In Box Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. E, Sd.Kfz. 181
Tiger I Initial Production
sPzAbt 502, Leningrad 1943
Kit no. 6252
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2005
I paid $33.50 for this kit back then at a local shop that went out of business.
Kit is available at Mega Hobby for $84.56 and at 8 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2005
I paid $33.50 for this kit back then at a local shop that went out of business.
Kit is available at Mega Hobby for $84.56 and at 8 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Tiger I was a German heavy tank of World War II, operated from 1942 in Africa and Europe, usually in independent heavy tank battalions. It was designated Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf H during development, but was changed to Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf E during production.
The Tiger I gave the German Army its first armoured fighting vehicle that mounted the 8.8 cm KwK 36 gun (derived from the 8.8 cm Flak 36). 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944.
After August 1944, production of the Tiger I was phased out in favour of the Tiger II.While the Tiger I has been called an outstanding design for its time. It has also been called over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods.
The Tiger was prone to certain types of track failures and breakdowns and was limited in range by its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to maintain, but generally mechanically reliable.
It was difficult to transport and vulnerable to immobilization when mud, ice, and snow froze between its over-lapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often jamming them solid. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa season and during periods of extreme cold.
The tank was given its nickname "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The initial designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (literally 'Armored Combat Wagon/Vehicle VI version H', abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was classified with ordnance inventory designation Sd.Kfz. 182.
The tank was later re-designated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance-inventory designation Sd.Kfz. 181.
Today, only seven Tiger I tanks survive in museums and private collections worldwide. As of 2020, Tiger 131 (captured during the North-African Campaign) at the UK's Tank Museum is the only example restored to running order.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Heavy tank
Place of origin: Germany
In service: 1942–1945
Wars: World War II
Designer: Erwin Aders, Henschel & Son
Designed: 1938–1941
Manufacturer: Henschel
Unit cost: 250,700 RM
Produced: 1942–1944
No. built: 1,347
Specifications: (RfRuK VK 4501H Ausf.E, Blatt: G-330)
Mass: 54 tonnes (60 short tons), 57 tonnes (63 short tons) (Ausf. E) (Combat weight)
Length: 6.316 m (20 ft 8.7 in), 8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) gun forward
Width: 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
Height: 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator)
Armour: 25–120 mm (0.98–4.72 in)
Main armament: 1× 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 with 92 AP and HE rounds
Secondary armament: 2× 7.92 mm MG34 with 4,500 rounds, 4,800 rounds (Ausf. E)
Engine: Maybach HL230 P45 V-12 of 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.5 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion bar
Ground clearance: 0.47 m (1 ft 7 in)
Fuel capacity: 540 liters
Operational range: Road: 195 km (121 mi), Cross country: 110 km (68 mi)
Maximum speed: Maximum, road: 45.4 km/h (28.2 mph), Sustained, road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Cross country: 20–25 km/h (12–16 mph)
The Tiger I was a German heavy tank of World War II, operated from 1942 in Africa and Europe, usually in independent heavy tank battalions. It was designated Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf H during development, but was changed to Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf E during production.
The Tiger I gave the German Army its first armoured fighting vehicle that mounted the 8.8 cm KwK 36 gun (derived from the 8.8 cm Flak 36). 1,347 were built between August 1942 and August 1944.
After August 1944, production of the Tiger I was phased out in favour of the Tiger II.While the Tiger I has been called an outstanding design for its time. It has also been called over-engineered, using expensive materials and labour-intensive production methods.
The Tiger was prone to certain types of track failures and breakdowns and was limited in range by its high fuel consumption. It was expensive to maintain, but generally mechanically reliable.
It was difficult to transport and vulnerable to immobilization when mud, ice, and snow froze between its over-lapping and interleaved Schachtellaufwerk-pattern road wheels, often jamming them solid. This was a problem on the Eastern Front in the muddy rasputitsa season and during periods of extreme cold.
The tank was given its nickname "Tiger" by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Roman numeral was added after the later Tiger II entered production. The initial designation was Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausführung H (literally 'Armored Combat Wagon/Vehicle VI version H', abbreviated PzKpfw VI Ausf. H) where 'H' denoted Henschel as the designer/manufacturer. It was classified with ordnance inventory designation Sd.Kfz. 182.
The tank was later re-designated as PzKpfw VI Ausf. E in March 1943, with ordnance-inventory designation Sd.Kfz. 181.
