Build Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
Soviet SU-100 Tank-Destroyer
Kit no. 6359
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2007
I won this kit on April 10, 2010, at the IPMS Madison, WI contest in a drawing there. At that time it’s MSRP was $49.95.
Kit is available from 2 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2007
I won this kit on April 10, 2010, at the IPMS Madison, WI contest in a drawing there. At that time it’s MSRP was $49.95.
Kit is available from 2 locations overseas on the web.
ISTORY:
The SU-100 (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 100) is a Soviet tank destroyer armed with the D-10S, 100 mm anti-tank gun in a casemate superstructure. It was used extensively during the last year of World War II and saw service for many years afterwards with the armies of Soviet allies around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: October 1944–present
Designed: 1944
No. built: 4,976
Mass: 31.6 tonnes (69,665 lbs)
Length: 9.45 m (30 ft)
Width: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
Crew: 4 (Commander/Radio Operator, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Armor: front: 75 mm (3 in), sides: 45 mm (1.77 in), rear: 45 mm (1.77 in), roof: 20 mm (.78 in)
Main armament: 100 mm D-10S gun
Engine: Kharkiv Model V-2 V-12 diesel engine of 500 hp (370 kW)
Power/weight: 15.8 hp/tonne
Suspension: Christie
Operational range: Road: 250 km (160 mi), 320 km (200 mi) (with additional fuel tanks), Cross-country: 140 km (87 mi), 180 km (110 mi) (with additional fuel tanks)
Maximum speed: 48 km/h (30 mph)
The SU-100 (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 100) is a Soviet tank destroyer armed with the D-10S, 100 mm anti-tank gun in a casemate superstructure. It was used extensively during the last year of World War II and saw service for many years afterwards with the armies of Soviet allies around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank destroyer
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: October 1944–present
Designed: 1944
No. built: 4,976
Mass: 31.6 tonnes (69,665 lbs)
Length: 9.45 m (30 ft)
Width: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in)
Crew: 4 (Commander/Radio Operator, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Armor: front: 75 mm (3 in), sides: 45 mm (1.77 in), rear: 45 mm (1.77 in), roof: 20 mm (.78 in)
Main armament: 100 mm D-10S gun
Engine: Kharkiv Model V-2 V-12 diesel engine of 500 hp (370 kW)
Power/weight: 15.8 hp/tonne
Suspension: Christie
Operational range: Road: 250 km (160 mi), 320 km (200 mi) (with additional fuel tanks), Cross-country: 140 km (87 mi), 180 km (110 mi) (with additional fuel tanks)
Maximum speed: 48 km/h (30 mph)
THE KIT:
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box art shows a color illustration of 2 Soviet SU-100 Tank Destroyers moving down a city street that is lined with picket-fences. Both tanks are overall olive-drab with no markings shown, Three crewmen are looking out of the top of the SU-100 in the lead. They all wear dark uniforms with leather caps. One man has ear-phones on his head.
The lower left hand corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains over 580 parts for modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one tank.
One side panel of the box shows 5 side-views of SU-100s.
The 1st one is overall olive-drab, with a very worn coating of winter white-wash and a white Russian slogan, over a white square with number 8 on it and white number 83.on its sides.
The 2nd one is overall olive-drab, with white number 433 on its sides.
The 3rd one also is overall olive-drab, with white number 482 on its sides.
The 4th one also is overall olive-drab, with a heavy coating of winter white wash, with a section of olive-drab left uncovered with a white number K-17 on its sides.
The 5th one also is overall olive-drab, with a large red star, outlined in white on its sides.
These profiles are followed by color illustrations of the decal sheet and brass PE frets included in the kit. There is a CAUTION that says: When using paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts and Dragons European office address is provided in Graz, Austria, in multiple languages, including English.
Copyright of the kit is 2007, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
Dragon (sometimes called DML) is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer based in Hong Kong, China. They make all manner of plastic model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box art shows a color illustration of 2 Soviet SU-100 Tank Destroyers moving down a city street that is lined with picket-fences. Both tanks are overall olive-drab with no markings shown, Three crewmen are looking out of the top of the SU-100 in the lead. They all wear dark uniforms with leather caps. One man has ear-phones on his head.
