Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $41.95 Just looking at the new style digitalized box art before even opening the box is interesting. Then you lift the lid and see the mound of crisp nicely detailed parts. It is amazing that this little (compared to most armor kits) model somehow gets almost 700 parts on it. On top is a new addition of a pamphlet boasting of the new innovations included with this kit. After that is the familiar Dragon card with the three photoetch frets, brass indicator rods, preformed shell baskets, two sheets of Cartograph decals with several marking options, mirror stickers and a vinyl driver figure. While the figure is not one of the Gen 2 figures, it still looks pretty decent. Beyond the card is 22 sprues molded in the normal Dragon grey. These include the Flak 38 kit, with bonus ammo trailer that is not indicated on the instructions as being used, even though it could come in handy for either the spares box or to go with the 251. There are newly tooled parts for the sides that are all ready cut out for the flip down sections. The gun can be built in one of four positions determined at the time of construction. The kit contains the transmission and other parts under the floor, but these are covered up once you install the floor. Just another instance of Dragon's attention to detail, even when most builders will cover it right up. There are no Magic Tracks in this kit, the individual links are molded on the sprues but look nicely detailed. There are two options for the drive sprockets. One being round ones for a new look and one being more squared off for a worn look. The front tires are detailed down to the valve stems. From the initial impression, this is a must have kit for and fan of German armor. Even for those of just highly detailed kits for that matter. The amount of details and parts make it well worth the price. I am looking forward to building this one, actually could not resist building it and moved everything else on the bench to the side to get started right away. Thanks to Dragon for the review sample.

About the Reviewer: Chris Mobley is VP of IPMS/ Georgia Mountain Modelers and runs the IPMS SIG The Scale Firehouse (www.scalefirehouse.com).

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.