Model Kit Reviews

[Geek44]

Yes MAGNA...I'd be interested too. I've seen some 1/72 stuff that blew my mind.

[Geek44]

Since this thread has turned into a 'review' I think I should treat it as one. I took some photos with info in mind.
This is the packaging for the white-metal tracks by Friulmodel of Hungary. I own maybe six sets...all for German armour but they have a huge range of stuff. I get mine from the net. The links for either side come in separate bags and you get a length of wire to pin the links together...the idea is that these links work...ie. they fuction exactly like the real track. The links are beautiful little things with hollow guide horns on the inside. They take a little cleaning up and you have to ensure the linking holes are all drilled out.
FriulATL-02.jpg

These are 'bits' photos. You can clearly see the way the road wheels are assembled. The tyres are seperate parts so painting is a breeze. The tyres also have a microscopic 'Continental' logo. There have been copyright issues (of course) so Dragon have actually moulded the word 'Continentau'. Some freaks change the 'u' into an 'l' but I couldn't be bothered as the logo is so small.
Bits1.jpg

Other 'bit's pics show parts like the aerial and a retainer for the three jerry cans that I've made. The aerial is supplied but it has a mould seam along its length. Sanding that off and I bent it until it nearly broke. I've filed a piece of copper wire into a suitable taper and glued it onto the mount. The jerry can retainer is made from aluminium from a Coke can.

Bits3.jpg
The kit includes three five part jerry cans. One part is a brass 'seam' that sandwiches between the main halves. Also included is a length of rather nice braided wire and towing eyes for making tow cables. This pic also shows a short length of track and a coupke of free links.
Bits2.jpg

[Geek44]

This and the following post are kinda 'Walkaround' pics of the model to give an idea of what's represented and how well (or not).
The mouldings are very crisp and some of the detail is just awe inspiring like the counter-sunk screws on the turret roof.
Sprocket.jpg
Walkaround1.jpg
Walkaround2.jpg
Walkaround3.jpg

[Geek44]

And these...
Sorry forgot to attach the pics.

[Geek44]

Walkaround4.jpg

Walkaround5.jpg

Walkaround6.jpg

Walkaround7.jpg

[Geek44]

The great thing about this kit is the choice that's offered. You can use the brass or the plastic equivalents for most things from the turret bin mounts and locks to the tool clamps. The locks on the turret bin are five parts each. Or you can just settle for the moulded on equivalents. They don't really represent the lock and clasp of the brass, but at least these features are alluded to. I've gone for a mixture of simple and complex. I've used the brass tool clamps where tools will be missing, but where the tool is present, I've settled for the tools with the clamps moulded on.
You'll also note some battle damage to the turret bin rear. I thinned the plastic from the inside with a file, then pushed a large needle through the plastic to represent some kind of impact. This will hopefully be more apparent when weathering starts apace. You might be able to see some lightening of panels toward their centres. I was spraying small patches of clear gloss to accommodate the decals (I have a real challenge here). I like the effect so much I continued to highlite panels on the whole tank. It's the first time I've ever used anything other than a completely matt finish on a vehicle and I really like it. It looks more like metal than painted plastic which is what I'm aiming for. Weathering will tone it down later anyway.

[Geek44]

Here are the two decal sheets supplied with the kit.
Decals1.jpg

Decals2.jpg

The vehicle I'm building will have the large grey '411' decals applied. The numbers on the turret have to go over some pretty lumpy detail. This is the challenge I alluded to earlier. I thought I would back off and go with another option but I decided to attempt the harder option. Thinking about it for a few days, I explored the idea of painting the numbers of by hand or masking. The white edges on the numerals is very fine and I doubt I could mask well enough on such a surface so I'm going with the decals. What I will do is cut the numbers out individually. The area I'm talkin about here is shown in the second last pic on post number 15 above. I'm talking about over the vision slits forward of the turret hatches.
Thanks for bearing with me if you have.
Peace.

[Tom Houlihan]

Originally Posted by Geek44

The numbers on the turret have to go over some pretty lumpy detail. This is the challenge I alluded to earlier. I thought I would back off and go with another option but I decided to attempt the harder option.

Waddya they call it, Decalset, or something like that?

Basically, it's some kind of mild solvent that you brush on the decal when it's in place. It allows the decal to better mold itself to the surface detail.

I've never used it, but it's talked about in all the mags and forums...

[Geek44]

Yeah I use that stuff...setter AND solvent as a matter of course. It's pretty good stuff but it has limits. One can also add a drop of dish washing liquid to the water which helps...or Windex. Anything that breaks the surface tension. If my decals are suitably thin they should be okay...it's my first 'new' Dragon kit so I don't know until I start...maybe tonight.

[Geek44]

There weren't many decals to apply to this model...maybe eight all told. Six of them were really straightforward but as I mentioned, the numbers on the turret sides were always going to be a challenge. I attempted those ones last but during the application, I wished I hadn't. As it happened, the decals are of excellent quality and are neither too thick nor thin. They responded really well to the decal solvent too. After the odd cut with a scalpel or a jab with a large needle, the numbers conformed pretty well over the bulky detail. It took maybe six passes with the solvent but they eventually lay down...I'll just need to do a quick touch up with some paint...I'm happy with the result.
PzIV 001.jpg

PzIV 002.jpg

PzIV 003.jpg

PzIV 004.jpg