German Battleship Scharnhorst

ghe101
I believe Dragon has to do some soul searching with regard to making models buildable. I just got their model of the 1/350 German Battleship Scharnhorst, and welcome to PE hell. I mean, 7 parts for one 20 mm gun, unless I didn't count the number right on the plans--which are way too small. And when it comes to the 37mm mounts, they're 14 pieces each! Multiply that by 8. There comes a point wherein our hobby can get "unfun," and this model is fairly close to that category. I like how the main and secondary armament is done, and there are other elements of outstanding quality in terms of surface detail and fit. But this is an over-engineered model by any standard, at least in terms of the time and energy that will be required to build it to any acceptable standard. One thing is for sure, few after-market addendums will be needed. But despite all the PE, no weather deck or upper deck railings, so be prepared to buy these if you want them. To say this kit is a challenge would not be an adequate description. It is something one does for months on end, knowing full well that some bits will forever be mauled or lost. My Revell 1/350 Bizmarck kit is infinitely more enjoyable. I am sure the Dragon model will build into a fine rendition of the Scharnhorst, but I would not buy it again. Hell, I might not live long enough to build it! Perhaps a more buildable version of this ship in a large scale will come along. This is certainly not it! Smarten up, Dragon. Several hundred pieces per model in not necessarily a good thing.