Hey all, I used to make some models casually on the side back in high school (20 years ago) and my wife just got me some last year for xmas to get back into it. So far I’ve put together a simple Testors 1/72 F4 Corsair, a Revell P-61 Black Widow and finally to get into armour a Tamiya 1/48 Tiger (WIP). She just got me a 1/35 Panther G Smart kit from Dragon this year and I have to ask…this is my first Dragon kit. Are all the Dragon kits this complex? I’m sure I’m up to it, but I was amazed at all the parts. I think I’ll have to some Panther books to figure out which variant to recreate. But I wanted to see if Dragon kits were generally more difficult or did I just luck out. Well, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from reading through this forum. Also, got an Aztek A430 airbrush so that will help with the painting.
jackdp-IMHO, the Dragon armor kits are a bit more complex than the Tamiya versions, especially when it comes to trying to read the instruction sheet. I too am relying on a Squadron Walk Around when I start my StuG III G-should help in trying to figure out where the parts go!
Good luck and keep us posted.
The Smart Kits are actually easier than their Premium Editions, because of the lack of PE involved. Less parts and supposedly easier to build. Some of the Dragon kits like the Panzer IV E have more than 1000 pieces! Though many might like the high number, but I prefer a more modest number to get a build finished.
Hi Jack, welcome back from 20 years of slumber.
Like Eric said, the Smart Kit is easier to build then the regular Dragon kit.
However, I recomend to put aside the Dragon kit first and go get and build one of those Trumpeter KV family (cheap US$9) just to familiar your self with the new molding technology. The plastic they use these days (to me) is a little different then 20 years ago. I’m sure you also want to re-energized your painting skillz back again.
Once you get the hang, then the Smart Kit is next.
Ben
I’m actually just painting the 1/48 Tamiya Tiger and then next I’ll probably do a Tamiya 1/35 T-34. After those I’ll probably move onto the Smart Kit. I am impressed with the newer Tamiya and Dragon parts. When I built stuff before I remember having to do a lot of cleaning up on the parts in the Revell kits I mainly had, these new moldings look perfect. I’m sure it’ll be a learning experience. I’ll also have to learn to do some weathering, never tried that before. Cheers.