Been reading over at Hyperscale that Dragon are possibly going "belly up" and selling their moulds and this is why they weren't at Nuremburg.
Anyone know if there's any truth to this?
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Dragon in trouble?
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 06:15 AM UTC
MAD_DUCK
Joined: March 05, 2002
KitMaker: 434 posts
Armorama: 406 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 06:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Been reading over at Hyperscale that Dragon are possibly going "belly up" and selling their moulds and this is why they weren't at Nuremburg.
Anyone know if there's any truth to this?
Maybe they are changing their focus, The have been doing a lot of comic book hero models and they got the Licensing to produce Star Wars models. They may be getting out of the armor game, but who knows, no one has been happy with them lately and I guess their kits aren't selling. I know I haven't bought a new kit from Dragon in years.
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 07:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextBeen reading over at Hyperscale that Dragon are possibly going "belly up" and selling their moulds and this is why they weren't at Nuremburg.
Anyone know if there's any truth to this?
Maybe they are changing their focus, The have been doing a lot of comic book hero models and they got the Licensing to produce Star Wars models. They may be getting out of the armor game, but who knows, no one has been happy with them lately and I guess their kits aren't selling. I know I haven't bought a new kit from Dragon in years.
That's what I was thinking. Some of their armour releases over the past few years have not only been inaccuarate but they're really inconsistent too.
They've released state of the art kits without certain parts they should have for instance. The T34/85 Premium kit I bought years ago didn't have the fuel tank holders for some reason. I only found this out when I bought one of their more recent releases which did have them. Same with most of their recent releases. Instead of giving us more Magic Tracks they've constantly released new kits withot them including the DS ones instead (which many people don't like so then people have to go about getting replacements. Why couldn't they give both in the same box?
jwest21
Joined: October 16, 2006
KitMaker: 3,374 posts
Armorama: 3,126 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 08:11 AM UTC
Where at on Hyperscale? I can't seem to find the topic
wowcool
Joined: September 26, 2015
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 08:49 AM UTC
Rumours have been popping up on other message boards lately.
IMHO, the news that Dragon is going belly up is pure nonsense at this point. Their websites and social media accounts are still running and announcing future releases, Dragon has only recently nabbed the license to produce Star Wars model kits. It's possible that Dragon's management decided that the Nuremberg Toy Fair is no longer as valuable to their sales and company's image as it used to be.
IMHO, the news that Dragon is going belly up is pure nonsense at this point. Their websites and social media accounts are still running and announcing future releases, Dragon has only recently nabbed the license to produce Star Wars model kits. It's possible that Dragon's management decided that the Nuremberg Toy Fair is no longer as valuable to their sales and company's image as it used to be.
avenue
Joined: May 25, 2013
KitMaker: 544 posts
Armorama: 542 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 09:19 AM UTC
majority of there kits were no longer AFV/military aircraft. giving this,likely hood they may have decided to skip this year nuremberg toy fair.
wowcool
Joined: September 26, 2015
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 09:32 AM UTC
Quoted Text
majority of there kits were no longer AFV/military aircraft. giving this,likely hood they may have decided to skip this year nuremberg toy fair.
The toy fair doesn't restrict any exhibitor to military model kits, not a reason for them skip the show. Dragon displayed their non-military products when they still around in Nuremberg last year.
Headhunter506
Joined: December 01, 2007
KitMaker: 1,575 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 10:03 AM UTC
Rumors are just that, rumors. This sounds more like wishful thinking/idle chatter on the part of some people sitting in the cheap seats. Why would Dragon be going belly up at this time? It has a major licensing agreement with Disney to market Star Wars and Marvel Comics products, two mega-buck generating brands.
Just wondering why hasn't anybody bringing this stuff up provided links to these sites so others can read about it for themselves?
Just wondering why hasn't anybody bringing this stuff up provided links to these sites so others can read about it for themselves?
Beastmaster
Joined: January 27, 2009
KitMaker: 592 posts
Armorama: 588 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 11:24 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Where at on Hyperscale? I can't seem to find the topic
Here it is.........
http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1454144360/Nuremberg+Toy+Fair+2016+-+3+%2B%2B+%28more+photos%29
M4A1Sherman
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 12:00 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Rumors are just that, rumors. This sounds more like wishful thinking/idle chatter on the part of some people sitting in the cheap seats. Why would Dragon be going belly up at this time? It has a major licensing agreement with Disney to market Star Wars and Marvel Comics products, two mega-buck generating brands.
