Valentine mk. III caunter scheme
"clean" build

I built this kit quickly because I am particularly fascinated by the vehicle, and because I had the excuse that none of the sprues were bagged in this third copy of the kit that I have bought (yes, I can't resist!).

It was a challenge placing the masking tape correctly for spraypainting the light blue caunter scheme, but I am actually very satisfied with the results! A bit proud, even.

The yellow colour is Army Painter's Desert Yellow, which is identical in both rattle can and bottle. Water based 🙂

I hand painted the white and red symbol, because 1) the decals were yellowed (it's from 1996, and not a Cartograph sheet - maybe they are better?), and 2) the one which was supposed to go over the turret side where there's extrusions did not take this into account. So, I used more masking tape, and brush painted 🙂

The fit of the parts in the box was poor, and the plastic was a bit harder than usual. The kit was originally made by VM, and Dragon simply reboxed it as part of their Imperial series. Lots of mold lines, also, but not a lot of flash. However, this is one of those kits which give Dragon's red-coloured Imperial series its apprehensive name. It's still not as bad as a typical Revell kit in terms of flash, and not even mold lines, but it is definitely not good, nor does it compare favourably to a geniuine Dragon kit. No way!

Knowing this, I wanted to try it anyway, since I am curious about the Imperial series: Is it all worse?

So far, my experience has been: Yes.

But is it all bad? I do not think so, it's just not good.

If you have any experience with an Imperial series kit which you found to be practically without mold lines, and which had good fit, do let me know!


Best regards, and happy modelling out there!