Dragon M3A1

Participants in the 2015 HALFTRACK Group Build post here.
Chris Smith
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Dragon M3A1

Post by Chris Smith »

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This was bought from Vinnie a long time ago with the vague idea of converting it into a post war REME halftrack with boom and hardtop roof. Then I realised how different the M3 and M5 are externally and it was put away. Then I heard someone was doing an M5 conversion for it so it was put to the back of my mind. The conversion has since been released but at 75€s way too much investment for a conversion that might go horribly wrong. As it was bought from Vinnie there were parts off sprues etc so selling didn't seem an option and the Group Build has provided a spur to get it done.

I started this Monday of last week and truth be told I've not enjoyed it at all but it is slowly taking shape.

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I realised one of the things my models lack and which makes a huge difference to the end result is stowage so I bought this set from Legend.

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Chris
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Steve Hutchinson
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Steve Hutchinson »

Quick work Chris

What didn't you like about the build?

It looks nice and clean.

The Legend luggage sets are cracking and always plenty of kit for more than one build, I still have enough for 2 more Shermans from the set I got 8-)

Nice start :D

Steve H
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Raoul Kunz
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Raoul Kunz »

Already looks nice Chris! :D
What's so annoying about the kit? A while back I considered it for the half track group build, have I missed an even more unnerving kit than the Dragon 251/7 Ausf. C? ;)
How is it going the be painted and marked?


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Raoul G. Kunz
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Philipp Gross
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Philipp Gross »

Good to see another halftrack :D Seems like you're 90% done already? :lol:

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Chris Smith
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Chris Smith »

It seems to not be very well thought out. The driver and troop compartments are two completely seperate pieces which are supposed to be joind together on the chassis. I couldn't get them to remotely line up that way so glued them together off the chassis.The windscreen is a single clear piece which will need masks cut and placed on before it can be glued in place and then somehow removed once everything is painted. It's a 3 in 1 kit and it is not always clear which options are for which vehicle, the M3 body is marked as M3/M3A1 and then comes the M3A1 section which is significantly different. Ejector marks that need filling in visible places. Basically a typical non-German Dragon kit ;)

Going to be simple OD and 4AD markings as per the kit.

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Raoul Kunz
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Raoul Kunz »

It's a 3 in 1 kit and it is not always clear which options are for which vehicle [...]
It's precisely the same problem like the one I had with the Ausf. C 251/1/7/10 . . . the instructions just blatantly refuse to make clear what goes where and for which version...
You my sympathies, I have made a similar experience :? .


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Raoul G. Kunz
Last edited by Raoul Kunz on 26 Jun 2015, 11:47, edited 2 times in total.
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John Everett
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by John Everett »

You're right about the windscreen. I think in the end I scratchbuilt a new one. But otherwise, I quite like this model. It's certainly better than Tamiya's very old version. I would LOVE to see Bronco release one. But it looks as though they've got a whole slew of new things on the horizon already.

Good choice with the resin!

John
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Chris Smith
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Chris Smith »

Getting the BRDM ready to paint proved to be the kick up the backside I needed to get this ready for paint too.

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Philipp Gross
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Philipp Gross »

Looks fantastic with all the stowage piled on :)

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Vincent Power
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Re: Dragon M3A1

Post by Vincent Power »

Looks great with the stowage on Chris. :)

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