Just wondering why hasn't anybody bringing this stuff up provided links to these sites so others can read about it for themselves?
WHAT!?! DRAGON going out of the Tiger I business? I'll believe it when I see it!
SDavies
Joined: January 09, 2010
KitMaker: 979 posts
Armorama: 959 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 03:25 PM UTC
Dragon in trouble ? That would be a disaster to the modelling world. True the many variants of the Panzer 3, 4, Panther and Tiger that they churn out are irritating but 95% of my models are from Dragon.
Personally I think people see that they did not show up in Germany and jumped to conclusions
Personally I think people see that they did not show up in Germany and jumped to conclusions
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 03:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
majority of there kits were no longer AFV/military aircraft. giving this,likely hood they may have decided to skip this year nuremberg toy fair.
Sorry, utterly untrue. N'Berg's 'model' section is only a small part of hall 7 (out of 10 enormous exhibition halls) It's NOT a Model Fair, it's a TOY fair and the model manufacturers have to make some serious financial decisions as to whether the enormous outlay can be justified (some of the big stands cost many thousands of dollars without taking into account the other costs such as transportation accomodation etc.
DML probably decided that their presence was unnecessary - to say their absence signifies financial problems is utter, total BS. They are signing licensing agreements with companies such as Marvel or Disney right left and center - hardly an indication that they are in dire straits.
Rumors, rumors, rumors,,,doncha LURVE 'em?
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 03:46 PM UTC
Nice competent report on the part of STEFFEN ARNDT (as usual)however.....
I've met Steffen a couple of times (at Núremberg) and he's a really nice guy, but frankly, he should NOT be putting up this kind of scuttlebutt as everyone knows that modelers gossip like washerwomen...
Quoted Text
Dragon is not here, rumor says it is belly up and tools for sale.... but no confirmed info on their state.
I've met Steffen a couple of times (at Núremberg) and he's a really nice guy, but frankly, he should NOT be putting up this kind of scuttlebutt as everyone knows that modelers gossip like washerwomen...
wowcool
Joined: September 26, 2015
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 03:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Sorry, utterly untrue. N'Berg's 'model' section is only a small part of hall 7 (out of 10 enormous exhibition halls) It's NOT a Model Fair, it's a TOY fair and the model manufacturers have to make some serious financial decisions as to whether the enormous outlay can be justified (some of the big stands cost many thousands of dollars without taking into account the other costs such as transportation accomodation etc.
DML probably decided that their presence was unnecessary - to say their absence signifies financial problems is utter, total BS. They are signing licensing agreements with companies such as Marvel or Disney right left and center - hardly an indication that they are in dire straits.
Rumors, rumors, rumors,,,doncha LURVE 'em?
^^This, this very much.
Dimitar
Joined: November 08, 2011
KitMaker: 414 posts
Armorama: 287 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 04:41 PM UTC
Going belly up or not, they have no place at Nuremberg anyway. It's a place to announce new releases. Tiger I, build around 3:41PM by Hans the mechanic, and not Rudolf the mechanic is not new release.
There might be something true to the story as HB released the old Tristar (but good) Jagdpanzer IV, that went unnoticed back then in the Dragon fever. Plus Revell is getting the exclusive rights to sell Star Wars kits in Europe and (that's the one I'm not sure of) N. America. The market is shrinking for them right now, plus all the problems with that Black series, which I think will has to go hads-up with Merit (Trumpeter/HB group) at some point.
Will I miss Dragon - no. Will someone buy their Tiger molds - probaply yes. Will someone continue to buy Tigers - hell yes.
There might be something true to the story as HB released the old Tristar (but good) Jagdpanzer IV, that went unnoticed back then in the Dragon fever. Plus Revell is getting the exclusive rights to sell Star Wars kits in Europe and (that's the one I'm not sure of) N. America. The market is shrinking for them right now, plus all the problems with that Black series, which I think will has to go hads-up with Merit (Trumpeter/HB group) at some point.
Will I miss Dragon - no. Will someone buy their Tiger molds - probaply yes. Will someone continue to buy Tigers - hell yes.
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 05:40 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Going belly up or not, they have no place at Nuremberg anyway. It's a place to announce new releases.
Well, I take your point and you are half right...
N'berg is for the industry to talk to distributors and show their wares for the coming year. The presence of model manufacturers is a miniscule part of the Trade Fair. While we may think that Military Modeling is a large part of the hobby sector, it pales into insignificance beside the model railroad companies, R/C industry and the games market.
