DRAGON - M4A3 (105mm) w/Deep Wading Kit

Written by Vinnie Branigan

A look at the latest small-scale offering from Dragon....

M4A3 (105mm) w/Deep Wading Kit

Manufacturer: Dragon models

Scale: 1/72

Material: Styrene & photo-etch

Serial Number: 7330

Price: TBA

Contents

The contents consist of only four sprues of Dragon's light grey styrene, a photo-etched fret, small decal sheet, and two lengths of track in tan-coloured DS100 vinyl. Sharply detailed with some fine flash around some of the very small parts, it should build into a very nicely detailed model.

The suspension bogies are supplied with the roadwheels moulded in pairs which are then sandwiched between two halves of the bogey. There are actually casting numbers moulded onto the surface of the bogies, although probably over-scale, it's amazing they could actually mould them. The hull is supplied as a one-piece tub, onto which rear wall and one-piece drive housing are fitted. The main deck itself is also supplied as one part, which unfortunately has some tools moulded onto its surface around the engine deck. Strange, because some tools are supplied as separate parts?

The hatches in the kit, although absolutely tiny, are all supplied separately, and have some detail on their inner surface too. The brush guards for the lights are supplied in plastic, although the flaps at the front of each fender are supplied as photo-etch, which does however, mean that you'll have to cut the plastic ones off first.

The turret is also supplied as a one-piece moulding, with some lovely detail moulded in, and a nice texture too. The one in my sample was marred by a cooling line on its top surface, but the application of some styrene cement should cover that easily. The main gun barrel is supplied in one piece with a pre-drilled end.

All the wading kit for the vehicle is supplied as photo-etch, which at this scale is really the most effective way to do it. What may present a problem is the addition of the wire stays etc., should you choose to fit them, and even at this scale, I don't think it would look right without them....and you'll need further references since they're not even shown on the box art.

Conclusion

Being a Sherman, I can't really say whether this kit is accurate or not, all I can say is that it's a beautifully engineered little small-scale kit. Some odd touches, like those moulded-on tools, but the detail is there, and should build into a great looking model! Recommended!

My thanks to Dragon models for the review sample