52 FineScale Modeler September 2019H
urray for Panda
Models! The M1296
Stryker Dragoon IFV is its first
foray into the Stryker family,
and the release is timely. This is the latest
Stryker upgrade, adding a 30mm
Bushmaster cannon in a turret, and the first
of the real vehicles was just delivered to the
troops at the end of 2018.
Detail is crisp, especially on the upper
and lower hulls, but there is a small amount
of flash on some parts. All of the hatches
have detail on the inside, but there are some
nasty knockout marks that must be
addressed. Vision blocks, light lenses, and
optic lenses are molded in clear plastic.
Tires are molded in hard vinyl and have
good sidewall detail. In addition, a sheet of
photo-etch (PE) is included and containsengine screens,
optic guards, suspension
screens, and various brackets. The PE is
soft and easy to work with, which allows
easy bending to make corrections.
The instructions are a major disappoint-
ment with too many errors to list. Even
some of the corrections are wrong. So, take
your time and test-fit parts before gluing.
A color profile sheet includes five views
of the vehicle as well as a color reproduc-
tion of the box art. I found myself looking
at the box art when placement of parts was
vague in the directions.
I prefer gluing the upper and lower hulls
together first, then adding detail to avoid
breaking fragile parts. But before gluing the
halves together, the four vision blocks
(GP1) need to be glued in place in the
upper hull and the four forward shock tow-
ers (E45) need to be glued to the lower
hull. The locating rings (E45) are not
formed so care needs to be taken to prop-
erly align them in the lower hull. Fit
between the upper hull, lower hull, and rear
panel was good.
Next, I added the bolted-on armor.
Some of the plates are not labeled with part
numbers, but through a process of elimina-
tion, you can properly locate them. At the
bow, I glued the nose (B2) and tow shackle
brackets (E18) first, then glued on the
armor plates. This allowed me to space the
plates evenly since the alignment pins on
B7 were not formed.The undercarriage is complex. I pre-
painted the drivetrain channels, underside
of armor plates, and various components.
Wheel assembly was frustrating. The
tires seem to be a combination of
vinyl and styrene that is less flexi-
ble than vinyl tires. If you follow
the directions, you’ll break the
rims trying to snap the tires into
place. I recommend gluing
the front rim (E14)
to the tire, then
gluing the rear
rim (E17) in
place.
There are many
small parts to add to
the highly detailed
upper hull, but first I had to
fill two sink marks. The
directions do not mention
placement of the door
hinges (C36) for the top
crew hatches, or the brack-
ets (D49, D50) that hold the
drivers hatch in place, making it
workable. So be aware.
I struggled to build the front light
assemblies. Directions are vague on place-
ment and the rear bracket (D98) looks
nothing like in the directions. Also, the
parts used for the light assembly on the
engine side of the hull are not mentioned. I
glued each base plate on the hull first, then
attached the lights. I had to guess as to how
the side light brackets were mounted since
they look nothing like those in the direc-
tions. I glued the side view mirrors in the
folded position since the mounting point
on the driver’s slide of the hull is small and
there is not enough surface to get a good
bond; there’s no spot for it at all on the
other side.
The turret (B26)
had fit issues, too,
with gaps at the rear
and around the
box that
holds the
optics (B21).
The PE
antenna base
(PE 8) disinte-
grated as I tried
to roll it around
(D25), so it’s not
on my model. The
ammo belt (PE 3) looks
nothing like the directions. It’sPanda M1296 Stryker Dragoon
WORKBENCH REVIEWS
Kit: No. PH35045 Scale: 1/35
Mfr.: Panda Hobby Price: $59.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 529 parts
(16 PE, 8 vinyl), decals Pros: Crisply
detailed molded hull detail; PE easy to
work with Cons: Directions had too many
errors; vinyl tires difficult to use