Dragon Models
website: www.dragon-models.com email: info(at)dragon-models(dot)com
Plastic kits from Hong Kong. The very first kits came with a die-cast hull and vinyl tyres, later ones are completely out of plastic with "DS" (Dragon Styrene) tracks. If nothing is mentioned in the "Comments" box, then the kit is plastic with DS tracks.
Apparently some kits were modified during their production run, replacing vinyl with DS tracks and possibly die-cast with plastic hulls. If you have more info, you are welcome to let us know.

Kits
Kit Number Kit Name Comments Previews Reviews Articles
7201 Sd.Kfz. 184 Elefant Detailed and accurate kit with vinyl tracks. Preview    
7202 Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand Detailed but inaccurate kit with vinyl tracks. Preview    
7203 Tiger I Ausf. E Late Includes zimmerit molded into the plastic. Early kits with vinyl tracks, later ones with DS tracks.
Turret lacks asymmetrical shape.

Preview 1

Preview 2

   
7204 38cm Assault Mortar Sturmtiger Includes a cast metal hull. Otherwise a nice kit. Vinyl tracks.

Preview 1

Preview 2

Rob Haelterman

 
7205 Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther Ausf. G Early Includes a very poor die-cast metal hull and chassis. Very poor fit. Vinyl tracks.
Note that early G's (the ones without the reinforced gun mantlet) carried Zimmerit, which the kit does not have.
Preview    
7206 Sd.Kfz. 171 Panther Ausf. G Late Same as Panther G early, but with the chin mantlet. No steel wheels. Vinyl tracks. Die-cast hull.      
7207 Panther Ausf. F Same basic kit as Panther G, but with a new turret and steel wheels. Vinyl tracks. Preview

Rob Haelterman

 
7208 SU-100 Tank Destroyer    Preview 1

Preview 2
   
7209 Sd.Kfz. 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI (P) Highly detailed kit, suffers from the lack of Zimmerit on the hull and turret Preview    
7210 Bergepanzer Tiger I w/zimmerit Turret lacks asymmetrical shape.
The front of the kit is inaccurate.
- Timothy Lau
Preview Rob Haelterman  
7211 SU-85M    Preview    
7212 Jagdpanther Late Version Die-cast metal hull. Vinyl tracks. Contains all necessary parts to make early Jagdpanther as well, apart from the second driver's visor.     Rob Haelterman & Rob Pye
7213 M1A1 Abrams with Mine Plow Mediocre model. Vinyl tracks, simplistic hull, but overall nicely detailed. Preview    
7215 M1A1 Abrams Iraq 2003 Mediocre model. Vinyl tracks, simplistic hull, but overall nicely detailed. Preview    
7216 M1A2 Abrams NTC Mediocre model. Vinyl tracks, simplistic hull, but overall nicely detailed. Preview    
7221 AAV-7A1 Die-cast metal hull. Vinyl tracks. Preview    
7222 Challenger II - KFOR Challenger 2 without add-on armor. Preview   Simon Barnes
7223 Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.C    Preview    
7224 T-34/76 Mod.1942 with cast turret As with most (all ?) of Dragon's T-34s the driver's vision slit covers are molded closed. Preview    
7225 Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D    Preview   Stephen Brezinski
7226 M2A2 Bradley ODS Incorporates modifications resulting from Operation Desert Storm.
Vinyl tracks.
Preview    
7227 Bergepanzer Tiger (P)    Preview    
7228 Challenger II - Iraq 2003 Depicts a vehicle from Operation Telic with add-on armor. Vinyl tracks. Preview  

Simon Barnes (1)

Simon Barnes (2)

7229 M3A2 Bradley ODS Incorporates modifications resulting from Operation Desert Storm.
Vinyl tracks.
     
7230 PzBeobWg V Ausf. G Observer version of Panther. Metal hull.      
7231 King Tiger, Porsche Turret

If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

First releases had the old vinyl tracks; later releases unsure.

