Maybe they will focus efforts on their excellent Japanese subjects, now with interiors.
Considering how many unused sprues came in some of their recent releases, it might be good for them to clean up and organize some of their molds.
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Disturbing Twit from Dragon Models
russamotto
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
Armorama: 2,054 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 01:44 AM UTC
Vierville
Joined: April 05, 2014
KitMaker: 384 posts
Armorama: 372 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 02:51 AM UTC
I've been under the impression that Dragon have been winding down their 1:35 armour kit production for a while now. I think it was even announced on here a while back?
To be honest looking at those kits that they are apparently discontinuing, many have been totally unavailable for a long time already.
To be honest looking at those kits that they are apparently discontinuing, many have been totally unavailable for a long time already.
brekinapez
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 05:14 AM UTC
Quoted Text
In the bottom right corner of the images I linked to in a previous post it says 30th Anniversary.
Could it be that the images show all the kits that have been discontinued/replaced during these 30 years?
/ Robin
You may be on to something. I looked at a few other kits and they all have kits that essentially replace them that are newer molds/refreshes. So, this is just a list of old, redundant kits that noone is buying except to get their hands on Magic Tracks, metal barrels, and good stuff like that.
They have none left in inventory so they will not be available to restock stores or to supply parts.
wowcool
Joined: September 26, 2015
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 106 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 05:14 AM UTC
IMHO, this is much to do about nothing.
"Discontinued" simply means "out of production", and it isn't something unusual for Dragon. For years, they've been putting kits out of production and never doing reissues. This is the reason we always hear someone talk about how hard it is to find that one "Smart Kit" anywhere at a reasonable price.
"Discontinued" simply means "out of production", and it isn't something unusual for Dragon. For years, they've been putting kits out of production and never doing reissues. This is the reason we always hear someone talk about how hard it is to find that one "Smart Kit" anywhere at a reasonable price.
27-1025
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
Armorama: 1,222 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 05:53 AM UTC
Call me skeptical but these are pretty much all of their German lineup which has been their bread and butter. Maybe re-release them later in limited run batches for a premium price. Glad I have a big swath of that list in the stash.
Headhunter506
Joined: December 01, 2007
KitMaker: 1,575 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 06:53 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Maybe re-release them later in limited run batches for a premium price.
What, like what they charge for their kits now isn't a premium price?
27-1025
Joined: September 16, 2004
KitMaker: 1,281 posts
Armorama: 1,222 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 07:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextMaybe re-release them later in limited run batches for a premium price.
What, like what they charge for their kits now isn't a premium price?
Agreed their stuff is high but pulling the plug for good on their best kits doesn’t make sense unless they’re getting out of the military modeling game and focusing on other stuff.
Headhunter506
Joined: December 01, 2007
KitMaker: 1,575 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 09:10 AM UTC
Man, I checked out Dragon USA earlier and all of the great kits I have any interest/intention of buying share the same status:
BACK ORDER
They've been like that for the past year. Cyber-Hobby's site is a fallback option. You can still find things that are no longer carried on Dragon's increasingly craptacular page.
BACK ORDER
They've been like that for the past year. Cyber-Hobby's site is a fallback option. You can still find things that are no longer carried on Dragon's increasingly craptacular page.
CMOT
Editor-in-Chief
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 10,954 posts
Armorama: 8,571 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 01:38 PM UTC
My only real issue here is why they are not continuing to release these models onto the market as there is still a good market for them. Provided the contents are unchanged most modellers happily pay the price for them as the contents make the price a realistic one. The problems for Dragon as regards sales, at least as it seems to me, is the dumbing down of the contents with the same very high price.
I have purchased a number of Dragon Models, mostly German armour, and been very happy with what I have got for my money, but as time has gone on and things such as barrels and of course magic tracks have gone the price has become a major issue. the problem with error filled instructions has been with us for a long time and were mentioned but rarely considered in our purchase.
I am also familiar with the 'not another X,Y and Z' and the rancour that usually causes. I have to say that while these kits are not for everyone there is still a demand for them. And so I would suggest DML continue to release what they do very well and already have the accuracy issues nailed down due to there still being a market.
I have purchased a number of Dragon Models, mostly German armour, and been very happy with what I have got for my money, but as time has gone on and things such as barrels and of course magic tracks have gone the price has become a major issue. the problem with error filled instructions has been with us for a long time and were mentioned but rarely considered in our purchase.
