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| KITS |
World War II (1939-1945) |
Tiger I - Gruppe Fehrmann |  |  |
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Tiger I - Gruppe Fehrmann
Ref. # 7357
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Dragon
Price: Unknown
Material: Styrene, PE, DS100 Vinyl
Introduction
It was only a month or so ago that Cyber Hobby released it's 1/35th scale Gruppe Fehrmann Tiger I, and now Dragon have quickly followed it up with a model of the same vehicle in this smaller scale. The larger version review can be found HERE.
The Kit
As in the larger version of course, this kit also represents the Tiger of Feldwebel Bellof which was destroyed in April 1945. The Gruppe Fehrmann was formed at the beginning of 1945 from six Tigers and five panthers numbered F01 to F13 and commanded by Oberleutnant Ferhmann. F13 appears to be a mixture of features from an early and late tiger I.
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The kit arrives on five sprues, with also a tiny sprue containing a run of spare track links. There's also a separate lower hull. Although of course the model is much simplified in relation to it's bigger brother, for reasons of scale, the moulding isn't as crisp, and it's not just because of the scale. I've had other Dragon 1/72nd scale kits where the mouldings are pin sharp and clean. This one isn't. There's flash in some unusual places, and even some slight mould defects. Look at picture 25 for example and you'll see the surface of the turret stowage bin is quite marked. Nothing that can't be cleaned up though!
The detail on the kit is really good, notwithstanding the amount of flash. For example, the periscope housings on the drivers and radio operators hatch are moulded open, and although there are no periscopes to fill up the void, it wouldn't be too difficult in this scale to fashion lenses. Separate hatches would have been nice though, as with the Commander's hatch on the turret cupola.
Detail-wise, all the tools are supplied separately too, which is nice. Well, apart from one cleaning rod moulded on to the deck? The engine deck detail is superb, and we're given a very nice set indeed of photo-etch grills to place over them. The nicest touch I feel, about the entire kit are a pair of superb exhaust covers in pre-formed brass. All you need to do is add some bolt detail.
Marking options
Since the kit is meant to depict a specific vehicle, all you get is a small decal sheet with markings for F13.
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Conclusion
Again, Dragon keep on producing some wonderful small-scale kits that don't get the publicity their big brothers get. This one suffers a little in terms of flash, but once cleaned up and assembled etc., will look wonderful! Recommended.
My Thanks to Dragon for the review sample
For full information on all Dragon products, please see their website,
Dragon Models Ltd.
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| | Discuss this article, 1 of 3 messages, read more: |  Vinnie Branigan | |
| Posted: 23/04/08 12:47:10 10 | A small-scale Tiger I from Dragon! 
Vinnie |
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