Some companies benefit greatly from showcasing at N'Berg. ICM, Masterbox and MiniArt greatly increased their profiles by opening themselves up to THIS Network in a way that the 'giants' such as Tamiya or Italeri simply weren't interested in doing. This benefited both them and Armorama. Their level of cooperation with this site was extraordinary and mutually beneficial. DML, were also extremely cooperative in a multitude of ways.
On the debit side, the military modeling side of N'Berg is somewhat trapped by some of the manufacturers allowing themselves to believe that IPMS Germany speak for the hobbyist allowing THEM an access which does not reflect their (self-imposed?) importance internationally. The access theat IPMS get with Revell or Italeri for example is nonsensical....
SDavies
Joined: January 09, 2010
KitMaker: 979 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 05:45 PM UTC
[quote]Going belly up or not, they have no place at Nuremberg anyway. It's a place to announce new releases. Tiger I, build around 3:41PM by Hans the mechanic, and not Rudolf the mechanic is not new release.
[quote]
Very accurate assessment, quite amusing too ! But there is NO evidence that Dragon are going under
[quote]
Very accurate assessment, quite amusing too ! But there is NO evidence that Dragon are going under
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 07:37 PM UTC
A regretful rumor to start by any measure.
I know no one or any company is above reproach,but I think it would be a disaster if Dragon folded.
Think about where armor modeling was before Dragon got into the game? Figures as well!
J
I know no one or any company is above reproach,but I think it would be a disaster if Dragon folded.
Think about where armor modeling was before Dragon got into the game? Figures as well!
J
bill_c
Campaigns AdministratorJoined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 08:37 PM UTC
Not being at a trade show is not proof the company is going out of business.
pstansell
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 167 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 09:42 PM UTC
That's an insult to washerwomen everywhere!
Pat
MMiR
Pat
MMiR
spoons
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 527 posts
Armorama: 500 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 10:11 PM UTC
Don't think there going belly-up, maybe there too big to fail?
What with the 12" figures and now the star wars/marvel licences generating more money,i always thought they would hold there ground againt the other manufacturers if they concentrated on the premium range. They may see the black label series as a mistake and withdraw from the Armour series until they can regroup and re-organise. If we do see them again i think it will be a premium boutique line.
What with the 12" figures and now the star wars/marvel licences generating more money,i always thought they would hold there ground againt the other manufacturers if they concentrated on the premium range. They may see the black label series as a mistake and withdraw from the Armour series until they can regroup and re-organise. If we do see them again i think it will be a premium boutique line.
5thMech
Joined: August 21, 2003
KitMaker: 81 posts
Armorama: 55 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 10:12 PM UTC
LOTS of discontent among us modelers who see the announcement of a new Dragon kit with great appeal and then it never gets released. That's a sure way to cook your own goose.
Their subjects (M-48 Pattons, for example) can be/have been really good but many of them fall short in execution. If they want to make fantasy models or whatever that's fine. Just go and do it rather than keeping your thumb in the scale models pie and not producing quality kits in that market segment.
Their subjects (M-48 Pattons, for example) can be/have been really good but many of them fall short in execution. If they want to make fantasy models or whatever that's fine. Just go and do it rather than keeping your thumb in the scale models pie and not producing quality kits in that market segment.
Panzerdan412
Joined: April 10, 2012
KitMaker: 48 posts
Armorama: 46 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 11:22 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Not being at a trade show is not proof the company is going out of business.
This is a smart man. Trade show aren't as important as they were years past. With social media You can get the same impact with out The Travel expense and Booth cost and staff cost and Shipping the kits.
C_JACQUEMONT
Joined: October 09, 2004
KitMaker: 2,433 posts
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2016 - 11:50 PM UTC
Some guy on FaceBook said they were not there because they were barred from going due to their Star Wars products. Bandai was on the same boat apparently and weren't present either.
I feel sorry for the conspiracy theorists though..
Cheers,
Christophe
I feel sorry for the conspiracy theorists though..
Cheers,
Christophe
barkingdigger
Associate Editor
#013
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
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Posted: Friday, February 05, 2016 - 12:46 AM UTC
Guess they didn't feel the Force...
(Or was it to keep them from telling everyone "These are not the droids you're looking for"? )
(Or was it to keep them from telling everyone "These are not the droids you're looking for"?
)
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