Lion Roar

20mm Flakvieling 38
Lion Roar 1:35 Super Detail set #LAS35008
Review by Terry Ashley

Introduction:

There have been a number of update sets released for the recent Dragon M2/M2A1 Half-track (kit #6329) mostly in the form of wheels sets to address that issue in the kit plus some storage sets and markings as well as the basic update set from Lion Roar (set #LE35078) release recently .

We now have some more extensive sets being released such as these from Tank Workshop in resin and Voyager Models in etched metal but the most extensive without doubt is this new set from Lion Roar which virtually replaces the entire kit apart from the chassis, suspension/wheels, front fenders and some accessories like the radios with etched and resin parts.

The Set:

When first seeing the publicity shots of the built up set the emphasis seemed to be on the main body panels being replaced with etched metal drawing comments of overkill and unnecessary, but there is much more to this set than just the body panels as we will see.

Metal and resin parts
Lion Roar

The Update Set:
The set consists of 11 large etched frets (145mm x 85mm) and 2 smaller frets (110mm x 65mm) and these are in different thicknesses with thicker metal for the body panels and other larger details and thinner sheets for things like the storage boxes and smaller details and this variation in thickness gives good definition to the parts when assembled.

Also included are;

39 parts in light cream resin,
A turned M2.50cal barrel and machined brass cooling jacket
20 x .50cal full rounds and
20 x .50cal shell cases
A short length of fine chain
A preformed oil pan for the engine
Driver’s instrument decal
Clear sheet for the windscreen
6 varied lengths of thin wire and plastic rod
A length of braided copper wire for the engine wiring
A large 14 page instruction sheet to help put it all together

The standard of etching is again excellent with good relief where needed and clean crisp etching on parts with finer details plus many very small parts that will require care and soldering would be the best method of assembly for the larger components.

The resin parts are cleanly cast with just very small casting blocks to be removed but there were a couple of small air holes present with the overall detail being very crisp and well defined especially on the engine parts.

There are a few additional resin packs with etched straps to use as required to finish as well as the large fret of barbed wire which can be rolled up and added as storage as this is often seen stowed on the front radiator cover.

Instructions:

The 14 page instruction sheet has exploded view drawings showing the assemble steps but due to the complexity of some assembles care is needed and careful study of the instruction essential.

When bending some of the more complex pieces getting the bend order right will reduce frustration but this is not always easy and using a good etched bending tool will certainly help and again I used the original Etch Mate for bending the parts during this review.

Conclusion:

This is a massive update set and one thing is for sure, it is not for the inexperienced modeller and an engineering degree wouldn’t go astray if you use the full set of body panels to basically rebuild the Dragon kit.

As mentioned above about 30% of the parts are used for the body panels leaving the remainder to make up the many detail updates such as the detailed engine, driver’s cab interior, front radiator louvered cover and hinged engine compartment doors and most importantly the rear storage racks with the excellent .50cal added for good measure.

And while the full body rebuild may be too daunting for many the set still has plenty to offer with the numerous other details to use as an extensive detail set for the Dragon kit proper.

Adding the many individual detail updates in the set will require no more skills than would be needed for any other detail set of this type and it’s only if you want to tackle the full body rebuild will you see the additional skills needed come into play.

There is one detail conspicuous by its absence and that is the exhaust pipe support bracket for the right bogie unit which is surprising and this is left to you to make possibly from left over etched fret framing?

I found a lot of very useful items in this set even without the full body panels but there will be some alterations required on the Dragon kit parts to use these as a “normal” update sets but will add considerable detail to the kit whichever way you decide to go and will certaining provide a challenge if you go for the full body.

Highly recommended for more experienced modellers 8/10

Etched parts:

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