Eduard

1/35 M-4 Halftrack For the Dragon Kit 6361

Stock Number: BIG ED 3562

Reviewed By  Tom Moon, IPMS# 43192

MSRP: $56.95 Website: www.eduard.cz Catalog Item: Eduard has established a product line called Big ED that is a combination of individual sets sold at a reduced price. An example of this is what we have here. This set includes the 35997 Detail set, 35999 engine set, TP022 Tool Box US, TP094 Tool Box US set 2, TP 509 Ammo Belt US 50 Cal, TP 510 Ammo Belt US 30 Cal, and XT155 M4/M4A Halftrack Masks. The combined MSRP for the individual sets is $82.65 for a savings of $25.70. What a deal! I'll take the individual sets as separate reviews. TP022 Tool Box US - This set is three individual tool boxes that can be used anywhere. But they do not replace anything in the kit. The instructions don't suggest a placement on the model. I suggest that you use your references to determine if these are applicable for this model.

TP094 Tool Box US set 2 - This is a hand carried tool box with a plethora of tools to place in the box. The lid is not workable so you must choose to leave it open or closed. This set would be useful in a diorama where there are repairs being done. XT155 M4/M4A Halftrack Masks - These are painting masks for the front wheels, the small rear wheels, and the windshield. The windshield masks include a cutout for the windshield wipers so you can show a dusty windshield with a clean area under the wipers. TP509/510 Ammunition Belts US 50/30 Cal - These two sets are prepainted and allow you to insert them into an ammo box and show the end being fed into the machine gun. The Dragon instructions only show a 30 Cal machine gun being mounted. Check your references for use of a 50 Cal machine gun on this Halftrack version. Otherwise hold on to the set and use it elsewhere.

35999 M4 Halftrack Engine for the Dragon Kit # 6361. This set consists of a single fret of Photo Etch. The instructions included in the package are a black and white print with each page reduced to fit 2 pages on one side and the third page on the back. This presented me with problem. To get a larger print version, I went online to the Eduard website and called up the instructions in their PDF format. I then printed them page by page in color. This solved the problem for me, but I have access to a color printer. The first page of instructions starts with the removal of the hood panels to be replaced with PE at a later step. This section also covers replacing the fan blades and the radiator screen. The second page of instructions outlines the addition of parts to the engine itself. There are also some items added to the frame on the engine compartment side. The third page of instructions demonstrates the building of the hood panels. These can be displayed either open or closed. If you chose the closed position then you can't see the engine and a lot of the parts from this PE set would be wasted. The balance of this page is adding all the extras to the compartment. 35997 M4 Halftrack 81mm Mortar Detail Set for Dragon kit 6361 This is a three fret set of Photo Etch parts. The instructions included in the package is a black and white print with each page reduced to fit 4 pages on two sides and the fifth page on a single page. This presented me with problem. The text is small and the lack of color makes the deciphering of the instructions difficult. I went on line to the Eduard website and called up the instructions in their PDF format. I then printed them page by page in color. This solved the problem for me, as I said earlier; I have access to a color printer. The first page of instructions starts with cabin floor. It replaces the plastic blobs called foot petals with something that actually looks like a brake pedal. The instrument panel is modified to accept the new PE front that has an actual glove compartment. The glove compartment door must be placed either open or closed as the hinges are not workable. There is a radio housing and antenna holder fitted at this time. There is also a radiator cross brace to be installed here. The second page of instructions adds details to the outer part of the cab. Some of the parts are duplicated in the engine set (35999). The major item here is the interior and lid to the rear compartment. The lid is not workable so it will have to be fixed either open or closed. If open, there are some interior dividers to be shown, but there is nothing in the PE set or the kit itself to place in this box. The third page of instructions replaces the armored sliding window panels in either the open or closed position. The rear compartment has three hand bars installed. The outside rear wall gets updates for the handles and holding brackets. The outer walls have the small tie downs to replace the plastic blob. The fourth page of instructions starts with the pioneer tool holders being replaced with PE. There are also under the fender additions to give additional detail. The next part is a replacement of the plastic armored grill with PE slats that are more to scale. The upper fenders have the tie downs replaced and a brush guard installed in front of the headlights. The fifth page of instructions deals with an optional kit part. It updates one version of the mortar platform and adds a simulated chain at the feet of the mortar braces. The last of the instructions outlines the replacement parts for the 30 cal machine gun. This set includes an unpainted depiction of the ammo. I would use the prepainted part from the set TP510. In conclusion, this set adds extensive detail that is missing in the driver's and working compartments of the halftrack. If you plan to keep the engine compartment closed, you may want to buy just what you need as the tool boxes provided are to indicate that there are repairs going on and if you keep the engine compartment closed, you don't have much use for them. Thanks to Eduard for the review sample and IPMS/USA for the review space.