     
7232 Leopard 2A6 Can also build a Leopard 2A5. Vinyl tracks in early kits, DS in later kits. Preview    
7233 AAVP 7A1 w/EAAK An updated kit of the original AAVP7A1 this time with a plastic hull Preview    
7234 Sd.Kfz.164 Hornisse Highly detail kit and accurate kit with DS100 track

Preview1

Preview2

   
7235 Sd.Kfz.167 Stug IV Early Highly detailed kit with DS 100 Tracks, includes PE and plastic schurzen

Preview 1

Preview 2

Stefano Dell'Acqua
7236 Flakpanzer V "Coelian" New turret, old Ausf.G hull. No longer any PE. Two marking options for "unidentified units", which are both hypothetical as the vehicle never saw service      
7237 AAVP-7A1 RAM/RS    Preview    
7238 Jagd Pz IV L/70 Command    Preview    
7239 Avenger + M1037         
7240 Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger Henschel Turret w/Zimmerit Same kit as the earlier 7246 model but with moulded zimmerit and DS100 tracks

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If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

 
Preview    
7241 Jagdpanther Early Version With zimmerit. Armor Pro Series. Vinyl tracks in early batch, DS tracks in later batch (?). Preview

Ian Cowley

Danilo Carli

Rob Haelterman (used in conversion to M10)

Rob Haelterman & Rob Pye
7242 Brummbär mid production

The kit has the part for the base of a Sternantenna (part 85) which is not for use. The Sternantenna is not included, but this part will help if the modeler wants to convert the vehicle to a command vehicle.

The kit has only 18 wheels, while it would need 20 (16 + 4 spare). The "old" Dragon Ausf. F1, F2, G, and H kits all have 20 wheels, but only need 18 and can serve as a donor. (Note that the new releases are different.)

Preview    
7244 Sd.kfz.165 Hummel Early Version   

Preview1

Preview2

   
7245 HMMWV M1025 ASK with LRAS3 and with Loudspeaker (Twin Pack)        Doug Chaltry
7246 King Tiger, Henschel Turret

Fairly good model. Plastic hull, but with vinyl tracks.

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If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

 
Preview    
7247 M2A2 ODS Bradley OIF II Iraq 2004 Incorporates modifications from Operation Desert Storm.
Vinyl tracks.
     
7248 HMMWV M1114 with improved air conditioning and M1114 with armored gun turret        Doug Chaltry
7249 Leopard 2A4 Armor Pro Series. Vinyl tracks (pre-painted).      
7250 Sd.Kfz. 186 Jagdtiger (Porsche) Highly detailed and accurate kit. Vinyl tracks. Preview
Preview 2
   
7251 Tiger I Ausf. E Includes zimmerit molded into the plastic. Turret lacks asymmetrical shape. Preview     
7252 Sd.Kfz.171 PANTHER G Early Production w/Zimmerit   Preview    
7253 Sd.Kfz. 184 Elefant Highly detailed and accurate kit. Armor Pro Series.
Vinyl and styrene (L&L) tracks.
Preview    
7254 KingTiger Porsche Turret with Zimmerit If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

     
7255 Maus Super Heavy Tank Very detailed and fairly accurate kit.
DS Tracks
Preview Rob Haelterman (hull)  
7256 E-100 Super Heavy Tank Very detailed and fairly accurate kit.
DS tracks.
There seems to have been three different releases of this kit: one with figures and a turret with closed hatches, one with figures and a slightly different turret with open hatches (like the Maus kit) and one without figures and the latter turret. The release without figures can be identified from the pictures on the side of the box.
Preview

Rob Haelterman

Olav Hauke

 
7257 1/72 LCM(3) Landing Craft w/29th Infantry Div         
7258 T-34/76 Model 1940 Highly detailed kit, but with horrible vinyl tracks and some accuracy errors. Armor Pro Series. Preview    
7259 T-34/76 Model 1941 Highly detailed kit, with the rear plate being corrected to include the square hatch, tracks are made out of the new DS100 Preview    
7260 Stug IV Late Model Highly detailed kit, with DS100 tracks.

