Dragon 1/35 M51 Isherman

Kit: 3539
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon, from Dragon Models USA, 626-968- 0322, Dragon Models USA
Price: $37.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 816 parts (19 metal, 112 photoetched-metal, 2 DS plastic), decals
Pros: Suspension; tracks; many improvements over original kit
Cons: Lack of location for many parts; several sprues labeled B

Dragon continues to upgrade its older kits, this time with a "Premium Edition" of the M51 "Isherman," a French-Israeli adaptation of the Sherman tank. The new kit replaces the original kit's suspension with the excellent new HVSS from Dragon's recent M4A3E8, and improves on the turret and upper- and lower-hull moldings of the original kit. Also included is a turned-metal barrel and an extensive set of photoetched- metal parts. The tracks are molded in flexible Dragon Styrene (DS), but the central guide teeth are glued on individually - tedious, but an excellent replication of the T80 tracks. Clear parts are provided for the lights, periscopes, cupola vision ports, and searchlight lens. Cartograf decals comprise markings for one vehicle. Main hatches can be posed open, but no interior or figures are provided in the kit.

I started with the suspension. Careful: the instructions show the wrong locations for parts No. Q13 and No. Q14. The tires are separate from the hubs, making painting easier. I left the suspension parts off until after major painting.

The hull nose (part No. J24) required filler at the sides. While not shown on the instructions, the blanking plates on the lower hull extend past the front of the hull. These extensions interfered with the photoetched-metal front fenders, so I removed them.

A photoetched-metal bending tool is useful for bending the fender lips. The photoetched-metal fender supports were too long and interfered with the tool bins; I used the plastic supports instead, which fit much better. The fender braces have no location marks on the kit. I enlarged the side view on the markings page to the size of the model as a guide to locating the braces.

The main turret parts fit well but required a lot of seam work. I used a motor tool to remove the seam and restore the cast look to the turret. The mantlet cover is molded in plastic, so the main gun cannot be elevated or depressed. As on the hull, several turret features - such as smoke mortars, side gun port (part J17), and lifting rings (F18) - had no distinct locating devices. The gun port was blended into the hull with epoxy putty.

I painted my M51 with Tamiya khaki lightened with about 25 percent flat white. The decals were fine, settling with just a touch of Micro Sol. After a coat of Polly Scale clear flat, I gave the model my usual wash and dry-brush treatment. If you paint the tires separately as I did, be sure to add them to the rims before you glue the suspension to the hull. Otherwise, there will not be enough room to fit the inner tires.

I could not find any dimensional data on the M51, but the finished model matched the dimensions of the Sherman base chassis. Dragon caught a lot of flak on the original kit because the muzzle brake was undersized. This kit provides a new muzzle brake, but it is even smaller than the original. Recent measurement photos (at www.toadmanstankpictures. com/m51_sherman) show the kit's muzzle brake is close in length and width but is not thick enough. However, I suspect the M51 sported several different muzzle brakes.

I spent about 26 hours building my M51. The large number of photoetched-metal parts and lack of distinct part locations make this a kit for experienced modelers. Dragon has addressed most of the issues with the original kit, bringing it very close to today's standards.

- John Plzak