Dragon 1/35 "Dicker Max"

Kit: 6357
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon Models USA, 626-668-0322 www.dragonmodelsusa
Price: $39.95
Comments: Injection- 53 photoetched-metal, decals
Pros: Detailed fighting detailed suspension;
Cons: Superstructure instructions for putting color guide; errors high part count

Dragon's kit of this self-propelled weapon comes with link-to-link track, a photoetched-metal fret, optional metal barrel and early or late muzzle brake, and personal equipment. Markings are supplied for three vehicles.

Building the running gear and suspension from so many small parts was a timeconsuming task. All the tires are separate items. The track idler axle assembly has a separate nut and washer to put together. All the assemblies were painted and installed on the hull. Since there are no instructions for putting together the "Magic Tracks," I made up short lengths to go around the sprockets and idler wheels. These were then attached to long track runs, top and bottom. The tracks were painted with Testors Metalizer gun metal and weathered with CMK star dust.

Building the gun was another lengthy task. The cradle and gun-laying hardware comprise numerous small parts, making a fragile assembly. Part No. F27 is marked on two different places in the instructions; I could not find the cylinder labeled F27, so I replaced it with styrene rod.

To install the metal barrel, I cut off the locating pin from the breech. I painted the gun assembly Tamiya German gray.

Test-fitting the superstructure to the hull top, I found the front of the superstructure sat too high. The edge on the front of the fighting compartment's mating surface is too high, so I sanded it down for a better fit. I painted the inside of the superstructure Tamiya German gray.

I could not get the tow cables to fit together; the instructions don't match the prototype.

I painted the model Tamiya German gray with an overspray mix of Floquil grime and Testors Dullcote, and finished with Tamiya weathering pastels. The decals were applied over a coat of Future without problems. My reference for this review was Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, by Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle.

I liked the detail in this kit, and the optional parts would be a great starting point to show off all the detail. It took me 33 hours to complete this kit.

- Tom Foti