DRAGON MODELS LIMITED (kit no.
7256) E-100 Heavy Tank in 1/72nd-scale injection-molded styrene plastic.
by Frank De Sisto
Contains: 89 injection molded styrene parts, seven etched brass parts,
two track lengths in flexible DS-100 styrene, two figures in flexible
DS-100 styrene, generic waterslide decals and four pages of instructions
in nine steps. Price: Unavailable.
DML continues to release new items in the resurgent 1/72nd-scale, including
some that depict so-called “Paper Panzers”. The E-100 is a
case in point, being Krupp’s answer to Porche’s enormous “Maus”.
Since only a hull/chassis was partially completed by war’s end,
the issue of accuracy regarding such a kit cannot be taken as the only
means of determining if what DML provides is acceptable to a modeler.
Regardless, I checked the hull against drawings in Panzer Tracts #6,
“Schwere Panzerkampfwagen D.W. to E-100, Including the Tigers”
and noted that the driver’s and radio operators hatch arrangement
does not match, and that some seams on the hull roof are not given. Photos
of the hull/chassis also indicate that the kit’s rear plate does
not extend down far enough over the tracks. Finally, the curve of the
lower turret front should meet the bottom without a step, whereas the
kit’s turret has this feature incorrectly given. Also, the circular
depressions on the turret sides and rear are too large. Otherwise, everything
else seems to be where it ought to be.
The parts fit of the major components was excellent, with only a bit
of tweaking where the turret rear plate meets the turret shell. There
are no ejector pin marks in any visible areas and sink marks are completely
absent.
Some nice features, thanks to slide mold technology include: both 7.5cm
and 15cm guns have the bores pre-drilled and each pair of road wheels
is molded as one piece, with the space in between accurately rendered.
The turret is a three part molding, with the front, sides and roof as
one piece and the rear and bottom as separate parts. Unfortunately, the
hatches on the turret are molded closed, limiting the use of the nice
figures included in the kit.
Only one crew hatch (that of the driver) is a separate part; the engine
deck also has the main hatch as a separate part. The fans inside the two
circular cowlings on the engine deck are nicely represented, but will
probably be unseen once the cowlings and the etched screens are in place.
The remaining etch parts are for the engine deck and for the perforated
muzzle brake for the 15cm gun. This last part should be fitted to the
muzzle part and cleaned up; then the assembly should be attached to the
gun tube and aligned. The side skirts will press-fit, allowing painting
to proceed. Then, they can be permanently attached after the tracks are
fitted. The single-piece DS-100 styrene track lengths themselves are nicely
detailed and can be fixed with standard styrene cement. The two figures
are extremely well done for this scale in the DS-100 styrene and ought
to look quite good when painted. One fellow is standing with a peaked
cap, while the second, wearing a side cap, is sitting with his legs dangling
over the sides of the turret/hull, or into an open hatch. They wear standard
panzer crew uniforms and can be painted accordingly in black or camouflage.
The decals are from Cartograf in Italy and are excellently printed. There
are four styles of Balkan crosses: two in black/white, two in white outline.
There are three sets of tac numbers. One is solid white, the second is
white outline, and the third is black with white outline. There are kill
stripes for the gun tube, tank silhouettes and even red stars and “Hammer
& Sickle” for a tank captured by the Soviets. These last items
are probably included since this decal sheet will very likely be used
on the forthcoming Maus kit from DML. Regardless, the leftovers will certainly
come in handy for the Braille Scale modeler.
The instructions are well printed, but are relatively “compressed”,
so be careful while following them. Also, lest the modeler become confused:
the photo of the built-up kit on the box side shows the drive sprocket
on the rear station, when in fact it was front-mounted. The instructions
are correct in this case.
As I said previously, since accuracy really cannot be considered a critical
issue, those modelers who want a quick build of a tank that never saw
service will enjoy this kit. “Purists” may wish to look elsewhere.Recommended
with reservations.
Frank V. De Sisto
DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details
see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.
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