Part 2: Construction

Let me preface this build by saying this is the first piece of armor I have ever built. If my construction techniques reveal inexperience and my paint colors are a bit off, please understand. I enjoyed the challenge this kit offered and am very pleased with the results. Construction Construction begins with attaching the suspension parts and half-axles to the one-piece frame. There are many parts involved in these first three steps. Be careful to follow the instructions exactly as depicted so that all parts come together properly. There are eight wheels. Be alert to the fact that some parts fit RH or LH during assembly. If there is any doubt as to a parts location or interface with other parts, try dry fitting before adding any glue.

The next stage of construction is in the hull or cockpit as we refer to it in the aircraft arena. Steps 4-7 call for assembling and installing the driver and radioman's position. Each position has a complete set of pedals, gearshift levers and a steering wheel. There are no painting instructions for the interior. This piece of information would be helpful for a novice like me. However, I found what I needed on the Internet and by contacting fellow modelers.

In the next steps, 8 through 10, the hull and the frame/suspension assembly come together. It is at this point that you will discover whether you assembled the suspension properly. If steps 4-7 have been completed correctly, mating the hull to the frame is no problem. Five windows, each made up of 4 pieces, are installed in the hull's upper section. The windows can be installed in either the open or closed position. Also installed at this time are vents, either open or closed, radios, instrument panel and an open or closed access hatch. Decals are furnished for the dials on the instrument panel. There is one very small decal for each of the five instruments. I would like to see one decal to cover the entire panel. However, the panel's location makes it very difficult to see any of its detail. This completes steps 11 through 14. Step 15 calls for placing the hull's upper section and fenders in place. In steps 16 through 20, all of the miscellaneous equipment is assembled and installed. This includes such things as the jerry cans, tool and equipment boxes, and jacks. The 10 photo-etched or plastic grab handles are placed at this time. The final steps, 21 through 25, call for the assembly of the 37mm cannon and its installation in the turret. If done correctly, the gun elevates and lowers and the turret rotates. In addition, the turret hatch doors are assembled and installed along with 2 antennae (one photo-etched), grenade launchers and other miscellaneous small parts. I assembled the wheels and tires at this time, but did not glue them in place to facilitate painting of the underside. One of the antenna is very spindly, so be careful with it. Every photo-etched and turned brass part in the kit has a corresponding plastic part except for those used in the jerry cans. This redundancy may come in handy as it did in my case. Decaling and Painting The instruction sheet illustrates four camouflage patterns from four different armored units in 1944/1945. I selected the simplest 2-color paint scheme. Since the illustration only depicts the camouflage patter on the front, rear, and left side, the remainder of the pattern is left to the builder's imagination. The decals were thin, on register, and easily applied. They settled in nicely with a little Solvaset. A light black/brown wash, a matt finish and some ground pastel chalk liberally applied completed this build. Recommendation The detail on the parts is outstanding. There is no flashing and extremely shallow, if any, mold lines on the parts. I spent very little time cleaning the parts. The fit of one part to another was excellent. In one or two instances a part's location and/or fit was difficult to determine. Dry fitting and a close inspection of the instructions resolved the problem. This may be more a function of my inexperience with armor than a problem with the instructions. This kit may not be one for the novice modeler. However, I can recommend this interesting and challenging build for someone of modest and higher skill levels. I know I thoroughly enjoyed building this kit - my very first armor build. I say it is a winner. Again, I would like to thank Dragon Models USA for supplying this kit and IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.

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