Today, only seven Tiger I tanks survive in museums and private collections worldwide. As of 2020, Tiger 131 (captured during the North-African Campaign) at the UK's Tank Museum is the only example restored to running order.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Heavy tank
Place of origin: Germany
In service: 1942–1945
Wars: World War II
Designer: Erwin Aders, Henschel & Son
Designed: 1938–1941
Manufacturer: Henschel
Unit cost: 250,700 RM
Produced: 1942–1944
No. built: 1,347
Specifications: (RfRuK VK 4501H Ausf.E, Blatt: G-330)
Mass: 54 tonnes (60 short tons), 57 tonnes (63 short tons) (Ausf. E) (Combat weight)
Length: 6.316 m (20 ft 8.7 in), 8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) gun forward
Width: 3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)
Height: 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator)
Armour: 25–120 mm (0.98–4.72 in)
Main armament: 1× 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 with 92 AP and HE rounds
Secondary armament: 2× 7.92 mm MG34 with 4,500 rounds, 4,800 rounds (Ausf. E)
Engine: Maybach HL230 P45 V-12 of 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)
Power/weight: 13 PS (9.5 kW) / tonne
Suspension: Torsion bar
Ground clearance: 0.47 m (1 ft 7 in)
Fuel capacity: 540 liters
Operational range: Road: 195 km (121 mi), Cross country: 110 km (68 mi)
Maximum speed: Maximum, road: 45.4 km/h (28.2 mph), Sustained, road: 40 km/h (25 mph), Cross country: 20–25 km/h (12–16 mph)
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. Their name has been changed slightly since this kit appeared to DML Dragon.
This kit comes in a large blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 3” too long.
The color cover art is by Dragon’s resident artist Ron Valstad who does most of their color illustrations,
It shows a Tiger I parked on a dirt road in a forest. It is overall panzer-grey with a white outlined turret number 100 on the sides of the turret and a white outlined German cross on the sides of the hull. On the left side of its nose is a logo of a white outlined elephant.
The tank and its crew are being photographed by 3 German men standing to its side. They all wear field-grey uniforms with cloth side caps and their trousers are bloused into black jack boots. One man is operating a movie camera. The second man is operating a still camera. The third man is just looking on and is smoking a cigarette and has is left hand on his hip.
The tank crew-men are all dressed in black Panzer uniform with side caps. Two men are standing in the upper turret hatches. The third man is looking out of the driver’s hatch.
One corner of the box says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 742 parts. For modelers age 10 and over. Box contains a model of one tank and 2 figures.
One side panel of the box begins with color photos of the model up. Three photos are side views of the model made up in different markings. Four photos are of the walk-around type. These are followed by color illustrations of the metal parts included in the kit.
There is a caution next that says: When you use paint and cement do not be near a flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers age 10 and over. It is not suitable for children under 3 due sharp parts.
Dragon’s street and web address are provided. Copyright is 2005.
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. Their name has been changed slightly since this kit appeared to DML Dragon.
This kit comes in a large blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is 3” too long.
The color cover art is by Dragon’s resident artist Ron Valstad who does most of their color illustrations,
It shows a Tiger I parked on a dirt road in a forest. It is overall panzer-grey with a white outlined turret number 100 on the sides of the turret and a white outlined German cross on the sides of the hull. On the left side of its nose is a logo of a white outlined elephant.
The tank and its crew are being photographed by 3 German men standing to its side. They all wear field-grey uniforms with cloth side caps and their trousers are bloused into black jack boots. One man is operating a movie camera. The second man is operating a still camera. The third man is just looking on and is smoking a cigarette and has is left hand on his hip.
The tank crew-men are all dressed in black Panzer uniform with side caps. Two men are standing in the upper turret hatches. The third man is looking out of the driver’s hatch.
One corner of the box says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains 742 parts. For modelers age 10 and over. Box contains a model of one tank and 2 figures.
One side panel of the box begins with color photos of the model up. Three photos are side views of the model made up in different markings. Four photos are of the walk-around type. These are followed by color illustrations of the metal parts included in the kit.
There is a caution next that says: When you use paint and cement do not be near a flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers age 10 and over. It is not suitable for children under 3 due sharp parts.
Dragon’s street and web address are provided. Copyright is 2005.
The other side panel and the box bottom lists many features of the kit using black and white illustrations of them.
