Dragon 1/35 M752 Lance Self-propelled Missile Launcher Review

From Dragon Models USA website:

This M752 is understandably 100% newly tooled. Furthermore, information technology'south the but i/35th scale total plastic kit of this United states of america-manufactured tracked missile launcher currently bachelor on the marketplace.

The missile tin can exist elevated up or downwardly to correspond firing or transport modes, respectively. The missile mountain and associated top machinery are sophisticated and strong enough to support an accurately detailed Lance missile.

This new kit captures the somber days of the Common cold War, and so this Lance self-propelled missile launcher would make a fine addition to whatever modern warfare kit collection. The Lance system was used by the The states Army, Kingdom of belgium, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, and UK, meaning that this new kit offers enterprising modelers a lot of versatility.

The merely other models of this vehicle, know to this author, is a one/87th scale Roco Minitank kit and a Hobby Fan kit in 1/32nd scale. The Hobby Fan kit is mostly resin with some styrene parts for the road wheels and such. When Roco Minitank released their model they too released the accompanying transporter/loader M667. The Hobby Fan kit could be built as either the M752 or M667. Dragon Models applied science of some of the vehicle parts suggests other variants of the M113 chassis. One tin can promise that Dragon Models United states of america will be forthcoming with a M667 in the non likewise distant time to come.

While we wait, Dragon Models does provide us with the under represented M752. The M752 was based on the M113 chassis. The U.S. Army fielded the Lance missile in the early 1970's. The Lance was a tactical missile organization for theater employ and was nuclear capable. This missile arrangement was replaced past the Pershing series and later by the M270 Multiple Launch Missile System.

The Dragon Models kit consists of 342 parts on eight sprues with a small sprue of clear parts for the driver compartment windows. There is a small fret of photograph compose for the missile tie down straps and some item bits for the front end and rear plates on the M752.

The tracks are of the length and link variety and have individual condom track pads (soft blackness vinyl) for each of the 74 links. Don't freak out! Information technology a tedious chore, not an arduous one. If yous and then choose, you lot won't need to apply all of those track pads as a fair number will exist hidden backside the sand shields (part # D1/2) mounted on each side of the vehicle. The Israeli'south fielded this organization and based on an all-encompassing (nigh 30 minute) search of the internet they are the but one to delete those sand shields. And then if an Israeli vehicle is the way you go, happy track padding! But to Dragon Models credit, the event is pretty keen! And saves a painting stride.

Assemble begins with the running gear which consists of five road wheels, one idler, and one drive sprocket per side. Do do some circumspection when applying the transmission covers (part# D13/14) to the drive sprockets. There is supposed to exist a gap betwixt the transmission embrace and the lower hull that allows the front glacis plate to slide into.

Information technology should exist noted that this is a Dragon Models kit. Consequently, the associates instructions are not the most scrupulously proof read or most well thought out. You could reason that they are the production of a committee. (Not to disparage committees.) Their assembly instructions often crave some adult supervision, even for the most experienced builder. Get slow, pay attention, exam fit oft, and all will exist right with your build.

The bulk of the build, six of the xviii assembly steps, is consumed with the vehicle mounted missile launcher. The launcher has some marvelous detail and is a kit unto itself. An expression that actually applies in this case. The launcher may be built in launch or transport mode. Dragon Models also provides a piece of mono filament line to replicate the telemetry/firing cable employed on the launcher. I substituted a length of HO scale braided cable to represent that line on my build. The launcher, with near of the kit parts, is a smashing characteristic of this model. Fun Fact: on the real M752, this launcher was removable and could be towed or deployed as a stand up alone launch platform, with wheels and everything.

Afterward dealing with the launcher you get to move on the the various hull pieces. The engine cover /meridian (part# B13) presented a few initial issues. The cradle (part # I6) for the nose cone of the missile is mounted on this slice. At that place are three photo compose parts that represent the tie downwards brackets/straps (role # A7) for the missile. The parts labeled as A 7, are actually I seven. Shocking! It wouldn't really be a Dragon Models kit if there wasn't at least one mislabeled part. More whimsy on their function? The location of the tie down cradle on the engine comprehend tiptop is a bit vague, so consult your sources. Or exercise what I did, position the launcher associates start and locate the cradle accordingly.

There is prissy particular on the front of the vehicle with all the various headlamps, black light, and siren molded as dissever parts. One slight fault that might be levied against Dragon Models is that the headlamps lenses are molded in gray styrene, not clear.

A curious omission involves the photo etch engine frazzle shroud. The shroud is lovely but Dragon Models does non provide you with an exhaust pipe. The bodily exhaust pipe was pretty basic so fashioning ane from your spare parts stash shouldn't present too many bug.

If y'all wish to display the M752 in launch mode the drivers compartment sides and roof tin be shown in a stowed/launch position. Dragon Models provides the ii seats, front end musical instrument console, and the command levers for the drivers compartment. The drivers station was rather spartan affair on the existent vehicle and then y'all'll really just demand to add the odd extra chip here and there to finish it off properly. There is a overnice photo of this compartment provided via walk-around photos of a M752 in German service.

The Lance missile is molded in twelve parts, 4 of which are the guidance fins. If you plan to show your M752 in transport way, those fins would not exist fitted to the missile body. They were attached just prior to launch. The guidance fins were fitted into slots on the missile body. This missing detail was simulated by placing styrene strips from Evergreen forth the sides of each fin. Dragon does provide the carrying/transport cases for the missile fins carried on the existent vehicle, although they are labeled equally tool boxes on the box top.

A prissy feature are individual parts (part # I86) that represent the stabilization rocket outlets on the mid section of the missile. If you have problem finding those parts, look on the back of the I sprue, behind the sprue characterization. On the runner is where they lie. In Dragon's defense, this may have just been a lilliputian Easter egg injure to lighten the mood.

In that location is an aspect of Dragon Models kits that doesn't act as a a mood enhancer. More similar buzz kill. Parts that are not mentioned anywhere past anyone: such equally parts B ii and B four. These announced to be rear view mirrors. You will demand to consult your references as to their exact location on the vehicle. I but positioned mine where information technology seemed logical for them to be.

See the bottom of this review for a short video of a Lance missile launch. Replicating a launch would make for a nifty and, potentially, an honor winning diorama.

Painting and markings options, listed in the instructions, are for 3 unidentified units. In addition, Dragon gives you four complete sets of messages and numerals for whatsoever unit of measurement you might cull. They also have included most, if not all, of the stenciling that was on an operational Lance missile. Extra credibility points to Dragon for that. One cavort, on my example, was the absenteeism of 1 set of lift strap location markings (decal # 11) on the decal canvass.

Every bit the M752 was operational primarily in Western Europe, y'all are almost required to use the tri-color NATO paint scheme that was used during the 1970'southward. But this vehicle was also deployed past Netherlands so unbroken NATO dark-green would work. And if you choose to do an Israeli vehicle...well you know... a desert-y© color.

Aside the odd vagary, this kit goes together well and I enjoyed building it. When finished and all gussied up with decals the Dragon Models M752 will brand a worthy add-on to your cold war armor drove. My cheers to Dragon Models Usa for the review copy.