Dragon

1/35 Winter Panzer Riders 1943-44

Kit Number: 6513

Reviewed by  Andy Renshaw , IPMS# 35806

MSRP: $14.99 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Dragon has been coming out with several new sets in their 39'-45' series, or unofficially among modelers called "Gen 1", that have been quite different than the usual forte of four standing figures. This one, titled "Winter Panzer Riders" is completely composed on the back of a Panzer IV series vehicle, such as a Panzer IV G or H, but could be used on any vehicle of the period. In the Box: You get the traditional Dragon box with Ron Volstad artwork on the front as well as the usual painting instructions on the rear. Inside you get five sprues: 1 large sprue with the main parts for the 4 figures. 1 sprue containing the helmets and coat collars. 1 sprue with equipment such as gas mask canisters, E-tool, and knives. 2 sprues with weapons (from kits 6070 and 6002).

Overall molding is up to Dragons usual standards, including the weapons. There is still a fairly heavy mold seam on the main figure parts to contend with, and thick sprue gates where the parts are attached. So some clean up including some careful sanding and filing will be required, but nothing beyond what is normal for plastic figures. The detail on the figures is very good, with nice deep folds and relief on all the major parts. Faces are nicely done and I really see no need to replace these unless you are looking for a different facial expression. The poses are very well composed and all four figures appear to be interacting or at least focused on the same direction, toward the front of the tank, as though they are moving. One figure is turned his head back to speak to the others and this may be the only one you might want to find a resin head to get more of a "speaking" face than what is provided in the box. One thing about this set that I really like is how all the lower portions of the overcoats are molded separately, in some cases into four parts, to get maximum detail and relief. When assembled the result is fantastic as the lower portion of the figure actually looks like a separate overcoat draped over the body and legs vs. the old style of molding this area solid. Also separate is the collars of all the coats, so this adds even more additional detail and relief. Construction: The overall fit is excellent, much to my relief as I was concerned with the multipart coats. Only a little filler is needed around some of the seams, mostly around the parts of the overcoat and on the shoulders. I advise building these with the weapons, as the location of the arms and positions of hands are paramount to having the finished figure look right. The only way to do this is to build the figure around the weapons. Take your time fitting the arms around the weapons, and aligning the poses. I also recommend you have a rear hull of a Panzer IV kit handy, or a square surface you can "sit" figures 1 and 2 on, as these have arms leaning onto the surface of the tank, with a hand flat on the deck. You can use the panzer IV kit or a square block to make sure the hand does lie flat once the arm is positioned. Though this is a simple kit, there are some glitches in the part call outs on the back of the box. For the most part, most won't notice as you probably will visually identify the part needed instead of relying on part numbers, however it's worth a mention. Most of the gear such as the gas mask container, canteen, bread bag, and the like is mislabeled on the instructions. Also some parts are not even called out at all on figures 2 and 3. On figure 2 the right boot is not labeled. Then on figure 3, the left collar, part C8 is not called out. Painting: There really isn't much to these figures as far as color gos. Two of them are in field grey overcoats, and the others in the reversible white/splinter camo suits. The instructions and box art shows these two with the white showing, however you could do the splinter camo on the outside and white inside. I chose to do the white on the outside. These figures are a first for me using all acrylics to paint them. Using both Vallejo and Andrea paints, I started with the faces, then moved to the uniforms. The paints performed beautifully, Once again a great set of figures from Dragon and I really enjoyed assembling these. These will look great on the rear of a Panzer IV project to add a little life. My only disappointment is Dragon's inclusion of weapons from such an old set (#6002) instead of including some of the newer tool weapons we find in other sets. With the price on these "Gen 1" figures reaching near $15.00, I believe it would be a better value if they included some Gen 2 weapons from the various sets they released. Even with that, the poses can't be beat and it's still worth picking this set up. I recommend it to anybody wanting to add some troops to the back of their Panzer IV. Thanks to Dragon and IPMS for the review sample.