Model Kit Reviews

[MAGNA]

That's a really nice job, especially the decals Geek.

I'm just going to slip a quick review in here if you don't mind. It may help those who are looking at gaming when purchasing.

This is a review of two model kits in 1/72nd scale. As the models I buy usually end up on the games table I am always looking for different variants.

The first is the Dragon JagdPanzer IV L/70. The production model I suppose. The kit comes with a large number of small parts and extra road wheels for some reason. It even has an extra mantlet. Etched brass parts are included, some of which are literally tiny. There are two levels with this kit. For example, the rear hull top can be put together from parts including separate tools, or there is a moulded one piece part. I used the one piece part before I realised this option was available. I still would have gone that way and kept the other bits had I known.

The second kit is the Hasegawa Ostwind, again based on the Panzer IV. This kit has extra parts as well. It includes the Panzer IV turret with the L/48 gun, a bonus for gaming as it means two vehicle types available. The other extras include an unusual hull top which apparently comes with the Morser Karl kit and is for the munitions panzer.

Both kits are flash free with very good fitting of small parts. The Dragon kit did have a problem when it came to putting the top hull piece on though. The top and bottom hulls have a rod and pin system moulded in. The large hollow rods are in the bottom and the pins are in the top. The pins did not line up properly with the rods and were not straight. The pins had to be sliced on one side to fit. Even then the hulls twisted and would not line up. More slicing. It seemed strange to have to do this when everything else fitted so well.

The Hasegawa tracks were short and one was split. Unfortunately the Ostwind didn't come with cock-up covers so extra 'dirt' was required on the tracks.

The instructions;

Dragons - not too good. Confusing at times and out of sequence. If the instructions sequence is followed exactly there would be parts that could never be fitted.

Hasegawa - very good. All in sequence with snippets of info where necessary.

The one noticeable thing about both. They are far more advanced than many earlier kits. The detail added is excellent.

As far as wargaming is concerned, both are good representations. The Dragon kit is more suited to a static display though as the small parts included are going to go missing once it has been on the table a few times. The Hasegawa model is not as likely to have this problem.

Neither kit is for the beginner and both could be enhanced for display purposes.

I don't know about the level of small parts and brass in this scale though. The Dragon kit includes a lot of this. The Hasegawa has some. Once either is painted the extra parts and detail make little difference compared to other kits which have the same detail moulded on or even those which don't have as much detail (unless you get up close). It just isn't worth the extra bother in 1/72nd for gaming.

From building both I have to say they are excellent kits for display in dioramas. If I was to build a kit for single display and wanted all the bits that come with it I would definitely go for a larger scale.

[MAGNA]

More pictures below.

These aren't quite finished - numbers etc to add.

The JagdPanzer is on it's fourth paintjob and still not quite right. If I keep painting it I may reach 1/48th scale yet.

Then all those little parts may be worthwhile.

The commanders umbrella or aerial thingy hasn't been added either as it will surely come off in a game. It has a metal rod and brass top (loctite required) and would look good.

Hope this is all useful to someone.

[Geek44]

They're very cool MAGNA. One of my favourite vehicles is the Jpz. L/70. Now German armour is really my second interest after WW2 aviation and I have a query. As far as I know, there were two versions of the L/70. One is very low and sleek...my favourite and the other is very similar but higher in profile with more of a box-like superstructure. Dragon do versions of both I think...at least they do in 1/72.
Yeah...Dragon are known to be a little weak in the instructions department. who remembers their photo instructions...roundly despised. They have a bad habit of showing parts already mounted without drawing attention to them at all. More than once have I noticed a missing part that should have been attached three steps ago but it's too late now. Still, they do such a great kit that I'm happy to persevere.

[MAGNA]

Originally Posted by Geek44

They're very cool MAGNA. One of my favourite vehicles is the Jpz. L/70. Now German armour is really my second interest after WW2 aviation and I have a query. As far as I know, there were two versions of the L/70. One is very low and sleek...my favourite and the other is very similar but higher in profile with more of a box-like superstructure. Dragon do versions of both I think...at least they do in 1/72.
Yeah...Dragon are known to be a little weak in the instructions department. who remembers their photo instructions...roundly despised. They have a bad habit of showing parts already mounted without drawing attention to them at all. More than once have I noticed a missing part that should have been attached three steps ago but it's too late now. Still, they do such a great kit that I'm happy to persevere.

I think the different versions you are referring too are the first L/48 version and the L/70 version. They are mostly the same vehicle but the gun makes them look so much different. Some L/70 machines did not have the side plates on the back of the hull. They actually do look squarer and taller. I don't know if that's the one you mean. Interestingly, the first JagdPanzer was a Stug III superstructure on a Panzer IV hull with the L/48. These became known as the Sturmgeschutz IV for obvious reasons.

The Dragon instructions do require you to have other info on hand and to double check what goes where and when. Still, as you say, the kits themselves are so good they are worth perservering with.

Talking about perservering, the next kit I am doing is a 1/72nd katyusha on truck system. Lots of little bits - might be gaga time.

[lufttiger]

Excellent job with decals Geek, you really got those to set. What brand of
solvent are you using?

Nice to see some 1/72 scale stuff Magna, Duncan gonna like you.

[MAGNA]

The 1/72nd stuff has it's place but it doesn't have the scope for static modelling that the bigger scales do. Some dioramas I have seen in the smaller scale are breathtaking though. Aircraft seem to be good in 1/72 as well.

Are more people using 1/48th for aircraft and AFV's now ? There seem to be a lot available.

[Geek44]

All that sounds like you're right about the two versions. My knowledge is pretty school boy. Maybe 'School boy plus'.
I like the L/70 with the long 75mm. I've built two in the past...Tamiya and Monogram I think...Panzermacher will know the kit I mean. It actually had moulded on zimmerit but at the time, I didn't know what it was.

Luft I'm using Gunze 'Mr Mark Setter' and 'Mr Mark Softer'...that's not a typo but a bad translation. I never knew how good this stuff was until I learned how to us it properly but the quality of the decals is a bigger factor I think. Bad decals are bad decals but good ones are a joy to use. I was lucky though. While working to 'help' the decal find its way around those shapes, one of them that was almost dry, moved in a really complicated way under my cloth. It took me a while to uncrease it...but it hadn't torn.

Ahh MAGNA...Stalin's Organs. Now THAT's a good subject. Are you familiar with Dragon's Sdkfz.251 'Stuka zu Fuss'? Nice kit.

[lufttiger]

Gunze is hard to find here, maybe Squadron carries it.

[Geek44]

I was always under the (maybe misguided) impression that 'MicroSol' and 'MicroSet' were better. These Gunze products are the only option here.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by Geek44

I was always under the (maybe misguided) impression that 'MicroSol' and 'MicroSet' were better. These Gunze products are the only option here.

I don't know that they are any better but all I have ever used were Micro Sol and Micro Set, that's all I could get. Never tried Gunze but I'm sure it's comparible. Hey if it works, use it - if it works good, use it a lot.

rb