| Date of Review |
January 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger Porsche Version |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
7250 |
| Primary Media |
139 parts (129 in grey styrene, 6 etched brass, 2 screws, 2 in black vinyl) |
| Pros |
Nice, new crisp moldings, no diecast metal parts, many small features included,
hollow molded gun barrel muzzle |
| Cons |
"Idiot-proof" directions may be confusing, and care is required |
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$8.95 |
DML continues to roll along with its aggressive small scale
program, and in response to comments from modelers and reviews
also continues to adjust its production to meet demands. In
the first kit of this series, No. 7231 which was the "Porsche" turreted
Tiger II, the hull components were diecast metal. While they
were nicely done and gave the model some "heft" they also made
it nearly impossible to get a neat, clean assembly job or do
any modifications or "super-detailing" to that hull. This kit
now comes with a similar – but all-styrene – two-piece hull.
It assembles the same way (a screw under the radio operator's
hatch and one under the engine insert at the rear of the hull,
which appear to be "optional" as the directions no longer call
for them to be used.)
The kit is very neatly done and clean, with separate suspension
bogies provided for the eight road wheels on each side of the
hull. There is an engine deck underlay with separate manifold
section and an optional position hatch, and grilles are included
for the six deck openings, a feature which now seems to be
a DML hallmark in this scale. While the aforementioned radio
operator's hatch is separate, most of the rest are not and
only a flap is provided for the commander. Someone must have
felt tow shackles are a problem as the kit comes with 12 of
them!
Most of the rest of the details are straightforward. Using
their new sliding molds, DML have once again provided a 12.8
cm barrel with its muzzle already open to a depth of a few
millimeters, a very nice touch and one that with some careful
use of a "Flexi-File" will obviate te need to replace the barrel.
But there are some oddities that also come in this kit, such
as a nicely done 8.8 cm barrel with muzzle brake. Considering
all the rest of the parts on that sprue are for a Jagdtiger,
the reason for that part escapes me!
The single-section tracks are well done, but as noted still
require the use of ACC (cyanoacrylic) glue to assemble.
A "number jungle" decal sheet is included, and painting directions
are provided for a vehicle from 3rd Company, sPzJgAbt 653 in
Germany 1945 or an unidentified vehicle in the three-color
scheme, also Germany 1945.
Overall this is a nice little kit and another notch in DML's
accomplishments in this scale.
Thanks to Freddie Leung of DML for the review sample.
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