Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No.
7386; Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. N DAK; 110 parts (102 in grey styrene, 6 etched brass, 2 DS Plastic track runs); pre-order price US$17.50 via Dragon USA OnlineAdvantages: first kit of a Pzkw. III Ausf. N from DML in 1/72; based on StuG III kits with same attention to detail
Disadvantages: nothing major noted
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all German small-scale modelers
Released as a pair with a new 1/72 scale Panzer III Ausf. L kit, this new release of an Ausf. N shares most of the parts and details from the latter. Its one major difference is that it comes with the 7.5 cm L/24 barrel and none of the details that came with the Ausf. L barrel sprue.
As with its twin, only sprue D (wheels) and E (the tracks) are retained from the StuG kit. Three new sprues cover the upper hull and turret of the L model and its details.
As before the kit makes a great deal of use of slide molding for its parts. The return rollers are molded together but the slide mold provides for the face details of each pair. The same is true for the gun barrel and a hollow bore as well as some other smaller details.
The kit does not provide any of the =93options=94 seen on Ausf. Ns such as skirts or =93zimmerit=94 paste. This is a bit of a shame, but DML has shown in the past it will do optional kits if there is a demand later on.
The kit now has supplemental directions for the DS Plastic tracks that advises pulling on them if too short or trimming them if too long: as they do take standard plastic cements this is not a major problem and will ensure a good fit.
The kit comes with six etched brass bits: the engine radiator air intakes and exhaust grilles and the rain shield over the forward spaced armor array. Two braces do not show up in the directions.
Credit is given to Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson for technical assistance.
The kit offers two finishing options: sPz.Abt. 501, Tunisia,
1942/43(sand, sPz.Abt. 501, Tunisia, 1943(sand, black 242). A targeted sheet of Cartograf decals is provided.Overall this is a nice (and simple!) kit of the Tiger I escort tank and as such should be a popular model.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell