DRA7421 – 1/72 Heavy Uniform Personnel Vehicle Type 40 Winter Production (Contains 2 kits)

In recent weeks Dragon launched the first 1/72 scale plastic kit of a German Schwere Einheits Personenkraftwagen Auto Union/Horch soft-skin vehicle. This heavy passenger car was depicted with no roof and with an open passenger compartment containing an antiaircraft machine gun. Dragon is now following up with a second kit of this important German vehicle from WWII. The new kit includes a roof and clear plastic for the windscreen and glazing. This 4×4 heavy car was produced from 1938 onwards, and it served in all theaters of WWII. The original Type 1a had four-wheel steering, while the later Type 1b produced from 1940 onwards had regular front-wheel steering. This vehicle possessed four-wheel drive, but production ceased in 1941 as part of German efforts to standardize production. The personnel carrier was powered by a V8 Horch engine of 3.823-litre capacity.

Dragon’s 1/72 scale model naturally makes use of the latest toolings created for the first release. The car body (which contains three bench seats able to accommodate five passengers and the driver) is made as a single slide-molded piece in order to simplify construction and ensure perfect alignment. So as to produce an incredible level of detail, the floor plate and its tread pattern is made of photo-etched metal. The new windows and canvas roof are all made from transparent plastic. These new parts give the vehicle a brand new look, and would contribute to an interesting cold-weather diorama. As before, there are TWO complete Type 40 passenger car models inside the box, making this kit even more compelling!

AVAILABLE: June 2011

DRW50385 – 1/72 Gemini Spacecraft (Space)

Following Project Mercury, Gemini was NASA’s second human spaceflight program. Ahead of the first landings on the Moon under the Apollo program, Gemini was designed to develop techniques that would be indispensable for future manned spaceflight. Thus, spacewalks, orbital maneuvers, and rendezvous and docking procedures were tested in a total of ten flights conducted in 1965-66. These ten manned Gemini flights all blasted off from Cape Canaveral atop Titan II boosters. The name Gemini was chosen because the crewmen would be seated abreast in their spacecraft, with the Latin word gemini meaning “side by side”. McDonnell Aircraft was selected in 1961 to build the Gemini capsule, which measured 5.79m long and 3.05m in diameter. The 3,851kg module first flew with a crew on 23 March 1965, with the world’s first onboard computer onboard.

Features:
- 1/72 true-to-scale precision model
- Displayable die-cast spacecraft with high collectable value
- Aesthetically pleasing color finish with delicate imprinted markings

AVAILABLE: June 2011

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If you select model kits based on your skills and the degree to which you want to get involved with researching and assembling the model, you will find you will get more enjoyment and satisfaction from each model you build. This level of commitment will determine whether the outcome is pleasurable, frustrating or even possibly doomed to failure. 

Joining a club can be a great opportunity to get something as you give something back. You get friendship and advice and you give back by sharing your expertise and participating in the club’s model shows.

As you progress from kit to kit, work to develop your modelling skills. Strive to achieve a perfect fit and finish even with simple kits. The skills you learn will then allow you to complete more complex kits with assurance.

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At times, when historical accuracy is not critical, like an adventure in kitbashing, I can spend a lot of time in the preparation phase experimenting by trading parts from one kit in an effort to determine what variations are possible. I find it challenging to see if the wheels from one kit will fit the tires from another or if a spoiler can be adapted to an unrelated vehicle. 

You might build for your own satisfaction. In this case, you can build models of subjects that appeal to you. You can use techniques that you are most familiar with and build to a level of detail and quality that satisfies you.

While interests and skill levels vary from one modeller to the next, I can tell you that each and every one of us modellers has a talent for some aspect of modelling. While our expertise in some areas may need developing, we can all learn from those who have skills which we don�t possess. One of the best ways to gain knowledge in an enjoyable way is to watch someone who is an expert. The modellers I know are always more than willing to share their skills.

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Even for a reasonable sized model train layout, you must be prepared for the potential expense in the thousands of dollars. If your current budget limits you to $500, you will have to accept the reality that you should not even start with this layout. You will end up with a half finished layout until you find some extra money. 

Record the date, the details of the item you bought and the price you paid in a journal or notebook, as you buy your model train equipment. At a future point, when you choose to sell it, you will know what you paid for it and can price it accordingly. A well maintained journal is also a great way to record your progress. Keep pictures as you are building your layout and comment on any issues or milestones.