The lower left hand corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. This kit contains over 580 parts for modelers aged 10 and over. Box contains a model of one tank.
One side panel of the box shows 5 side-views of SU-100s.
The 1st one is overall olive-drab, with a very worn coating of winter white-wash and a white Russian slogan, over a white square with number 8 on it and white number 83.on its sides.
The 2nd one is overall olive-drab, with white number 433 on its sides.
The 3rd one also is overall olive-drab, with white number 482 on its sides.
The 4th one also is overall olive-drab, with a heavy coating of winter white wash, with a section of olive-drab left uncovered with a white number K-17 on its sides.
The 5th one also is overall olive-drab, with a large red star, outlined in white on its sides.
These profiles are followed by color illustrations of the decal sheet and brass PE frets included in the kit. There is a CAUTION that says: When using paint or cement do not be near an open flame and be in a well-ventilated room. In 6 languages, including English.
Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts and Dragons European office address is provided in Graz, Austria, in multiple languages, including English.
Copyright of the kit is 2007, over Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China and kit was made there.
The other side panel of the box shows 6 black and white illustrations of features of the kit. This is a usual practice for Dragon on their box arts and usually cover the side panels and bottom of the boxes.
Shown is: The accurate joint between the fighting compartment and engine deck. Weld seam between upper and lower hulls authentically reproduced. New engine deck cover. PE engine deck grills and intake louvers. Newly tooled mantlet. New driver hatch with clear periscope.
The bottom of the box continues with more black and white illustrations of features of the kit.
Shown are: Spare track tie-downs made from PE parts. New side armor plate accurately produces a late model SU-100. Newly-tooled commander- cupola with accurate detail. PE parts to upgrade hatch interior details. New upper hull with improved weld seams and details. Optional rear fighting compartment plate is newly-tooled. Exhaust pipe with hollow made by slide mold. Bonus aluminum gun barrel. Newly-tooled fuel tank with supports and PE straps. Convenience of Magic Tracks. Brass metal tow cable. Road wheels with crisp detail. Tow hooks delicately reproduced from PE parts. PE headlight mount. Optional PE storage box for more added detail.
Shown is: The accurate joint between the fighting compartment and engine deck. Weld seam between upper and lower hulls authentically reproduced. New engine deck cover. PE engine deck grills and intake louvers. Newly tooled mantlet. New driver hatch with clear periscope.
The bottom of the box continues with more black and white illustrations of features of the kit.
Shown are: Spare track tie-downs made from PE parts. New side armor plate accurately produces a late model SU-100. Newly-tooled commander- cupola with accurate detail. PE parts to upgrade hatch interior details. New upper hull with improved weld seams and details. Optional rear fighting compartment plate is newly-tooled. Exhaust pipe with hollow made by slide mold. Bonus aluminum gun barrel. Newly-tooled fuel tank with supports and PE straps. Convenience of Magic Tracks. Brass metal tow cable. Road wheels with crisp detail. Tow hooks delicately reproduced from PE parts. PE headlight mount. Optional PE storage box for more added detail.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 17 medium-grey trees, a clear tree, 3 brass PE frets, Magic Tracks, length of steel wire and the decal sheet in 14 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 13 ½” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white copy of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown blued-out. Meaning, they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the model, over international assembly symbols and a listing of GSI Creos and Model Master hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 7, gives a grand total of 18 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 shows two 4-view profile illustrations of SU-100s.
The first one is the one described earlier, with white number 432 on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit in Bohemia in 1945.
The second one is the one described earlier, that is covered in white-wash and has the number K-17 on its sides.
It was with the 7th Mechanized Corps, Hungary 1945.
Page 8 shows three 4-view profiles of SU-100s.
The 1st one is the one described earlier with the red star on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit, Wien, 1945.
The 2nd one is the one earlier described with the Russian slogan etc. on its sides.
