Armorama :: Dragon announces DAK Tiger

Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.

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Dragon announces DAK Tiger

HK_AFV

Hong Kong S.A.R. / 繁體
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 10:26 AM UTC

I believe a lot of us did not have the chance to get hold of the original Cyber Hobby offering. Regardless of the quality of the upcoming Rye Field Model Tiger I, I am glad to see this "Re-issue" or "Re-box" kit with upgrades/updates from Dragon.

However, I notice that for each new Tiger I released by Dragon, the price goes up a bit every time.

Headhunter506

New York, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 12:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text

As to DML's promises to keep Cyberhobby pure and pristine, I don't really care, since those kits have gotten ridiculously expensive. It's not Dragon's obligation to support a collector's market, and I for one am happy to have these variants available at normal prices.

DML might not be obligated to support a collector's market; but it sure isn't shying away from cashing in on it. I remember this listing on Dragon USA Online's website from a couple years back. I pinched this from Google since the page is no longer available:

"1/35 Cyber Hobby Tiger I Michael Wittmann Early Production
dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=CHC6350
CHC6350. 1/35 Cyber Hobby Tiger I Michael Wittmann Early Production Your Price: $199.00. SOLD OUT. Item Code: CHC-6350 ..."

There were other Tigers which had similar high prices. If Dragon isn't part of the problem for the ridiculous prices that these kits command, why would it list that price on its own website? The fact that these kits are intentionally produced as short run subjects guarantees scarcity and high markups. Dragon knows exactly what it's doing. It produces styrene dope for modeling junkies. It gives you a little sample at a great price; then, when you're hooked, they cut the supply off, creating a "Panic in Styrene Park", knowing full well that we'll pay almost anything to get our fix. That price on its site for that particular kit, OOS or not, is indicative of that. How insidious and diabolical!

Wierdy

Ukraine / Україна
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 03:06 PM UTC

It is always good to have a choice anyway. For those who are interested, they also plan to re-release 6252 in August:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10042215

Don't know if it makes a lot of sense cause there is 6600 that never disappeared from the shelves...maybe for box art fans...

AnalogKid

Texas, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 04:06 PM UTC

As I type this I see at the top of the web page an ad telling me to pre-order Tiger 1 "131" (The "Bovington Tiger" from what I understand, and of recent "Fury" fame). My research tells me that 131, and others from its group (504), were delivered to N. Africa in March of '43 to reinforce 11 remaining Tigers of 501. If this new release "Tunisian Initial Tiger" depicts a Tiger from 501 deployed to N. Africa in Nov '42 is there much of a difference between the two? My LHS will have Tiger 131 waiting for me when it is released and now I need to know when I get hit-up about this new release what to say? I fully realize the bottom-line answer is "yes", Dragon needs my money but looking for any other angle I am missing. I ask this as a modeler who is still learning all the ins-and outs of German WWII armor. Thanks... -Len

Byrden

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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 04:37 PM UTC

The 6820 "Tiger 131", and the 6608 "Initial Tunisian Tiger" (from s.Pz.Abt. 501) are so different that most modellers would not consider them to be competing products.

The "131" tank has standard fittings and is identical to Early Tigers serving on the Eastern front at the same time. The "501" Tiger has unique fenders, tool layout, turret bin and other details, requiring a difficult conversion from an Early Tiger if you can't buy it OOB...and nobody has been selling a really good kit OOB for ten years.

Their history is different too, with the "501" Tigers being the victors in several important African battles, being seen in many photos, and the inspiration for "Tiger phobia" among the Allies. The "131" Tiger and its colleagues arrived late to Africa and are poorly documented.

David

AnalogKid

Texas, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 05:12 PM UTC

David...thanks for the insight...much appreciated

-Len

acebatau

Colorado, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 05:41 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I believe a lot of us did not have the chance to get hold of the original Cyber Hobby offering. Regardless of the quality of the upcoming Rye Field Model Tiger I, I am glad to see this "Re-issue" or "Re-box" kit with upgrades/updates from Dragon

Feeling same here

acebatau

Colorado, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 05:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

It is always good to have a choice anyway. For those who are interested, they also plan to re-release 6252 in August:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10042215

Don't know if it makes a lot of sense cause there is 6600 that never disappeared from the shelves...maybe for box art fans...

