Dragon's kit of the initial production PzKpfw III Ausf J is the latest in its "Smart Kit" line, which relies more on modern molding techniques and less on photoetched metal. The box is stuffed with sprues from several kits. This can complicate finding the right part when you have several sprues with the same index letter. While the instructions are well illustrated, optional parts and assemblies are shown without indication of a specific vehicle.
All of the hatches and vision ports can be posed open or closed, although only basic interior parts are provided in the turret. Clear parts are provided for all the lights and vision blocks. Individual-link "magic tracks" are color-coded right and left. Decals for four vehicles are provided, with a few options to fit variations in the markings. No figures are included.
I started assembly with the lower hull. An errata sheet for Step Two shows the removal of some bolts from the lower hull. When installing the lower parts of the fender hangers (A5, A21, A23, A50, A51) to the hull, dry-fit the fenders with their hangers (A55, A56) in place to make sure everything lines up. I installed the optional exhaust deflectors as shown in Step 6.
The upper hull is assembled in three major subassemblies. If you don't want to use the molded tow cables on the rear deck, Dragon provides empty clamps to put in their place. I noticed that the part numbers for the left rear fender flaps (A39, A41) are swapped in the diagram in Step 7. I glued the track links together with small dabs of Testors liquid cement (in the black needle dispenser) and let them set about half an hour before forming them to the drivetrain. While the instructions call for 98 links per side, I used only 93 and still had a touch of sag between the return rollers. The fenders and upper hull parts reminded me a bit of a Chinese puzzle - they must be added in the proper sequence. Install the forward plate (listed as J in Step 13) first, then the fenders, and finally the center and rear hull sections.
The turret is a beautiful model on its own and went together very easily. I suggest you add the outside exhaust fan ring (Part G6 in Step 20) before you add the fan itself (Part D15 in Step 18). The turret basket can be shown open. Molded on the turret basket are wooden strips to prevent shorting out the antenna. These were not on all vehicles, so check your references and remove them if necessary. Quite a few options are shown in the decal placement diagrams, and it is easy to become confused over which decals to use where.
Dragon has produced a superb model of the early PzKpfw III J. The finished vehicle matched exactly the dimensions in the Standard Catalog of German Military Vehicles, by David Doyle (Krause). I spent about 21 hours building it, and any modeler with experience handling small parts should enjoy putting it together.
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