Preview 1

Preview 2


Stefano Dell'Acqua

Stephen Brezinski

7262 T-34/76 Mod. 1941 Cast Turret Same model as the earlier kit but with a cast turret.      
7265 Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.C Pionierpanzerwagen    Preview    
7266 T-34/76 Mod. 1942 Highly detailed kit with a correctly shaped hexagonal turret and DS 100 tracks with enough slack to produce a nice sag.
Transmission cover (part 15) different from majority of vehicles in pictures.
Preview    
7268 T-34/76 Mod.1943 German Army

Also released as  
T-34/76 Mod.
1942 German Army.
Earlier releases have PE set for engine that doesn't fit the plastic part, later releases have this fixed.

Timothy Lau points out that

  • Vehicle 1023 has the wrong type of turret (the kit is hard edge, the real vehicle soft edge) and lacks Swastikas.
  • Vehicle 742 should have its number placed lower than in the instructions
Preview    
7269 T-34/85 Mod. 1944 Highly detailed kit, an earlier model than the Revell kit with the rounded fenders Preview    
7270 T-34/85 Mod. 1944 late production Highly detailed kit, includes PE "Bed spring" Armour Preview    
7271 M4A3 (76) W VVSS Sherman Highly detailed plastic kit. Vinyl tracks in very first kits, DS in later kits.

Preview

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7273 M4A1 Sherman Normandy Cast hull version (the original tank, not a die-cast model part). Vinyl tracks in very first kits, DS in later kits. The earliest releases had a problem with the bogies, but has been revised to include the corrected bogie sprue. Also, the turret sprue has been replaced with the turret from the M4A2 Sherman III kit.

Preview

Combined preview

172Shermans.com

172Shermans.com  
7274 M4A3 105mm VVSS Same as the tank kit with a new turret for the 105 mm

Preview

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7275 M4A2(76)W Red Army   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7276 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 Early Production    Preview    
7277 T34/76 Mod 1943    Preview    
7278 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. G

5 Marking options.

According to Timothy Lau the "Totenkopf" marking option is actually a vehicle from "Wiking", seen here or here and would need parts of an Ausf.F2 kit like the globular muzzle brake.

     
7280 Sd.Kfz.251/10 Ausf.D    Preview    
7283 StuG III Ausf. G Early Instructions sometimes mix up left and right (e.g. A1/2, B1/2, B7/8, A12/13);
Lifting hooks on air exhausts upside down; fender braces too short; driver visor in closed position.
Preview   Stephen Brezinski
7284 StuH 42 early

Howitzer variant of StuG III. The same comments hold as for kit 7283, of which all the parts are also included. This means you can build this kit as a StuG or StuH and with different types of front armor, which in my opinion makes this the better choice between the two kits (apart from the decals.)
Parts A24 & A25 are marked not for use, but the manual uses them nevertheless. You only get two marking options, both of unidentified units, resp. in Germany (1945) and the Ardennes (1944) - R. Haelterman

Timothy Lau points out that the decals for "132" might possibly be based on this vehicle (here and here). If so, it was not a StuH and it was not in the Ardennes and it was not an ambush scheme.

     
7285 Challenger 2 with dozer blade        Simon Barnes
7286 StuG III Ausf.F   Preview    
7287 Challenger 2 with Bar armor    Preview   Simon Barnes
7288 Sherman Mk.III   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7290 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.M with wading muffler I am very doubtful about the first marking option for the Totenkopf vehicle as it seems to be an Ausf.L
-  Timothy Lau
     
7291 Sd.Kfz.186 Jagdtiger Porsche Production w/Zimmerit    Preview Al Magnus  
7292 Sd.Kfz.164 Nashorn  

Preview1

Preview2

   
7293 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 Late Production Beautifully detailed with several extra bits in the kit (such as metal gun barrel and photoetch), but with some incorrect angles on the hull.