Judging from images this kit still has all that extra PE, metal parts and Magic tracks

Wierdy

Ukraine / Україна
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 06:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Quoted Text

It is always good to have a choice anyway. For those who are interested, they also plan to re-release 6252 in August:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10042215

Don't know if it makes a lot of sense cause there is 6600 that never disappeared from the shelves...maybe for box art fans...

Judging from images this kit still has all that extra PE, metal parts and Magic tracks

They don't have the actual kit on hands. Those images are taken from the archives so...we'd better wait for mr. Byrden's comments on that

Byrden

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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 06:52 PM UTC

I'll wait until the kits are finalised before I discuss them.

David

Oblivion

Dodecanese, Greece / Ελλάδα
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 07:09 PM UTC

Don't know if they are finalised yet, but the info on Dragon USA seems to be updated to the upcoming release:

Initial
http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA6252

Late
http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA6253

Both kits state they have "updated" metal parts, when they should have stated they have removed metal parts from the original kits.
It is quite funny (again judging from what is uploaded on Dragon USA), 6252 is STILL missing the PE grilles and the extra DS track length to allow you to build a fully accurate 121

Gewehr43

Michigan, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 08:11 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Quoted Text

It is always good to have a choice anyway. For those who are interested, they also plan to re-release 6252 in August:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10042215

Don't know if it makes a lot of sense cause there is 6600 that never disappeared from the shelves...maybe for box art fans...

Judging from images this kit still has all that extra PE, metal parts and Magic tracks

The link says it'll have DS tracks. Bleh. DS tracks make baby Jesus cry.

acebatau

Colorado, United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 08:27 PM UTC

I see it now, no more extras

edmund

United States
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 08:53 PM UTC

You are paying dragon to take away all those added luxuries which you don't need anyway . Besides dragon know what you want and that's what you get .

HK_AFV

Hong Kong S.A.R. / 繁體
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 09:06 PM UTC

I am not sure if Dragon is planning to phase out Magic Tracks because there are a number of kits that first came out with Magic Tracks but now were replaced with DS tracks. The 3D Box images were also changed as well. A couple of examples below that I could recall with Magic Tracks replaced.

Paul

6440 with Magic Tracks

6440 with DS Tracks

6575 with Magic Tracks

6575 with DS Tracks

Beastmaster

United Kingdom
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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 11:18 PM UTC

What's probably happened is some bloody reviewer somewhere said they hate Magic Tracks and would prefer DS ones. So Dragon in their wisdom sees that and hey presto .......they think nobody wants Magic Tracks anymore.

Headhunter506

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Posted: Friday, July 17, 2015 - 11:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

It is always good to have a choice anyway. For those who are interested, they also plan to re-release 6252 in August:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10042215

Quoted Text

You are paying dragon to take away all those added luxuries which you don't need anyway . Besides dragon know what you want and that's what you get.

Hugh Betcha it does. And what we want are:

Quoted Text

Also features accurately reproduce

- Hatch acids can be produced by selecting the opening and closing
- To set the figure two bodies of soldiers to shoot

A Zantac 150 pin wash takes care of the hatch acid; so, that's not a problem. I don't know about the soldiers. I've never shot at DS soldiers unless provoked. Did you notice that accurately rendered Zatsu-gu boxes are included? I didn't think that the ones included in the original issue of 6252 were that bad.

Seriously though, I'll pony up the ducks and purchase both the RFM and Dragon kits. I found 6820 pre-order priced at $57 plus $10 shipping from stateside which isn't much of a price differential from Lucky or Hobby Easy. Masterclub resin tracks will take care of the DS issue.

edmund

United States
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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 12:06 AM UTC

Where is this 67 dollar preorder from ?

Headhunter506

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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 12:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Where is this 67 dollar preorder from ?

It's available from Active Powersports. They're located in Escondido, Ca.

edmund

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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 01:53 AM UTC

Thank you sir , I appreciate that . Now , me myself and I must hash out this DS track issue .

jimz66

Connecticut, United States
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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 08:15 PM UTC

I will be looking to add at least a pair of these. I love the DAK Tiger's. They are among my favorite. As for the tracks I have never been a fan of the DS tracks they are terrible. SIMPLY TERRIBLE> I have never EVER liked any type of rubber tracks.

edmund

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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2015 - 08:38 PM UTC

I will give the ryefield tiger a try , somebody has to give them a break , this way dragon will have some competition and maybe do something about their prices .