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Forums - Modelling / Kits |
The kits forum is for the discussion of model kits. Typically questions on availability or certain subjects and quality of existing kits are posted here. Short reviews are good here too. |
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| Messages | 7724 |
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| Subject: | Re: DML M4A4 |  |
| Date: | Jul 29, 2006 |
| From: | rob galassi | |
I've built one and have another on the shelf. It suffers from a few problems that aren't that hard to fix.
1. Wrong suspension. It comes with an old Italeri suspension of the upswept return roller arms. I instead used the horizontal armed type from the Dragon M4A2 Soviet version, that were a drop fit. A number of the dragon kits (M4A1 Cobra, M4A3 battle of the Bulge, and the Soviet A2) come with both types of suspension, which makes swapping/borrowing easier.
2. Weld seams on upper hull should be raised, not recessed. Easy to fix with styrene rod, liquid cement, and the back of an x acto.
3. The lower hull is too long. See Mike Canaday's website for how to fix this. The easiest way is to just cut it off at the back end of the access plate molded onto the bottom of the lower hull.
4. Turret race is not circular. Sand to make it so.
5. Rear turret bustle a bit too long. Sand it.
6. Kit does not come with the rear turret stowage box or the first aid box for the right rear upper hull. I borrowed the turret one from another kit and scratchbuilt the first aid box.
7. There should be a small undercut under each of the driver's hoods. I covered the front of mine in spare track so didn't bother to mimic this feature.
8. The commander's cupola has mounts for the MG on both sides of the "ring", but should only have 1. I just clipped off the one and sanded and filled a bit.
9. The 3 piece transmission housing is a bear to get to fit right. Be prepared for a struggle.
10. The applique armor is WAY too small and should be replaced with those plates from a Tamiya M4A3/M4 or Italeri M4A3.
There are a few other fixes, but nothing TOO major. Overall, I liked it enough to buy a firefly version (which I just built) and another plain jane A4, so either I'm a masochist or it's not that bad.
HTH.
Rob |
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