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DML continues on with its new small-scale armor kits, adding a new twist: diecast metal hulls or components. Surprisingly, while I am not a big fan of multimedia kits, they appear to be very nicely done and hold incredible details for what was once thought to be the purview of the "toy collector."

Individually:

M1A2

The M1A2 is basically the same kit as their eariler M1A1HA in Iraq kit, but minus the Iraqi parts. That said, since this kit was designed to be motorized it has some serious scale compromises made to it, namely the "pregnant" look of a bulged belly to accommodate the motor and radio steering gear in its upscale brother. The belly is pierced for two screws to access the motor and batteries in the original, and the hull is also a bit deeper to get the motor inside the thin space of an actual scale M1A1. While it does come with scale parts to replace the motorization compromise ones, it does have some serious flaws to most scale modelers, the worst of which is the solid bustle rack and side rail arrangement on the turret. Also, for no apparent reason, the APU from the late model tank – flush with the top of the rear turret on the actual vehicle and DML's 1/35 scale version of the tank – now gets a "periscopic" view and looks very awkward.

Markings are included for a tank from TF 1-70 Armor on a rotation out to the NTC ibn California.

Ferdinand

The Ferdinand is the earlier Elefant kit but with the previous parts for the version without the bow machine gun and other later additions. Overall it is far closer to scale and appears to be very nicely molded with a lot of open work and parts (the engine grilles are see-through, but that means you need to paint the inside black to hide the fact it is empty. Overall the biggest flaw with this kit is not the kit itself but the directions, which if followed make it impossible to assemble the main gun! The gun only assembles if the barrel (part D9) is inserted into the mount (D10) from behind and THEN the collar (D11) is attached; the directions show it with the gun being stuck through the mount from the front (no way GI!) and then the collar is attached.

This kit is a bit spartan but clean and nicely done. Only one set of markings are provided.

Panthers

The three Panther kits are similar, providing the same type of upper and lower chassis out of diecast metal. The engine bay is separate (and opens!) but it does have the major drawback of cementing styrene parts to diecast metal. DML pre-primes the metal, at least, so modelers will be able to get a good paint job on it regardless of paints used. The kits provide different fan towers and mantelets, so the correct variant can be modeled. All come with only one or two finishing and decal options; needless to say the late G comes with the "ambush" scheme, and the other two the popular tricolor schemes of sand, brown and green. Note that while the upper and lower hull screw together – and screws are provided – the directions make no note of it.

Sturmtiger

The Sturmtiger likewise comes with the diecast upper hull but a conventional plastic lower hull, most likely shared with its mini-RC brethren. The mortar is assembled and installed on the lower hull BEFORE attaching the upper hull, which is a bit different in this scale. Decals are included for only one variant.

All of the kits appear to come with gluable vinyl track, as that is what the directions indicate.