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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
6421, Quad Gun Trailer M55 Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 129 styrene parts (including eight clear), one etched brass part, generic water-slide decals and six pages of instructions in seven steps.
The quad .50 cal. machine-gun mount as fitted to the M16 half-track was also seen on a trailer for hauling behind vehicles. The larger M51 trailer consisted of two axles and a box-like body. The smaller M55, designed for use by airborne troops, featured a small base-plate set upon three out-riggers and two small tires. It is the subject of this latest release from DML.
Trailer.
This sprue is all-new and contains the parts for the actual trailer. This includes the platform, parts for the out-riggers (or landing gear), wheels and axles. The out-riggers and the axles can be positioned in the travel or firing mode.
Guns and Mount.
The Maxon M45 turret is very nicely done and includes armored seat and back as well as the firing yoke for the interior. A clear part is provided for the gunners sight and the front is enclosed in an armored shell. The side walls are separate parts to which the gun mounts are then fitted. These include separate mounts for the M2 machine-guns. The M2s come from a slide mold so their bores are already opened up and the receiver opening is completely detailed. This is receives a separate cover, which still erroneously includes the charging/cocking handle molded on to it. When closed this is OK, but if the cover is opened, the handle belongs on the body of the gun. Finally, the charging handles are too small. The designers have remembered to include firing solenoids on the machine-guns, which is a nice touch.
Three-part ammunition cans are provided for the gun mount, which include separate parts that show the .50 cal. Rounds and their feed tray. These go from the ammo can to the guns receivers. Eight more cans are provided for stowage as are four spare .50 cal. Gun barrels. Most of the latter parts are not specifically for the gun as configured in the box, but the extra ammo cans will come in handy.
Figure.
A well-done seated gunner figure is provided as a seven-part assembly. He is crisply-molded, wears a short jacket and steel helmet. He is appropriately scrunched-up in order to fit inside the very limited confines of the mount.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
A dry fit of the major components revealed no major (or minor) fit issues. Anywhere it mattered, there were no visible ejector pin marks; there were no shrink marks whatsoever.
Accuracy and Details.
With the exceptions as noted above, this kit accurately depicts the subject matter. I have no completely reliable 1/35th-scale plans to compare the parts to, so I had to rely exclusively on photographs.
Instructions.
These are in the traditional line drawing format and do not seem to contain any major glitches
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals, as usual supplied by Italys Cartograf, are well-printed with crisp edges and fine color registration. The markings consist of data stencils that appeared on the ammo cans, in both yellow and white.
Conclusion.
It is nice to have this gun and its small airborne trailer for hauling behind the jeep kit of choice, especially for those who like to model airborne subjects. Some detailing in the form of solenoid wires and a few other bits will provide the modeler with a fine little center-piece for an ordnance vignette.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Toadmans M16 MGMC Photo Detail CD; Toadmans Tank Pictures CD-20, by C. Hughes.
2. Anti-Aircraft Guns; WW2 Fact Files, ARCO, by P. Chamberlain & T. Gander.
3. Personal inspection and photographs taken of M55 displayed at VFW Hall near Greenport, LI, USA.
Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been writing books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.
DML kits are available from retail and mail-order shops. For more details see their web site at: www.dragon-models.com.
