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Thursday, January 02, 2020 - 12:10 PM UTC
Dragon is releasing its fourth item in its Neo Smart Kit range in the ever-popular 1/35 scale. The subject is a StuG.III Ausf.G (Sd.Kfz.142).
Early-production variants of this tank destroyer were used in the gigantic Battle of Kursk in July-August 1943.

A prominent feature of Dragon’s Neo range is the remarkable Neo Smart Tracks, which include pre-molded lengths of track to make life easier for the modeler, as well as individual links that allow appropriate sagging effects. Furthermore, the plastic material on Neo Smart Tracks is the same as that used elsewhere on the injection-molded kit to make painting and finishing that bit easier.

This 1/35 kit of the StuG.III Ausf.G Early Production, Kursk 1943 is based on Dragon’s kit range, but as an initial release it features a complete interior as a first-production bonus. With all these convenient features, model-makers could build an abandoned vehicle that fought in the Battle of Kursk with damaged tracks and opened hatches, for instance.
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Comments

This is somewhat good news. It doesn't include an engine, which is one of the most-useful interior details possible for a wrecked vehicle. The fighting compartment interior is useful if you're at a Show and want to enter it "hatches open." Someone will then shine a light inside and mark you down if there is no detailing, but most of the interior will be lost. Better would be for Dragon to include the engine. At least then you can do both a Panzer Wreck AND a Panzer repair.
JAN 03, 2020 - 05:11 AM
I can't see how much ammo storage is included with the interior details. From the little I've read, there was quite a bit and the crews would pack in extra.
JAN 03, 2020 - 06:35 AM
I am glad Dragon is attempting a rebirth of sorts, going through their extensive inventory and tightening it up with the 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 kits, and Neo seems to be an try at eliminating the DS misstep and accommodate those who like indy tracks and who like rubber bands with this compromise made of better material. However, they still have to reconcile with the better perceived value of the competition and look hard at their pricing structure. And they need to fully commit to an idea. If you are going to compete in the world of interiors you need to include it all. As mentioned, the engine is one of the most obvious requiring inclusion when talking interiors.
JAN 03, 2020 - 07:00 AM
The description of the Neo-tracks sounds very different from the link and length from the IJA tanks. Pre-formed so no bending them on your own. Having some interior is good for leaving hatches open. Engine and transmission would be good to have like Bill said.
JAN 03, 2020 - 07:38 AM
In answer to the question about internal ammo storage the short answer is there isn't any included. None. This assumes that the kit is identical to the original release of this kit which had nice gun detail, etc but no ammo racks. For that you had to get the Edwards, etc PE sets which handled that detail quite nicely, except for the glaring absence of shells. I don't recall Dragon including any shells with the original kit so I doubt that the Neo has any either. Considering the absence of racks this makes sense. Sort of. I whole-heartedly agree on the disappointment concerning the complete lack of any engine/transmission detail. Oh well, that's what aftermarket exists.
JAN 03, 2020 - 12:57 PM
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