Hi all, instead of another Stug III G, I am personally would prefer to have early short gunned Stugs (which Dragon promised years ago ), but may be it's just me

It seems kind of funny that in this thread Dragon is getting ripped for releasing a new StuG III made more accurate with specific manufacturer's details (Alkett).

Just a couple of weeks ago Dragon was being ripped apart for the lame, inaccurate job they did on the M103.

Here there're doing something good, but still can't win.

Poor Dragon... Like Rodney Dangerfield, Dragon don't get no respect.

Another Stug III huh? Would it kill any of these model companies to come out with a new Somua S35?

Unlike Dragon, Rodney didn't charge 65-70 bucks per joke.

As has been said many times before, Dragon has gotten lazy and complacent milking as much as they can from previous moulds. They could have released a better 6 lb'er, but just about everybody else beat them to it. They could have released a better Universal Carrier, but Riich beat them to it. They could have released a WWl tank, but haven't (yet). I keep hoping that this milking process is just a marketing strategy to fill in a blank while they're doing the R&D on a completely new and interesting project...and I keep hoping...

I do think there has been enough negativity about Dragon already stated. Yes, we would all like to see something different, but you have to remember, the companies are in business to make money. And while all releases may not appeal to you, there is a reason that they are being released. Yes this release is very similar to previous, but there are some subtle differences that people may want. When I first started modelling many years ago, the variation of kits was VERY limited. Today, with the vast number of manufacturers there is a great option to chose from.

You also have to remember that there are several other companies that are release different products as well. You have to remember, the modelling community is relatively small compared to some other industries, and we should count or blessings that there are the number of companies out there producing different models.

While Dragon seems to want to "specialize" in German armor and the different variants, there are a lot of other choices to be had.

Frankly, I don't think any of the folks complaining here have really looked at what Dragon has done with this new kit besides noting the general subject (oh woe is me... another StuG III) and the DS tracks (love 'em or hate 'em).

From what's actually described in the text of the poster, Dragon appears to have made some significant changes to create an accurate Alkett version.

Now, this might not be what someone was hoping to see kitted, but there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with this (unlike the just criticism of the M103).

I'm not particularly excited by this release myself, but if I wanted to build this particular vehicle, I'd certainly be happy that Dragon has released it.

Common Joe, even Rodney didn't do his act for free on the street corner - He sold tickets and got rich doing it. When he told a lame joke, he got boo'ed, but when he told a great one, everyone laughed and clapped...

This release by Dragon might not be the most exciting in the world, but it certainly ain't no M103...

I don't follow the logic of many posters here. Besides Mike Roof's excellent point about DML being criticized for the M103 and now this "improved" StuG III, I don't get some of the other arguments. People decry DML (or another company) for releasing this StuG III or another closely related subject (like the Tamiya "upgrades").

Why should you care? If you already have the StuG III or German WW2 subjects aren't your cup of tea -- and DML issues a new kit without much deep capital investment -- with a goal to make more money -- which they can roll into researching the dear Somuas or six pounder guns or M6A1 Heavy tanks --- WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT? They are doing what will eventually make you happy.

Recall the "Battle Barbies" a dozen years ago? The line never even once made me raise an eyebrow. But DML got PAID!!!!!! With that money they really came into their own in the 1/35 field. Were there bunches of people lamenting how DML had lost its way by going into the 1/6 figs? You bet. How many of them now are drooling over their recent DML 1/35 acquisitions?

If DML decides to issue 15 more StuG IIIs and makes money on every one of them, I say more power to them!

I say kudos to all the manufacturers for everything they release now. I remember all too well what modeling was like for me when I started back in the late 70's and early 80's. Back then it was the old MRC/Tamiya's, Revell's, Testor's, the 1/32 Monogram's and that was about it where I lived. Just because a kit is released, doesn't mean I have to buy it. Besides, most of us have enough in our stash to keep us busy for years if not decades. No sense complaining and groaning to hard about any one particular vehicle that we'd like to see. If we are patient, it will probably come out before we know it. Guess I am just appreciative for the strength of the model industry right now and grateful that I make a living in it.

Right on Roy!

Simple, Roy. It's human nature to complain. People also have the right to say whatever they want, as long as it isn't directed at another poster. If they feel like pitching a b*tch about the latest Woo-Hoo Models' Sd.Kfz Eleventy-Oh-One Furshlugginer with improved and awesomely stupendous Lumbago-mounted 79mm verkackte veeblefetzer w/crew featuring Monkey Action Grip® hand poses, well, it is their prerogative to do so.

You can't please everyone with what a model company decides to release; but, we can voice our opinions and question the company's wisdom for doing what they do. Neither Dragon, nor any other manufacturer for that matter, is doing anyone a favor. The guy(s) who kvetches is the one with the juice. The ball is firmly in the court of potential, or longtime, customers. No like, no sale, no dough.

If you feel that people should be dissuaded from posting their thoughts and opinions, no matter how whiny or pointless you might believe they are, this site would be awfully quiet with the same dozen or so members hanging around patting each other on the back while telling each other how wonderful they are, similar to what occurs at some other sites.

I imagine that if someone doesn't already have a StuG III, and they want one, this is great news. And no doubt people will whimper and whine because it is not what THEY want. But how long would this hobby last if the model companies were only allowed to release new kits that absolutely everyone wanted?

And as has already been stated by people that have much more experience from actually being in the business, this WILL sell. It will sell a lot. Because there is one thing that many (but not all) people on sites like this one don't understand. The majority of the sales of model kits are to people that NEVER come to sites of any kind. They just buy them and build them because the think they are "cool". And most of them couldn't tell you what "SdKfz" stands for, and don't care.

I won't buy one of these, but Dragon will do just fine with that. Because there will be lots of others that will. And I am happy that Dragon is healthy enough to continue releasing new kits. Some of them upgrades, some of them all new. Just so long as they keep releasing stuff. Besides; I already have enough kits in my stash to last me about 10 years if I never buy another one the rest of my life. So really, what difference does it make if they release the StuG III G Monday afternoon edition anyways?

And by the way, Rodney Dangerfield received a LOT more than that per joke. A LOT MORE !

Gary

@Headhunter506 (Joseph): I'm quashing opinions shared as much as you're quashing mine, it seems to me. People kvetch on internet fora. We get it. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't. I may reply when I agree, I may reply when I disagree. I'm kvetching too! LOL

The back and forth, as long as it's good natured (which I agree, can't be taken for granted), is good, IMHO. I've proposed a counter argument to those whom I view as reflexively or too-quickly jump the gun to complain about choice of kit releases. Certainly people can state loudly what they believe -- just like me. As much as it pained me to see the reality of the faults in the DML M103A1 kit (cuz I think it's a cool release idea), I'm glad the knowledgeable guys were able to get their info out there.

I'm under no illusions that each and every AFV release by DML or Tamiya, someone, somewhere will post a complaint about it. But that's fine. I'd be 100% happy to share a pint or two with these same folks if we were at a model show!

By the way: I absolutely LOVE the new tooled DML StuG III ausf G. But there's no way I'm going to get a second one when the 1st isn't done and like others have mentioned, I have a stash of kits that'll last me 20 yrs.