Ask a man, who has a test sample of this kit, anything.

David

Can I have it?

Seriously- is it the same as the Wittmann Cyberhobby kit or has it been updated? What marking options?

What do you think of the kit?

I've been looking for a cheap and decent Tiger kit and I'm hoping it will be available for just under $35 (the magical VAT-free import limit to Norway)

It's much the same as the Wittman, but the bottom hull is not the same...


DS tracks
Photo etch grilles, metal headlight leads, no other metal
Improved rear wall 6335
Lower hull and wheels from a pre-built model; swing arms are molded in-place
A few new parts
2 decal options

Yes, it's decent!

David

Thanks for the update David. I have 3 of them on order from my LHS.
Mike

I am a little disappointed about the wheels and molded on swing arms. IMO, this would have been fine if Dragon had other Early kits available out there. Then we could choose between the more expensive detailed one and the cheaper option. I am not excited that the wheels don't have the weld seams, etc on them. Guess this leaves an opening for resin replacements?

So, Jason, you would still consider buying an Early made to the same standard and price as the recent Mids?

David

I would, yes. I figure the price of this Cyberhobby kit plus some aftermarket to bring it up to the same level as their other Tiger kits, the price would be similiar to their regular Tiger kits. I am not against a cheaper alternative to a kit- I'd would just like the option to be able to buy a Dragon Early with all the bells and whistles that their regular Tigers have (and not pay the Ebay prices for the Cyberhobby Wittmann early).

Can we get a photo review? WHat feifells are in the kit the twin can or the ovals both?

Did you cry a little when you saw it?

It has the oval Feifels from the "Michael Wittman".

David

Thanks David. Can you post a few images of the lower hull so I can see what it looks like??? thanks

Absolutely but temporarily;

other than a few odd holes to fill, that does't look too bad. One of these plus some new wheels should work for picky people. Thanks

Thanks David. That isn't as bad as I'd thought they'd be...

One more thing. One or two piece turret?

The upper parts of the tank are mostly from the 6350 "Michael Wittman", so it's the 2-part turret.

David

While I understand the economics behind this, I have to say I'm disappointed that the new "improved" Tigers are all being issued as C-H white boxes. Not only are they expensive, but they frequently sell out. I, for one, was unable to get the recent Carius issue, and I was not alone: people who pre-ordered it through Dragon USA were in some cases told "sorry."

I wish Dragon could balance their profit motive in this with a new mid-Tiger "vanilla" version, or else up the run for the CH editions.

Bill, I am totally with you. Have a plain vanilla Initial, Early, Mid and Late under there regular boxing and save the White boxes for unique versions, such as Gruppe Fehrmann and the like.

Well, from talking to Dragon I can say that they would be interested to hear your feedback on this.

David

David, if there is any way to let them know, please do.

DML sells out these runs, but most of the added value is from collectors and hoarders. I myself have profited from it, having recently traded for a Wittmann's Last Ride, then sold it for over $100 (not even a particularly good price, but I wasn't interested in making a career of the project). But what I would REALLY like is:

A fully-corrected Early Tiger
A correct Mid-Tiger with Zimmerit
And maybe even a DAK Initial Tiger

I would think DML could sell a ton of the first two for sure, and probably the 3rd, as the kit I traded for the Wittmann Last Ride was the old Tamiya DAK Tiger plus some AM goodies.

Given all that is needed to "fix" that Tamiya kit, the value for the two was about the same.

I would like to see a version with the original Initial hull with the option of the DAK Tiger or the S33 style. I would also like to see them rerelease their original Late model with all the bells and whistles PLUS rear fenders. The only thing missing in that kit was PE rear fenders. I would like to see a MID and and Early with the same PE options plus the metal barrel the whole nine yards. Then make some more of these orange box ones for those who want a cheeper option.

OK, let me jump in here to ask you something; what would you pay for that particular kit? Because I believe that changes in the internal Chinese labour and materials cost structures, plus currency exchange rates, would rule out a repeat of the original price. Which was possibly a discount anyway.

David

Good point I am not sure...

I was ready to pay almost $70 for the Carius Tiger, so a TRUE Premium Edition kit would be worth more to me than the current Smart Kits. I don't know what adding a metal barrel or a few more bits of PE adds to the wholesale cost of the kit, but going to DS tracks certainly must have saved DML money over the old Magic Tracks.