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In-Box Review
135
M-16 Superdetail set
WWII American M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage Royal Edition
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by: Matthew Quiroz [ RED4 ]

introduction
As famed NASCAR racer Darrell Waltrip would say “Whoa Boogity Boogity!” And as a well known candy bar commercial goes…”Not going anywhere for awhile?” If you’re thinking of buying this particular detail set, plan on staying busy for a long, long time. The Griffon Model Royal Edition photo etch set (S-BPL35001) for the Dragon M-16 Halftrack (6381) consists of a whopping twelve frets of brass, copper wire, ABS rod, a set of turned brass barrels for the machine guns and even a small decal sheet for the instrument panel. The set is a combination of sets that Griffon offers for the Dragon M-16 kit all rolled into one “ginormous” set.
The kit
The box had some heft to it when I took it out of the slightly larger mailing box. No wonder with all that comes with it. The box itself is padded to help keep all that precious brass nice and straight; and it did its job well as all of my pieces were flat, straight and undamaged. The instructions are well laid out and are easy to follow. The builder has a couple options available to them with the building of the running gear. Namely, they can choose between a standard type with oval cut out on the bogie housing and a hybrid type without the oval cutout on the bogie housings.
Details abound with this set. A vast majority of the Dragon kit interior is sanded or cut away to be replaced with brass items. A choice of early and late instrument panels is given. For as many parts that are replaced on and in the cab of the vehicle, there are an equal number of parts that are replaced or added on the gun system itself. Latches, clamps, straps, knobs, levers, hinges, clasps, plates, etc. etc. etc. are all replaced with brass offerings found in this set. Suffice to say, the builder (In this case me) has their work cut out for them. I will be doing a Build log in the not too distant future to hopefully better showcase this set. I just hope I’m up to the task! Feel free to follow along as I torture myself dealing with all of this small and well detailed brass.
Instructions
The instructions consist of several sheets with detailed drawings/diagrams on both sides. All in all it’s about 12 pages folks. They are broken down into three sub steps consisting 7 pages, 4 pages, and the last of 1. Basically small models within the model.
assembly preview
I am just curious how my broom handle fingers are going to deal with handling all of the small and vast amounts of brass that are going to be festooning this model. All measurements for what needs to be cut are metric so it would be beneficial for the modeler to have either a metric ruler or micrometer with a metric display. I could try and tell you what you get on the frets, or else you can simply look at the pictures and instruction scans to see for yourself.
contents
Bottom line, there is a lot of brass with this detail set. I have listed but a few of what is included in this set below…

1. Photo etched Fret * 12
2. Metal M2 Machine Gun Barrel * 4
3. Metal Cooling Jacket for M2 Machine Gun * 4
4. Decal for Dashboard * 1
5. Auxiliary Material: ABS Rod & Copper Wire
6. Engine Compartment Hood with Round Rivets with screw head detail
7. Battlefield modified Jerry Can racks
8. Late and Early style instrument panels with decal
9. Two types of cab floor
10. Radio cover and ammo storage chest

Etc.etc.


conclusion
Granted the price is not for the faint of heart, but if the builder purchases one of these exquisite sets, and has the patience and fortitude to see the build through to completion, he or she could be rewarded with a spectacular looking model. Thanks to Dragon USA for the review sample.


Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Excellent detail. Vast amount of parts. Instructions easy to follow. Excellently detailed turned brass machine guns. Lots of brass for the money
Lows: Price may prevent some from buying. Lots of small parts. Will take some long hours to complete
Verdict: If you can afford it and have the time, it's worth buying.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: S-BPL35001
  Suggested Retail: $55
  PUBLISHED: Sep 06, 2009
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.68%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 89.66%

Our Thanks to Dragon USA!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Matthew Quiroz (Red4)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

After a several year break from the hobby I have happily returned to it. Slowly, but surely getting my mojo back.

Copyright ©2021 text by Matthew Quiroz [ RED4 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hey Matt, Nice review. The shear size of the thing is enough to make me think twice, not to mention the price, $55!!! I guess it's better then going out and buying everything piece meal, and cheaper. Go looking set up.
SEP 11, 2009 - 02:25 AM
I think it's not a cheap set, but definitely a value set. A good barrel for the Brownings are around 10 USD, and these ones looks good. So if you deduct 4x10 USD from the price, you get a full array of PE for 15 - it's a bargain. You can even get it without postage fee from certain far-eastern netshops. Beside I know most of these frets from their M3 75mm GMC set and they well worth the money.
SEP 14, 2009 - 05:42 AM
Thanks for the kudos on the review. It is a daunting looking set to say the least and while the price is a wee bit steep for some, as Laszlo pointed out, it is still a pretty good value. I'm trying to get caught up on some other things so I can get started on this. Its a slow task to say the least. Thanks again for the kudos. "Q"
SEP 15, 2009 - 12:51 PM
im really looking forward to seeing you use this set! I may have to pic one of these up eventully for my own M16 now if dragon would just come out with a M15A1....
SEP 16, 2009 - 01:37 AM
   
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