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Talal Mashtoub reviews and builds the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.D Platz series in 1/35th scale.
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If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
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Review
Platz: Panzer IV
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Friday, December 29, 2017 - 07:18 PM UTC
Talal Mashtoub reviews and builds the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.D Platz series in 1/35th scale.
Read the Review
If you have comments or questions please post them here.
Thanks!
j76lr
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Friday, December 29, 2017 - 08:04 PM UTC
Great kit !! quality without all the ridiculous parts Dragon is known for !Hope they come out with more !
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Friday, December 29, 2017 - 08:52 PM UTC
Hmmm...just compared some Platz Dragon prices to the same item from Dragon USA...not too impressed! Fake News! 
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Friday, December 29, 2017 - 10:21 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hmmm...just compared some Platz Dragon prices to the same item from Dragon USA...not too impressed! Fake News!
You know why they did this? Because Girls und Panzer fans had trouble (like most non-obsessed model builder humans) with the obscene regular Pzkpfw IV they put out as the Angler team tank. I have one of those boxings and it's intimidating to say the least if you just want a model of a Pzkpfw IV without needing an engineering degree and six months to build it.
This is like the Eduard weekend series of plane kits. Simple kits that can be built in a weekend. Or Tamiya 1/35 armor. HUGE market for the casual model builder. About bloody time. Yippee!
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 03:33 AM UTC
The point I meant to make is that the Platz Dragon prices are much higher than Dragon USA prices.
digger303
Joined: April 25, 2012
KitMaker: 69 posts
Armorama: 69 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 04:07 AM UTC
high prices with ds tracks it makes it a turn off for me. About time they made the magic tracks truly magic with a positive click together format included with all kits. If Takom can do it then dragon could. I don't really believe DS will stand the test of time eventually rotting away.
Jmarles
Joined: November 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,138 posts
Armorama: 953 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 04:31 AM UTC
How can this kit be new tool if it's a rebox? Did I miss something?
Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 05:01 AM UTC
I must have missed it too then as I don't recall reading "rebox", though I was wondering about which parts were over-simplified as I have the original superkit versions of all of these Pz IVs ( 6265,6402 etc) Intimidating parts count? Yes, Imperfect instructions with too much detail per step? Yes. Enviable final product? Yes. Got to say that I like the simplification angle for these Platz kits provided I don't give up noticeable detail AND don't pay a premium for it. We'll see...
Removed by original poster on 12/31/17 - 08:21:16 (GMT).
Jmarles
Joined: November 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,138 posts
Armorama: 953 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 01:28 PM UTC
Some reviews and timelines have linked it to previous releases. Now it appears according to some sources, Dragon has bought a tooling from a defunct company and added DS tracks and OVM tools . It appears to be a simplified entry level kit, with a one piece cupola, solid integral lifting hooks, molded on suspension arms, etc. The company was called "Revosys" apparently and had previously sold off its Panzerkampfwagen VI molds also. It is intended for the Japanese market. Those interested in accuracy would do well to look for alternatives.
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2017 - 09:16 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Got to say that I like the simplification angle for these Platz kits provided I don't give up noticeable detail AND don't pay a premium for it. We'll see...
Platz Pz lV D, on their site, describes the kit as "Smart Kit" and their price is 6048 Japanese Yen, or USD 53.68.
http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/5944.html
Apparently same kit on Dragon USA goes for USD 29.95...
http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA6873
So if you want to pay a LOT more for a 'simplified' kit...guess that's up to you. May even be just the same kit!
I may be belaboring my point here, but I just want to show it's no bargain.
Jmarles
Joined: November 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,138 posts
Armorama: 953 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 01:45 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextGot to say that I like the simplification angle for these Platz kits provided I don't give up noticeable detail AND don't pay a premium for it. We'll see...
Platz Pz lV D, on their site, describes the kit as "Smart Kit" and their price is 6048 Japanese Yen, or USD 53.68.
http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/5944.html
Apparently same kit on Dragon USA goes for USD 29.95...
http://www.dragonusaonline.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=DRA6873
So if you want to pay a LOT more for a 'simplified' kit...guess that's up to you. May even be just the same kit!
I may be belaboring my point here, but I just want to show it's no bargain.
Here is a video of build. Very simplified kit.
https://youtu.be/N-OstLWHPFg
Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 07:42 AM UTC
Thanks one and all for the informative update. The conclusion is that they won't be selling a bunch of those to anyone here, and I'm fine with that. Information is what its all about. Same thing: I'd really like to know if the new Takom Panthers with interior kits have transparent turrets and hulls like their more expensive Rye Field kit of the Panther G. Anyone know?
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 08:14 AM UTC
Well, that might explain why it shows up so often on dragonusaonline's sales. It was half off just recently, and it is available at nearly that today.
Are they sitting on a pile of old and mediocre kits they have trouble moving even at 50% off or better? How many Cyber Hobby Kommandowagen/Artilleriewagen kits were made? They seem to have a supply of those that make a suitable throne for Smaug the dragon, they are so abundant. How the hell many are there?
