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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
Product Specifications.
6332, M3A1 Half-Track 3-in-1 Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 439 styrene parts (including eight clear), one etched brass fret, one piece of chain, one piece of string, five decal/markings schemes and ten pages of instructions in up to 17 steps depending on version built.
Introduction.
A couple of years ago, DML released a fine rendition of the M2/M2A1 half-track, which although it had a couple of odd design choices, was nonetheless well-received by modelers. Around that time it was known that the M3/M3A1 was to follow. In the interim, kits of an M4 81mm MMC, M3 75mm GMC and an M16 MGMC were released. The M3 and M16 included some detail tweaks as a result of modeler feed-back regarding the M2 and M4 kits. So it is rather odd that this newest kit in the line has not benefited from these subtle re-tooling measures.
Tracks.
DMLs designers came up with rather creative solution in order to provide for an unprecedented level of accuracy and fidelity in this area. Therefore, the track assemblies for each side are split into two injection-molded styrene parts, longitudinally; this provides for crisp tread detail on the faces of the continuous rubber-band-type tracks that the prototype was equipped with. The inner surface also has nicely-rendered guide chain details; the kits designers have succeeded extremely well in this area.
Suspension System.
The suspension system features drive sprockets and idler wheels with delicate skeletal-style rims and hubs; accurately reproducing these items are not conducive to the traditional styrene plastic injection-molding process. But, using an old technique in an innovative manner has resulted in drive sprockets and idler wheels that accurately mirror the prototype to a remarkable degree. The remaining road-wheels and return rollers are traditionally-rendered as inner and outer halves and include crisp tire, rim and rim-bolt details.
The bogie units assemble from about ten more parts each and this break-down allows for an excellent amount of finesse and detail. The modeler may wish to add the oval-shaped hole to part D-32, a round hole to part D-21, some bolt-head details to part D-34 and some foundry casting numbers and symbols from Archer, as per reference photos. The idler wheel adjustment arms and other items are separate parts, while the spring mount unit represents the later style with a large outer coil-spring unit over a tube that housed a smaller inner coil-spring unit; drive shafts and associated hubs finish the assembly. The final item in this area is the exhaust pipe and muffler assembly; a separate end to the pipe is fitted in order to properly depict the opening.
The conventional front wheels feature tires that are weighted; they include complete inner and outer wheel-hub details, brake unit details, drive shaft, axles, steering linkages and leaf spring units.
Chassis Frame.
This is a single-piece item that has some nice bolt detail on the lower face, as well as the bottom of the engine/transmission unit molded in place. There is a very basic, multi-part White 160AX engine and radiator that gets fitted to this as well as the front and rear suspension system, drive train, rear bumper and the associated tow hitch. The front bumper is available as two options: with roller or with winch. The winch features parts for the drive line connection, a metal chain and styrene hook, as well as the associated cable (represented with nylon string); the roller is movable. The frame for the roller is topped by etched brass plates and styrene hooks; the same hooks are fitted to the winch-equipped bumper.
Superstructure.
The front end of this vehicle features a multi-part cab enclosure. It has optional opened or closed wind-shield armor view-ports rendered in etched brass (the entire assembly can be shown raised or lowered as well, to include the rods that keep it in place); a clear styrene wind-shield and frame as well as etched brass wiper blades completes this assembly. The separate doors feature separate upper parts, also with etched brass view-port covers. The door opening handles are (unfortunately) molded in place, both on the inner and outer surfaces; naturally these assemblies can be depicted opened or closed.
The engine access lids are molded closed, although they have scribed lines on their inner faces to aid the modeler who wants to open them up and detail the engine. The characteristic T-shaped closures are also molded in place and seem to my eye to be rather anemic. There are four distinct styrene parts that are to be used to depict the armored nose section with the radiator cooling slats. H-1 and H-2 do not have either the hole for the winch drive-shaft or the so-called combat head-lamp mounts; H-2 is opened up and is designed to receive the etched brass slats. Parts H-3 and H-4 are designed to mount the combat head-lamps and have an opening for the winch drive-shaft; H-4 is opened to receive the etched brass slats.
All of this gets attached to the main drivers cockpit floor/fender unit, which includes separate battery housing. There are some ejector pin marks under the fenders that the modeler may wish to address, but under normal viewing conditions they wont be seen. The floor of the drivers cockpit features molded-on non-skid texture as well as his foot pedals; certainly in this day and age the pedals should be separate parts.
Externally, there are a pair of multi-part jerry cans that include molded-on strap details, separate handles and two styles of caps; both apparently represent the types that carried water, as opposed to fuel or lubricants. Optional head-lamp configurations are provided for the early-style or the combat-style mounts, both of which feature clear lenses; the early one actually has a bulb depicted inside. A shovel and pick finish the area on the drivers side.
The remainder of the main body panels are provided in three options in order to depict an M3, M3A1 or M3A2.
For an M3, the body initially did not mount mine racks and the machine gun was mounted on a pedestal in the forward center of the troop compartment. A radio is not to be fitted, nor is an antenna base.
The M3A1 has the M49 ring mount for a machine-gun, a radio set and associated antenna mount, stationary mounts for machine guns on the body panels and mine racks.
