Literally, a one off piece of ordnance that preformed extremely well against the Soviet opposition. Of the two vehicles produced, one was destroyed whilst the other survived the front, returned to Germany, but however, did not survive the war. Attached to the 3rd Panzer Division they were initially subscribed to Pz.Jg.Abt.521.

Dragon appears to be running to parallel production runs of their AFVs, their smart kits and standard plastic kits. With over 1000 components this is certainly in the later series. The basics of this vehicle were the adoption of the PzKfw IV Ausf D chassis, with the engine compartment moved from the rear to the middle. Dragon has adopted the lower hull section from one of their recent issues. There is several nights work on this section, let alone getting to the unique part of this model.

As with most collectors of German WWII armour I have a number of external photo images but nothing from the all important inside. The booklet issued with the kit identifies the process by which the design/production team came up with their construction decisions'. There is a rather ambiguous statement which implies that they managed to obtain factory drawings of vehicle or just the ventilation system? I would be interested in which one is correct. The 10.5cm K18 is beautifully detailed, again I have virtually no reference to comment on the accuracy of components.

What we have to accept is that there is probably no one out here who has offer constructive criticism of this kit with regard to the accuracy of the internal detail. As with all of the kits issued by Dragon in the last few years the quality and detailing is of a standard unimagined a few years ago. With regard to the ergonomics of the internal fighting compartment there is one serious omission and that is the lack of armaments for close defence; i.e. MP38/40. I believe that in keeping with most of the vehicles that performed this field role they would have been armed with at least 2 number MP38/40. As to where these would be positioned the modeller has as much imagination as Thomas Anderson does!

Unfortunately I have an inbuilt reticence about installing detail that there maybe no hard evidence for, but Dragon have taken the "bull by the horns" and produced this rare vehicle to an excellent quality & standard.

Yes, there is perhaps some criticism as to why Dragon should expend their energies on such a vehicle that only saw two examples. I do not subscribe to this opinion. There are for sure lots of examples of more standard vehicles still to be produced, the PzKfw II series for example; but check what has been released in the last year and the observer will see that there is an excellent cross section, of standard, uncommon and rare vehicles. As these vehicles only saw service in 1941 and 1942 the colour is limited to Panzer Grey with the possibility of some limited white camouflage during the 1941/42 winter.

A rival of Dragon, Trumpeter have also just release their own version of the Dicker Max and I will be interested to see how they have treated the interior of this vehicle. Surely it is in the best interests of the modeller that he/she has choices in manufacturers, an increasing rarity these days.

Once again a box packed to the lid with high quality, beautifully detailed components, what ever your level of modelling this will be delight to build and paint. Highly recommended.

- A J Greenland