Build Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
German Sd.Kfz.184 “Ferdinand”
’39-’45 Series
Kit no. 6133
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2001
I paid $33.00 for my kit 20 years ago at a local shop that went out of business.
Out of production
Kit no. 6133
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2001
I paid $33.00 for my kit 20 years ago at a local shop that went out of business.
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand, also known as the Elefant (German for elephant; late model with forward firing machine gun), was a heavy tank destroyer that was used by Germany during World War II. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger(P) (P represents Porsche, it's manufacturer).
The chassis itself was based on the Panzerjäger Tiger (P) prototype. It had two Maybach HL 120 TRM engines that were capable of propelling it at speeds of up to twenty kilometers per hour. In order to operate, the vehicle required a crew of six men and it was armed with a single Pak 43 and a single MG 34.
The total weight of the Ferdinand was around 65,000 kilograms while its total length was 8.1 meters. Armor protection on the Ferdinand was nearly 200 mm thick in some areas. This protection made the Ferdinand feared in the battlefield and gave it a very big advantage coupled with its heavy armament. Though, whatever advantages given by this protection and offensive armament were diminished by the fact that the platform was highly unreliable mechanically and often lead to its abandonment.
Used in the vehicle was a 3 speed forward, 3 speed reverse transmission system and a Torsion bar suspension. Operational range was 150 kilometers and up to fifty rounds of ammunition for the main gun could be carried on board at any time. 600 rounds meanwhile could be carried for the MG 34.
The Sd.Kfz. 184 had several variants created of it during the war. However, the only variant that was made to improve the original model was known as the Elefant. This model, developed immediately after the Battle of Kursk was dedicated to improving the various faults discovered during combat.
These included the addition of another MG 34, the addition of the same commander's cupola as the StuG III, wider tracks to deal with the Russian mud, and improved armor.
Technically, the Elefant also had the ability to use the Krummlauf attachment for the StG 44; though it is unknown if this feature was actually used. Also produced was the Bergetiger (P) armored recovery vehicle and the Rammtiger, an attempt to make a vehicle that could ram through obstacles and buildings.
This model, though only having one prototype, was developed after the Battle of Stalingrad based on experiences of rubble and debris blocking up tank movements.
The Sd.Kfz. 184 Ferdinand, also known as the Elefant (German for elephant; late model with forward firing machine gun), was a heavy tank destroyer that was used by Germany during World War II. The official German designation was Panzerjäger Tiger(P) (P represents Porsche, it's manufacturer).
The chassis itself was based on the Panzerjäger Tiger (P) prototype. It had two Maybach HL 120 TRM engines that were capable of propelling it at speeds of up to twenty kilometers per hour. In order to operate, the vehicle required a crew of six men and it was armed with a single Pak 43 and a single MG 34.
The total weight of the Ferdinand was around 65,000 kilograms while its total length was 8.1 meters. Armor protection on the Ferdinand was nearly 200 mm thick in some areas. This protection made the Ferdinand feared in the battlefield and gave it a very big advantage coupled with its heavy armament. Though, whatever advantages given by this protection and offensive armament were diminished by the fact that the platform was highly unreliable mechanically and often lead to its abandonment.
Used in the vehicle was a 3 speed forward, 3 speed reverse transmission system and a Torsion bar suspension. Operational range was 150 kilometers and up to fifty rounds of ammunition for the main gun could be carried on board at any time. 600 rounds meanwhile could be carried for the MG 34.
The Sd.Kfz. 184 had several variants created of it during the war. However, the only variant that was made to improve the original model was known as the Elefant. This model, developed immediately after the Battle of Kursk was dedicated to improving the various faults discovered during combat.
These included the addition of another MG 34, the addition of the same commander's cupola as the StuG III, wider tracks to deal with the Russian mud, and improved armor.
Technically, the Elefant also had the ability to use the Krummlauf attachment for the StG 44; though it is unknown if this feature was actually used. Also produced was the Bergetiger (P) armored recovery vehicle and the Rammtiger, an attempt to make a vehicle that could ram through obstacles and buildings.
This model, though only having one prototype, was developed after the Battle of Stalingrad based on experiences of rubble and debris blocking up tank movements.
THE KIT:
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of the Ferdinand crossing a grassy field between two machine gun pits with dead soldiers in them and leading a Jagdpanzer behind it.
