Dragon 1/72

I own both the M1A1 and M1A1 and yes, they are very toy-like because of the motorization issue. The whole lower hull has a pregnant look to it to accommodate the motor. I still suggest the Revell Abrams, but the Dragon Abrams can be used to update the Revell kit to a post Desert Storm model.

I built the Elefant and it was definitely not designed to be motorized. The track is pretty bad and I would tell you to try the new Trumpeter Elefant instead of the Dragon Elefant. My friend built the Dragon Ferdinand at the same time and it is virtually the same as the Elefant kit, just a slight addition/deletion of some detail parts. He had the same problem with the tracks. They are just too long.

My daughter got the Dragon Panther G. It too was not made for motorization. It includes a diecast upper and lower hull with a plastic insert for the engine and back deck area. I was building the PIOModels Bergepanther (based on the Revell Panther A/D) and I think the Revell Panther is a superior model kit than the Dragon kit, but since I am not a German armor expert, I do not know which one is more accurate. I do think the diecast hull (comes pre-primed) would be more difficult to add zimmerit than the plastic hull of the Revell kit.

hope this helps

I don't think you can get a better 1/72 abrams than a revell.

Isn't it kind of defeating the purpose of making your own scheme if it is pre painted? Then again, you can just paint over it I guess. What did you do, Rob, about the track lenth?

The diecast hull is pre-primed a light gray that matches the color of the plastic. They expect you to paint the camouflage scheme yourself, unless you are into not painting models.

I cut about ¼" off of the track length and just tied it down on the underside of a road wheel.

I was assisting my daughter in assembling the upper and lower hull of the Panther. The inner surface of the front slope of the upper hull has to be filed significantly in order to mate the upper hull to the lower hull without a big gap at the front of the hull. Filing diecast metal is a rather difficult thing to do for a child to do.