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Pz.Kpfw.IV ausf H, 12th SS Panzer Div


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Can't manage D-day ( they received orders on the 6th, but didn't arrive until late in they day - However they did counterattack the Canandians on D+1).

This is the Dragon kit with the full skirts and molded zimmerit, which makes life easier

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Work commences as it normal for clanky things with loads of wheels

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Then adding the bolt ons to the hull. The Dragon instructions are being honest absolutely terrible - being one of their 'bag of sprues' kits from various previous issues there are loads of alternative parts. In addition there are parts missing from the instructions, and where they are marked it's by sprue and number - that would be fine if there weren't duplicate / alternative sprues. For example there are 5 different 'T' sprues, 2 'D' sprues, 4 'A' sprues. Makes it less fun to do than i'd have liked.

Anyway the hull

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Then finally for the day, built up the exhaust, still loads more bits to add to the rear hull plate.

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Peter

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Well more done today - first finished off the rear hull plate

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Then put on the running gear, and the idler wheels

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Now time for another rant - this kit is terrible. The instructions are truly terrible, referring to sprues that aren't in this boxing, and with multiple sprues with the same letter you are left to guess which of the 6 almost identical parts to use. Really winds me up this as it's simply sloppy. I have spent more time today 'part hunting' than anything else.

Anyway hull mostly done though the fit of the vents was very poor - had to resort to CA to get the back to fit at all.

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Peter

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I'm sure I'll enjoy this more once the main construction is finished. I've built a dragon Pzr IV before, it seems to be this particular boxing that is the problem. They seem to have taken the instructions for one version, then added additional sprues from other kits with Zimmerit molded on, without updating the instructions. Even the sprue list on the instructions doesn't match what's in the box ( e.g. Sprue S from a Brummbar isn't mentioned but is actually referred to as sprue Z in the instructions, apart from when it's Sprue T ).

Just leads to lots of part hunting, where you have to rely on the pictures than any part numbers, and given the huge number of almost identical parts it's a nightmare.

Anyhow rant over - just wanting to let anyone else who get's this particular boxing know what they are in for -).

Peter

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Peter, that is typical Dragon. I have got a few half build models lying around to be finished, but I lost interest because it takes to long before you see some result. I think I need to invest more in the good old Tamiya kits.

But don't let my words discourage you from this build. Please go on.I want to see it finished.

Cheers,

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More work today - got the brackets for the skirts on, and the skirts. No idea what the metal the skirts is, but it seems incredibly CA resistant, so the mounting brackets keep sheering off.

Anyhow skirts just slotted in-place to check the fit, Then sprayed with a coat Vallejo Dunkelgelb primer.

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Peter

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Today, finally some fun :D, Painting the cammo

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Then painted all the wheel rims and added the tracks - the DS tracks were really nice, glued with no problems and took a coat of paint nicely.

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Then finally for the weekend, a coat of klear over the top

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Peter

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