More pictures available here
Premiered by Dragon at the event this year were two major kits, the Marder II and the 234/1, both of course in 1/35th scale, but we were also treated to a 1/72 251/1 Ausf.C and a T-34/76 Model 1943 on the Dragon stand, along with the completed sprues and build of the soon to be released Dragon Premium Panther. This kit not only has all the new photo etch we've come to expect from the Premium releases, but also 80% of the plastic parts have been re-tooled also, and I can tell you it looks fantastic! Also on show was the M4A2 'Tarawa', and available to purchase was the 'Alfred Kurzmaul' King Tiger show special, no release date on the former yet.
Italeri had their new Sahariana on show, expected o be released around the midle of July, and it looks well worth waiting for, with resin and PE included.
Over at the Cyber Hobby stand there were some great deals to be had, including loads of Lion Roar Photo etch sets, the Panzer IV Ausf. B, and detail flyers on the new update sets for the 234/1 and Marder II, again no release dates, but expect them around the middle of July.
Dragon Expo Modelling Contest
The results of the modelling contest were announced on the Sunday by Rhodes Williams of the T-Factory, and presented by a representative of Dragon USA OnLine. The categories and winners were as follows:
1/35th Armor & Wheeled Vehicles - Tamiya Semivonte by Dennis Gerber
1/48th Armor & Wheeled Vehicles - Tamiya M4 Sherman by Stan Spooner
1/72nd Armor & Wheeled Vehicles - Dragon T-34 by Richard Douglash
1/48th and Larger Aircraft - Tamiya Dornier by Dennis Gerber
1/72nd Aircraft - F-84G by Jim Frye
Dioramas and Vignettes (All Scales) - When Hell Freezer Over by Charles Reading
Ships (All Scales) - USS New Jersey by Mark Cuevo
In addition the T-Factory awarded prizes in the following categories:
"Best Finish" MIG Productions and T-Factory Award - Italeri 'Stalin' by Paolo Pizzi
"Most Xtreme Model" Sponsored by Xtreme Modelling Magazine - Tamiya Tiran 5 by Majid Mansoor
"Judges Grand Award" Sponsored by T-Factory - Italeri DUKW by David Mitchell
"Best In Show" Sponsored by T-Factory - Last Stand of the Fatherland Shadowbox by Mike McFadden
Also four Manufacturers awarded prizes in the following categories:
The Dragon Excellence Award - judged by representative from Dragon Models - Stug III D by Gary Edmundson
The Hasegawa Excellence Award - judged by representative from Hasegawa Models - Messerschmitt BF-109 by Paolo Pizzi
The Tamiya Excellence Award - judged by representative from Tamiya Models - Semivonte by Dennis Gerber
The Italeri Excellence Award - judged by representative from Italeri - M24 Chaffee by Mike McFadden
Although the main focus of the Dragon Expo event is 1/6th action figures and equipment, it continues to draw modellers interested in other scales to the many attractions it offers. I'd like to thank Dragon for making it possible for me to attend the event, and hope to meet again at Euromilitaire in Folkstone, England in September.
