[parsig9]

Originally Posted by Gort

Hey, parsig! How's it goin'? Love your avatar. You outta see 21st Century's 1/32 version of that particular Focke Wulf 190D. You'd love it!!!

I have it! It's great. Now we need Red 13 Klaus Faber. The tops is the Carousel Red 4... Sorry to digress

[david cotton]

To the original post.

I was collecting 1/72 Armour, mainly Dragon.

I was attracted by the low price and my liking for the Panther, Tiger 1 and Royal Tiger.

I decided to stop, because I found they did not diplay well and because of the amount of plastic in them.

I tried a couple of the Corgi 1/50, but got the feeling they were very old castings. I only got the Dieppe Churchill and the Kursk Panther. At the time, these were also £35 a pop. So I gave up on them.

I also tried minichamps 1/35, but have since sold them off to. They had good build quality and lots of metal, but poor schemes.

I tried FOV, and they have the right look for tanks, maybe a bit over weathered, but the build is poor. Can't move these on because you tend to chuck the box.

I feel that there is still a perfect balance to be found on the armour front.

[Copland]

I will be staying with Dragon because of their consistent quality. Still not happy with their pricing. The "Wild Card" is Hobby Master's 1/72 line of tanks. It will be interesting to see if they can match Dragon's quality.

[Cardinal]

Well for someone who started this thread and had considered giving up on collecting Dragon Armor, I've fallen off the wagon big time the last couple of months and have even bought some of the older 1/72 releases such as the snow speckled/covered (grey) Tiger 1 that is really superb with its rust stains and all (& it appears to have a metal turret).

The main dilemma I've been facing are the superb 251 Half-tracks of which I only intended getting one and now have four . These are actually quite solid and appear to have a diecast 'chassis/lower hull'.

Also, the Hummels are really good, especially the whitewashed version with the green/brown camo. peeking through - absolutely excellent in my opinion! Also, if they could only make some Pzkfw III & IV armour I would truly be happy as well as a Flak 36/37 "88" with Sdkfz 7 Famo half-track hauler . Let's not even start on their Shermans which are also good and would be the best if they had more metal.

One concern that I do have though is that it appears that the prices of Dragon Armor appear to be rising and I suspect diecast generally is going to get a lot more expensive as production capacity becomes problematic in Asian factories. Coupled with increasing labour costs and skills shortages (which are becoming increasingly prevalent in China) it's likely that our hobby will become more expensive as will other consumer goods sourced from this previously 'cost-effective' production region. Buy what you can now and save up for what you want to get in future as the 'golden era' of cheap production is unsustainable over the long-term .

[Copland]

Early reports of the Hobby Master 1/72 armor is very positive - Dragon quality. I haven't seen them up close, but plan on getting a few. If they are as good as stated, it's more of my money down the 1/72 hole.

[Legio LXXII]

I agree about Hobby Master, they are the company to watch out for now. I have all the upcoming 1/72 diecast tanks on pre-order and am really looking forward to getting them.

[Gort]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

One concern that I do have though is that it appears that the prices of Dragon Armor appear to be rising and I suspect diecast generally is going to get a lot more expensive as production capacity becomes problematic in Asian factories. Coupled with increasing labour costs and skills shortages (which are becoming increasingly prevalent in China) it's likely that our hobby will become more expensive as will other consumer goods sourced from this previously 'cost-effective' production region. Buy what you can now and save up for what you want to get in future as the 'golden era' of cheap production is unsustainable over the long-term .

Cardo, you’re absolutely right – prices are going up. And I suspect this time next year (or two years from now) Dragon will have out priced themselves for all but the most dedicated collectors.

In fact, for a lot of us they’re too high as it is. Especially for those who wish to keep up with Dragon Armor.

As we speak, I’m contemplating buying the Hanomags you mentioned, plus one of the new winter-camo Shermans and that white-washed Hummel. But I’ve got my reservations ...

Like everybody else, my funds are limited. And with new Witty, Corgi, Hobby Master, etc., models coming on line, not to mention a price hike on USPS rates (and I suspect UPS and FedEx will follow suit), you’ve got to get selective, know what I mean?

Anyway, I’m glad to hear you’re back into Dragon Armor. I was thinking of chucking my entire collection, but I reconsidered. Neat stuff!

[Gort]

Did a complete about-face just now and ordered seven – count ‘em, 7– Dragon AFVs ... and you’re to blame, Cardo!!! (Stop writin’ about these bloody little tanks, dog gone it! This is getting waaaay too expensive!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by Gort

Did a complete about-face just now and ordered seven – count ‘em, 7– Dragon AFVs ... and you’re to blame, Cardo!!! (Stop writin’ about these bloody little tanks, dog gone it! This is getting waaaay too expensive!!!!!!!!!!!)

You're very welcome Gort, happy to be of assistance . Any of those "overproduced" Hummels and 251s in the 7 you've just purchased ...?

[Gort]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

You're very welcome Gort, happy to be of assistance . Any of those "overproduced" Hummels and 251s in the 7 you've just purchased ...?

Yep! Got that winter camo Hummel, plus four Hanomags plus two Shermans. Eeee-gads! Does this merry-go-round ever stop--??!!