I've just received this, New, DML set for Review:



Now, looking briefly at it, it has prompted me to add this thread...

Let me get the (slightly) complaining bit out of the way first. The included weapons aren't bad, but really, isn't it time they were given a make-over like the superb German weapons in ALL the the New Axis sets? They aren't bad, but really...

Now, onto the REALLY good bit. One of the attractive features in this set, is alternative heads with the standard Mk.II helmet and, an absolute first, a set of Turbanned heads for Indian Army troops.

Now, those of us, who have been modeling for a while now, do, as a rule of thumb, start looking for alternatives to the kit-supplied heads.

Not this time.

The Sikh heads are not passable, they aren't pretty good, i'll stick my neck out and say that they are the best styrene heads i've EVER seen. They're so damned impressive, that even Resin ones would face stiff competition...

Not only that, not a single tea-drinking figure in sight. Poses (one of my previous complaints about DML figures), while not perfect have made a HUGE jump from the static figures that we've been seeing for so long. Hey! These guys are MOVING!

Nice one DML - pity about Al's Composite hull

FULL review to follow soon

Uh oh, have you become the Fire Lizard Piper? Announcements like this could cut into your kickbacks from Bugler. This actually looks like an Allied figure set I would buy.

LMAO! Well, I haven't gone into my doubts about the Lee-Enfields yet, so, I guess my briefcases full of hard-currency are safe at the moment.

Seriously though, it does raise the point that the work of companies like MiniArt & Masterbox are having a 'seismic' effect on the Fortune 500 Companies of the modeling world.

I admit that I bought a set of these along with the new M2A1 and the battle damaged Composite and love them. They are really good and well worthy on Ron V's wondrous boxart.
One complaint is that italeri managed to do really good SMLE III's back in the early 70's why can't DML's CAD Senseis do the same?
We are overdue for some Gen 2 Brit weapons and at the very least some PE Slings.

The M2A1 Instructions are interesting in that they tell you the Gunshield is not used but the instruction CAD and boxart show it.
Bizaree but very very nice kit
Al

I have been very excited about these figures since I saw the box art a while back.

The poses are a revelation for commonwealth styrene figures and these will be a huge asset to my future builds. Hopefully this paves the way for future sets of a similar style in the future.

I too am disapointed that we still don't have 'gen 2' style commonwealth weapons, however, before we get these we'll probably have to see an actaual 'gen 2' set of figures as was the case with german, US and Russian subjects. Then we can look forward to the 'premium edition' sets of the older figures re-boxed with these new weapons and equipment spruces.

The three heads thing is great, especially if the quality is as good as you say. Not sure how popular it will be in future dragon sets though as there wasn't quite the same variation in ethnic troops in other armies as there was with the commonwealth. Perhaps some native american US pacific heads, or african american US troops? (How about some Korean heads for German troops at Omaha - yes it did happen!).

A potentially groundbreaking set, and given the renewed interest in Commonwealth subjects, lets hope this is the first of many simillar sets to come!

James

Nice, I might just buy these.

YES!!! Do they have 4 Sikh heads for the four figures? Are all the Sikh heads same or differant? how many heads total?*sigh*,Styrene addiction is such a pathetic disorder isn't it?
THANKS Jim!
Rick

As I said. The photos don't even do them full justice...

I believe Sikh's cannot shave and some of these heads appear clean shaven is this the case, or just the picture?

Darren,
Looks like it's the photo. I see beards on all four, very faint though. You have to look closely at them.

Rick-Thy name is VISA!!

Dragons Stryene Figures are just getting better and better. They have really raised the bar, up! Some of the figures are giving they're Resin brothers a real " Run for they're money" With the price on some Resin sets Dragon are giving us some real pretty troops for a fraction of the price. I agree that alot of the never heads dont even need replacing. Got the German Officers Kursk 1943 (6456) They're faces are spot on. The officer holding the map is one of the nices Stryene figures Ive seen. GO DRAGON GO, I hope the other manufactures try and keep up. These new figures are really starting to become OOTB figures

Hey,

If you look at the CAD 'artwork', they all have beards. But since when has CAD been an accurate representation of what you actually get?

Chas

The head at each end I can see the beard, the two in the middle I cannot that is why I asked. Damn it sucks to be getting older sometimes.

Don't worry mate, I can't see them either. I have the eyes of a 70 year old.

Just so as we're clear here, this is a photo taken by me yesterday afternoon - no CAD image...

Was talking about these images by the way: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/news/5038&mode=&order=0

Another useful set. The heads are a major plus.

Al

i can see the beards on all the sikh head on the CAD representations, and i can faintly see a set of beards on Jims pic, but im sure when they are all painted up they will be easier to see. this i agree is a fantastic set.