with goodies. Better have a bunch of aftermarket in the stash I'm afraid...and thank god I have most. I'm afraid you are going to need a combination of aftermarket parts to improve this kit such as: PE engine deck screen, resin scallop exhaust and turret, metal barrel, metal tracks, and other PE/resin support pieces to accurately model the Six Day War vehicle. Other possibilities for a more accurate/correct turret comes from Chesapeake Model Design's Middle East T-34 conversion (if it can be found), CMK's #3058 Czech/Egyptian conversion kit and/or MR Modellbau's #35071 conversion kit of the T-34/85 turret model 1956 Czech production...either should prove to be suitable subs and actually allow you to get as close as possible presenting a turret that is accurate for a Six Day War vehicle. As far as I'm concerned, Dragon's kit is cleverly disguised as a Six Day War vehicle with nothing more than a single Arab vehicle decal sheet and a post WW2 machine gun mount...and as far as I can tell, this comes out to a total of just 2 'new' parts (unless I'm mistaken). As you can tell, this kit is gonna need a lot of help, and I'm convinced this kit is nothing more than a re-box of the generically WW2 turreted T34/85's previously released.
OCT 21, 2017 - 01:29 AM
That's too bad, another opportunity to get something right, (relatively easily), missed by Dragon. At least they seem to be consistent in something.
OCT 21, 2017 - 05:25 AM
FC Model Trend has also a set of decals for Syrian vehicles including seven decorations for the T-34/85: Available at LINK
OCT 21, 2017 - 05:51 AM
THIS STORY HAS BEEN READ 9,010 TIMES.
ADVERTISEMENT

Dragon Models ReviewsMORE
Panzer IV Ausf G. In-Box Review
by Cody K
Bergepanther mit Aufgesetztem Built Review
by Andrew Jerome
IJA Type 97 In-Box Review
by Russ Amott
M3 Halftrack Built Review
by Pete Becerra | of 2 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Sd.Kfz 251/1D Built Review
by Jesse
IDF Magach 3 w/ ERA In-Box Review
by Sebastian Schoof
StuG.III Ausf.F Built Review
by Matthew Lenton
M67A2 In-Box Review
by Federico Collada
King Tiger with Zimmerit 1/35t Built Review
by Karl Flavell
Sdkfz 250/4 mit zwilling MG34 In-Box Review
by Karl Flavell
M752 LANCE Missile Launcher In-Box Review
by Jon Arnold
Sd.Kfz 250/7 In-Box Review
by DJ Judge
T54E1 Build In-Box Review
by Shawn | of 1 ratings, 100% found this helpful
Vollkettenaufklärer 38(t) Built Review
by Talal Mashtoub
Jagdpanzer IV A-0 Built Review
by Adam Mann

ADVERTISEMENT