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Armor/AFV: What If?
For those who like to build hypothetical or alternate history versions of armor/AFVs.
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E100 help
woodstock74
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 06:03 AM UTC
I purchased Dragon's E100 kit from a local hobby store last week and noticed that the turret was warped:







Well after email back and forth with Dragon all week I get this email:

"Unfortunately, we have discovered after re-verification with our production department that the product of your inquiry is a discontinued item. Therefore, we are unable to furnish replacement parts at this time."

Dragon suggested E-Bay but I've already put down money for the kit and can't justify any more on the principle of the whole thing. Though I do want to build the kit. I could take it back to the store for credit but again, I'm interested in the subject and want to build this one.

Does anyone have any ideas or ways to rectify this? Ive never had any luck with the ole hair-dryer technique (in fact I've destroyed parts that way before). The warp is pretty comprehensive with the entire forward section of the turret bulged upwards (see photos). Any suggestions are welcome, especially really inexspensive ways to acquire a new turret...
GSPatton
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 07:37 AM UTC
since the E-100 never "really" had a turret. The Dragon one is from the MAUS. Try scratch building an interior and a styrene box to represent a turret and show the E-100 on trials.

OR - Cut the turret up and position it on a burned out E-100 with a couple of GIs or Ruskies in an end of the war diorama.
nfafan
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 11:19 AM UTC
Sadly, Dragon's client relations aren't up to the same level as many of their products.
DRAGONSLAIN
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 11:25 AM UTC
You could try to straighten that out; with a saw, hot water, lots of green putty and even more patience it could work out.
I'm wondering, if they are using the turret from the MAUS which is not out of production, then they would have it. Why don't you try asking them for a MAUS turret?
woodstock74
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 11:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm wondering, if they are using the turret from the MAUS which is not out of production, then they would have it. Why don't you try asking them for a MAUS turret?


Hmmm, good idea. Can anyone confirm this? Anyone who has built both kits? Also, what's the kit no for the MAUS kit? You would think their people would be aware of this and I wouldn't have to point it out to them...

Edited to add...I have a new born baby, so time, money, and patience are in short supply!
salt6
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 11:45 AM UTC
Or do one of the "production" turrets. Looks kinda like a Tiger II on steroids.

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/german/e100_mrinaldi.html



DRAGONSLAIN
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 01:48 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I have a new born baby, so time, money, and patience are in short supply!


Well, congratulations! I hope you can do some modelling during those sleepless nights. :-)
Jacques
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 01:53 PM UTC
I have dealt with Dragon quite a few times, (through my old hobby shop job) , and as long as the kit is currently in production, they are good to go. Tamiya has the same problem, if the kit is oop, they cannot replace parts either.

1. If it is ok for you, ask for the Maus turret. It is possible I guess.

2. Wait until the E100 goes back into production and contact DML again, they should be able to help.

The Ebay route will probably be expensive, but if you inquire on the various forums, I am sure someone out there has a spare E100 turret after using a conversion turret.
taskmaster58
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 01:54 PM UTC
I just looked at the Dragon site and they show both the Maus 6007 and the E-100 6011 under the 39-45 Shanghai Dragon section of their site
hworth18
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 02:08 PM UTC
Actually, The E100 is a re-issue.. So it should'nt be a problem getting replacement parts..But if it is a prob, you might be able to do the hot water trick and try to hand massage it back into shape..
Armorgeek
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Virginia, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 02:40 PM UTC
Mike, If you are still in need, I have an extra one that I would be willing to ship to you.

Let me know if you're interested,
Jim
woodstock74
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 10:28 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Mike, If you are still in need, I have an extra one that I would be willing to ship to you.

Let me know if you're interested,
Jim


Yes I am still in need! Though let me first get back with Dragon and suggest a look into the MAUS turret route.


So the MAUS kit is 6007? What is the turret part number?
woodstock74
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 10:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I have a new born baby, so time, money, and patience are in short supply!


Well, congratulations! I hope you can do some modelling during those sleepless nights. :-)


Thanks! Things are getting better as we get past 2 months old. Though yestersday we had our first round of innoculations and she wasn't too keen on those!
woodstock74
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Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 10:46 PM UTC
Well I've left feedback with Dragon asking them to look into replacing the E100 turret with the one out of the MAUS kit.

Just so I have the information in case they ask (heaven forbid they send the wrong part!), does anyone know the part no. for the turret in the MAUS kit no. 6007?
woodstock74
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Posted: Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 10:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Mike, If you are still in need, I have an extra one that I would be willing to ship to you.

Let me know if you're interested,
Jim


Jim,
I'm going to have to take you up on that:

"I apologize for any inconvenience. Unfortunately, we do not have the kit #6007 replacement part after verified with the production department. Like #6011, this model kit #6007 is a very old item and was produced many years ago. These kits are completely sold out, and there were never a second production. Therefore, we could not furnish kit #6007 at this time."

