[MoMo]

Pals! Dragon and Fov

Dear all,

Today I finally got my hands on two types of the 251 Hannomag : Panzer grey, sd.Kfz.251, ausfC, marked for the Grossdeutschland Div.Eastern Front , 1942; one in Sand with a little bit of green camo on the stowage boxes. This second 251 is also a sd.Kfz.251, ausfC marked for the 4th Pz.Div.,Eastern Front, 1943.

These are the first Dragon 251s that I've seen in a shop. The store had six left and I bought two of each type at £10.99 each. This makes them equal to the e17.00 which our continental friends are reporting is the current price on mainland Europe.

First observations : there appears to be no metal content. The models have been built without making use of etched brass parts which are included in the Pro Series model kit. For example, the gun-shield of the forwarg mg makes use of the standard plastic shield. I appreciate that this has been done to save time and cost, but the model would have looked so much better with the etched part ( I'll just have to use the brass parts on the 3 I'm to build over the next month ). Also, no metal antenna ( health and safety?).

Of the two, I prefer the yellow/sand sceme. I don't think that hannomags carried the panzer grey scheme into battle in the attack on the Soviet Union! ( correct me if I'm wrong )

I compared the two models to my recent purchase of the six FOV 251s, the Stuka zu Fuss types. The only other comparison I could make was to the old Esci 251 type c which I have built many times in many variants. ( Italieri sell it now, if it's out at all )

First obvious feature to note is that the FOV vehicle is the 251D, although this is hardly noticable till you look at the rear. The flush sides of the FOV vehicle are almost hidden by the rocket housings ( glorified wooden crates )

The FOV vehicle is almost all metal while the Dragon is all plastic. The detail inside the Dragon is brilliantly observed by this model. Yes, the Kar 98s are stowed in one rack while the spare mg ( barrels? ) are stowed in a rack opposite. Seats and instrumentationas wellas steering gear, radio and wooden, slatted bench seats are all faithfully represented on the Dragon. The exterior has all wing mirrors and cat's whiskers as per original. The Fav model has the whiskers as well as the coiled antenae for ???? , with a mirror stuck on to the left cat's whisker ( is this right? )

The FOV also has housings for pin joints in the interior which take away from the reality of the model. The sand Dragon 251 has a kind of washed out finish which works well, but the Panzer grey type looks too pristine and looks as if it just rolled out the factory. The paint scheme on the FOV stands up very well to the Dragons. The FOV 251 is in 3 col. 'Ambush' or 'Autumn' pattern and is extremely well executed ( it also chimes with my Esci 251s which I'm pleased about). Also, the FOV 251 seems so much more solid and sits on the ground better. This is because the FOV 251 has each running wheel paired off to its opposite number on the other side and connected by a metal axle thus creating the effect of torsion bar suspension. The FOV id realy a little metal marvel in this respect. The running gear on the Dragons look tight and static by comparison.

Wheels and chassis are good on both models , although the Dragon wins handsdown for fine detail. Similarly, the interior detail of the FOV is toy-like when compared to the Dragon. Indeed, the interior detail of the FOV is little better than the interior detail of the Esci kit, which is about twenty years old!

Lastly, the hull of the 251D FOV appears to be slightly wider than the hull of the 251C Dragons. Is this correct? The hull of the Dragons and the Esci are the same by a hair.

This comparison is really just for fun. The truth is that now that I've seen both types I know that all the wargamers out there will want to buy as many of both company's types as you can. You will also soak up as many Dragon variants as you can capture. I just hope that FOV bring out other variants too ( 75mm A.T.? ) just as they have in 1.32 scale. Collectors will want at least one of each type of FOV, as well as the expected 22 variants X 5or 6 camo variants of the 251 which Dragon will produce. ( busy christmas!)

Both models are great for the hobby and both models must be seen to have their own merits and I can't say truthfully that I prefer one rather than the other. I now have a force of ten Dragon 251s and 6 FOV 251s as well as about 7 Esci 251 of various types. With 3 more Dragons to build you might think that like St George I would be sick of Dragon infestation, but no, I'm not. Like most of you I'm top-heavy with 1.72 tanks and S.P.G.s and need lots more Half-tracks and soft-skins to create variety.

Now that Admiral have announced their U.S. 105mm howitzer and German 88mm Ack-Ack/ A.T. gun we have the scope for even more variety in mmetal 1.72. The more the merrier, I say.

Tell me what you think when you get both items to compare

cheers,

MoMo

[MoMo]

sorry, the above should read " .....a force of 4 Dragon 251s as well as ...."

[tankguy]

Great reviews! I can only add that all German tanks were gray until Spring of 1943 (February) when they started to paint them sand, so they fought in Russia for 1 1/2 years in gray! (or white in winter)

[MoMo]

Sorry again,

Admiral are planning the release of a U.S 75mm howitzer, not a 105 mm howitzer as stated above!

Gotta check before I commit!

The problem is that every other post just logs me off and I lose the text! I get by this now by copying each post before I commit it to the forum, then posting again after I log on once more.

Technology...progress....****!

Cheers,

MoMo

[Rubberduck]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Admiral are planning the release of a U.S 75mm howitzer, not a 105 mm howitzer as stated above!

Well...but I thought that's a 105mm...?

At least, it resembles the thing I built in my M7 HMC

[MoMo]

Dear Rubberduck,

you are correct, I think. I was probably picking up something from another posting and got all confused. This happens sometimes. But when you are trying to write online and and avoiding being logged out, mistakes happen.

Apologies if I got anyone else mixed up.

I wait in trepidation for the first posting of a direct comparison....come on...some of you must have located and purchased both Dragon and FOV's 251s.

If not, what about comparing/commenting on just the available Dragon 251s.?


best wishes,

MoMo

[MoMo]

I figured it out, Rubberduck,

The 105mm. is posted as a 75mm. on the Military Diecast 1.72 site. How confusing!

Cheers,

MoMo

[wmosner]

I have the Dragon 251 Kursk model on pre-order and to my knowlege the FOV 251 is not yet available in the US, so I am relying on your reviews MoMO. Keep up the good work and side by side pictures would really help.

[MoMo]

Sorry, Wmosner,

I'm avoiding digital still photography. I shoot movies using Digital tape, and like the format. However, I love my old 35mm reflex cameras and don't plan to go digital till there is no other option!

Perhaps someone out there would oblige by providing an array of clearly identifiable 251s. Otherwise, you can see some online at Military Diecasts 1.72 site which is a brilliant site dedicated to both plastic and metal 1.72 hardware. I highly recommend this site. The guys who run it are both friendly and knowlegable!

Bring on those pictures!

cheers,

MoMo

[MoMo]

Dear Wmosner,

in addition,

It's the site which Legio LXX11 has posted as having been updated on the
" General Discussion, Ground Vehicles " B.Board.

cheers,

MoMo