Preview 1

Preview 2

Philippe Bonnet  
7294 M1025 HMMWV w/ASK Includes two complete Humvees: one with the additional armor package, the other without. Preview   Doug Chaltry
7295 HMMWV: M1114 w/M2 + M1114 w/Mk.19        Doug Chaltry
7296 HMMWV: M1045 TOW + M1046 TOW w/ASK        Doug Chaltry
7297 HMMWV - 'Gun Truck' + 'Cargo'        Doug Chaltry
7298 M2A2 w/ERA The fourth version this time with the ERA armour. Preview     
7300 Firefly Vc "Douglas Kay" Special edition of kit 7303 

Preview (@ 172shermans)

Combined preview

   
7301 Sd.kfz.165 HUMMEL late version         
7302 M4A3E8(76)W   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7303 Firefly Vc 17pdr armed version of the M4A4 hull. Vinyl tracks.

Preview

Combined preview

Andy Bannister

172Shermans.com

 
7304 M4A1 76 (W)   

Preview

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7305 Sherman M4A2 "Tarawa"   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

Stephen Brezinski  
7306 Sd.Kfz 251/2 Ausf. C mit Wurfrahmen 40 Actually a /1. Highly detailed Kit.

Preview 1
Preview 2

   
7307 Jagd PzIV L/70 Early    Preview    
7308 Sd.Kfz 251/2 ausf C Riveted version mit Granatwerfer Early version mounting a Mortar. Preview 1
Preview 2
   
7309 HMMVV HMMWV Troop Carrier with M998 Variants. Apparently 2 kits in one box.     Doug Chaltry
7310 Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.D with Wurfrahmen 40 Actually a /1 Preview    
7311 M4A4   

Preview

Preview (@ 172shermans)

Combined preview

Doug Chaltry (@ 172shermans)  
7312 Sherman Mk. V "Tulip"   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7313 M4A3 105mm HVSS   

Preview

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

   
7314 Sd.Kfz.251/10 Ausf.C with 3.7cm Pak    Preview    
7315 Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.C Pionierpanzerwagen with 2.8cm SPzB 41    Preview    
7316 German T-34/76 Model 1941 with Panzer III cupola         
7317 Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.D w/2.8cm sPzB 41    Preview 1
Preview 2
   
7318 AAV7A-1 MICLIC         
7319 AAVR7A-1          
7320 SU-85 Tank Destroyer         
7321 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F1 (F)   Preview    
7322 Sherman Firefly Ic   

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

 Stephen Brezinski   
7324 M2A3 Bradley IFV         
7327 Churchill Mk.III AVRE        
7330 M4A3 Sherman (105mm) w/Deep Wading Kit    Combined preview     
7332 M6 Bradley Linebacker Air Defence vehicle         
7333 M3A2 ODS Bradley with ERA         
7339 Panther G with steel road wheels Apparently dimensionally accurate, but still based on previous Panther kits, which means poor instructions and poor casting quality. DS tracks, no PE. 5 marking options.      
7345 Jagdtiger Henschel Production with 2 Metric Ton Lifting Crane    Preview    
7347 German Sturmtiger with Zimmerit Possibly never released and only used as a basis for ready-made kits      
7348 Sd.Kfz.251/2 Ausf.D mit 28cm rocket and steel frame crates Actually a /1 Preview    
7351 Sd.Kfz.251/22 Ausf.D with 7.5 cm PaK 40    Preview   Dave Showell (Kit bash)
7352 Sd. Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C + 3.7cm PaK 35/36    Preview    
7354 StuG III Ausf G with Schürzen    Preview    
7357 Tiger I Gruppe Fehrman   Preview     
7359 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. F2

According to Timothy Lau the marking option for 11 Pz.Div. is questionable.
Decal 7 should be replaced with a 11 Pz.Div. divisional insignia where the ghost faces left and should be repositioned from the hull to the turret. (Note that the 11. Pz.Div. insignia always points left. )
The parallelogram in the instructions is perhaps not applicable to this vehicle.

     
7360 LCM(3) Landing Craft and M4A1 Sherman with deep wading equipment     Combined preview    
7361 Fallschirmjäger and Panzer VI KingTiger - Part 1  If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

     
7362 Fallschirmjäger and Panzer VI KingTiger - Part 2 

If you build the kit OOTB, you will get misaligned drive sprocket teeth. The left and right halves of the drive sprocket (on any given side of the tank) will not line up.

