Dave W's Dragon 1/35 M3A1

[Gern]

Considering the number of single-part assemblies - the tracks, cabin and rear floors etc - Dragon still seem to have outdone themselves with the parts count!

[Dave Ward]

With Dragon 1/35 models, you always have loads of bits left over - the spares box will be topped up!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

A few detail shots, then some comparison between kit parts & PE 'enhancements'

As usual, with Dragon, the parts are cleanly moulded - mine racks & the halves of the tracks - the M3 tracks never sagged in operation.

The kit part for the cab floor:

The Voyager replacement:

To get the PE to sit right,you'd have to sand off the existing detail..............
Door parts, plastic & front armoured visor

And the PE parts

There are PE rivets & hinges on the frets - but nope!
The Plastic 50 cal m.g. mount

And the flatpack PE version ( there are two pages of instruction for this )
Hmmm

Plastic 30 cal m.g. mounts

and the PE versions
As I said in a previous post, the use of the PE will be on feasibility ( too small! ), and if they add anything to the model. There are some parts that will be used, the instrument panel & dial film. The engine has a few PE detail parts, like a cooling fan, but the bonnet will be closed - so no point!
The instructions are typically Dragon, confusing and 'busy' & need several readings to sort out the bits for the various options.
The basic chassis and running gear is the same as the M4 mortar carrier I did earlier in the year, so hopefully I won't have any problems with basic construction. Dragon supply a single driver figure - who will look a little lonely, so it's either finding him some company, or leaving him out - I'll have to look in the spares box................
Dave

[Guest]

To be honest, if this were my model, I think I would sell the etched sets on to someone crazier more dedicated than me

[Dave Ward]

I think I would sell the etched sets on

can't really do that, as the whole package was a donation....................

Dave

[Guest]

Give them away in the same spirit, then?

[Graeme C.]

Nice to see something non-German Dave, the etch is just something to use where it will make a worthwhile difference, The detail/irritation balance has to be considered too!

[Ian M]

PE. If its no improvement over the plastic, then it stays in the box.
Life is to short and the stash is still the size it was five builds ago. :tongue-out3: