Dragon Models Ltd

1/35 Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger I Late Production w/Zimmerit

Kit Number: DRA 6383

Reviewed by  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $66.95 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com I would like to thank Dragon for submitting this model to IPMS for review and IPMS for allowing me to review it. HISTORY In 1937, Henschel & Sohn began the development of one of the most famous tanks of World War II - the Tiger. The Tiger I was one of the most heavily armed and armoured tanks of the war. Like a lot of German military vehicle of the time, the design was conservative and somewhat over-engineered which caused weight and maintenance problems. Nontheless, it could still out-gun most allied tanks. It first saw action on August 29, 1942 southeast of Leningrad. During its entire production run it was always referred to as Tiger. However, due to ongoing improvements, Tigers have been divided into three main production models - early, mid and late. Beginning in September 1943, Tigers were commonly coated with Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste. The subject of this review is the Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger 1 - Late Production with zimmerit. THE KIT The kit comes in a sturdy cellophane wrapped slip-top box measuring 15"X9.75"X3.5". Found in separate cellophane bags are: 23 sprues of gray plastic, 1 sprue of clear plastic, 2 sheets of excellent photo-eteched parts, 2 lengths of "DS100" track, 2 sizes of braided wire, and assorted stamped and formed metal parts. The styrene parts are extremely well molded, particular the zimmerit, with no flash and minute mold lines. The detail is outstanding. Sink marks or ejector pin marks are not visible on any exterior surface. This kit appears to be "a cousin" to the out of production Dragon kit no. 6253. Because of the number of options available during construction, a number of parts are not used. For example, there are three different mantlets, two types of idlers and drive sprockets, two different turret roofs, two different muzzle brakes, two different commander's cupolas, and so on. In all, there are about 620 parts in this kit. There are eight pages of instructions broken down into 19 steps using exploded view line-drawing style with part number call-outs. Many of the 19 steps include several subassembly steps. There are painting and decaling instructions for six different tanks representing different units at different times and places. Paint call-outs refer to Aqueous Hobby, Mr. Colour, and Model Master paints as well as to color. The decals are from Cartograf and are of excellent quality. CONSTRUCTION - Wheels Construction begins with the wheel assemblies. This is straightforward and not difficult, but one must following the instructions carefully. The road wheels torsion bars actually work so be careful with the glue. Suggestion - do not install and glue the idler wheels and their axles (B26) at this time. The idler axles are formed similar to crank handles so you can "crank" the proper tension into the tracks when they are installed. Place these axles when the tracks are added which comes later in the construction sequence. The detail on all the wheels is excellent and the fit is trouble free. CONSTRUCTION - Hull Next in the construction sequence is the build up of the hull. There are no interior details for the crew compartments. The one exception is the radiator compartment, which can barely be seen through the grillwork. Most of the exterior attachments and fittings are placed (mufflers, hatches, lights, machine guns, tools, mud flaps, etc,) at this point. A comment about the photo-etched parts is appropriate here. There are a number of opportunities for the PE aficionado to exercise his skill. For example, each of the brackets that hold the shovel, ax, etc. in place on the hull are made from three etched parts. To assist in this effort, the kit includes a form with five molded shapes over which the PE parts are placed and formed. Once they are formed, they must be assembled, attached to the hull and tools installed. Fortunately, for the PE challenged like me, the kit also includes molded styrene parts.

The two large cables are formed using the braded wire and added to either side of the turret. The smaller cable, also braided wire, is formed and place on the left side of the hull. As with the PE parts, the braided wire has styrene substitutes. The PE and styrene clamps that hold the metal cables in place are small and delicate and the tank must be handled with care. The brass grillwork over the radiator compartments is a nice touch as is the pre-formed metal wire that represents the conduit to the center front light. Twelve track links are glued together to form a section of track. This is attached to the front of the tank. The instructions are not clear how this is to be attached to the hull. References in one publication showed a channel welded to the hull across the front with the track section slipped in behind. CONSTRUCTION - Turret A major component of the turret is the 88MM gun. With all the PE and other metal parts in this kit, one would think the barrel would be aluminum, but it is not. The barrel consists of five styrene parts and a recoil spring. I do not understand the reason for the recoil feature on a display item, but it is an interesting feature. The turret can swivel 360 degrees (if the turret hatches are closed) and the gun's elevation limits are approximately down 6 degrees and up17 degrees. There is some gun detail within the turret including the gun's recoil mechanism, breech, and two seats. All the hatch lids on the turret and hull can be poised in the open or closed position. The doors on the storage bin attached to the back of the turret can be posed in the open and closed position. Here is another opportunity for the PE expert. Each bin door has two hasps and locks. These are made from six PE pieces and one styrene piece. I possess neither the skill nor equipment to model this minute detail so I kept the molded on locks. Spare track links are stored on the turret's side and each has to be installed separately. CONSTRUCTION - Tracks The kit uses one-piece tracks made from DS (Dragon Styrene) 100. This is a mix of polystyrene and vinyl with the advantages of both. The intricacies of the DS100 track molding are noteworthy. The tracks look good and they take paint quite well. The track ends are joined with normal plastic cement. I found it easier to place the tracks on the wheels after the ends were joined and tension them using the idler axle. With a little more experience working with the DS100 tracks, the proper sag can be achieved. CONCLUSION Dragon has produced another excellent product. The level of detail is outstanding. The metal parts add to the good looks of this model. However, it seems to me that some of the PE was a bit over the top, but others may find it beneficial and necessary. This kit, with its minute parts, DS100 tracks and camoflauge painting may be a challenge to the beginning modeler or someone with a short attention span. However, for the skilled among us or the Tiger enthusist, I highly recomment this kit. Thanks again to Dragon for supplying the kit to IPMS for review and to IPMS for allowing me to review it.