When you mount the tracks, you will notice that the rubber band track is twisted from one set of teeth from half of the sprocket pushing the tracks outwards due to the misalignment. - Y.C. Wang

     
7363 Tank Crew and Panther Ausf.G Early          
7364 LAH Panzergrenadiers + Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.D, Ardennes 1944 Set of four figures with some spare parts, like a Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.D. This set reflects the original scenes photographed on 18 December 1944 in Poteau (Ardennes, Belgium). The four figures are completely new toolings. The grenadiers are depicted enjoying a cigarette in a lull after their successful ambush.      
7367 Sherman M4 Normandy with deep wading equipment   

Preview

172Shermans.com

Combined preview

Danilo Carli  
7369 Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D + towed 7.5 cm PaK 40    Preview    
7370 Pz.Kpfw. VI Tiger I Ausf. E (Sd Kfz 181) "Initial Production" With a bin of each side of the turret.
One marking option for a vehicle on the Leningrad front in 1942.
These kits are not simple declinations of earlier Tiger kits, but highly improved molds, with correct asymmetric turrets, open hatches with detail on the underside, full radiator detail, a rudimentary turret interior and better detail.
 Preview    
7371 Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf. C Rivetted version + towed 3.7 cm PaK 35/36 Unlike 7306, you can no longer chose between a bolted or a riveted upper hull (unless you shave off the rivets). Markings for only one vehicle. Preview    
 7372 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.J        
7373 Beutepanzer M4A2 75mm   

172Shermans.com

Preview 2

Combined preview

   
7374 7.5cm PaK 40 w/Gun Crew + 3.7cm PaK 35/36 Includes PE, decals, and five multi-part figures. The equipment for these figures is plentyful, with 22 weapons (Kar98k, G41/43, MG34, MG42, MP38/40, MP44, MP3008) provided and a lot of personal equipment.
The PaK40 comes with three types of gun barrel, two choices of recoil slide end caps, two different trail handles, two recoil guards and cast or spoked wheels. 4 rounds are provided.
  Al Magnus Al Magnus
7376 Tiger I, Initial Production s.Pz.Abt.502

The kit has two decal options.The decal option for vehicle "123" in this and the 1/35 kit was based on an erroneous interpretation (here and here).
-  Timothy Lau

This is the Tiger with a Panzer III bin on the rear of the turret.
These kits are not simple declinations of earlier Tiger kits, but highly improved molds, with correct asymmetric turrets, open hatches with detail on the underside, full radiator detail, a rudimentary turret interior and better detail.

 

 

 Preview    
7377 Krupp Protze Kfz.70   Preview Rob Haelterman  
7378 Kfz.18 Horch 4x4 Type 1a        
7379 IJA Type 97 "Chi-Ha" Late Production        
7385 Kit 7385 - Panzer III ausf L late version        
7386 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N DAK   Preview    
7387 LVT-(A)1         
7388 LVT-(A)4    Preview (1)
Preview (2)
   
7389 LVT-4 Water Buffalo & 1/4 ton 4x4 (Jeep) 2 models included Preview    
7391 Ferdinand versus T34/76 2 models included      
7393 Sd.Kfz.222 2 models included      
7394 Type 95 "Ha-Go"   Preview    
7395 Type 97 "Chi-Ha"; Early Production   Preview    
7396 British Churchill Mk. III

DS tracks, no PE. Turret hatches can be opened. Bogies require little work thanks to slide mold technology. Three marking options: Tunis and two Dieppe, although for the latter the specific equipment for the exhausts is not provided.

