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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Review
Dragon: M752 LANCE Missile Launcher
CMOT
Staff MemberEditor-in-Chief
ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 10:41 PM UTC


Jon Arnold shares with us a review of the Dragon Models M752 LANCE Tactical Ballistic Missile Launcher in 1/35th scale.

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
Vodnik
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Posted: Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 11:13 PM UTC
With all the omissions, simplifications and some shape errors - 90%? Really?... Very generous... I wouldn't give it more than 70% (yes, I do have the kit).
junglejim
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Posted: Friday, September 29, 2017 - 04:18 AM UTC
I'm hoping some aftermarket company is working on a correction set (Legend, are you listening?). What do you think about the road wheels Pawel? I haven't had a chance to look that closely at them yet...

Jim
27-1025
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Posted: Saturday, September 30, 2017 - 01:36 AM UTC
Roadwheels are very basic, not
27-1025
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Posted: Saturday, September 30, 2017 - 01:39 AM UTC
Sorry typo, there is no detail on the backside of the roadwheels. Would love to see an aftermarket correction set but won't hold my breath, just not sure how big a seller this kit will be.
Jacques
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Joined: March 04, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, September 30, 2017 - 07:36 AM UTC
General corrections for this kit could be used on any of the other M113 based kits coming from DML, like the recently announced M727 HAWK kit.

I would love to see the corrections for the Lance kit as well, if not a resin company, then can someone do them on shapeways for 3D parts?
Taeuss
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Manitoba, Canada
Joined: January 03, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, September 30, 2017 - 08:00 AM UTC
Sad to see something so easily verified and they still get it wrong. We shouldn't have to fix kits that cost this much due to sloppy design & research.
Removed by original poster on 10/03/17 - 11:36:28 (GMT).
jon_a_its
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
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Posted: Monday, October 02, 2017 - 04:25 PM UTC

Quoted Text

With all the omissions, simplifications and some shape errors - 90%? Really?... Very generous... I wouldn't give it more than 70% (yes, I do have the kit).



My Blog soon!
My opinion of the kit 'may' change when I build it.... I will dig out my old M577 US Armoured Command Post (1975)

I look forward to seeing your build Pawel, & will welcome any input as post-WW2 US Armour really isn't my thing.
bill_c
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MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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Posted: Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 07:35 PM UTC
I know I'm flogging a dead horse here, but 90% for a kit with so many awful lows?
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
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Posted: Tuesday, October 03, 2017 - 08:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I know I'm flogging a dead horse here, but 90% for a kit with so many awful lows?



Maybe it's a counterweight to this review where the kit was penalized for a mistake by the builder.

KL
jon_a_its
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Posted: Wednesday, October 04, 2017 - 05:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

With all the omissions, simplifications and some shape errors - 90%? Really?... Very generous... I wouldn't give it more than 70% (yes, I do have the kit).



My Blog soon!
My opinion of the kit 'may' change when I build it.... I will dig out my old M577 US Armoured Command Post (1975)

I look forward to seeing your build Pawel, & will welcome any input as post-WW2 US Armour really isn't my thing.



Pt.2 the Build Starts here
jon_a_its
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Posted: Thursday, October 05, 2017 - 12:37 AM UTC
I can conclusively report the wheels have as much detail on the rear side as the (1975) Tamiya wheels and less on the front as well

Comparison: in MM not including axle stubs

Dragon Tamiya
Roadwheel
Dia 17.33 17.34
Width 5.98 5.86

Idler
Dia 11.96 11.89
Width 5.64 5.57

Sprocket
Dia 15.23 15.25
Width 6.86 6.64

Not much in it, visually.

The Track is a different matter, some 40+ years seperate the kits, I like how the dragons look, with seperate rubber bits, they should be easier to paint, letts see how they build though.

Width 10.97 10.53
Pitch* 4.378 3.852

*Pitch defined as the length of 1 track shoe, (5 measured divided by 5).

Visually the Sprockets look a similar level of detail, but the Dragon sprocket has much finer width teeth, & curiously does fit the Tamiya track, but not vice-versa.
The Tamiya track wouldn't be long enough for the M752 though.

The Dragon Idlers are missing 4 bolts for the centre cap.

The Roadwheels are another matter, though visually a similar size, the Dragon wheels have poorly defined centre bolts & are missing the outer rim rivets entirely, but does have a sharply defined raised rim separating the rubber from the wheel.

The Tamiya Roadwheels, for 1975, have sharply defined bolts & rivets, but would require serious fettling to fit the Dragon axles.

Both sets of wheels have centre bosses that are not tall enough.

I'll wait for my refs to arrive before I pronounce further, and posting some decent photos would be welcome.
jon_a_its
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Posted: Sunday, October 08, 2017 - 03:31 PM UTC
My Pt.2 The Build Follows here.

Any further pics will pe posted there.
jon_a_its
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Posted: Sunday, December 03, 2017 - 02:23 PM UTC
Thanks to the Editors for amending my %age rating, reasons are explained in page 2 of my part 2.
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