Dry-Fit Review of DRAMI 3550 1/35 MBT-70/Kpz.70 Tank Model Kit

Pitfall avoidance of DRAMI 3550 1/35 Kpz.70 Tank Model Kit (GERMAN-US JOINT MBT TANK), Compatible with 3D076 Printed Tracks

Brief summary：The production difficulty is relatively low, and the overall structure and assembly logic are clear. Simply follow the steps to complete the production smoothly.

The chassis assembly process is relatively straightforward and requires only a modest number of parts. However, it is essential to carefully cross‑reference each part number and its assembly position against the instruction manual during construction. 

There are labelling discrepancies in parts groups B and C: the manual indicates that 7 pieces are required, but only 6 are actually needed for assembly. Extra care should be taken to avoid confusing the surplus parts. 

This kit’s road wheel set has no provision for moving suspension; the wheels can be glued directly in place during assembly. A note at the bottom of the manual explains that part A45 can be used to modify the hydro‑pneumatic suspension to simulate a lowered, nose‑down stance. 

When assembling the road wheel set, it is advisable to place the hull on a flat surface for levelling, ensuring that all wheels are fully in contact with the ground. Allow the cement to cure thoroughly for one hour before proceeding with subsequent work. 

The upper hull consists of relatively few parts. It is recommended to glue the upper and lower hull halves together early on, to avoid interference or clearance issues when adding small details later. 

For the turret assembly, it is best to fit the trunnion parts first, then join the upper and lower turret shells. 

The smoke‑discharger bases should be pre‑assembled to the hull and levelled, with the discharger bodies added separately afterwards. 

The square‑section components on the turret sides are moulded in the closed position. These can be cut open with a hobby knife to create an open‑hatch look; after painting, the corresponding clear parts can be cut to size and fitted. 

Follow the manual to assemble the kit’s remote‑controlled weapon station, taking care to leave enough clearance so that the external cannon has full elevation and depression travel. 

There are slight mould‑parting lines on the top and sides of the smoke dischargers. These can be lightly sanded and the tooling marks filled with liquid cement; the capillary action of the cement will help smooth out any remaining blemishes. 

ZIMI Models has released a set of 3D‑printed double‑pin workable tracks (Type 3D076), specifically designed for 1/35 scale MBT‑70 kits. These printed tracks offer excellent structural fidelity, with separate parts that better replicate the double‑pin track arrangement.

The printed track set comprises five sprues: two sprues of track bodies, one sprue of guide horns, one sprue of double‑pin connectors, plus an additional sprue of outer flexible pin fittings. 

Assembling the entire track set is not particularly demanding; it can be completed step by step following the structural diagrams in the instructions. The key point during assembly is to pay close attention to the insertion direction of the pins on both sides – if they are reversed, the fit will become stiff and the parts will not mate properly. 

The parts are quite small, which tests the builder’s patience. Bending over to pick out tiny components for extended periods can be tiring, so it is a good idea to take occasional breaks to stretch and rest.

Completing both tracks takes approximately six hours. Once assembled, the tracks move smoothly, and the structural appearance and overall strength are excellent. The 3D‑printing material chosen by ZIMI proved durable – no broken parts or loose pins were encountered during assembly.

The initial release of this track set includes a bonus 3D‑printed weapon station with a metal gun barrel. During this build, the original metal barrel was accidentally lost, so a plastic alternative was used instead. 

Compared with the kit’s plastic parts, this 3D‑printed weapon station offers noticeably sharper detail and greater depth, giving it a clear advantage in detail rendering.

The overall build difficulty is low; the kit reuses Dragon mouldings and the original instruction manual, so the structural logic and assembly sequence are clear. Most of the construction can be completed simply by following the manual step by step. There is one minor error in the instructions: the quantities for parts groups B and C are mislabelled – the manual says 7 pieces, but only 6 are actually required. 

The above content is translated from the WeChat Official Account of moxing.net, Original article is Foreign Language,  https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/GCSt5YsBuiDeMIeC9fq3Ng