The box bottom shows more drawings of the kit contents and features.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 17 medium-grey parts-trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub and turret top, a clear tree, tan tree of figures in 19 clear cello bags.
Taped to a card in a cello bag are 3 brass PE frets. A turned aluminum main gun barrel, length of wire, and numerous brass parts are packaged into a black plastic box with a clear lid.
There are Magic Tracks (individual track links) in 2 cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos and Model Master brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 3 through to page 8 gives a grand total of 20 assembly steps.
Page 8 has several more un-numbered assembly steps for the bucket, ammo, ammo cases and the 2 figures.
Page 10 is a painting and marking guide that shows two 4-views.
The first one is the box art scheme (already described above). It was with sPz.Abt 502.
The second one is in a wave pattern camouflage of field-grey and white. It has a white outlined turret no. 121. It was with sPz.Abt. 502 also.
The bottom of the page has the decal application instructions in the 6 languages and the copyright of 2005 for the kit. Dragon’s European address in Graz, Austria is provided.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: main gun barrel, mantle, etc. (26 parts)
The kit holds 17 medium-grey parts-trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub and turret top, a clear tree, tan tree of figures in 19 clear cello bags.
Taped to a card in a cello bag are 3 brass PE frets. A turned aluminum main gun barrel, length of wire, and numerous brass parts are packaged into a black plastic box with a clear lid.
There are Magic Tracks (individual track links) in 2 cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 7 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the cover art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos and Model Master brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 3 through to page 8 gives a grand total of 20 assembly steps.
Page 8 has several more un-numbered assembly steps for the bucket, ammo, ammo cases and the 2 figures.
Page 10 is a painting and marking guide that shows two 4-views.
The first one is the box art scheme (already described above). It was with sPz.Abt 502.
The second one is in a wave pattern camouflage of field-grey and white. It has a white outlined turret no. 121. It was with sPz.Abt. 502 also.
The bottom of the page has the decal application instructions in the 6 languages and the copyright of 2005 for the kit. Dragon’s European address in Graz, Austria is provided.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: main gun barrel, mantle, etc. (26 parts)
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: final transfer covers, drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (39 parts)
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: turret roof and another mantle etc. (36 parts) 11 parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter D part is the turret sides part (1 part)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter E trees. They hold: road wheels, idler wheels, bogies etc, (43 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter F tree holds: the jack, front hull vertical plate etc. (21 parts) 1 part is excess.
Medium-grey letter G tree holds: side hull plates, front and rear hull walls etc. (44 parts) 1 part is excess.
There is not any letter H or I trees.
There is not any letter H or I trees.
Medium-grey letter J tree holds: engine air intakes etc. (38 parts)
Medium-grey letter K tree holds: hull top, tools etc. (15 parts)
Clear letter L tree holds the periscope glass (11 parts)
Medium-grey letter M tree holds: wood ammo boxes etc. (14 parts)
Medium-grey letter O tree holds ammo rounds (12 parts)
Medium-grey letter N tree holds jerry cans etc. (12 parts)
Medium-grey letter P tree holds internal axles etc. (27 parts)
There are medium-grey engine deck covers on two separate trees that were loose in the box but are attached to letter P tree (4 parts)
Lettering jumps to the medium-grey letter TA tree. It holds tools. (5 parts)
Lettering jumps again to Y & Z. There are the 2 bags of Magic Tracks (108 parts)
The un-alphabetized tan vinyl trees are next. One tree holds two of the camera men. Divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs. Also included are the cameras and equipment pouches (23 parts)
The other tree holds 3 pieces of clothing.
The other tree holds 3 pieces of clothing.
Next are the 3 brass PE frets.
MA holds engine air intake screens etc. (39 parts) 2 parts are excess.
MA holds engine air intake screens etc. (39 parts) 2 parts are excess.
MB holds jerry can center sections etc. (32 parts)
MC holds the ammo round detonator ends (24 parts)
MD is all the rest of the metal parts. The turned aluminum main gun barrel and turned brass ammo rounds, a bucket, a spring etc. (48 parts)
Medium-grey letter X tree is the one piece main hull. The only details in the hull are the axles and 2 engine air intakes. Inside the turret is just the gun breech.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
The figure of the man smoking a cigarette with the photographers and the 3 tank crewmen figures are not included.
This kit is a lot of small details and is not for the novice or beginning modeler, only modelers with experience on complicated kits. It is definitely not a weekend project.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.