I am also familiar with the 'not another X,Y and Z' and the rancour that usually causes. I have to say that while these kits are not for everyone there is still a demand for them. And so I would suggest DML continue to release what they do very well and already have the accuracy issues nailed down due to there still being a market.
tatbaqui
News Writer
#040
Joined: May 06, 2007
KitMaker: 2,713 posts
Armorama: 2,451 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 05:42 PM UTC
I'd say it's just a ploy to move stocks quicker. It surely got everyone talking and speculating on what it meant. 
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 06:10 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Does this mean Dragon is getting out of the World War II German business?
They took one look at the on coming Trumpeter and Meng and all German kits and decided to fold the whole line up.
And their next new kits will be the M3 Lee and a Sherman Jumbo which somehow resurfaced in the 2018 catalog...
I always wanted a Sherman Jumbo thats more accurate then the Tamiya one ill pass on the Tasca/Azuka one with its crazy and flimsy bogies
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 06:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Maybe they will focus efforts on their excellent Japanese subjects, now with interiors.
Considering how many unused sprues came in some of their recent releases, it might be good for them to clean up and organize some of their molds.
what is it with everyone wanting interiors in models once the tank is done you cant see anything its a waste of valuable build time
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
Armorama: 1,100 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 06:55 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I am not registered as user on Twitter either but I could see these images:
It says Discontinued on the left edge so I presume it applies to all of the kits shown and listed in the images.
Some of them have probably been replaced by newer/better kits but some are unique.
Maybe they want to concentrate on their hugely successful, super accurate and top quality Black Label series
It is not the first of April yet either ....
/ Robin
that announcement doeasnt bother me one bit im happy with just my token tiger in my stash a Tamiya one at that
TopSmith
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 08:53 PM UTC
I don't know what Dragons short/long term plans are. I didn't see where aircraft/ships/1/72 armor are being discontinued, strange. I see it is mostly German 1/35th armor.
That said, the thought of loosing sales due to a lac of interior seems odd. I would wager 90% of the builders don't care for an interior beyond what could be seen through the hatches, me included.
Dragons Panther and Tiger kits are as accurate as the newer releases and if they are not, the difference is not enough to make a difference. They have the market on Panzer IV's and III's. I could understand retiring or selling off 30 or 40 of their oldest molds.
I recently bought the Panther G with the anti aircraft armor and I didn't see that on the list. So It may be worth investigating what is being continued. Compare Discontinued with what they had in the catalog. That might give a clue about where they are going.
That said, the thought of loosing sales due to a lac of interior seems odd. I would wager 90% of the builders don't care for an interior beyond what could be seen through the hatches, me included.
Dragons Panther and Tiger kits are as accurate as the newer releases and if they are not, the difference is not enough to make a difference. They have the market on Panzer IV's and III's. I could understand retiring or selling off 30 or 40 of their oldest molds.
I recently bought the Panther G with the anti aircraft armor and I didn't see that on the list. So It may be worth investigating what is being continued. Compare Discontinued with what they had in the catalog. That might give a clue about where they are going.
johhar
Joined: September 22, 2008
KitMaker: 476 posts
Armorama: 447 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2018 - 09:23 PM UTC
Though I have built mostly Dragon kits lately, they seem to be shrinking as the center of the 1/35 armor universe. Meng and Takom have been invading the space with some dynamite kits and who knows how far they will go; ??? Pz I-IV, Stugs, others ??? Not to mention all the stuff from Miniart, Bronco, IBG, ICM, etc. Yes, there are some areas where Dragon is still the go to model (Pz I-IV, Stugs, halftracks, and others) but outside of that market, others have staked out major positions. Yes, if I want a particular Pz III J/L/M/N, Stug III, Pz 38, or Sdkfz 234 variant, I may be out of luck, for now. I don't know their marketing plans, but I suspect others are correct when they speculate that we'll see these subjects again in some reboxed and/or reconfigured form (with DS tracks???).
With apologies for any kits and/or companies I neglected to call out by name for being great.
With apologies for any kits and/or companies I neglected to call out by name for being great.
