Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale Armor-Pro Series Kit No. 7439;= Long Range Desert Group Patrol Car w/Lewis Gun; 63 parts in grey styrene; = pre-order price US$19.95 via Dragon USA Online
Advantages: first injection-molded kit of this vehicle in this scale; nicel= y done body and cab
Disadvantages: wheels only half molded with no backs
Rating: Recommended
Recommendation: for all 1/72 Desert War fans
For many years one of the most popular of Tamiya=92s kits in 1/35 scale ha= s been their LRDG Chevrolet truck, based on a cut-down 1941 Chevrolet light= truck with military body and sand tires. It is one of the few older kits i= n their inventory which is still a good seller when re-released and for whi= ch companies still produce after-market upgrade kits and figures.=20
DML has now offered a brand new version of this vehicle in 1/72 scale. It = captures the personality of the =9141 Chevy (which once again due to tradem= ark demands is now called a =93Patrol Car=94 rather than a Chevrolet truck)= and the British military pattern body. It comes with two Enfield rifles, a= Lewis gun with cooling jacket on a pedestal mount with separate drum, a = =93flimsy=94 of gas (only one!) and the rolled tarps on the front fenders. = No radio is provided but it also comes with the lockers as separate parts, = a sand channel and tent poles for the canvas.=20
The cab is neatly done with the modified grille shell and a false radiator= front that mounts behind them to be visible. There are no pedals in the co= ntrol area, nor any engine or transmission upper bits.=20
The chassis is simple with a one-piece driveline, separate springs and fro= nt axle, and separate exhaust. But the wheels are only half-molded with no = back sides, which is surprising in this day and age with the molding skills= DML possesses. Oddly enough a back side and wheel rim are clearly evident = on the directions.=20
Finishing directions are included for two vehicles: =93Te Aroha=94, T Patr= ol, Libya 1943 in overall sand, and =93Rotowhero=94, R Patrol, Libya 1943 i= n pink and dark green. A set of Cartograf decals is included along with a n= umber jungle for census numbers for other vehicles.
Overall there are enough shortcuts taken with the chassis to make it seem = more of a wargamer=92s model than a scale model, which is surprising.=20
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.=20 =20 Cookie Sewell=20