There's always a basher for every company and always a horde of defenders. We all have our opinions and preferences. Tamiya is more than a company it's amazing with how they created a niche for model building in Japanese culture. There are whole mangas and even animes devoted to it. Girls and Panzer had recognizable Tamiya (and Dragon) kits in boxes as well as built on one character's shelves.
It's a part of the culture and if Tamiya-san wants the kit they make it. If he goes thumbs down they wait and show the concept to him again until he does say yes. It took a long time for the T-55 and Somua to catch his eye. (it's part of mythic culture that has grown up around Tamiya. It may be true or it may not but the story is out there with some confirmation from Tamiya-san or should I say Tamiya-domo?)
Hosted by Darren Baker
Tamiya Panther ausf D
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 04:01 PM UTC
kiyoshi
Joined: September 16, 2014
KitMaker: 35 posts
Armorama: 39 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 07:24 PM UTC
well.. I build the kits of Dragon(especially Mr.Takada's related),Tamiya, AFV Club etc. The product targets of these companies are different, Tamiya can be build in weekend, Dragon needs more weeks...Both fun to me.
Dragon had included PE,Magic Trucks, metal gun barrel..etc.. but now Dragon does not include these extra parts. By looking at the latest Tiger-1 (Wittman),you will find no Magic Track, no metal gun barrel in the box.
That's okay for me since I do not use extra PE of Dragon, I use the third-vender's products.
I saw this Panther last Saturday at Shizuoka Hobby Show.. very good
And I was very very surprised at 1/32 Mosquito..
Dragon had included PE,Magic Trucks, metal gun barrel..etc.. but now Dragon does not include these extra parts. By looking at the latest Tiger-1 (Wittman),you will find no Magic Track, no metal gun barrel in the box.
That's okay for me since I do not use extra PE of Dragon, I use the third-vender's products.
I saw this Panther last Saturday at Shizuoka Hobby Show.. very good
And I was very very surprised at 1/32 Mosquito..
Armorsmith
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 08:05 PM UTC
Things may have changed since I was more familiar and up to date on things Tamiya, but it is my recollection that back in the 80's plastic models were only a small part of Tamiya overall sales and not really their main focus. Their NA and European markets accounted for only a small percentage of their sales as well. If this is still the case it may explain much about their release and pricing policies.
iakarch
Joined: May 19, 2007
KitMaker: 459 posts
Armorama: 421 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 08:52 PM UTC
To get back to the real subject. It looks like a great kit and I am eager to building it.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 08:57 PM UTC
Quoted Text
While Dragon's Panther D moulds are still very good I'm trying to avoid giving them my money until they remember what their fans want, so Tamiya's version will be what I'd go with if I wanted a kit of this tank.
So . . . If you wanted a Panther D, you still wouldn't buy the DML kit. . . . Isn't that giving you what you want? How does buying a kit that's more work for you hurt DML?
KL
Me109G
Joined: December 12, 2007
KitMaker: 170 posts
Armorama: 138 posts
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2015 - 09:06 PM UTC
While it's true that Tamiya don't release nearly as much stuff as other companies, I still prefer the Big T! Tamiya's engineering, detail and instructions make the building experience a blast. Here in the States, Tamiya prices really aren't much more, if any than Dragon's. I've become alarmed at how expensive Dragon kits have become. Of course you do get PE and often times a metal barrel. All in all though, I'll take Tamiya. As for the Panther Ausf D, not my first choice, but I'll probably still get one since its new Tamiya! 
Chrisk-K
Joined: January 09, 2012
KitMaker: 310 posts
Armorama: 294 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 - 06:08 AM UTC
I love Tamiya kits and instructions. I almost exclusively buy from scalehobbyist.com and find Tamiya prices lower than Dragon prices. I'll buy a Tamiya Panther D for sure.
Cantstopbuyingkits
Joined: January 28, 2015
KitMaker: 2,099 posts
Armorama: 1,920 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 02:53 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextWhile Dragon's Panther D moulds are still very good I'm trying to avoid giving them my money until they remember what their fans want, so Tamiya's version will be what I'd go with if I wanted a kit of this tank.
