[MoMo]

A trip round Glasgow Cross revealed that a few of the newer Dragons have arrived at the Treasure Bunker!

I saw the ' hybrid ' Tigers ranged on the shelves, as well as this 251/7, D, which I bought. This D version of the Pioneer wagon differs obviously on the exterior. However, I was surprised to see that the interior arrangement was not what I expected. The tool bins which you find to the rear of the interior of the Pioneer wagons, 251/7, C, are not there! Instead you find the normal arrangement of rear bench seats. Was this normal for D versions?

Apart from these mysteries, I like this particular vehicle for its camo scheme. It is the mix of colours known variously as " Autumn ", " Fall " and " Ambush ". There is an even more complex version of " Ambush " which requires the application of texture dots of colour within each cell of colour. I've never seen this done on a Dragon. I've painted it, myself, on Hetzers and it is very effective...I wonder if we'll ever see it on a 251, or a Panther?

Anyway, getting back to the topic, I am pleased with the appearance of this 251/7. The red letter set used will connect this vehicle to the red letters on the 251/7 D with the 2.8cm squeeze gun.

I'll think about the Hybrid tigers.................perhaps next week?

GERMAN Sd.Kfz.251/7 Ausf.D PANZER LEHR DIVISION PIONEERWAGEN, St. LO, FRANCE 1944
Model no. : DR60314


MoMo

[chascbv]

The tool bins which you find to the rear of the interior of the Pioneer wagons, 251/7, C, are not there! Instead you find the normal arrangement of rear bench seats. Was this normal for D versions?

Hello, MoMo

I'm afraid I cannot answer your question... However, D models seem to have a lot more space for storage in their external arrangement, so maybe there was no need for tool boxes within the vehicle any more? By the way, these Sd.Kfz 251s by Dragon are impressive, well researched, beautifully executed little models!

I also like the "Ambush" pattern, either with or without the contrasting dots, and I also bought this one last friday on Ebay, together with the hybrid Tiger in grey (there's some interesting debate on the real colour of this particular vehicle going on...), so both models must be now on their way home!

A Panther in the ambush scheme would be most welcome, and I always bear in mind that both the "A" and "D" variants are still due... You listening, Dragon?

[ZS-VAN]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Is it this one, tank nut ? It is available in the U.K. right now.

RUSSIAN T-34/76 Mod.1942 CAST TURRET VERSION, EASTERN FRONT 1943 model no. DR60208

This one should be available in august : T-34/76 Mod.1943 CAST TURRET UNIDENTIFIED UNIT, LENINGRAD FRONT 1943 model no. DR60214

Very nice! I really like the winter version. My small tank collection already has at least 3 different versions of the T34, looks like more to come.

[ZS-VAN]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Hi guys,

Two models which Ill look forward to adding to the collection will be these which are due to arrive in the U.K. in October, according to toybox. I know that it is early days to start thinking about October, but today the weather feels like it!

I know that you're all sick of seeing yet another version of the Jagdtiger, but this one is highly specialist and will give you a companion for your Bergtiger. With a few figures you can animate this Jagdtiger, and give it a bit of life. The A-Frame hoist with block and tackle look good.
The first of the SU 100s looks good too. I suspect that, as with the rest of the Russion variations of the T34, it will appear in a variety of outfits for spring, winter and summer ( autumn too! ) I think that I may end up with a few!

GERMAN Sd.Kfz.186 JAGDTIGER HENSCHEL VERSION WITH CRANE GERMANY 1945
model number : DR60267

SOVIET SU-100 1st GUARDS MECHANIZED CORPS, HUNGARY 1945
model number : DR60305


cheers,

MoMo

I'm not really into this type of vehicle with only the jagdpanther tickling my fancy, but these do seem very enticing, particularly the SU 100. I guess it must be the lower silhouette.

[MoMo]

Exciting News, Dragonheads!

Dragon are to release a version of the British " TULIP " Sherman which should come to us in October ( see below ). Also, a more attractive version of the Jagtiger with crane ( love the camo scheme! ).

I may have posted pics of the SU 100 in Winter camo scheme before, but...what the hell! It's a little beauty.

I can't wait to see the Tulip.

JAGDTIGER HENSCHEL VERSION WITH CRANE s.Pz.Jg.Abt.512 GERMANY 1945
model no. : DR60266 should arrive in the U.k. in October.

SOVIET SU-100 7th MECHANIZED CORPS, HUNGARY 1945
model no. : DR60299, due to arrive in the U.K. this month.

WOW!!!! A British Sherman...............and an exotic type too....A TULIP, NO LESS!!!
THANK YOU, DRAGON!!!!!!
BRITISH SHERMAN MK.V 'TULIP' 1st ARMOURED BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS GERMANY 1945
MODEL NUMBER : DR60307. We'll have to wait until October to see this one....I can't wait.

