Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D DAK 414

H K
First of all, this is a disappointing kit. Not for the wrong wheels or the tools, but for the woobly fit. If you don`t have a lot of reference pics don`t buy this one, the instructions are a lot worse than one expects from Dragon. The first warning ist that they forgot a complete armor plate on the lower hull ( even in the drawings 🙂 ); maybe this is why it`s a tropical version- special air condition 😄
Second, the Blast set- the front part fits great and only needs a little cleaning ( no big casting block or anything). Highly recommended even for a resin beginner.
The figures I wanted to use. A big F U 🙁 Afrika Korps Tank Crew (Verlinden Productions 2336, 1:35) Cool guy with glasses does not fit in the commander's cupola- only in the driver`s/ radio op`s place, the other two do not fit at all. Tried in my Panzer III Ausf. H, no luck there either. So this guy does not fit in any Panzer III/ IV commander's cupola. ( the half figure can be glued to the inside so only the head looks out of the hatch)
DAK Tanker WWII (Alpine Miniatures 35006, 1:35) Does not fit either 🙁
Next goal: Try if they fit in a Tiger`s cupola ( and build a platoon of them 😄 ) ( or Dragon releases a DAK StuG III C/D 😄 )

Fabian D.
Well, and again, not buying the kits with DS track will safe you from a lot of trouble 😄
Good luck with your suffering and thanks for the heads up😉

John Van Kooten
Haha! Fabian! 😉 😄

I too avoid DS Tracks like the plague, that is, if I can. With the Dragon Sherman kits there's not really a choice 😉 but I have to admit that the DS Tracks really do work well on Shermans, because Sherman tracks are "live" and DS Tracks mimic that property to a certain extend 🙂

Anyway, too bad to hear that kit is that bad, HK 🙁 one to avoid for sure then. And the Verlinden figures not fitting... that's just weird... I wouldn't have expected that from Verlinden 😮 the same goes for the Alpine figures...

Sounds like kind of a Nightmare project 🤔 I do hope you will be able to make something out of it all though 👍

And thanks very much for the heads up and quick review! 👍

H K
Thanks guys.

H K
Good news 🙂 Figures fit into Panzer III Ausf. N from Tamiya. The Verlinden one to the mm. Conclusion- always have a big stash 😄

John Van Kooten
LOL! Can't argue with that 😄😉

Happy to hear they are not a total loss! 👍