So . . . If you wanted a Panther D, you still wouldn't buy the DML kit. . . . Isn't that giving you what you want? How does buying a kit that's more work for you hurt DML?
KL
My point: Everyone on kitmaker wants Dragon to do accurate military kit. No-one wants the Superhero toys and bobbleheads their R&D has been mainly going to in the past year.
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 11:45 PM UTC
Quoted Text
My point: Everyone on kitmaker wants Dragon to do accurate military kit. No-one wants the Superhero toys and bobbleheads their R&D has been mainly going to in the past year.
Exactly, everyone on Kitmaker, but you do realize Dragon's market extends far beyond the world of plastic model kits and like any company they put their emphasis on what delivers the bulk of their income?
My point: It ain't us.
iakarch
Joined: May 19, 2007
KitMaker: 459 posts
Armorama: 421 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:10 AM UTC
Man and to think all this useless discussion was started because Tamiya has a new release. Lets all take a breath and step away for a min.
PanzerKarl
Joined: April 20, 2004
KitMaker: 2,439 posts
Armorama: 1,980 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:18 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Man and to think all this useless discussion was started because Tamiya has a new release. Lets all take a breath and step away for a min.
Sorry Irvin why is it a useless discussion?
Topics like this do help on what the modeller requires a good accurate scale model that's worth their hard earned money.
Me109G
Joined: December 12, 2007
KitMaker: 170 posts
Armorama: 138 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:49 AM UTC
HLJ has the kit and all it's accessories for $52.84. This doesn't include shipping. I think that's very reasonable and close to Dragon's Panther D. Plus, Tamiya's will be a joy to build!! I'll be getting one! Also, I don't remember Dragon's coming with PE grills? It's been years since I got it, but I don't recall it having them. I'm sure it did, just don't remember. Getting old I guess!!
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:50 AM UTC
Sauerteig, you're not in or near Manhattan by any chance?
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 12:50 AM UTC
A Lee or Grant would be nice from Dragon. 
I have no complaints with Dragon or Tamiya.I have been building mostly Dragon stuff though.
I have no complaints with Dragon or Tamiya.I have been building mostly Dragon stuff though.
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 07:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
My point: Everyone on kitmaker wants Dragon to do accurate military kit. No-one wants the Superhero toys and bobbleheads their R&D has been mainly going to in the past year.
This is utterly ridiculous and probably - and I don't say this too often - the stupidest thing I've heard in at least a year.
First, you have absolutely no idea what they have been spending their kit development efforts on. You only have an idea - and probably not a complete one - of what they have released. Second, you have absolutely no idea if there is a resource competition between military kits and toys at Dragon. For all you know the military kits have been receiving their same allocations as usual while the toy stuff is completely self-supporting. Stopping toy production may do nothing for tank kit production, in fact it may even harm it. Third, why on Earth do you think that a company would listen to a bunch of goofballs who are boycotting one of their product lines until they stop producing another line? It's not like you want them to stop making landmines or pornography or cigarettes. YOU WANT THEM TO STOP MAKING TOYS AND MAKE MORE REPLICAS OF WEAPONS!!! Do you think anyone, anywhere, is going to be sympathetic to this, least of all DML?!?
Good golly, I'd thought I read just about everything. Sheesh.
KL
Cantstopbuyingkits
Joined: January 28, 2015
KitMaker: 2,099 posts
Armorama: 1,920 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 09:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextMy point: Everyone on kitmaker wants Dragon to do accurate military kit. No-one wants the Superhero toys and bobbleheads their R&D has been mainly going to in the past year.
This is utterly ridiculous and probably - and I don't say this too often - the stupidest thing I've heard in at least a year.
First, you have absolutely no idea what they have been spending their kit development efforts on. You only have an idea - and probably not a complete one - of what they have released. Second, you have absolutely no idea if there is a resource competition between military kits and toys at Dragon. For all you know the military kits have been receiving their same allocations as usual while the toy stuff is completely self-supporting. Stopping toy production may do nothing for tank kit production, in fact it may even harm it. Third, why on Earth do you think that a company would listen to a bunch of goofballs who are boycotting one of their product lines until they stop producing another line? It's not like you want them to stop making landmines or pornography or cigarettes. YOU WANT THEM TO STOP MAKING TOYS AND MAKE MORE REPLICAS OF WEAPONS!!! Do you think anyone, anywhere, is going to be sympathetic to this, least of all DML?!?