GERMAN 60cm MORSER "LOKI" SELF-PROPELLED SIEGE MORTAR
Although there has been quite a bit of discussion about the 1.35 mortar due from Dragon in October, I want to add my twopence-worth by asking if they have any intention of producing the Bergpanzer Mark lV which was an integral part of the siege-mortar system?
The bergpanzer was a dedicated vehicle, built on an adapted Panzer lV chassis, which transported the heavy shells to the mortar in an enclosed compartment which was armoured. It would be vey nice to see this vehicle as a companion piece for the mortar.
Hasagawa make both the mortar and the bergpanzer as a pair in the same kit, in 1.72. It would be nice to see both vehicles offered in 1.72. I think that this is the first time that Dragon have produced a built version of one of their kits in 1.35 which was not offered first in 1,72.
Remember where your bread and butter comes from, Dragon!!!!

a very strong response from collectors to Dragon’s series of fully built-up 1/35 scale models and the latest addition is a replica of the original Karl mortar system. In this case, bigger is better! Collectors will not fail to be impressed by the sheer size of this item, which appears in a standard German grey camouflage paint scheme. One prototype and six production versions of these 124 ton weapons were delivered between November 1940 & August 1941. The giant vehicle is fully detailed with all the intricate components of the suspension, chassis, superstructure and mortar. The vehicle is shown in transport mode, where the suspension has been set to it's higher position. For even greater interest, the huge mortar barrel can be elevated and depressed. Moreover, a true scale of ammo is included as a bonus. This monster of a model has been well painted and weathered and it is ready for immediate display. The original vehicles were able to hurl 2.17-ton projectiles and saw combat at Lemberg & Sevastopol on the Eastern Front.

MoMo

[MoMo]

I forgot to add the news that a second version of the 251/7 with a 2.8 squeeze-gun mounted will be available in the U.K. in October. This version is in plain factory-finish sand/yellow. The gun shield appears to have a proper double shield, which is in keeping with the kit, and the real vehicle. The rear sheild is made of plastic while the front shield is photo-etched brass.

Dedicated 251 collectors will probably want all the versions of this type with the squeeze-gun because it represents a vehicle which is capable of defending itself against enemy armour at close ranges. Similarly, wargammers will probably opt for a few of these to add to their model army's capability ( despite the fact that there was never enough tungsten for the specialised A.P. 2.8 rounds to make the system a viable threat to allied armour! )

GERMAN Sd.Kfz.251/7 HALFTRACK WITH 2.8cm AT GUN Pz Lehr Div. SOUTHERN NORMANDY 1944
model no. : DR60306

MoMo

[MoMo]

Oh, I forgot, I picked up this Tiger yesterday when I visited The Treasure Bunker. I like the camo and the finish to this vehicle. It looks squat, feels heavy, and looks dangerous.
I'll think about that other 'Hybrid' Tiger, though. I think that I would like both. The grey one looks as if it has seen action.

Sd.Kfz181 TIGER 1 HYBRID - ARDENNES 1944 ( should have arrived this month! )

MoMo

[MoMo]

KEEP WATCHING THE PRICES !

It would be interesting to get some feedback on this thread about the availability and prices of the latest Dragons where you live, or where you buy mail-order.

I've observed a tendency towards creeping price inflation in some of the newer models.

In the U.k. the prices for the latest Tigers are £12.99, while the latest 251s are the same price. These can be purchased for less if you buy them on line, but then you have to add on a couple of pounds for postage and packing!

Old stock Dragons continue to retail at £9.99, and sometimes very old models can even be bought for £8.99!

Contrast this with the excellent 1.72 Hobby Master AFV Diecasts which can be had from the shop at £9.99 ( even though there is no weathering ).

FOV items still tend to be way overpriced here. For example, the 1.72 sets of Landing -Craft, Tiger + Soldiers and Sherman + Soldiers all retail in the shops at £18.99. This is double the price at which they can be bought on line from dealers in the USA. Even when you factor in the postage, the USA is getting a great deal on FOV products!

So, as you can see, there are various prices which abound round the globe. As more and more Dragons, Easy-Tanks, Admirals, FOVs and Hobby Masters appear, we find that there is a wider choice of items to tempt us. The prices keep going up, not down. Our pocket-money does not expand as widely as the choice of AFVs nor does it, I suspect, rise as quickly as die-cast inflation. I believe that the numbers of collectors may be on the rise, given that there are so many products out there, and that the future still looks rose-tinged. Despite this, I think that some of us may well have to become more selective in future as Dragon prices creep towards the poison price marker of £15.00, which is the price which collectors balked at ( only 10 years ago ) when CDC price-tagged its tanks at £14.99 which made them seem expensive and which helped to put CDC out of business.

Ask yourself the question : " How many times have I opted to buy one or two of the new realeases whereas, in the recent past, I would have bought two or three? "

If the answer is " I tend to do this more and more", then we are seeing die-cast inflation catching up with our pocket-money!

cheers,

MoMo

[MoMo]

I caved today when I was downtown and bought that other Hybrid Tiger.

It is just so ugly and cut down that you can't help but feel sorry for it ( like a stray kitten! ) and once you see it, you're hooked!

MoMo

[chascbv]

That's one hell of a brilliant description, Mo!

I just felt the same about the grey Tiger, I guess.