It is in a base of earth-yellow with a red-brown spot pattern camouflage on it. It has a black outlined no. 124 followed by the German cross on its sides.
A second Ferdinand is in the background and is driving over a destroyed Soviet T-34 tank.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color box art of Dragon’s kit no. 6126, a Sd.Kfz. 184 Elephant. Followed by a CAUTION, that when you use glue or paint don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English.
Kit is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. It is for modelers aged 10 and over, in multiple languages, including English.
Copyright for the kit is 2001, over Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address. Kit was made in China.
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
The kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of the Ferdinand crossing a grassy field between two machine gun pits with dead soldiers in them and leading a Jagdpanzer behind it.
It is in a base of earth-yellow with a red-brown spot pattern camouflage on it. It has a black outlined no. 124 followed by the German cross on its sides.
A second Ferdinand is in the background and is driving over a destroyed Soviet T-34 tank.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color box art of Dragon’s kit no. 6126, a Sd.Kfz. 184 Elephant. Followed by a CAUTION, that when you use glue or paint don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English.
Kit is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. It is for modelers aged 10 and over, in multiple languages, including English.
Copyright for the kit is 2001, over Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China and their web address. Kit was made in China.
The other side panel has three photos of the completed. Dragon's address and contact information are on the right side of the photos.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 12 medium-grey trees, a medium grey hull tub and roof part and the decal sheet in sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions- consists of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 begins with a repeat of the caution about using paint and cement near a flame, over international assembly symbol explanations in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 7 gives a grand total of 23 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 is a painting and marking guide that shows a 5-view of the Ferdinand. It is in the cover art scheme (already described above).
It was with 1st Kompanie, Spz. Jg Abt. 653, Kursk 1943.
Page 8 is also a painting and marking guide. It shows 2 more 4-views of the Ferdinand's.
They are both in the same camouflage as the cover art scheme.
One has black outlined no. 211 on its sides over the German cross.
It was with 2nd Kompanie, Spz. Jg ABT. Kursk 1943.
The second one has black outlined no. 302 on its sides over the German cross.
It was with 3rd Kompanie, Spz. Jg ABT. 653, Kursk 1943.
The bottom of page 8 gives the copyright of the kit as 2001, over decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
The kit holds 12 medium-grey trees, a medium grey hull tub and roof part and the decal sheet in sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions- consists of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 begins with a repeat of the caution about using paint and cement near a flame, over international assembly symbol explanations in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 7 gives a grand total of 23 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 is a painting and marking guide that shows a 5-view of the Ferdinand. It is in the cover art scheme (already described above).
It was with 1st Kompanie, Spz. Jg Abt. 653, Kursk 1943.
Page 8 is also a painting and marking guide. It shows 2 more 4-views of the Ferdinand's.
They are both in the same camouflage as the cover art scheme.
One has black outlined no. 211 on its sides over the German cross.
It was with 2nd Kompanie, Spz. Jg ABT. Kursk 1943.
The second one has black outlined no. 302 on its sides over the German cross.
It was with 3rd Kompanie, Spz. Jg ABT. 653, Kursk 1943.
The bottom of page 8 gives the copyright of the kit as 2001, over decal application instructions in 6 languages, including English.
There is a sheet for the parts layout and the trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the engine compartment roof, air intakes panel etc. (39 Parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: fenders, screen, front and rear hull walls, jack etc. (29 parts)
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: main gun barrel, muzzle, breech etc. (29 parts)
There are 4 identical medium-grey letter D trees. They hold individual track links (60 parts per tree) I have assembled the tracks in sections and I have the individual links in a cup to keep from loosing any.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter E trees. They hold: drive sprockets etc. (35 parts each) 1 part is excess.
There are 3 identical medium-grey letter F trees. They hold: road and idler wheels, bogies etc. (18 parts each)
I have added a Part brand brass PE set, no. P35-057, fenders for the Ferdinand and a Hudson & Allen brand wire tow cable, no. 9709 (12” length)
to the kit ($10.00).
to the kit ($10.00).
The decals complete the kit.
I have assembled and painted this kit in the box art scheme. I haven’t decided which hull no. I will put on it yet. Treads are not done yet. Road wheels and drive sprockets are on and painted.
No clear parts or crew figures are included.
Great detail inside and out.
Great detail inside and out.
Highly recommended.