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Monday, June 20, 2016 - 04:22 PM UTC
Dragon Models has announced a kit that has caught my attention, a smart kit offering of a StuG.III Ausf.E in 1/35th scale. Part of what has caught my attention is the interior and gun breech detail provided. On the down side for many will be the DS tracks.
The Sturmgeschutz III (StuG.III) has the distinction of being Germany’s most widely produced AFV of WWII, with 10,619 eventually manufactured. Based on the chassis of the Panzer III, it was cheaper and faster to build since it did not have a rotating turret. The Ausf.E, still equipped with the same short-barreled 75mm StuK37 L/24 gun as preceding marks, was produced from September 1941 through to March 1942. Some 272 rolled off Germany’s factory floors in that period. This variant’s major improvement over its predecessor was a new armored pannier on the right side of the superstructure to accommodate radio equipment. Increased space inside allowed an extra six 75mm rounds to be carried. An MG34 was stowed internally too, and smaller hinges for the inspection hatches were another distinguishing feature of the Ausf.E.

Dragon has already launched a number of splendid new-generation 1/35 scale kits of the StuG.III family, but to date these have been later production types like the Ausf.G. Dragon is now redressing this gap by offering a brand new kit of the Ausf.E, which is designed by Japanese designers and Dragon team. Also it is the only 1/35 StuG.III Ausf.E in nowadays standard available on market! This 1/35 scale rendition of the tank destroyer boasts many great new plastic parts. These include the superstructure roof, headlights and covers, StuK37 short-barreled gun, fighting-compartment floor, frontal armor and cleaning rods in their associated rack. This is Dragon’s finest model ever of the important StuG.III Ausf.E, and modelers will find it a treat to assemble and finish thanks to its superior level of detail and ease of assembly.
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Comments

In defense of "DS" Tracks, I personally haven't had bad luck with them disintegrating on me, even over 10 years time. I've even successfully managed to re-create "Track-sag" on several of my Tiger Is and 1 Panther with "DS" Tracks- I coated the "inside" upper length of Tracks with cyano-glue, and placed a weighted "form" to get the "DS" Tracks to replicate the "Track-sag" seen on WWII German Tanks. So far, they're still OK. HOWEVER- I much prefer "Magic Tracks" for any AFV or Soft-skin where there is evidence of even the slightest "Track-sag". So mostly, I resort to aftermarket "Indy-link" Track sets when required. My DRAGON Shermans are still OK with their "DS" Tracks, for the present. PS- Guys- Keep your eyes on MINIART and BRONCO- Also from MENG, TACO (TAKOM ) and others- I'm sure that we'll be seeing more great WWII stuff from them, hopefully the subjects that used to make BIG MONEY for DRAGON in years past...
JUN 22, 2016 - 04:57 AM
I do too, but I don't think that that will ever happen- "Magic Tracks" are more expensive to manufacture than those "DS" Tracks. DRAGON, nor ANY other model manufacturer, don't like to lose money... If you like "Indy-links", then you'll have to bite the bullet with the rest of us, and buy aftermarket Track sets... Or, buy the BRONCO kit instead...[/quote] If it's expensive to bundle in the kit, why not offer Magic Track as option. [/quote] Because JUST including "DS" Tracks is cheaper...
JUN 22, 2016 - 05:04 AM
I do too, but I don't think that that will ever happen- "Magic Tracks" are more expensive to manufacture than those "DS" Tracks. DRAGON, nor ANY other model manufacturer, don't like to lose money... If you like "Indy-links", then you'll have to bite the bullet with the rest of us, and buy aftermarket Track sets... Or, buy the BRONCO kit instead...[/quote] If it's expensive to bundle in the kit, why not offer Magic Track as option. [/quote] Because JUST including "DS" Tracks is cheaper... [/quote] I get that. What I meant to say was why not offer it separately as an AM option. Can't compete
JUN 22, 2016 - 05:13 AM
For my money, I'd rather see new kits of new (to the market) subjects from these manufacturers (not new to the maker), rather than yet more kits of the same subject. For an example, maybe the Panzer IV assault ladder? Or, being reckless here, a Fa 223 helicopter in 1/35. Or even that DFS230 glider from Bronco?! But getting back on track, so to speak, to the tread topic, I'll wait for Bronco's offering before committing to buying this one. Kylie And some of those mentioned manufacturers could do modern subject and still be on a win
JUN 22, 2016 - 05:21 AM
For my money, I'd rather see new kits of new (to the market) subjects from these manufacturers (not new to the maker), rather than yet more kits of the same subject. For an example, maybe the Panzer IV assault ladder? Or, being reckless here, a Fa 223 helicopter in 1/35. Or even that DFS230 glider from Bronco?! But getting back on track, so to speak, to the tread topic, I'll wait for Bronco's offering before committing to buying this one. Kylie And some of those mentioned manufacturers could do modern subject and still be on a win[/quote] ALL TRUE! However, if MINIART, BRONCO and the other new kids on the block are ever going to be doing their own versions of those Shermans, Stuarts, Lee/Grants, Tigers, Panthers, et al, INCLUDING Interiors and Indy-links, (You know, the DRAGON kits that we've been griping about because of those detested "DS" Tracks, Opaque Light Lenses, etc, etc), don't you think that there would be BOATLOADS of modellers lining up to buy them? I don't see anyone griping about the ASUKA/TASCA Shermans because they contain VINYL Tracks- I'd like to see ASUKA dump the vinyl tracks that they put in their Sherman kits, and I for one, would be HAPPY to pay a little bit more for these kits if they had Indy-links, instead!
JUN 22, 2016 - 05:35 AM
I see what you're saying. The way Tamiya offers separate links for sale for some of their kits, like the Panther they put out a little while ago.
JUN 22, 2016 - 05:42 AM
I see what you're saying. The way Tamiya offers separate links for sale for some of their kits, like the Panther they put out a little while ago.[/quote] Dragon did offer their magic track sets seperate once, as part of their deficit Cyber-Hobby line, but I was only a single production run that sold out in no time
JUN 22, 2016 - 08:04 AM
I see what you're saying. The way Tamiya offers separate links for sale for some of their kits, like the Panther they put out a little while ago.[/quote] Dragon did offer their magic track sets seperate once, as part of their deficit Cyber-Hobby line, but I was only a single production run that sold out in no time [/quote] CYBERHOBBY also offered several beautiful "early", "mid" and "late" VVSS Suspension sets for the M3 and M4 Medium Tanks, until they ran out. At least ASUKA offers VVSS Suspension sets for Shermaholics... Of course, there are numerous resin sets out there, made available by some very reputable A/M manufacturers...
JUN 22, 2016 - 02:49 PM
Hobby Easy now has it on pre-order. It's heading caught my eye: "StuG.III Ausf.E (1st batch with bonus Magic Tracks)" http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/cf62i8f9aqym6usso2an.html
JUL 10, 2016 - 10:18 AM
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