GeraldOwens
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 12:19 AM UTC
It's a marketing ploy. Realistically, kits never really disappear. You can buy Renwal kits originally tooled in 1957, if you are so inclined. Molds are pure profit, once the tooling costs have been amortized. Either Dragon or Cyber Hobby will reissue the kits, or they will sell the tools off to another manufacturer.
arpikaszabo
Joined: February 13, 2006
KitMaker: 674 posts
Armorama: 637 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 12:46 AM UTC
I liked "twit" more... 
RobinNilsson
TOS Moderator
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 01:08 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I liked "twit" more...
The correct spelling for what someone writes on Twitter is actually 'tweet' but this new subject line puts a whole new twist on things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh8eb_ACLl8
/ Robin
Precious_rob
Joined: March 09, 2009
KitMaker: 206 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 01:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This looks like the same ploy they tried, with the "white box - limited" kits.
I thought the exact same thing when I saw this
smorko
Joined: March 11, 2013
KitMaker: 94 posts
Armorama: 89 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 05:58 PM UTC
I checked the 2018 catalogue, and it is true most of those kits are not in there but some are, especially the ones that came out last year (Aufklarungspanzer 38t, Hummel w/ Winterketten, Jagdpanzer IV A-0, Hetzer variants...) in other words 67 and 68.. series kits. The only thing in common is they all rely on prety old moulds as a base, and maybe those are worn out or damaged now. And some are one off vehicles where they saturated the market. In any case a strange decision, but to be honest I haven't bought a Dragon kit in a while, although my stash is about 70% Dragon kits. Maybe they will regroup and surprise us once again?
Wierdy
Joined: January 26, 2010
KitMaker: 570 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 06:34 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I liked "twit" more...
As a topic starter I may say I didn't change the title. I wanted to say it was a taunt (twit is another word to denote it) from them made via Twitter...
kennethc
Joined: October 04, 2006
KitMaker: 348 posts
Armorama: 78 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 08:51 PM UTC
IMO Dragon is on the way out. They have steadily reduced the quality of their releases while drastically increasing prices on old re-releases. They used to be THE manufacturer but not any more. The local hobby shop I used to work for carried hundreds of armor kits at any one time but only a handful were Dragon brand. The lack of new kits and absurd pricing killed the brand in our market.
Many of you newer modelers won't remember the detestable fella that used to handle their marketing on social media many years ago.. He was absolutely hateful to anyone who spoke down on Dragon in any way. It very well could be a marketing ploy but I don't think it matters one way or another, they're getting beat to death by newer, better kit makers.
My 2 cents.
Many of you newer modelers won't remember the detestable fella that used to handle their marketing on social media many years ago.. He was absolutely hateful to anyone who spoke down on Dragon in any way. It very well could be a marketing ploy but I don't think it matters one way or another, they're getting beat to death by newer, better kit makers.
My 2 cents.
RobinNilsson
TOS ModeratorJoined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 09:12 PM UTC
Quoted Text
IMO Dragon is on the way out. They have steadily reduced the quality of their releases while drastically increasing prices on old re-releases. They used to be THE manufacturer but not any more. The local hobby shop I used to work for carried hundreds of armor kits at any one time but only a handful were Dragon brand. The lack of new kits and absurd pricing killed the brand in our market.
Many of you newer modelers won't remember the detestable fella that used to handle their marketing on social media many years ago.. He was absolutely hateful to anyone who spoke down on Dragon in any way. It very well could be a marketing ploy but I don't think it matters one way or another, they're getting beat to death by newer, better kit makers.
My 2 cents.
Yup! I remember that twit, very load and very aggressive.
/ Robin
Wierdy
Joined: January 26, 2010
KitMaker: 570 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 09:58 PM UTC
Quoted Text
It very well could be a marketing ploy but I don't think it matters one way or another, they're getting beat to death by newer, better kit makers.
If we have a look at Tiger and Panther kits from a very famous Italian manufacturer we will see they are far from perfect and inferior to Dragon's, yet they still produce and (probably) sell them successfully using WoT trick or whatever. The problem with DML lies in two major issues:
1)They want too much for their kits at times
2) You can't assemble a kit OOB with those darn DS tracks because they are too long and/or twisted/damaged.
easyco69
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
Armorama: 2,233 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 09:58 PM UTC
It is marketing ...hopefully they will start bringing out new molds.
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