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REVIEW
Armored Jeep from Dragon
barkingdigger
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ARMORAMA
#013
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Posted: Saturday, May 26, 2012 - 03:13 AM UTC
Dragon follows the Cyberhobby SAS Jeep release with an armored Jeep, and Andy Renshaw takes it for a spin!

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
skyhawk
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Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 10:43 AM UTC
Thanks for getting this up there!
Andy
PantherF
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Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 11:34 AM UTC
Yes! Nice write up! So nice it's almost convincing enough to get one if it wasn't for the 1/24th version I bought earlier!

I've heard they are very similar but I enjoyed reading about the 1/35th just the same.








~ Jeff
HeavyArty
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Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 01:54 PM UTC
Great review. I agree that the kit isn't really worth it unless you just have to have the armored jeep. For a better option though, you could go with the Tamiya Jeep and the Voyager Armored Plate PE sheet and get a better end result in my opinion.

Also, an addition to the review. Andy says you can build it into a standard jeep by leaving off the armore plate. Not fully. There is no windshield in the kit.

I wish Dragon had fixed all the problens and include the windshield and decals to make a standard jeep as well. It could have been a very good "2 in 1" kit.

Oh well, I'll stick with Tamiya's.
skyhawk
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Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 02:37 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Also, an addition to the review. Andy says you can build it into a standard jeep by leaving off the armore plate. Not fully. There is no windshield in the kit.



Well, your right. However for those that have built a few Tamyia jeeps, or did an SAS conversion, they would have an extra windscreen in the bin. If not, and somebody needs one, I'll be happy to send one.
Or just buy a covered windscreen from one of the several aftermarket guys. Lots of options to take care of that if somebody wanted to build a standard jeep.
Andy
skyhawk
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Posted: Sunday, May 27, 2012 - 03:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text


I wish Dragon had fixed all the problens and include the windshield and decals to make a standard jeep as well. It could have been a very good "2 in 1" kit..



I wholeheartedly agree, great point.
Instead of doing a rare variant, why not toss in a few extra parts and market this as a 2:1?

I wonder what the "standard" jeep issue will include? Wouldn't that be cool if they did a detailed Bantam trailer, or a nice crew? A late war "pacific" release with optional capstan wrench and USMC tow rings, and some USMC and USN markings would be awesome.

Dragon, you listening?
armyguy
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Posted: Monday, January 28, 2013 - 01:19 PM UTC
I wish I had seen your review first. Would have saved myself 30 dollars.I was slightly disappointed when I opened the box.
Some of the reasons are just what you mentioned .The shape of the firewall , the reinforcement around the body tub and no windshield .
Going to stick with Tamiya and buy some after market things or get a couple of Bronco's kits .

Thanks Dave
skyhawk
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Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 11:57 AM UTC
I hear your frustration, however don't give up on the kit completely. Ive just about completed it:

 photo sIMG_2211_zpsbd20c076.jpg

I ended up using a dremel and grinding away the offending square support at the base of the tub, and you cant even see the firewall issue. I tossed the PE hood latches..what a pain! Going to use some resin ones instead. Overall though, it looks pretty good. Its a bit more work than a taymia with all the little parts, but not impossible. I 'might' desire to have the new issue SAS jeep (as the figures look nice), but unless they come out with a completely new variant that Ive been wanting (say, a rail jeep, or USMC ambulance, or a half-track jeep!), I will most likely not buy many Dragon ones.

Ill be working up a full feature in the coming weeks covering the build.

Andy
armyguy
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Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - 12:25 PM UTC
Look forward to the complete article on your build.
Resin latches, I'll have to get me a supply of them.
Never done photo-etched before so when I get to this kit it will be a learning experience. Then again that's why I picked up this kit for my first experience in photo- etched parts.
skyhawk
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Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 10:36 AM UTC
Kit is finished enough for a update to the review/feature. We have a newborn daughter in the house now, so my evenings and weekends are not as full with modeling as they used to be! But, I still get stuff done!

I will eventually add some additional stowage, and ammo to the M2, but for now, its done.

update has been posted to the staff, so should show up in a few days.
Enjoy!
Andy

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Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 10:47 AM UTC
Good work Andy...
skyhawk
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Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 12:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Good work Andy...



Thanks!
A bit more work than building a Tamiya kit OOB, but still turned out nice.

I actually have a Tamiya kit with Eduard armor added mostly complete, with some snow-chained wheels. I think I will do the white-wash vehicle with that one. The two will make a nice pair for display!
PantherF
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Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 12:59 AM UTC
Congrats on the new family addition Andy! I have a 32 year old and a 24 year old daughter. Never regretted a day as being a Dad is special, so enjoy all the free time.

Oh yeah... awesome job on the JEEP too.










~ Jeff
armyguy
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Posted: Sunday, May 19, 2013 - 02:59 PM UTC
Just finished my Dragon Jeep. Not the most enjoyable build, to many fragile small parts for me. The one enjoyable part of the build was working with the light grey plastic.
Left the armor off,went with a Black Dog covered windshield. Armor will be used on a battle of bulge build using a Tamiya Jeep.
Enjoy the little ones while you can, they don't stay little for long your work bench will be there when their not.
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