After Action Report: Dragon 6688 StuG III Ausf. E in 1/35

This is my after action report on the new Dragon StuG III Ausf. E. Overall I'm not terribly impressed, but it can be made in to a decent result. I would not recommend this kit.

[@EMTBonsai]

I bought the new RFM stug full interior today I'd like to see your reaction to the mess they have put the kit out like for cleaning up! And the under sides of the fenders is just ridiculous tbh it's unacceptable in my opinion! RFM have really let slip with the stug G full interior kit! The injection pin hole and just plane smooth underneath really but they have left massive stubs from the moulds in the fenders that could cause stress to the plastic on top of fenders if not careful removing but there that long you wouldn't get the return rollers on! There's not even a slide Moulded barrel! It's 2 half's! It's actually reminding me of an Academy kit!

[@diegomahishmaha9024]

Adam, thanks for the video! As far as the double radio/antennas I was watching the series Battlefields: Stalingrad and its split into 2 1hr segments. On the second segment 15-20 min in there is a stug III F that drives by in the footage and clearly has the twin angled antenna and the box on the one side (side shot). I know it's a model F and not an E, but it was footage that proved it was an actual set up. I imagine it's for a command tank like you said. I'm going to keep an eye out for it, got some books to look through.

[@EMTBonsai]

Hi Adam did you have any issues with the casemate not fitting the hull unless tabs on fenders were shaved and the kwk37 sitting to far forward and having to mount the fixing plate inside further back by doing abitty surgery? I'm away to start the Ausf B and reading a Track Link reading a build report he's going over some major issues that's putting me off building the kit just now!

[@willabe566]

I saw this in the hobby shop, but I don't think I'll pick it up!

[@AdamMann3D]

Wise choice.

[@fisharmy5785]

I don't understand why they just don't use magic tracks for all there kits maybe cost I guess just weird how one kit will have them then you get another kit of the same tank different version and it has DS? Great review Adam always enjoy them.

[@AdamMann3D]

Thanks, I don't understand why they do that either.

[@EMTBonsai]

Did you have to trim the antenna mounts off the boxes on sides and move them down like in the instructions? 0.55 cut off from top moved to near middle of the Box them mount them I'm building the ausf B just now it's saying the same I'm trying to look through stuff to see how far they are located on real vehicle before cut anything! If you can help that'd be great and also about the location hole on back of superstructure on ausf B if using slopped armour and tein antennas I'm getting lost with the build just now, if this pin hole is for the antenna mount or what lol I've also got 3 different front ends in the box non have them holes that I'm looking at so will use one these on the E if this is what's in that box! I've got photos of aisf Bs with the boxes woth 2 antennas and it's confusing me

[@geirrosset]

For the fenders I'd fill them from underneath. That way you can prevent the putty from covering any area around the hole and gunking up the diamond plate texture.

[@Adamslee72]

great review Adam I myself kinda find dragon kits a little challenging at times but this stug looks awesome

[@AdamMann3D]

IT looks good, but it shouldn't have been so hard to build.

[@Panzermeister36]

Good review Adam. Shame this kit isn't as good as it could have been....just like pretty much every new Dragon kit. At least the interior comes with the ammo boxes and grenade rack, which is a little better than the other StuGs which are missing the ammo storage. I despise filling too so yeah this kit is pretty weak. F/8 kit is much much better. But I'm glad my StuG roof tip was helpful.

[@petertube4555]

Example of filling the fender holes and what you can do with this kit: www.dmmb.info/t12248f301-StuG-III-quot-Bluecher-quot-Prag.html

[@andrewjerome2157]

After watching this, I am definitely going to convert it to an F/8. Thanks for the review!

[@rob3609]

I Really hope Dragon wakes up soon. I Am wondering if they have new management or have been bought by a new company? There are a lot of other companies that in my opinion are out performing Dragon right now at a lower price point!

[@AdamMann3D]

I don't see them stopping this. I wish they would but I doubt it very much.

[@traffic800]

Thanks for the review. I have this kit on hold at dragonusa and I was going to have it shipped out this week with some other kits, but I'm now seriously considering getting it. A different option is the stuh 42 e/f kit. But I think it is pretty similar to this one.

[@SmallSoldier]

Just noticed on your close-ups... you didn't remove the parting seams on the tools ect. Is that just because this is a review model or do you always leave them?

[@oddball3673]

The only real way to deal with the fender holes would be to fill the holes with pieces of plastic rod.

[@colonelminus]

Nice review. I sat in a real one the other Saturday. German tank museum nearby had "day of open hatches" so I took the chance to jump in made plenty of pictures from the interior. Just in case the ordered Wittmann StuG 3 a from dragon as well had the interior kit like this one. Cheers for the review.