     
7397 Type 97 "Chi-Ha" Medium Tank   Preview Andy Bannister  
7402 Type 95 "Ha-Go" Light Tank - (North China Version)   Preview    
7404 Type 4 "Ke-Nu"   Preview    
7407 Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf.N with Schurzen   Preview    
7412 Jeep Willys MB & Sherman M4A1(76)W VVSS        
7419 Krupp protze Kfz.69 with 3.7cm Pak 35/36        
7420 Sd.Kfz.223 Panzerfunkwagen 2 models included Preview    
7421 Kfz.18 Horch 4x4 Type 1a with roof        
7422 Kfz.18 Horch 4x4 Type 1a with 2cm Flak 38   Inbox pictures Al Magnus
(2cm FlaK 38 only)
 
7423 Jeep Willys MB Armoured 2 models included

This Jeep set appear to be 1/76 scale and not 1/72 scale as advertised. Measurements (in inches) of various parts found in the kit with my dial caliper follow:

  • Jeep wheel base = 80in = 1.1in in 1/72 scale
    Dragon Jeep = 1.05in = 1/76 scale (80/76)
  • Jeep wheel/tire diameter = 6.50x16 = 29in = 0.40in in 1/72 scale
    Dragon Jeep wheel/tire = 0.38in = 1/76 scale (29/76)
  • Bazooka length = 54.72in = 0.76in in 1/72 scale
    Dragon bazooka = 0.72in = 1/76 scale (54.72/76)

I assume that the Jeep released in combination with the Sherman (kit no. 7412) will be the same. So it looks like the 1/76 scale builders have an excellent Jeep to add to their collections while the new Heller/Airfix offering appears to still be the best dimensionally accurate Jeep in 1/72 scale. - Al Magnus
     
7424 Churchill Mk.IV     Danilo Carli    
7429 SdKfz.232

Confusing instructions (e.g. wheels are "optional"). Four marking options, shown without spaced nose armor, engine grille cover or spare tyre, which are shown in the instructions and boxtop.

Timothy Lau points out that the cable mounted on the spaced nose armor is a very rare item.

     
7434 Sd.Kfz.181 Tiger I Mid Production with Zimmerit and Kubelwagen 2 models included Preview    
7435 IJN Type 2 (Ka-Mi) Amphibious Tank   Preview    
7436 Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.1        
7437 Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.2        
7438 Neubau-Fahrzeug Nr.3-5 Rheinmetal     Christopher Benjamin  
7439 LRDG Chevrolet with Lewis MG The model features decals for "Te Aroha," which, in real life, is "Te Aroha III." (There was a "Te Aroha" but the decals weren't meant to represent that one.) The builder should consult the numerous threads about the Tamiya 1/35 kit which prsents the same flaw or this link.
It should be noted that, even though both 7504 and 7439 have decals for "Te Aroha," the actual "Te Aroha III" probably was not armed with either the Lewis or the 2cm Cannon.
- Timothy Lau
     
7440 Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger I Late Production w/Zimmerit + Tiger Aces      
7444 Sd.Kfz.263 Same problem with instructions as 7429. Five marking options.      
7446 Sd.Kfz.260 While similar to the Sd.Kfz.222 and 223 kits, which have two kits in one box, this one only has one. Preview    
7481 SAS Raider 4x4 Truck In the Common Tongue: a Jeep as used by the SAS in NW Europe. The same comments apply as for kit 7423. The wheel hub pattern is a rare (?) type. No decals are included and only one marking option is suggested.      
7482 Tiger I Early Production

The instructions are very doubtful. I suspect the builder needs to adapt the instructions from 1/35 kit 6820. There appears to be a need to use parts that aren't supposed to be used and to ignore instructions about which parts to use. For example, for the "131," you need to use the earlier two canister Feifel, which is not what the instructions tell you to install. Also, the builder should go read David Byrden's site on kit 6820 for help about the other marking instructions. David Byrden also noted to me that the hull top is of a Mid Tiger. The C-hook has to be sliced off.

-  Timothy Lau

Preview    
7483 Sd.Kfz.231 Same problem with instructions as 7429. Five marking options. No PE.      
7485 IJN Type 2 Amphibious Tank (Ka-Mi) w/Floating Pontoon

The instructions are copies of the kit without floats (7435). If you follow them, you will be installing parts to the nose that will impede the fitting of the pontoons.
You will also need to shave off some fittings from the engine deck to make the tower fit. Overall fit is sub-optimal.

