Perhaps Robin's SALIENT POINT is worth noting: It's about Dragon's DS - NOT about whether strip / band / 1-piece tracks are better or worse then are link-sets.

I think it should be of extreme interest to those who prefer and use the 1-piece tracks, as those folks are the ones most impacted by the potential for their kit parts to waste out sooner or later - and disastrously so if on a build.

There are about 3 major versions of track-sets now available on the market in kits and AM: 1-piece flexible "band" or loop tracks, separate link sets (in styrene, resin, metal), and link-and-length (and simply molded lengths, too) sets - generally styrene.

Model companies should take heed of the oft-reported failures of the flexible band tracks. There has been a long history of issues with those things - and the issues are about the CHEMISTRY - not about having 1-piece sets, per se.

1-piece tracks are seen by many as being a money-saving route for companies - likely it IS, IMO. But the chemistry issue serves NO-ONE well.

Maybe companies should consider simply using link-and-length sets in place of the band tracks... There doesn't, least far as I can see, seem to be much benefit to supplying 1-piece bands versus molded styrene link-and-length sets in kits. Both are molded bits and using the styrene L-and-L tracks would simplify kit-packaging and production - it would be just another runner/sprue and no different chemistry or handling involved. And for modelers, it would offer convenience and simplify building and should actually appeal to those not liking the tedious fiddle of links... and L-and-L sets can look very good as moldings. (I think here about a Trumpeter T-64 kit I built with its L-and-L set - tracks came out looking straight and consistent on the build, and detailed, too (important for show modelers, at least!), they went on fast and easy, and there was zero issue with painting and weathering. And, I was able to easily bend-in the correct modest sags seen in those tracks when at rest.)

For those who like to dwell in the old band-versus-link debate: each track-format presumably serves its users and fans - as model-builders - well. Each format provides opportunities and benefits, and suffers limitations and challenges, as well.

But I cannot see how it makes ANY SENSE to use a product which is prone to catastrophic failure due to its CHEMISTRY. I wouldn't use "DS" link sets, if they were "offered", any more than I will use DS band tracks.

Perhaps model companies will take heed of these threads showing that the CHEMISTRY in their products is what is causing the out-cry and rancor seen HERE - NOT the provision of simple 1-piece tracks versus link sets. And the SIMPLE, adaptive change would be for them to simply use molded styrene runs: Eases kit production and packaging, costs no more in material nor in mold-making, and REDUCES POTENTIAL FOR KIT-BUYERS to GET ANGRY about incipient failure of the kit parts! That would be, IMHO, a WIN WIN for both companies and kit-buyers!

Just my OPINION, of course! Bob

If Dragon used the same DS-material and packaged the parts in the same type of plastic bag then there is a definite risk.
The chemistry in the used materials do not care what scale or kit the parts are supposed to be used for.
/ Robin

. . . I started buying dragon kits with the original T72 kit and ended with the T54e1 kit and there will be no more.
I cannot be the only one.

Never tried DS tracks. Wondered if the criticism was valid. Robin, this thread has convinced me. Thank you.

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. . . I started buying dragon kits with the original T72 kit and ended with the T54e1 kit and there will be no more.
I cannot be the only one.

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I'm sure you are not, but this sort of spiteful behavior hurts you, not them. If DML issued a kit of a subject I wanted and at a price I liked considering the possible need to replace tracks, detailing, accuracy, and so forth, I would buy it. How does anyone but me suffer from depriving myself?

In fact, the criteria I listed above applies to kits of all brands, not just DML. Doesn't everybody do that, every time? If you don't, isn't that your problem, not theirs?

A blanket policy of never buying another DML kit, regardless of subject, price, or quality is just as pointless and ridiculous as saying you will buy every Tamiya kit from now on, regardless of subject, price, or quality.

KL

That Dragon DAK Pz.III H Befehlspanzer is a really cool and very, very interesting subject (to me, of course!) - I drool when I see pics of it and dream of building it, and I would LOVE to have one... but NO THANKS for any more DS tracks that I would HAVE TO REPLACE at added cost and fuss.

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That Dragon DAK Pz.III H Befehlspanzer is a really cool and very, very interesting subject (to me, of course!) - I drool when I see pics of it and dream of building it, and I would LOVE to have one... but NO THANKS for any more DS tracks that I would HAVE TO REPLACE at added cost and fuss.

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What if you could get it for 20 bucks?

KL

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That Dragon DAK Pz.III H Befehlspanzer is a really cool and very, very interesting subject (to me, of course!) - I drool when I see pics of it and dream of building it, and I would LOVE to have one... but NO THANKS for any more DS tracks that I would HAVE TO REPLACE at added cost and fuss.

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What if you could get it for 20 bucks?

KL

Has there been any complaints by anyone about 1/72 that would be interesting,I have not seen any that I recall.

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That Dragon DAK Pz.III H Befehlspanzer is a really cool and very, very interesting subject (to me, of course!) - I drool when I see pics of it and dream of building it, and I would LOVE to have one... but NO THANKS for any more DS tracks that I would HAVE TO REPLACE at added cost and fuss.

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What if you could get it for 20 bucks?

KL

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That's a good and (mostly!) fair question, Kurt.

Obviously, IF I could actually buy a usually $50+ kit for $20, I likely would at least more-strongly consider getting it -

I have sent Dragon a link to this thread on their Facebook page private message and asked them to read through it,I might be flogging a dead horse but it's worth a try.

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I have sent Dragon a link to this thread on their Facebook page private message and asked them to read through it,I might be flogging a dead horse but it's worth a try.

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DML's response:

(. . . BLOCK . . . )

KL

Agree with the general sentiment. Dragon kits were great back in the day for new, interesting, and for the day, detailed kits. Stopped buying as soon as DS tracks were introduced. Mind you, the Rye Field tiger is at the other end of the extreme with 5 parts per track link!