[@riff2072]

I have had problems building the rear of most the PZ. 3/4 hulls from Dragon. The area around what I believe are the idle arm adjusters, the two hexagon nuts you can see at 2:52. That area is always a problem. The other problem with Dragon kits is, as you mentioned, filling holes and removing stuff. That gets a bit trying at times. Were not the rings around the idler one piece at one time or am I getting is confused with another maker. Thanks for the after actio0n report AM and letting me vent about Dragon.

[@AdamMann3D]

My pleasure RIff. I know exactly the part you're talking about on the Panzer III idler. I have to figure it out every time I do one.

[@fwsauerteig]

It still seems better than the Broncos offering. I am building the C/D kit now, and the issues are really piling up. As with the Bronco kit, I think the best solution is to acquire aber stug fenders. Definitely a pain but there is no other way to obtain pristine skid mark texture without marring. Regarding DS tracks, use Friuls or other single link tracks.

[@AdamMann3D]

Agreed as usual.

[@claytonmcclain182]

Great review Adam just got sent here by Panzermiester36 today my wife just ordered this kit and had heard a lot of bad stuff on it. But I wasn't going to tell my wife NO I don't want it. so I'll have to research the heck out of it. and I started here. Great job on this Kit. I see I have my work cutout for me.

[@AdamMann3D]

You know I picked this kit back up today to possibly paint it. It turns out really well, it's just stupid things you have to fix.

[@militarymodellerpaul5932]

Even with the issues you had, the model still looks great.

[@AdamMann3D]

Thanks Paul, I just wish the antenna cradle would have been a success.

[@RobByeArmourinScale]

I agree, Adam, with your assesment of those DS tracks. They, more than anything else, jump out as glaringly unrealistic.

[@AdamMann3D]

Hard to not notice how toy like they look, I agree.

[@oddball3673]

I started going with the bronco stugs. $30.00 less and without all of the anomilies

[@AdamMann3D]

Nice.

[@oddball3673]

watching your review,I'm very leery of ordering the whittman stug A soon to be available from dragon.

[@Hichatsu]

Dragon's Model Kit prices have always been over the top, for a chinese company to sell kits at those prices, to me seems like they are catering for the mega rich people of the world. Another great video Adam thank you :)

[@milky55way2012]

I know the rings on the idlers were optional on the real stugs but never seen photos close up. Interesting Dragon chose to make them in 4 parts. A suggestion if I may, mix liquor thinner with your putty, will be easier to blend it and no real sanding needed. Nice Stug, thanks for posting.

[@merlinderoy3730]

Schönes Video, bin auf den fertigen StuG gespannt. 👍

[@AdamMann3D]

Danke

[@Kitzkrieg]

Nice review. thanks for being detailed in it and I'll be checking out all your vids for sure. with regards to filling, have you used the Tamiya Extra Thin & sprue shavings yet? way smoother process, now major sanding and zero shrinkage. thanks for a great vid

[@AdamMann3D]

I've tried that recipe for filler but I think I screwed it up and put too much plastic in. I will be trying it again.

[@Kitzkrieg]

I'll pm you via fb msger in a few. just getting ready to close the auctions on the Scale Model Graveyard. and I will pm you once I get it shut down for this week. you should check them out. stuffs been going cheap the last month of so. and loads of Takom, Rye Field and much more new stuff going way below market. I know you mentioned that you wanted to cut back on the spending in one of your vids. the Graveyard is killer for deals. plus you could slim the herd in your stash and put some hobby coins back in your pocket with those kits you may not get to. talk to you in a few

[@petertube4555]

Sorry, part MA13 and MA15

[@smartiepancake]

Demonstrates a principle - the bits you struggled with and feel you messed up loom large in your own perception but aren't necessarily all that noticeable to others. :-)

[@Panzermeister36]

That is true; the final result does look very good!

[@willabe566]

Panzermeister36 agreed

[@elmorientez3787]

Totally agree, dragon really are starting to get lazy with their "new" releases. If you forked out for a Cyber-Hobby Bergepanther or Befehlspanther it must be infuriating to see dragons "one run" kits just get a general release. I reckon they're crapping it, I reckon if Rye-Field do mounded on Zimmerit dragon will be done for. Are you getting a hold of the Takom King Tiger Adam? I picked one up just before Christmas, totally worth it, complete tank with Zimmerit, full interior and Indy links for the same cost as a half-arsed Dragon rebox.

[@AdamMann3D]

I don't know if I'll get one of those KTs. I'd love to though. They sure do look good.

[@danreed7889]

Dragon seems to have fixed some of these kit's problems with a new "D" tree that is found in their ausf "C" kit.

[@russellgosselin3325]

Is it fair to say that Dragon has jumped the shark? Thanks for the review!

[@AdamMann3D]

I think they have Russ.

[@DaCostaStudio]

Nice review, i like it. Good work so far :)

[@AdamMann3D]

Thank you sir.

[@claytonmcclain182]

I've seen this before and the only reason I want to mention. You saved many guys from wasting money on that garbage pile😁. I just wanted to say thank you👍 I've built other stugs and ill just stick with them.

