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Daimler Dingo Mk.I

Construction Preview

by Steve Palffy

 

images by Brett Green

 

S u m m a r y
Stock Number and Description Maquette Models MQ3555 - Daimler Dingo Mk.I Armoured Car
Media and Contents: 52 parts in pale grey resin; markings for three vehicles (one British and two captured vehicles in German service)
Price: purchased for AUD$56 from NKR Models
Scale: 1/35
Review Type: First Look
Advantages: Fairly simple parts breakdown; fast construction; minimal casting blocks; excellent cast-on detail; nice Bren Gun included (but not mentioned in instructions)
Disadvantages: No alignment pins/marks (especially noticeable with suspension and mudguards); moderately tricky fit in areas; no opening hatches.
Recommendation: Recommended

 

Built and Reviewed by Steve Palffy


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FirstBuild

 

Steve Palffy has finished basic construction of Maquette's brand new, all resin 1/35 scale Daimler Dingo Mk.I. This is an earlier version of the vehicle that Tamiya released all those years ago. Maquette's new model is vastly superior in terms of surface details and finesse.

 

 

The kit comprises 52 parts in finely cast pale grey resin. There are virtually no casting imperfections, but the corner of the rear lower hull was broken off in transit. Casting blocks are not especially intimidating, and construction can proceed quickly.

Detail on the kit is very nice, with weld beads, bolts, hinges and other structural features moulded onto large castings. The wheels are especially impressive after some light flash is removed from the lightening holes. The detail extends to screw head detail on the bottom of the hull!

 

 

Perhaps the biggest surprise and disappointment about this kit is the sealed superstructure. All hatches are moulded shut, including the big top hatch. This is a shame, because photos almost invariably show the top hatch open on this crowded little vehicle. Also, there is no detail at all on the inside surfaces of the hull and superstructure either, so adding an interior will be a very major undertaking.

Steve got the model to this stage in around three hours one evening.

Steve commented that, although construction was fast, the lack of any locating pins or marks makes the project best suited to an experienced modeller with plenty of reference. This was especially apparent when assembling the impressive looking suspension. The vague instructions alone would not be enough.

Fit was not good in some places, with sanding and repeated test fitting required before gluing parts.

 

 

The 1/35 figure is present to reinforce the small size of the vehicle, and is not included with the model. This figure is from the Wolf range.

Recommended.

 

 

Additional Images

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model by Steven Palffy
Review Text and ImagesCopyright © 2003 by Brett Green
Page Created 16 October, 2003
Last updated 03 November, 2003

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