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For my next project I have decided to do something outside a GB again. Last year, I realised, every build I had done had been done as part of a GB and so I promised myself I would do more kits outsdie GBs this year. This will only be my second but, I started the year with a non-GB project and I'm going to end the year in the same way. Having recently built two Shermans in GBs (Meng's Toon Sherman in the Blitzbuild GB and Dragon's 1/72nd M4A1(76)W VVSS in the Radial Engines Rock GB) I was initially thinking of making another Sherman in the same GB. I then realised the M3/M4 GB starts at the end of this year and felt I might get Shermaned out. I thoroughly enjoyed building Dragon's 1/72nd Sherman so thought I could risk trying my first 1/35 Dragon kit. Having looked at the few I have in the stash I opted for a smaller project first: I got it a while back in Ian Allen's Bookshop in Brum and, having looked at the contents, I reckon it was a bit of a bargain: I know it sometimes retails around the £40 mark but still........ Back of the box: and the sides: All of the versions this kit builds in to appear to have a worn whitewash finish so this will also be a first for me. So, as usual, I'll start with some photos of the contents: Sample of the instructions: The plastic - and there's a lot - although if you check out the first instruction page above you can see stuff not used in the blue blocks: and 2x these: Lower hull: Turret: Tracks - these are the Magic Tracks but there are two ejection marks on each piece - which is a bit annoying: Photoetch and decals: Clear parts: Some closeups of some details on the lower hull: Over the weekend I had a lovely time assembling parts onto the lower hull: Including the first couple of pieces of PE: Fit has been mostly very good although the instructions leave a little to the imagination. Some of the diagrams do not show the whole picture which results in a bit of guesswork here and there. I have been using Brian Krueger's review from IPMS/USA to help me as he has lots of very useful suggestions of what to look out for during the making of this kit. There are some seam lines to remove on some parts but no flash so far. Speaking of seam lines - I also started work on the running gear wheels - all of which require the seam lines removing from the centre of the tyres. More next weekend when I will hopefully be getting the painting started. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix