Built the Dragon "El Alamein" Sherman about 2 years ago as maybe the 5th scale model I built. Didn't realise what I was getting myself into! Great kit but in retrospect my skills were up to the task. Still came out OK but I probably didn't do it justice. Did manage to get it for quite a steal though at about £40 so not too bad. I'd think twice about doing a similary detailed Dragon kit again. Only if I REALLY loved the subject. Happier knocking out mid range kits and just working on new skills and techniques for now.
Thank you for another very informative Dragon Sherman review. This seems like a very nice kit. I am glad Dragon is putting the goodies back into the boxes with these more recent reboxings.
I have built a few Dragon kits in my time and I have many more in my stash. They are definitely for the more experienced modeler. My biggest issue is the instructions, at times they lack clarity and have a tendency to pack too many part installations in one step. Molding, especially the "3 in 1" or "Smart Kits" is superb and what a great value with all the PE, tow cables, aluminium gun barrel and other neat extras they included. I just completed the re-issued Sd.kfz 234/2 Puma, a very good kit with challenges and some instructional errors. I look forward to seeing both of these Shermans come together as you assemble and paint them! Keep up the great work 👍
Made a couple of the Sherman Mk III kits by Dragon. Whilst I had a couple of issues following the instructions and being annoyed by the complete lack of any sort a gun breech detail, they built into lovely models. The exterior detail, the casting and weld seams are some of the finest I've seen.
Great tutorial as usual mate! I’ve got so many Sherman subjects, mostly late war kits. Tamiya, Asuka and Dragon but I think I still prefer Dragon’s offerings as you do get so much to add to the spare’s box which is great if you are working on other Sherman derivatives.
A great review of what looks to be a very detailed kit. I have built a few dragon kits, and for the most part they go together very well. However, I find them to be very expensive. This kit for instance, is priced at over $125 here in Australia, and even the cheaper Dragon kits are, in my opinion, over priced. I still buy them of course, because their level of detail is great, and because they have a large range of subjects. However I will usually wait until they are sale discounted. I find Takom and Trumpeter kits do the job for me. Cheers from Downunder!
I do like Dragon, but like you said, they can be hit and miss, built a few Black Label kits, which I didn't mind, and in Australia we pay a premium price for Dragon kits, even though I complain about them I do like them, Maybe you can answer this for me, is the Smart kit supposed to be a simplified version of the kit? will be nice to see this kit built.
Interesting, no I believe ’smart kits’ utilize parts from older moulds and newer ones and have extras added to bring the kit up. Metal barrel if needed and etch etc. in this instance the ‘firefly’ bit to the kit is the oldest
@@ChampionScaleModelling the Smart Kit line is simply the modern Dragon kits produced starting in 2007. Previously it was the Imperial Series kits. The majority of the time, Smart Kits do not use older parts...but they can on occasion as Dragon tries to make new kits without having to design any new sprues.
Not a fan of Dragon . Over engineered , complicated for the sake of it ( half a dozen parts where two would suffice ) , Instructions cluttered and unclear and pricey too . I.ll stick with Tamiya and Takom .
Two paints are Polish markings. Zadlo means Sting and Zemsta means Revange.
Built the Dragon "El Alamein" Sherman about 2 years ago as maybe the 5th scale model I built. Didn't realise what I was getting myself into! Great kit but in retrospect my skills were up to the task. Still came out OK but I probably didn't do it justice. Did manage to get it for quite a steal though at about £40 so not too bad. I'd think twice about doing a similary detailed Dragon kit again. Only if I REALLY loved the subject. Happier knocking out mid range kits and just working on new skills and techniques for now.
*Thanks for the review, another excellent kit. have fun building it!*
Thank you for another very informative Dragon Sherman review. This seems like a very nice kit. I am glad Dragon is putting the goodies back into the boxes with these more recent reboxings.
I have built a few Dragon kits in my time and I have many more in my stash. They are definitely for the more experienced modeler. My biggest issue is the instructions, at times they lack clarity and have a tendency to pack too many part installations in one step. Molding, especially the "3 in 1" or "Smart Kits" is superb and what a great value with all the PE, tow cables, aluminium gun barrel and other neat extras they included. I just completed the re-issued Sd.kfz 234/2 Puma, a very good kit with challenges and some instructional errors. I look forward to seeing both of these Shermans come together as you assemble and paint them! Keep up the great work 👍
This is about my favorite Firefly. The Sherman Firefly IC.
Interesting, I'm doing the Tasca VC Firefly right now. I kind of wish I was doing a Dragon kit as the build is a bit intense.
Yes I found the Tasca/Asuka one a bit more involved although in the box they seem similar
Thank you for the review.
Made a couple of the Sherman Mk III kits by Dragon. Whilst I had a couple of issues following the instructions and being annoyed by the complete lack of any sort a gun breech detail, they built into lovely models. The exterior detail, the casting and weld seams are some of the finest I've seen.
Have a great build.
Great tutorial as usual mate!
I’ve got so many Sherman subjects, mostly late war kits.
Tamiya, Asuka and Dragon but I think I still prefer Dragon’s offerings as you do get so much to add to the spare’s box which is great if you are working on other Sherman derivatives.
A great review of what looks to be a very detailed kit. I have built a few dragon kits, and for the most part they go together very well. However, I find them to be very expensive.
This kit for instance, is priced at over $125 here in Australia, and even the cheaper Dragon kits are, in my opinion, over priced. I still buy them of course, because their level of detail is great, and because they have a large range of subjects. However I will usually wait until they are sale discounted. I find Takom and Trumpeter kits do the job for me. Cheers from Downunder!
Looks like a nice kit. To bad Dragon kits is so hard to find. Do they make limited number of "prints"?
I've been thinking about getting this kit
Nice one
I do like Dragon, but like you said, they can be hit and miss, built a few Black Label kits, which I didn't mind, and in Australia we pay a premium price for Dragon kits, even though I complain about them I do like them, Maybe you can answer this for me, is the Smart kit supposed to be a simplified version of the kit? will be nice to see this kit built.
Interesting, no I believe ’smart kits’ utilize parts from older moulds and newer ones and have extras added to bring the kit up. Metal barrel if needed and etch etc. in this instance the ‘firefly’ bit to the kit is the oldest
@@ChampionScaleModelling the Smart Kit line is simply the modern Dragon kits produced starting in 2007. Previously it was the Imperial Series kits. The majority of the time, Smart Kits do not use older parts...but they can on occasion as Dragon tries to make new kits without having to design any new sprues.
Good info! Cheers 👍
I just wish there were more 1/24 scale military models.
I picked up the Sherman Fury Tank 😃
this is the sherman firefly the tank from fury is a m4a3e8 sherman
Shame SprueBrothers (in the States) had Dragon 15% off through the New Year's weekend. $68-$57 would have grabbed a few different ones. Now I know.
Model #?
No we live every day we only die once
Not a fan of Dragon . Over engineered , complicated for the sake of it ( half a dozen parts where two would suffice ) , Instructions cluttered and unclear and pricey too . I.ll stick with Tamiya and Takom .