Good golly, I'd thought I read just about everything. Sheesh.
KL
Where do I start?
Firstly, I do have some kind of idea where Dragon R&D goes, thank you. Having looked at FB page they announced 28 new release since last december. Of those about 18 were mostly new toolings and all of said new toolings [except for the patriot which might be a rebox] were either licensed or Black Label which I expect were cheaply made due to their low quality. Obviously tooling a mould costs money so I personally expect most of the R&D to be going to producing new licensed product.
Secondly, what are you even doing on this site? Any scale model of a AFV, warplane or Warship will be a reproduction of a weapon. A reproduction of a weapon intended to be in a purely historical or artistic context and in no way designed to glorify violance or any violant act, but a reproduction of a weapon no less.
Third I try to look at everyone's opinions in a synthetic light and possibly edit my own opinion in accordance. Hence why I might revoke my all DML products boycott, despite your post reading more like a flame [to me] more than anything.
Fourth I will not reply to any discussions about Dragon's market direction anymore. This thread is actually supposed to be about Tamiya's Panther D not that.
Hugs'n'kisses,
Tim.
Grindcore
Joined: September 23, 2006
KitMaker: 389 posts
Armorama: 358 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 10:02 PM UTC
I'll get it just for the box cover artwork!! Just saw it on PMMS.
Great part of being an adult with disposable income is that I can buy whatever I want(model wise, still can't own a suppressor,
), and this D from Tamiya is something I want.
Happy Memorial Day weekend everybody!!
Great part of being an adult with disposable income is that I can buy whatever I want(model wise, still can't own a suppressor,
), and this D from Tamiya is something I want.Happy Memorial Day weekend everybody!!
kjoy
Joined: September 11, 2005
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 57 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 11:01 PM UTC
So when your standing around with your friends at work and someone says something not to your liking or goes a little off topic, you make remarks like that to them? Probably not cause you'd get poped in the mouth...jackass
kjoy
Joined: September 11, 2005
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 57 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2015 - 11:04 PM UTC
My above post was directed at Kohler...
iakarch
Joined: May 19, 2007
KitMaker: 459 posts
Armorama: 421 posts
Posted: Friday, May 22, 2015 - 12:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextMan and to think all this useless discussion was started because Tamiya has a new release. Lets all take a breath and step away for a min.
Sorry Irvin why is it a useless discussion?
Topics like this do help on what the modeller requires a good accurate scale model that's worth their hard earned money.
Karl,
Sorry no offense intended, Im glad you put this post up about the kit. And besides its Friday and I just had a fried shrimp poboy and rootbeer for lunch. I quess what i should have said is you have to work pretty hard to find a bad kit today. All the major manufactures and the small ones too make very good kits today, not perfect but very good, Tamiya is still the overall best, but none of the others are dogs either. So in my opinion there is no really valid reason to bash any of them , even some to the east european companies are good. MiniArt from Ukraine is one, who else would think of doing a kit of a Pz III ausf. a,b,c or d?
Cheers
PanzerKarl
Joined: April 20, 2004
KitMaker: 2,439 posts
Armorama: 1,980 posts
Posted: Friday, May 22, 2015 - 12:35 AM UTC
No problem Irvin 
Armorsmith
Joined: April 09, 2015
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,000 posts
Posted: Friday, May 22, 2015 - 02:25 AM UTC
I don't know how long you guys have been modelling but I've been at it for over 50 years. Started when Monogram and Revell were about the only choices around. Then along came Tamiya in the mid 70s. Even then armor picking were pretty slim. I for one have no complaints about the kits being released today by any manufacturer. As far as I am concerned the number of kits in terms of variety and variants is enough to keep me very happy for another 50+ years, to say nothing of all the aftermarket options available. As far as the Tamiya Panther, I will probably buy it one day but I'm in no rush. There is already plenty out there already to keep me busy. Besides, it's only a hobby and I'm not about to get my underwear in a knot over something as relatively insignificant as something that is suppose to be a relaxing pastime. Just my two cents.
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