It was with the 1st Guards Mechanized Corps. Hungary, 1945.
The 3rd one is the one earlier described with white number 482 on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit, Czechoslovakia, 1954.
At the bottom of the page is the copyright of the kit as 2007, over decal application instructions, in 6 languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold axles etc. (12 parts) One part is excess. They are co-joined to two identical letter M & N trees and one H tree. One part is excess on the A trees.
This kit holds 17 medium-grey trees, a clear tree, 3 brass PE frets, Magic Tracks, length of steel wire and the decal sheet in 14 sealed clear cello bags.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 13 ½” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white copy of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations. Some parts are shown blued-out. Meaning, they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the model, over international assembly symbols and a listing of GSI Creos and Model Master hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 7, gives a grand total of 18 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 7 shows two 4-view profile illustrations of SU-100s.
The first one is the one described earlier, with white number 432 on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit in Bohemia in 1945.
The second one is the one described earlier, that is covered in white-wash and has the number K-17 on its sides.
It was with the 7th Mechanized Corps, Hungary 1945.
Page 8 shows three 4-view profiles of SU-100s.
The 1st one is the one described earlier with the red star on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit, Wien, 1945.
The 2nd one is the one earlier described with the Russian slogan etc. on its sides.
It was with the 1st Guards Mechanized Corps. Hungary, 1945.
The 3rd one is the one earlier described with white number 482 on its sides.
It was with an unknown unit, Czechoslovakia, 1954.
At the bottom of the page is the copyright of the kit as 2007, over decal application instructions, in 6 languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter A trees. They hold axles etc. (12 parts) One part is excess. They are co-joined to two identical letter M & N trees and one H tree. One part is excess on the A trees.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter H trees. They hold air-intakes and hatch lids (6 parts) One part is excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter M trees in two sizes. The smaller one holds: handles, rods and a circular part (9 parts) Seven parts are excess. The larger tree holds rectangular frames. (4 parts) They are co-joined to the letter A, N & H trees.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter N trees. They hold inner hull wall-beams (8 parts) They are co-joined to trees A, M & H.
There is no letter O tree.
There is no letter O tree.
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: front hull wall, engine air intake grill, 2-handed saw, hatch lid etc. (27 parts) 5 parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: hull top, mantle etc. (25 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter D trees They are co-joined to two medium-grey letter K trees. They hold road wheels (15 parts each)
Medium-grey letter K tree holds fuel tanks and a main gun barrel (11 parts) Two parts are excess. They are the main gun barrel parts.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter E trees, in 2 different sizes. The smaller sized tree holds grab-handles etc. (9 parts) Five parts are excess.
There is no letter F tree.
There is no letter F tree.
Medium-grey letter G three holds interior driver’s compartment walls etc. (8 parts) Two parts are excess.
Medium-grey letter I is the hull tub part (1 part)
Clear letter J trees holds lenses.(3 parts)
Medium-grey letter L is the Magic tracks. (96 parts)
Medium-grey letter P tree holds wall panels and main gun barrel etc. (10 parts)
There are 4 identical medium-grey letter Q trees. They each hold 3 track grousers.
There is no letter R tree.
There is no letter R tree.
Letter S is a length of metal cable.
Letter MA is a PE fret. It holds air-intake louvers and screens etc. (many parts)
Letter MB is also a PE fret. It holds straps and belts etc. (many parts)
Letter MC is also a PE fret. It hold an oval and circular part (2 parts) I have glued these parts onto the bottom of the hull tub part where they go.
Letter MC is also a PE fret. It hold an oval and circular part (2 parts) I have glued these parts onto the bottom of the hull tub part where they go.
Letter MD is a metal main gun barrel (1 part)
There are no figures included in the kit.
I have started to build this kit. I have the road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, final transfer covers and inner wall support beams assembled so far.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
I have started to build this kit. I have the road wheels, idler wheels, drive sprockets, return rollers, final transfer covers and inner wall support beams assembled so far.
The decal sheet completes the kit's contents.
The detail is excellent.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.