So according to Dragon, that can't supply a replacement from either the E100 kit or the MAUS kit...

How do you want to go about this?
hworth18
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Posted: Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 03:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text


So according to Dragon, that can't supply a replacement from either the E100 kit or the MAUS kit...

How do you want to go about this?



Mike,
They are BS'ing you.. I just bought the E100 new from my LHS about 2 months ago.. I had been patiently waiting for Dragon to re-issue this kit and they finally did..
Jacques
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Posted: Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 05:37 PM UTC
Could be that it is some problem between Dragon (the original producer) and the fact that it is being re-popped periodically by Shanghai Dragon...maybe this is the problem. You may need to mention this in your e-mail to the company (who knows who they hired for customer service...)
woodstock74
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Posted: Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 11:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Mike,

They are BS'ing you.. I just bought the E100 new from my LHS about 2 months ago.. I had been patiently waiting for Dragon to re-issue this kit and they finally did..


I'm sure they are but there is little I can do at this rate.
MLD
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Posted: Thursday, October 21, 2004 - 11:50 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Mike,

They are BS'ing you.. I just bought the E100 new from my LHS about 2 months ago.. I had been patiently waiting for Dragon to re-issue this kit and they finally did..


I'm sure they are but there is little I can do at this rate.


Are you dealing with the 'Dragoncare" web system?

Just my US$0.02 worth, but I found when I had a problem with the upper hull of a new high profile release, that asking nicely seemed to be taking forever.
But when I mentioned the problem on every model forum I could find, that seemed to speed things up a bit.
I, of course, then also then mentioned that they did solve the problem and gave them the requisite kudos for it.

In the bad old days I was getting the same old run-around from Marco Polo Imports over a missing part from an OOP kit, a kit that was also on the old 'boxtop madness' sale.
I pointed out that despite the kit being OOP, they had them for sale , so go out back an get one, open it, and ship me the part!
Week later, I had my part.


Ebay might be an option, I think VLS lists the kit in stock under shanghai dragons name, and since Cheasepeke (sp?) makes that cool twin 128 AA turret, there might be some out there with a spare.

Sorry, but I'm doing mine as a 1947/48 panzerstellung , when Berlin was actually defended.

Good luck.
Mike
woodstock74
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Posted: Friday, October 22, 2004 - 11:14 AM UTC
Ok, the latest on this is that Dragon has shipped my a King Tiger turret (Henschel). This is a compromise, but at least I can now make a interesting "what if". I've seen some inspiring stuff these last few days. Of course I'm thinking I'm just going to get the turret and it will be sans hatches, cupola, etc....lovely.

All in all I wish they would have sent me a E100 turret, but at least I can now sink money into a cool barrel for the Henschel turret instead of putting it into another E100 kit on Ebay just to pilfer the turret out of it....
salt6
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Posted: Friday, October 22, 2004 - 11:48 AM UTC
Mike,

I can send you a turret but you would need to supply the turret base and all the other bits. I plan on doing a "B" model E100.
woodstock74
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Posted: Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 02:33 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Mike,

I can send you a turret but you would need to supply the turret base and all the other bits. I plan on doing a "B" model E100.



Steve,

Thanks. Here's my delima. Dragon is sending me a turret, albeit a King Tiger Henschel turret. I figured I could then use it to do a Ausf B as well. But I got to thinking...most certainly they are just sending me the turret shell, no cupola, hatches, or any of the details. I'm starting to think I'm better off just staying with a E100 turret if I can get one as I already have everything for it. I've seen a cool 'B' that utlizes the standard turret too. So...Frankly, if you wouldn't mind me taking the E100 turret off your hands I certainly would appreciate it. I've been back and forth with this and I think this is the best approach. I'd be more than happy to send you the King Tiger Henschel turret when it arrives if you are interested. Let me know.
Armorgeek
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Posted: Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 02:41 PM UTC
Sorry Mike, I just saw your post today. I see that Steve is going to help you out.

I'm still willing to help if you need it.

Jim

woodstock74
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Posted: Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 04:12 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Sorry Mike, I just saw your post today. I see that Steve is going to help you out.

I'm still willing to help if you need it.

Jim



Not a problem Jim. Check your email, I just sent you a message.
steeldog51
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Posted: Saturday, October 23, 2004 - 10:49 PM UTC
Oh Man this is so crappy of dragon!
i would have expected tons better ! there are that many maus and e-100 kits now on e-bay they must have re-released them ?
so why the heck cant they just sodding well get one out of the effing cupboard and ship the part?
i had a similar problem with them too over thier panther /d kursk and i got a turret from a sheman?????? ho hum! good luck with the kit mate
i plan on doing a "b" too should be awsome!
i just need to find out a few things ? is the turret deffo just theory no existing drawings etc... ?
i suppose it would be just educated guess work then ?
FUN!!!!!
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