Model Forum / General / Models / July 2007

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No.
7312; Sherman Mk. V "Tulip"; 201 parts (153 in grey styrene, 46 etched
brass, 2 DS plastic track runs); price US$13.98

Advantages: continuing the versions of the Sherman and tracking the
1/35 scale DML offerings; very nicely done rockets and racks

Disadvantages: size of etched brass parts borders on the ridiculous

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for small scale Commonwealth fans and Shermanoholics

    DML's latest Sherman release gets them back on more stable ground
with a nicely done Sherman V (M4A4) with the 60-lb rocket launcher
option.

    Attaching rockets to tanks has been an ongoing program by various
nations since the beginning of armored vehicles. The Soviets had
probably the most extreme version in which they essentially created
rocket-powered 120 kilogram bombs and attached them to the sides of
the turret of a BT-5 and called it the BT-5TT - TT for "tankoviy
torpedo!"

            During WWII the British were a bit more rational (one note of
observation is the "Murphy's Law" corollary that if you attach
explosives outside of your tank they can blow you up too!) and used
much smaller 60-lb rocket projectiles. The idea was to provide
overwhelming firepower at point-blank range against bunkers or
infantry barricaded inside a building. The 60-lb rocket projectile
warhead had the same basic impact and damage capability as the 5.5"
gun so was extremely lethal at short range.

    DML has now taken their Sherman V (M4A4) kit and added the rocket
launchers to it. As before this basically combines the A, B and C
sprues from the Firefly kit (details and mid-production VVSS
suspension with welded road wheels and "straight" return roller arms
with pillow blocks) with their M4A1 turret, as well as the two DS
plastic British pattern steel chevron (T62 style) track runs.

    The hull is beautifully done with "Slide Molding" providing the side
details as well as the top and front/rear ones, including very petite
weld bead details (less casting numbers!) and other niceties such as
the fender/sand shield mountings. The turret likewise has been "Slide
Molded" as has the gun barrel which has a hollow muzzle. Everywhere
one looks are fine details such as bolts, screw heads, weld bead,
etc.

    All of the armored applique panels are included, three hull, one
turret and the Firefly patch, but in this kit that is ignored. Again,
the trailer hitch remains molded in the stowed position on the side of
the rear doors, but unless you are planning on using an ammo trailer
that is pretty minor. All of the crew hatches and the pistol port are
separate parts and can be shown open or shut. There is no interior
detail in the turret.

    The transmission cover is the "bolted" three-section type with
separate bolt flanges, which is normal for portraying this component,
and has a choice of cast in or etched brass "ears" for the tow
shackles. Other etched brass components include the taillight lenses,
light guards, part of the tool brackets, and in the RP (right puny)
department, the locking tabs and ears for the hatches. (These are
maybe 0.5 x 1.0 mm.)

    Surprisingly DML has not included the fenders/sand shields for this
model of the Sherman, as they were more commonly used by Commonwealth
tankers than Americans. Considering it would be a good idea to use
etched brass for this, the omission is a bit odd. Another oddity,
probably based on the "mix and match" sprues, is that for this kit
they provide TWO M2HB .50 caliber machine guns, but neither one is
used. Go figure.

    The rockets come with two brackets, a two-piece launch rail, and
rocket warhead/body and separate tail fin section. These have credibly
thin fins and appear to be pretty much on the money.

    Markings and finishing instructions are provided for three different
tanks from the 1st Armoured Battalion, Coldstream Guards, Germany,
1945; all are in olive green with a choice of three different numbers
(white 2A, white 2B or yellow 9B.) The complete markings for one of
three tanks are provided on a small targeted Cartograf sheet.

    Overall this is a nice little kit and unlike the unfortunate 105mm
turrets uses one of the best of the DML efforts, now enhanced with the
rocket racks.

    Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell