Introduction

The Flak 37 kit from Dragon (# 6287) was a rapid follow up to their Flak 36 kit. The kit itself included many parts that a short while ago would have been considered the preserve of the after market producers, so it’s interesting to see what one of the main producers of aftermarket photo-etched sets can make of it.

Contents

Having built the Dragon kit a short while ago, one of it’s main shortcomings that I noticed as soon as I began to build it was the absence of the rod through the brackets up the left-hand side of the gun slide. I had to scratch new brackets after removing the moulded ones and fabricate the rod. Well first up Eduard offer the whole assembly. New brackets, sidewalls and a new floor for the slide, hiding that ugly seam. As is the nature of photo-etch, it’s flat. So although all the rivet positions are represented, it’s probably a good idea to add foil rivets to bring them more up to scale.

Eduard next supply the graduated gauge for the left side of the recoil slide. Now this I find really odd, since there is already a photo-etched one from Dragon included in the kit, and from what I can tell there’s no difference between them? There are some really nice bits and pieces for the cradle, including chains, assorted brackets, caps with retaining chains, and even a very nice photo-etched representation of the wiring that should be present, although again, this is probably best used as a template only for producing one out of 3-dimensional wire.

Most of the things included in the 3 fair sized frets are vast improvements over the kit parts, things like brackets for the fuse setter lids are much more accurate done as photo-etch for example. However, Eduard includes the parts that Dragon have already done as photo-etch, and this strikes me as non-sensical? They include the tool storage lockers that go between the legs of the cruciform base, yet the styrene ones of the kit seem adequate and once painted I don’t think anybody could tell the difference? The foot pedals are a nice addition, as are the brackets for the cable reels which are much more true to scale. The rest of the set is also all for the wheeled units and include a myriad of brackets , clasps and clamps. Apart from the duplication of kit-supplied parts already mentioned, there is not a lot you are not going to use in this set!

in conclusion

Despite the high price and parts duplication mentioned, this set represents a serious improvement to the kit. Highly recommended!

Further information is available here
Eduard


My Thanks to Eduard for the review sample.