According to Timothy Lau, the tower (parts A3, A4, A13, A14) was very rarely fitted to the real vehicle.

     
7486 Type 2 Ka-Mi with floating pontoons - late        
7487 Neubau-fahrzeug Nr.2        
7488 5.5cm Zwilling Flakpanzer        
7489 Panzerfähre Gepanzerte Landwasscherschlepper Prototype Nr.1 The kit is missing the rudder. - Timothy Lau      
7490 Panzerfähre Gepanzerte Landwasserschlepper - Prototype II  The kit is missing the rudder. - Timothy Lau      
7491 Ersatz M10   Preview    
7492 VK.45.02(P)V   Preview    
7493 VK.45.02(P)H Comes with two gun barrels and breech block, bot no other interior parts. No PE.      
7494 SdKfz 171 Panther ausf D (Early) New-tool kit (i.e. not related to earliest releases). Turret hatches closed, no PE, five marking options.   Peter Bergstrom  Stephen Brezinski
 7497 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H w/Schurzen

Inside the box:
If you expect a kit similar to Dragon’s excellent PzIV Ausf. F/G kits then do not buy it. Compared with these kits a lot of details were simplified and the number of parts is reduced. There is also some flash on the sprues which is very unusual for Dragon.
Driver’s and radio operator’s hatches are molded shut in the upper hull, but still have details on the inside. The fit between the upper hull, air inlet and the new lower backplate needs some patience and filler. The lower hull with a flat bottom is from their Brummbär kit. Wheels are the well known late type while the idler is the cast version. All tools on the hull and fenders are molded on. The turret now has integrally molded side doors (with casting faults), door stoppers (which are flat to the sidewalls) and handles. The excellent early cupola from the Ausf. F/G is replaced by a 2 part late cupola with flat engraving, molded on hatch and missing shot deflector ring. The nice gun and front plate are similar to the Ausf. F/G Kit. The Rommelkiste also has an integrally molded hatch. The turret skirts are nice, the hull skirts are of the lowest quality with molded on rails and without any skirt holders around the triangles. (Why did Dragon not use their better Brummbär skirts?)
The skirts (Schürzen) are molded with the holding rail at the bottom instead of the top. To correct this mistake you have to sand down the skirts and scratchbuild a new rail.
The DS tracks were not only warped but also twisted because of inattentive packing.


Version

The missing Filzbalg Luftfilter, antenna rail and the cover for the close defense weapon date this vehicle in my opinion to (approximately) February 1944 , which is the middle of the Zimmerit period.

Historical inaccuracies
- No spare tracks at all (upper/lower hull, right sidewall, back wall and fenders) even though the box art shows a lot of them.
- Missing shot deflector on cupola
- S hooks instead of C hooks
- No towing ropes
- No skirt holders on the skirts and no hooks on the fenders as on the Stug IV/Brummbär kit.
- Close the KFF openings above driver visor
- No Zimmerit

Conclusion
In relation to the higher kit price (in Europe double the price of a Revell Pz IV) I would recommend to buy the Revell Pz4H kit instead and add some smaller details there. With the saved budget you at least have some money for one PE- or Zimmerit set.

To backdate either Revell or Dragon kit to the pre-Zimmerit area will be another story:
- rubber return roller
- angled bow plate at the back
- Schürzen early version
- earlier oval muzzle break
- mid/late hubcaps on wheels (?)
- …

- Robert Kru

It was first thought that perhaps later releases of this kit have corrected Schürzen rails, as a ready made Dragon Model (60656) can be seen with them. It seems that this is not the case. However, it is apparently selling the coorect Schürzen parts as part of kit 7551.

The ready-made 60656 is therefore based on a never-released version that represents the best of the combined 7497 and 7551.

- Timothy Lau

   

Stephen Brezinski

7499 Panther Ausf. A Early Production   Preview    
7504 Long Range Desert Group Patrol Car with 2cm Cannon

This kit has all the parts that 7439 has.

