wbill76 and, I think biffa too, are building Dragon “Smart Kits”…what’s the deal?. Is there a minimum I.Q. requirement warning on the label or what???[(-D] Being strictly a Tamiya guy I’m kinda’ clueless on this one. Are they more detailed, easier to build,do they cost extra $, more goodies…somebody fill me in please…I’m feeling like this…[D)]
The smart kits offer a high amount of detail straight from the box, with a minimum use of PE or other multimedia materials. They also try to get higher detail with a lower amount of parts, both of which differ it from a Premium Kit.
I think that’s it, but I’ve never built one. I do have a couple in the stash though. [:P]
DML’s kits are arguably the best on the market in terms of molding technology and crispness of detail with their latest releases over the last couple of years. The concept of a “Smart Kit” developed out of the fact that they experimented, briefly, with the concept of “Super Kits” and “3-in-1s” that were all-in-wonders of 1000 parts, PE, metal barrels, etc. that also often allowed for building different vehicle versions/configurations all in the same box but which some were turned off by as being too complicated. The concept of the “Smart Kit” is that instead of loading a kit up with advanced PE and goodies, they utilized slide-mold technology more and made the parts-count more streamlined without sacrificing detail for the most part in the process. As a result, they are supposed to be easier to build but still accurate/detailed and “Smart” in the balance achieved as a result.
The Pz IV G is the first “Smart Kit” that I’ve built even though I’ve got several others in the stash. This particular kit has built up with Tamiya-like ease in terms of fit and engineering. HTH.
It basically means more options without the hassle of sanding off detail to match a particular version of a tank that didn’t have that detail. Meaning that there are multiple parts (like two different turrets) for the same part so you don’t have to do a lot of surgery.
O.K. I get the jist…“modeler friendly”, right? Now, I KNOW, biffa’s engine deck grill is PE for his T34, I forget if he said that came with the kit, what gives. Couple more questions: What about cost? $40-$50 range? Can I use Tamiya Paints without some sorta’ conversion chart? Does such a chart exist?
Well put…
Cost varies on when and where you buy the kit (buy it from the online Asian suppliers and it’s generally cheaper depending). MSRP for Smart Kits range $35-$45 for the most part. Some kits include optional PE items (the Pz III Ausf N. for example that’s next on my list includes PE grills), some still have PE only parts, etc. all depends.
So far as I’m aware though, no T-34s have been released as a “Smart Kit”, only as “Premium Kits”. A “Premium” kit is an older previously released kit that’s been given a “face-lift” to bring it up to more modern standards through new parts/sprues and PE.
As far as using Tamiya paints, DML kits are styrene just like the Tamiya kits. [:P] Sorry, couldn’t resist it…usually DML kits provide color call-outs for Aqueous Hobby Colour, Mr. Colour, or Model Master paints. It’s not hard though to figure out what Tamiya colors you need…the names are mostly the same.
ouch[B)]…I knew that was coming from somebody…too good an opportunity to pass-up.
I might try one of those DML’s sometime, they sure look good, price sounds reasonable too.
Hey, I checked out your weblink, REALLY like that gray and white Tiger…a bit dirty on that fender though…couldn’t resist either[;)]. Seriously, that is one great looking Tiger, love that paint scheme[tup]!!!
Fine Scale Modeler put out a special issue last year called How To Paint & Weather Scale Models. I think its still available. It had a great W.W.2 conversion chart as well as a U.S. Military A/C Colors “1955-2001” chart thats very helpful.
please forgive me as I join SMJmodeler sitting in the corner but what are the tracks like in the smart kits? are all of the Dragon kits with individual links?
Plastic details still aren’t good enough, even with slidemolds. I don’t like smart kits because they tend to have more “details” molded together with other pieces, need to cut them off and sand them down before replacing with PE.
Some white boxes (cyber hobby) are in the smart kit format now too.
Until recently, all of Dragon’s armor kits had either link and length (primarily their modern era kits, eg. T-72, MLRS, “old tool” Abrams) tracks or (most of their WWII kits) indy links, either of the “traditional” type or “magic tracks”.