[@valter14725]

the holes you needed to fill around 4:32 could have been filed by heating up a pice of the par tree and streching. Cut out the thin part that you got and use the "root" to fill the hole. By the root I refer to the thick part near the part that didnt get effected by the heating up and put that in the hole and cut off the extra

[@MattStunts-]

Good and intetesting review, as always. It's annoying when you buy an expensive kit and you need to fill holesand shave details to get the version from the box art. In my opinion when Dragon will not change their strategy they go will go out from the business very fast.

[@AdamMann3D]

I agree completely.

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

Adam...maybe you know this already... In German command AFVs, the officer had two different types of radios. One for communicating for his units. And one for talking to higher up. They worked on two different frequencies...as you could well guess. Yes...much better with the aftermarket tracks! DS...BS!

[@AdamMann3D]

I did, but I kind of am not sure if Dragon understands that. If this was intentional are there other befehls features missing?

[@colinkavanagh7625]

Building this kit at the moment and it is a complete nightmare, AVOID....

[@AdamMann3D]

Stick with it. Its awful, you are correct. But it looks ok in the end.

[@neilpatrick3532]

Your after action vids are great. I don't like DS tracks much either, because of their high tension and the difficulty of adding sag. But for pz.kpfw III and IV chassis in original combat images, its not unusual for the top runs to be dead flat, exactly like your DS tracks. See this StuG III Ausf E example: globeatwar.com/sites/default/files/styles/media_gallery_large/public/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B28822,_Russland,_Kampf_um_Stalingrad,_Infanterie.jpg?itok=qIrhJMDl

[@petertube4555]

Hi Adam. Nice build. But - the position of the first "Stützrolle" is wrong - part V28: the inside is out - you exchange part MA15 and MA18 for the antenna Greetings from Deutschland

[@AdamMann3D]

You know I thought that might have been the case. When you rush you mistakes. Thanks.

[@MrRobmoses44]

I am not impressed with the photo etched mudguards. They have open slits where the bends are. As for the filling, I always fill with plastic strip or rod to lesson the need to use putty filler. Nice Review!

[@AdamMann3D]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. I guess you'd have to fill them? Or solder them?

[@reconmodelsvaughn469]

Make sure you use a Command tank number

[@SgtBones]

BS tracks, lack of decent instructions, PE parts where not needed, lack of correctly tooled parts, jeez, and then the price? WTF Dragon???

[@AdamMann3D]

Right? Idiots.

[@DeerHunter308]

After watching this I looked at my un built as of now Bronco kit and the idler wheel p/e is one piece.

[@AdamMann3D]

Good, I'd lot to see a comparison of the two kits built up.

[@HalidonDioramas]

Dragon are losing it, I agree completely, I want to buy a kit that makes what it shows on the box art, out of the box, not with me having to do the work they were to lazy to do by putting the correct parts in!! Next they will be selling Sherman's with all the Panzer III sprues in the box with some vague instructions with "minor conversion" required!

[@AdamMann3D]

amen.

[@redhorse7458]

I would say 65 is generous on your part. I would be more inclined to give it about a 50. I agree the DS tracks are pretty much junk. The end result is a tank that looks more like a child's toy because of the lack of any track sag at all. I would hate to have to build a Dragon kit for a customer because of all the filling and removing of detail as you pointed out in this video. I really don't like their kits because of that very issue and I think they are probably one of the least desired companies among avid or professional model builders precisely because of that. Couple that with the fact that their prices are right in keeping with companies that offer far better kits out of the box and the issue becomes even more frustrating. You did a fine job getting this kit together but I agree there is far too much sanding and filling, especially at this price range. With respect to the antenna, I can't speak directly to the Stug in this video but I have heard that German tanks with two antenna were almost always command tanks as they had one radio to communicate with their unit and the second radio to communicate with the higher levels of command an receive orders etc etc. So that is probably accurate but yes the photo etch parts were very poorly done on Dragon's part.

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

yep, i´ll stick to imperial series dragon stuff for the greater part, because they are enjoyable to build at least :)

[@AdamMann3D]

I'm responding to comments a bit late here. You know though, you can bump up to 2005 Dragon, I've seen you do it.

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

Adam Mann they are hard to come by though, because more people than we are aware of this :D

[@masterchief3356]

good stuff ;)

[@AdamMann3D]

Thanks

[@witmanntheinfinite]

25th viewer and the first to like good video man!! Keep them coming!!!

[@Holyganker]

Geesh...the hell with having to (overly) mod out of box kits involuntarily.

[@AdamMann3D]

Right? So silly.

[@oddball3673]

Dragon tried to cut costs using the 8 pe pieces for the idler wheels,good for them ,not for the modelers

[@kackbratze9705]

I don't like Dragon. Your AAR is the reason why.

[@AdamMann3D]

I wish I had better things to report.