The model features decals for "Te Aroha," which, in real life, is "Te Aroha III." (There was a "Te Aroha" but the decals weren't meant to represent that one.) The builder should consult the numerous threads about the Tamiya 1/35 kit which prsents the same flaw or this link.
It should be noted that, even though both 7504 and 7439 have decals for "Te Aroha," the actual "Te Aroha III" probably was not armed with either the Lewis or the 2cm Cannon. Still, as the kit represents a radio truck and as "Te Aroha III" is the only marking option that corresponds to a radio truck, this marking is the most accurate.
- Timothy Lau

     
7505 Sd.Kfz.171 Panther Ausf. A Late Production        
 7506 SdKfz 171 Panther ausf D (Late)

The late Panther Ausf D kit is the same as the 7494 early Panther kit. The only differences are the decals provided with the kit and the assembly instructions. All the parts supplied in the box are the same, the instructions mark what to cut off to get the late D Panther.

- Piotr Pyrczak

This is not entirely correct : the wheel sprues are different. Early Panther D comes with a sprue of 16 bolts wheels, while late D comes with the 24 bolt ones for the outer wheels, the inner roadwheels (facing toward the hull) are still 16 bolts.

- Kevin Liang

     
7507 Churchill Mk.IV NA 75 Includes British built 75mm barrel plus 6pd barrel and normal (US) 75mm M3 barrel. Hatches can be opened and cupola rotated. Three finishing options.      
7508 Bergepanther mit Pz.IV turm This kit is basically Dragon's previous SdKfz 171 Panther Ausf. D kit. The Panther turret is unused but still included. That turret is replaced by the C & D sprues from the PzKpfw IV Ausf. H kit. Various parts to the turret are unused and some pieces must be cut off as well as some corresponding location holes filled in. The hull hatches are molded shut as is the cupola hatch. There are two C and two D sprues so use care locating parts. The box side states "newly produced road wheels". -  Rob Gronovius      
7509 Panzerfähre Fährendeck mit Gepanzerter Landwasserschlepper Prototype Nr. II

Consists of 2x kit no. 7490 plus new tooling for ferry.


The kit is missing the rudder.
- Timothy Lau

     
7510 Churchill Mk.III, Dieppe 1942        
7515 Sd.Kfz.184 Elefant        
7517 Type 95 "Ha-Go" late        
7519 M103A1 Heavy Tank The second decal option is legitimate. However, it is necessary to find extra stars, on the top and in the rear, to make the markings correct. (cf. here, here and here.)
-  Timothy Lau
Preview    
7520 Churchill Mk.III w/Deep Wading Kit        
7521 Churchill Mk.IV AVRE        
7523 M103A2 Heavy Tank        
7530 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D The kit instructions suggest throwing away parts 54,55 and 56. The builder should carefully evaluate the historical references before actually doing this.
For instance, the 8. Pz.Div. vehicle in the decals llooks like it needs parts 54 and 55. Part 56 is the spare tracks and it seems silly to not install it on the starboard side.

-  Timothy Lau
     

7549

Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F2(G)        
7551 Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.H

Kit 7551 represents an earlier version of the Ausf. H than kit 7497, which puts it in direct competition against the Revell kit. Kit 7551 has the corrected rails and the air filter that kit 7497 lacks, but it does have the awful rubber wheels + tracks combo and lacks various details.
-  Timothy Lau

     

7553

StuG.III Ausf.C/D        
7556 T-34/85 Mod.1944        
7557 StuG.III Ausf.A The kit is almost certainly wrong because Dragon didn't bother making a new hull. The return roller would have to be moved, which won't be easy. In fact, based on the CAD drawings, the new Dragon Ausf. A does not appear to be, at all, different from the new Ausf. B kit except for the decals. - Timothy Lau      
7558 King Tiger Henschel        
7559 StuG.III Ausf.B        
7561 10.5cm StuH.42 Ausf.E/F        
7562 StuG.III Ausf.E        
7564 Panzerkampfwagen T-34/85        

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Kit list last updated: 07 November 2017