Sd.Kfz. 186 Jagdtiger Porsche Production Type w/Zimmerit

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell

Summary

FirstLook

DML has now fixed one glaring problem with its 2008 release of the Porsche Jagdtiger by adding it to the list of “Dragon Zimmerit” offerings. What amounts to the identical kit is now offered with their pre-molded zimmerit as applied to the lower front glacis, stern plate, side skirts (by section) and the upper hull, correctly done only halfway up the side of the casemate. It comes with the correct Porsche design with eight staggered twin wheels for this variant.

This is the fifth DML Jagdtiger (third Porsche variant) with the “Premium” kit features such as a turned aluminum 12.8 cm barrel and white metal towing shackles.

Once more, however, it could have used a set of the nice DS plastic tracks DML does so well. Alas, they have left the five-part single link paired tracks in the kit which are very tedious to clean up and assemble, which is unfortunate. They are very accurate when assembled, but each part consists of a flat link (with ejector pin marks to remove), a connector link, and three stabilizer bar/connector links for each track link pair. It is a shame as they have shown amazing ability with more complex tracks to mold them in a single run.

The rest of the kit shows some attention to detail and cleanup by the DML production team. But the interior components remain sparse (they are hard to see once installed) and most of the original components remain unchanged.

The upgrading was overseen by Hirohisa Takada, Minoru Igarashi and Dragon’s engineering team; technical support provided by Gary Edmundson and Tom Cockle.

Two finishing options are provided, both for Pz.Jg.Abt. 653: one in sand and one in tricolor pattern, both with black crosses. For the sand variants four chassis numbers are provided which are shown as stenciled onto the glacis (Werk 305006, 007, 008 and 009). The decals are from Cartograf.

Overall many modelers will be happy to see this version now with zimmerit molded in place, but the tracks are quite tedious which is unfortunate.

Sprue Layout:

A 11x2 Drivers and idlers
B 50x2 Hull fittings and details
C 39 Jagdtiger upper hull details
D 53 Gun mantlet, barrel and upper details
E 10 Interior and gun breech
F 100x6 Jagdtiger track links
H 32x2 Road wheels and suspension
I 1 Lower hull pan Porsche suspension
K 20 Jagdtiger parts with zimmerit
S 1 Twisted steel wire
W 4x2 Clear styrene
Z 1 Upper hull with zimmerit
MA 44 etched nickel
MB 1 Turned aluminum barrel
MB 4 white metal
MB 4 aluminum pins
MC 31 etched brass
TA 8 German generic tools - OVM

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.