Why are they pushing the Platz IV rather than put one of the better IV's on the sale roster more often? Seriously, if you choose Dragon you know you are in for lots of parts and some aggravation, so let's stop kidding ourselves with the Smartkits. DS tracks were the cheaper but inferior competitor to the Betamax that was Magic Tracks, and allowing the simplification of their kits paved the way to allowing DS to consume nearly all of their subsequent releases.
Personally, I think they would have been better served using the old Tamiya Pz IV D as the basis for the GundP vehicle, IMHO.
Are they sitting on a pile of old and mediocre kits they have trouble moving even at 50% off or better? How many Cyber Hobby Kommandowagen/Artilleriewagen kits were made? They seem to have a supply of those that make a suitable throne for Smaug the dragon, they are so abundant. How the hell many are there?
Why are they pushing the Platz IV rather than put one of the better IV's on the sale roster more often? Seriously, if you choose Dragon you know you are in for lots of parts and some aggravation, so let's stop kidding ourselves with the Smartkits. DS tracks were the cheaper but inferior competitor to the Betamax that was Magic Tracks, and allowing the simplification of their kits paved the way to allowing DS to consume nearly all of their subsequent releases.
Personally, I think they would have been better served using the old Tamiya Pz IV D as the basis for the GundP vehicle, IMHO.
Jmarles
Joined: November 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,138 posts
Armorama: 953 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 10:57 AM UTC
Better off buying the Tristar/Hobbyboss one would think..
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 01:38 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Better off buying the Tristar/Hobbyboss one would think..
That's been a given the whole time.
I only have a Dragon Pzkpfw IV D for the Girls und Panzer decals. Read the reviews over on Perth; the Dragon kit is disappointing. That whole undersized exhaust is pretty obvious even compared to the Tristar.
This Platz kit will probably find its way into my stash to replace my old Tamiya kit.
Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 10:16 PM UTC
I'm kind of confused, to sum up what you said: The Dragon PZ IV is crap (hardly) but you bought one for the sake of the absurd decals that a weird version of that kit offered, and that you're willing to replace my ancient Tamiya Pz IV which IS crap with a Platz kit that is simplified crap. Am I missing something here? Think I'll toddle back to my Dragon Jagdpanther kit that I started recently.
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 10:55 PM UTC
Not to mention that (currently) it is over-priced simplified crap!
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 31, 2017 - 11:03 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm kind of confused, to sum up what you said: The Dragon PZ IV is crap (hardly) but you bought one for the sake of the absurd decals that a weird version of that kit offered, and that you're willing to replace my ancient Tamiya Pz IV which IS crap with a Platz kit that is simplified crap. Am I missing something here? Think I'll toddle back to my Dragon Jagdpanther kit that I started recently.
The Dragon kit has some errors that will have to be fixed with pieces from the Tristar and I wanted the Angler team tank being a fan. I prefer simple kits to over engineered and the Platz one offers enough over the Tamiya to warrant replacing my second Tamiya with it. True crap would be the Bandai 1/48 Panzer IV I built 30 years ago.
And as for calling high quality anime absurd and ridiculous? This whole freaking hobby is ridiculous and it's ironic that a couple of the characters in Girls und Panzer have many of the traits of the detail obsessed armor nuts found here. They'd fit right in because a lot of us act like high school girls in sailor suits.
My opinion is worthless but it leads to me enjoying this ridiculous exercise as opposed to cursing the day I was born because Dragon smart kits constantly outsmart me.
And I will be going back to editing another page in my web comic because at least there I'm almost considered somewhat talented as opposed to being belittled and insulted.
Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 03, 2018 - 03:24 AM UTC
Wasn't meant that way and I apologize as I did not mean to belittle or demean; I was honestly confused as to why you'd prefer one over the other and want a decal set so badly that you'd buy a kit that you think so little about merely for the decals. Besides, I think I speak for all of us in saying that we'd all look rather unusual & ridiculous dressed in sailor suits! Okay, Joseph over there might be able to pull it off, but most of us are just not appealing that way...
Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 04:51 AM UTC
I'm guessing that he never came back. Too bad as I think he was well on his way to overcoming his deep-seated fears of Dragon kits, if only for a moment. And yes, his opinion was worth listening to. Except for the sailor suit stuff. Too weird that...
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 05:36 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Except for the sailor suit stuff. Too weird that...
That barely scratches the surface of the weird aspects of Japanese pop culture.
Cantstopbuyingkits
Joined: January 28, 2015
KitMaker: 2,099 posts
Armorama: 1,920 posts
Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 06:18 PM UTC
Those uniforms were phased out in Japan in the 90s, anyway.
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Friday, January 05, 2018 - 09:15 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextExcept for the sailor suit stuff. Too weird that...
That barely scratches the surface of the weird aspects of Japanese pop culture.
Some kind of obsession with VERY young girls with VERY long legs in VERY short skirts.
Kinky much?? Taeuss
Joined: January 03, 2016
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 3,778 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2018 - 06:21 AM UTC
Actually he was implying that WE were to wear them. Not into that. Far too boring anyways. Well, back to model building!
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