The M3A2 has the revised M49 ring mount for a machine-gun, a radio set and associated antenna mount, stationary mounts for machine guns on the body panels, stowage ladders, stowage frames for the rear end and mine racks.
The modeler with proper references can mix and match parts as appropriate. For instance, M3s could have mine racks fitted, while the folding stowage racks seen on the rear of the M3A2 could also be seen on the M3 and M3A1. The stowage racks for the rear end are provided as either three-part lowered assemblies, or as a single part, folded-up. In addition, besides the original mine rack with the mines already molded in place, this kit also has empty mine racks. Furthermore, new separate mines are given, which include separate etched brass pressure plates as well as carry handles. By far, the most remarkable aspect of this kit has to be the amount of options and extras, all of which can be useful elsewhere.
The rear panel features a separate entry door, separate latch handle, separate hand-holds and a tow hitch. Etched brass mud flaps complete the area.
Interior.
The drivers cockpit features a nice instrument panel/dash-board unit as well as separate control levers, steering wheel, and a small fire extinguisher. The seats in this area have nice cloth texture, as do those in the crew compartment. However, the bases for the drivers cockpit seats do not precisely match reference photos, while the cushions themselves do not overhang the bases as they should. There are two radio fits (SCR-510 and SCR-508), each with its own antenna mount (the modeler must add the antenna mast itself, using references). The final new item is a stowage locker seen on photos of a test vehicle in the Hunnicutt book; it is fitted opposite to the radio rack and cover.
The new, longer crew compartment features bench seats, fuel tanks, floor panels and multi-part rifle racks. A total of four M1 Garand rifles are provided to fill the racks. These are Gen2 items so they have separate bolts in the opened and closed position, separate clips and pre-opened bores. The only glitch here is that the trigger guards are slightly misshaped.
The various machine-guns, their ammunition boxes and their mountings, as well as the radio sets, are supplied on two identical sprues. This gives the modeler plenty of spare items for his stash. The machine-guns themselves are created using slide-molds; this means that the bore-ends are already opened up, with the .30 cal. MGs also having the slot at their bores, and the .50 cal. MGs having detailed interiors to their receiver housings. The .50s also have separate receiver covers, but these are marred by having the cocking handle molded with them, which is inaccurate, especially if they are to be depicted opened up; separate grips finish these assemblies. There are two styles of cradles and ammunition boxes for the .30 cal MGs, as well as spare clamp-less shovels, axes and picks on the two sprues marked as J.
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.
Essentially, 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. The detail anomalies consist of the fact that despite correcting the molds on the M3 and M16 GMCs, this version reverts back to un-slotted screw heads on all body panels. The flattened and bulged tires are still present, but they really are not anything to be concerned about; while tires may not bulge, they certainly have a flat foot-print. A bit of sanding will fix that problem quite easily. Also, for some unknown reason, there is no non-skid texture on the floor of the troop compartment. Hopefully, Eduard will take the hint!
Instructions.
These are in the traditional line drawing format; a check indicated that there were no issues in this regard. However, since there are a number of basic configurations as well as options that can be swapped around, the modeler should figure out what features he wants on the finished replica before applying the glue.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals, as usual supplied by Italys Cartograf, are well-printed with crisp edges and fine color registration. Two sheets are provided. One is generic in that it consists solely of numbers, letters and armored division triangles. The second sheet is larger and contains tailored markings for the following five vehicles:
M3A1, 4th Armored Division, Germany 1945.
M3A1, 3rd Armored Division, France 1944.
M3A1, French 1er Division Blinde, France 1944.
M3, 2nd Armored Division, Morocco 1942.
M3A2, Continental US.
Conclusion.
This kit, although it has (in my opinion) some minor shortcomings, and one major one (the lack of non-skid pattern on the floor plates in the crew compartment), is still very sound. Those who have been waiting avidly for this release are bound to be a bit disappointed in some respects; the rest will find this quite acceptable.
Recommended.
Frank V. De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. Half-Track, a History of American Semi-Tracked Vehicles; Presidio, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
2. Halftracks; Baron Publications, by J. Steuard & R. Fines.
3. US Half-Tracks, Their Design and Development; Darlington Productions, by D.R. Haugh.
4. Toadmans Half-Track Car M2A1 Photo detail CD; Toadmans Tank Pictures CD-16, by C. Hughes.
5. M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940-73; Osprey New vanguard 11, by S. Zaloga.
6. US Half-Tracks of World War II; Osprey Vanguard 31, by S. Zaloga.
7. US Half-Tracks in Combat 1941-1945; Concord 7031, by S. Zaloga.
8. US Halftracks of World War Two; Tanks Illustrated 13, by S. Zaloga.
9. M3 Half-Track in Action; Squadron 2034, by J. Mesko.
10. M2/M3 Half-Track; Walk Around No.4, Squadron, by J. Mesko.
11. M.3 Half-Track APC; Armour in Profile 17, by B.H. Vanderveen.
12. American Half-Tracks of World War 2; Bellona, by C. Ellis & P. Chamberlain.
