Two new releases coming from Dragon in January 2005. One, recently announced, the other a not unexpected release....

Continuing with their policy of producing every possible variant of the German Tiger in 1/35th scale, the subject of this new release is DRA 6252 - Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. E (Sd.Kfz. 181) Tiger I Initial Type....

Product Details

Continuing with their interesting policy of 3-in-1 kits, this new model will contain the following elements:

Turret

One-piece slide molded turret with accurate asymmetric shape
- One-piece molded cupola (with vision slit)
- Clear direct vision port for cupola
- Commander's hatch w/interior details
- Loader's hatch w/interior details
- Pistol port open/close option
- Lateral stowage bins unique to sPzAbt 502 (tactical no. 100)
- Pz. III stowage bin characterizing sPzAbt 502 (tactical no. 121)

Gun

-High quality aluminum 8.8cm Kwk36 barrel
- Barrel recoil mechanism copied from the original mechabism
- 4 types of gun mantlet
- Screw holes in gun sleeve
- Muzzle brake one-piece molded

Front Glacis plate/driver's compartment

- Driver's vision port upwards/downwards option
- MG mount cap for fording
- MG dust cover (DS)
- Complete molded frontal MG with ammo bag and mounting
- Driver's hatch with interior details and clear periscope
- Ratio operator hatch with interior details and clear periscope
- Two sets of bosch headlight (with different mounting brackets)
- Two mudguard pattern (Photo-etched)
- 2 types of U-shape towing ring (metal)

Rear Deck/ Engine Compartment

- Flapper valves open/close option
- Extensible jack
- Detailed injection OVM with shackles
- Brass tube for spare radio antenna rod
- 3-D molded air outlet grill
- Interior components: fuel tank, radiator, fan
- fording pipe cover open/close option
- Accurate fording pipe

Chassis/Running Gear

- "Magic Tracks", another innovation from Dragon! (More details coming!)
- Accurate and workable torsion bars
- Accurate hull bottom pattern
- Track link left/right differs from each other

Bonus Details

- Metal bucket
- Two types of brass 88mm ammo
- Brass 88mm shell casing
- High quality jerry can made of injection parts and photo-etched parts
- Authentic vinyl panzer crew uniform
- A true-to-history German flag (fabric) for air recognition
- Cartograf decals for sPzAbt 502 marking
- Metal smoke grenade dischargers w/highly detailed etched firing components
- Additional photo-etched brackets for Pz. III stowage bin for higher location
- mudguard latches (photo-etched)
- Additional OVM w/o shackles
- Additional photo-etched shackles for OVM
- metallic fender

Decals. Three Versions are offered:

a. sPzAbt 502 Leningrad, January 1943 (Tactical no. 100)
b. sPzAbt 502 Leningrad, January 1943 (Tactical no. 121)
c. Tiger I Initial Type w/Fording pipe

Moving onto the next release:

DRA 6185 - T-34/76 German Army

This kit features a captured T-34 with modified German parts and emblems.

Product Details:

- New-tooled Pz. III commander cupola (with vision block open/close option)
- Clear parts cupola direct vision port
- New-tooled T-34 turret hatch
- New-tooled German OVM
- New-tooled storage bins and tool box
- New-tooled notek blackout light and rear light
- Photo-etch parts
- Cartograf decal sheet
- Metallic tow cable

Both these kits are being shown on the Dragon U.S.A. - Website For release in January...