A note: I reviewed the Dragon PzKw III Ausf L about 5 months before I got this kit. I covered the history more exhaustively in that review.

The Panzer

The Panzer III was built by Daimler-Benz, and the A models were first produced in 1937. The first mass production version was the Ausf F, which entered service in 1939, just in time for Poland.

The Panzer III was upgunned and armor added due to the experiences in Russia in 1941 and ‘42. The Ausfurungs J through M were equipped with the 50mm KWK L39/60 gun, which could penetrate the T-34’s front armor at ranges under 500 meters.

This model of the M had a modification to the exhaust system where the muffler was mounted near the top of the rear, allowing the tank to ford streams and shallow rivers.

The Soviet Army of World War II included over 800,000 women. Initially, they were used in administrative and support roles, but by mid-war they had assumed roles as snipers, combat pilots, and tankers. 89 of them would receive the highest military honor, the Hero of the Soviet Union. This kit depicts women during the early stage of the war and provides all the fixings for a mini-diorama.

Included are four figures: an angry male NCO, a standing female NCO, a seated female, and a female standing and holding a samovar. There are a pile of useful extras: a table, a bench, two poles holding a wash line of women’s lingerie, a portable record player, and the samovar.

A samovar is a type of urn used in Russia to heat water for tea. The coals are placed inside a pipe that heats water in the surrounding bowl. Samovars can be made of bronze, brass, copper, silver, or gold, and are very ornate.

The AH-1 Cobra had various versions that used the M-197 20mm cannon: the Army AH-1E, AH-1F, and the Marine Corp AH-1J, AH-1T, and AH-1W. Until now, the kit offerings of this prominent armament feature have been poorly molded in plastic. Well, fret (no pun intended) no more – Master Model has your cannon.

You get three turned metal barrels and one end barrel nut. There is a fret that has the mid-barrel clamp and the rear barrel clamp. The barrels are perfectly formed and are literally miniature gun barrels. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are grooves in the barrels. This set is absolutely gorgeous. The hardest part of this set will be not to lose the end barrel nut. Everything about this set is perfect.