Ahoy Shipmates!!!

Join me for a review of the newest kit from Dragon, the German Z-39 Destroyer. This is a rare treat as the review is in advance of the release.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Looks a great kit, level of detail very good, but i do wish dragon would make their instructions clearer with such a high parts count.

Pity they and Trumpy picked such similar vessels

How anbout an RN destroyer next?

Si

Dragon is coming out with the Z31 and Trumpeter is doing one or two more, just can't remember.

Wish I had the Trumpeter version to do a compare on.

Like I said about the instructions, they are a little too much for a non-technical/engineering type person. But, pay attention and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Yes, a RN DD would be oh so nice to have.

Hi Jim

I have the Trumpeter version, it is a good solid kit, the detail is of a good standard, but not quite as refined as the Dragon Kit.

It did note the Trumpy kit also included on the weapon sprues some unused smaller single main guns, looking at them and the sheilds I reckon they are 5" which could mean a mod 1936, or even a 1934 or 1934A.

Z31 I had seen announced. from Dragon, and am I wrong or did Trumpy mention a Z43 or did I dream that?.

Si

Trumpeter has the Z-30 and Z-43 listed as future releases. Dragon has Z-31 listed.

Knowing Dragon they will use the same molds for as many ships in the class as they can. Which depending on your view can be good or bad.

I want the DD's that spent their time with the PE, which Z25 was one.

It is nice to see both companies making a move into the German ships.

ditto on the Dragon instructions.. can be so obtuse for us newbies. I end up scanning the instructions into a PDF and then edit/makie notes on a printed step at a time.

and thanks for the review, good stuff!

Here in the UK they are asking the GBP equivalent of $85US for this kit.

At that price they can keep it no matter how good it is.

At the GBP equivalent of $38.05US Trumpy's Z25 at will do me nicely.

I agree about the price in the UK, it seems a little unfair. But there could be some sort of tariff on kits. Transportation cost is probably higher as well.

It is just really sad!

James, that is a good idea.

Great Kit and Review. I'll certainly put it in my stash

I was planning to start the tumpeter Prinz Eugen this weekend, but that has changed. SO.....I might just tackle this one and document it. Stay tuned for that.

It is a great kit.

[quote]I agree about the price in the UK, it seems a little unfair. But there could be some sort of tariff on kits. Transportation cost is probably higher as well.

It is just really sad!

James, that is a good idea.

[/quote It is not the transportation cost . they charge import duty, plus 20% VAT . Filthy practice indeed.

Pity, I generally shoot for a 95 or better.

Hey, you got "must-have" at least!

So are there no P/E railings provided? That's a pretty basic consideration. Of course, if it was included it would raise the price considerably. On the other hand, if you want railings (and who wouldn't?) it's still going to be an additional cost. Does anyone (White Ensign, Eduard, etc.) make a dedicated P/E set yet for this model?

Cyber Hobby made a set of PE for the Z39 Dragon USA has them for $9.99.

Right off the top of my head I cannot remember if anyone else is making a set.

Having only see the CH set online I will not comment on it.

There are different companies that do make very nice DKM railings.

Well, I just picked up a Z-39 at my LHS today, mostly an impulse buy, but there it was whispering to me, "buy me...buy me." Resistance is futile! It really is quite a large ship for a destroyer, and I was impressed with the minute detail, especially on the A/A guns. No need for after-market here.
Are you sure about Cyber-Hobby's P/E railings? I just checked Dragon USA and they don't list it, but there is a set for Scharnhorst. Anyway, It looks like all it needs is a railing set and I guess any generic DKM set will do.

Here you go.

PE Set

It looks like a general german railing set would do, there dont seem to be netting etc. like on US destroyers ?

cheers/Jan

No, but note that there are a couple of railings that have the same sheer as the forward deck as well as the proper cut-outs for the anchor wash boards, etc.

You are offcause right, and at that price there don´t seem to be any excuses

I agree it is a very good model, but Dragon really dropped the ball with the propeller fenders (those triangular pieces just above the waterline near the stern). Dragon moulded them as solid pieces when they were really constructed from steel bar - that's obvious from any photo. I would expect that in 1/700, but in 1/350? And from Dragon? And not even the option of a more accurate P/E piece, either in the kit nor with Cyber Hobby's P/E update. O f course the fender can be easily made from stretched sprue or brass wire...but still. The AA is also very good and a big improvement over Trumpeter equivalents, but the included P/E is extremely tiny and annoyingly fiddly. I would like to see how Veteran Models flakvierling compares with Dragon's.

*cough*

BWHAHAHAHAhehehe... That's funny..

Good one Tracy!

Well, that's obviously post-war with US sailers. Any glance through Osprey's German destroyers (Z1 through to Z43) will show that ALL Z class war-time destroyers had the bumper constructed with bar.

Yes, I'm sure the US Navy retrofitted and changed that one detail when they took her over for testing, even though they themselves used bar and pipe designs on their ships.

Could it be that your sources just don't convey all of the variations? Osprey is hardly known for 100% accuracy.