In recent times, some kits have been released with one-piece, flexible “Dragon Styrene” rubber-band type tracks instead of indy-links.
Hey SMJ - have you never done a DML kit before? Kind of surprised. Figured you were all over that. [;)]
Biffa is doing kit 6205 for the Winter Warriors GB, which is just a “standard” DML offering…not Smart, Premium, Super, or 3-1. Just a plain ol’ T-34 Mod 41, which happens to come with some PE grills. You’re going to find that just about all of the DML offerings retail for about $40-$45, but they can certainly be had for less than that (trust me!) if you’re willing to spend some time poking around. As for a conversion chart, there’s a lot of attempts at it, but no definitive reference. Just about every paint manufacturer does the “standard” German colors, just consult their own color charts. I know I’ve tried some other types but end up sticking with the tried-and-true Tamiya XF60 just because I like how it airbrushes.
I have a copy of the FSM chart somewhere, if you’d like to me to scan it for you let me know, I’d be happy to. [:D]
Oh, you can also try here- http://ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/colorcharts_2.asp - that should have at least some of what you’re looking for.
Thanks SMJ, on the Tiger you’ll notice that there’s dirt/mud and wear on the whitewash but no rust (except the exhausts and tracks) on the hull itself. [8D] The paint scheme, and the story of #100, is fascinating. Those elephant-like boxes on the turret sides just make this one of those really odd stand-outs and you can really see why they didn’t stick with that (and other) layouts on the very first Tigers. Glad you liked it. [#toast]
I got Dragon’s Panzer III ausf J “Smart Kit” to convert into a Bergepanzer III. I like the kit but it has so much detail that my eyes are beginning to cross! I have already had more pieces go flying off from this one kit than the last three that I have done. It’s a good thing that I already have an optivisor. I think it’s a “smart kit” because by the time I get done I will have lost enough IQ points to where the kit will be smarter than me (some might argue that this was rue before I ordered it).
I will say that I like the detail, it is some what brain numbing.
Grizz
dupes,
With the exception of one Italeri kit, all my builds have been Tamiya. But I hear Dragon is as good or even better in some opinions than Tamiya. You know how you just get a comfort level and don’t want to change? I’d give one a try, especially if I could pick one up at a vendor table at a reduced cost.
I recall that FSM chart, just don’t recall the issue, hopefully someone can post the year and month and I’ll dig it out.
In my opinion, the standard of current Dragon 1/35 armour kits is way better than what Tamiya are achieving, and has been for the last few years. Compare, for example, the two companies’ Tiger I amd Abrams kits. Also, their prices are, in the UK at least, roughly 2/3 what Tamiya’s importers charge.
Here’s Dragon’s Flak 36:
and their Pz. IV Ausf. E:
I’m building their 1/35 Nashorn at the moment. Fiddly, but very detailed.
Cheers,
Chris.
Oh ya, dragon’s flak 36 kicks the cr*p out of tamiya’s.
The tiger kits from dml are like best plastic ever. Not only the crisp details, but the fact every little piece was designed so they could be easily modified to become movable. All the hatches, weapons, fenders, vision ports…
IIRC, most of the premium kits were repackaged older stuff. The non-smart non-premium kits are my favorites. Lionroar PE aren’t the best on the market anyway, buying premium dragon is really a waste of money, unless they’re dirt cheap, of course.
Well now I don’t know that I’d go QUITE that far. I’ve seen an awful lot of nice builds utilizing both the Premium DML kits as well as the original releases without the PE and other assorted goodies. Not to mention the fact that they can be found very very inexpensively. [;)]
Use dragon’s late tiger 3 in 1 kits as example. 6406 is in production so you can get it for ~$35. The newer voyager PE set for that kit is ~$25. Add Armorscale barrel and the whole thing will total ~$70.
The out of production 6253 (came with LR PE and a metal+plastic barrel) would cost you around 70 bucks too.
In this case, with 6406, you’re getting the same plastic, much better PE (VM set is easier to construct and included way more parts) and a much better barrel (AS has rifling and it’s a 11 piece all metal construction).