[chascbv]

I just received my Jagdtiger "314", and I'm very happy with the way Dragon has modelled this huge beast! As you know, there are always a few nits to pick in almost any model, but this Dragon product is overall a fine rendition of the Jagdtiger with no obvious errors to complain about.

This Jagdtiger belonged to sPzJgAbt 653, and was knocked out by a USAAF P-47 near Morsbronn-les-Bains, in Alsace, in March 1945. This vehicle is interesting in that it was the last Jagdtiger manufactured with the Porsche running gear, and the first to have no zimmerit coat applied! (None of the subsequent "Henschel" jagdtigers would have zimmerit on.)

[chascbv]

These two came in today. WOW!

I've thoroughly examined these two models, and I can assure you they don't come any better! Both types have been well researched by Dragon, and their overall shape, proportions, and detailing are second to none. Also, both my samples were in perfect condition with no misfits to care about.

Elowee was included in the 2nd Armored (Hell on Wheels) Division during Operation Cobra, General Bradley's successful plan to break out of the Normandy bridgehead, which directly led to the Falaise gap and the race across France and into Germany. The paint scheme and realistic weathering are beautifully rendered.

The half-track belonged to the Wehrmacht's Panzerlehrdivision at the time of their stand at Saint-Lô, which means that both models were engaged in the same battle (opposites sides, of course) late in July 1944, when the final stages of Operation Cobra finally disrupted German defensive positions.

The pictures enclosed are from the Flying Mule online shop; go there for more pictures of these two vehicles. And don't forget to add these two to your collection if you like "excellent" models.

[chascbv]

Another newcomer in my collection, this is Dragon's interpretation of Corporal Bellof's "hybrid" Tiger.

This vehicle pertained to Gruppe Fehrmann, a motley unit of reworked Panthers and Tigers that saw action in Germany in the last few weeks of the war. The paint scheme is controversial, and there is much debate on what the real colour was, with the various experts advocating for Dunkelgrau, Dunkelgrün, and even Dunkelgelb, with or without mottling on top. A British veteran declared that this vehicle "surprised" him in that it was painted dark grey; many doubt the accuracy of veterans' recallings, I do not in this case (especially because it "surprised" him"). The tactical numbers have been also described as red, light red, yellow, and white. My opinion (consistent with that of the above-mentioned veteran) is that they were red. Dragon has used white.

The vehicle is a hybrid consisting of a late running gear and "probably" an early production hull and turret - note the absence of sideskirts, and of stowage bin aft of the turret.

Dragon is still providing Tigers with solid sprockets - the holes are merely depressions in the wheel disc. Also, and despite photographic evidence, Dragon forgot about the (badly chipped) zimmerit that clearly covers both the turret and the hull (which I don't care much about), and also about the track links hanging on the turret sides (which I find irritating!).

Even with its faults, this makes a nice addition to any collection given the vehicle's historical background, and its distinct "hybrid" features; the absent bin and sideskirts, as well as the grey background with both green and brown mottling will make it stand out from other Tigers.

[djjeffhall]

chascbv,
Thanks for the detailed reviews. I've been hesitating on getting more Dragon armor, but your reviews make them very tempting.....

[chascbv]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

chascbv,
Thanks for the detailed reviews. I've been hesitating on getting more Dragon armor, but your reviews make them very tempting.....

Thank you very much for your kind comment, djjeffhall. You're most welcome!

[chascbv]

Here they are, these two new T-34s by Dragon. Both models are identical (except for the paint scheme) and make up very good representations of the real thing.

The model has now the so-called pressed-steel or stamped turret that was manufactured by UZTM (and used on hulls by a number of factories, including Zavod 183, Zavod 112, and ChTZ), which is a nice and interesting variation from the other style of hexagonal turret already produced by Dragon, namely the "hard-edge" turret. The new "stamped" turret is an awsome rendition of the original thing, and the hull is also beautifully done, the only suspect thing being the lack of hand rails on the starboard side.

Both models pertain to unidentified units, one in the Leningrad front (green and sand; could be related to the battle around Krasnyi Bor?), the other most probably involved in the combats around Kharkov. My literature review has provided no better identification for any of these models, but maybe some other member knows better... What do you think, Berkut?

All in all, these two models are excellent additions to the range... and also to my collection!

[ZS-VAN]

Thanks for the reviews and history lessons chascbv. Just serves to make the models more appealing. Great stuff.

[MoMo]

Thanks for the detailed backgrounds on the Dragons which you've added to your collection, chascbv.

It always adds colour and dimension to the particular model if you can find out a bit about it. The last Dragon which I bought a few days ago was the hybrid Tiger which I posted on the " Dragons in the UK " thread. This Tiger, which belonged to s.Pz.Abt.506 was stationed in the Ardennes in 1944, so presumably took part in the offensive.

I've had a close look at the detailing on the model, and it all looks fine to me except for the tracks. On close inspection, and comparing it to model no : 60002, the Tiger 1 of s.Pz.Abt 502, you notice that the tracks are much wider and seem to conform to the standard tracks for a winter operation. If this is indeed a representation of a Tiger which took part in the Ardennes Offensive in 1944 was the original vehicle left in this camo scheme, or was it given its coat of white at some stage?
Compare the pics! Even Whittman's Tiger has narrow tracks..not winter ones. The 311 has narrow tracks. The Hybrid has winter tracks! Are they messin' with our minds?
MoMo

[chascbv]

Thank you very much for your kind feedback, gentlemen; I appreciate it. And welcome back from your hols, MoMo.

I have no photographs of Tiger 411. For some reason Dragon fell in love with sPzAbt 506 (see their two Tiger IIs to 1/35 scale), one of the least documented Tiger units in WW2, and at least my literature is very thin on this particular subject. However, the photos I have (mainly Tiger IIs) of this unit during the Ardennes offensive show standard camouflage schemes.

Regarding tracks, I don't have the model you mention (I only purchased the grey version thus far), but it might well be an optical illusion. Late running gears with all-steel wheels were much narrower than the previous ones - in fact, they lacked the outermost set of road wheels (see comparison in the enclosed pictures), thus Tigers so equipped usually gave a false impression of being fitted with wider tracks.

[Legio LXXII]

Originally Posted by MoMo

If this is indeed a representation of a Tiger which took part in the Ardennes Offensive in 1944 was the original vehicle left in this camo scheme, or was it given its coat of white at some stage?

It's a common misconception that the Germans white washed their tanks in the Ardennes Offensive. There is no photographic evidence of it and most historians and veterans agree that they did not (though it did happen elsewhere in Europe). Most people don't even realize that it didn't even snow until after the Ardennes Offensive started.