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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2015
- This video is meant to help people who are looking to buy 1:35 Dragon armor kits, but are unsure of which ones to get. I explain to the best of my knowledge what the differences are in each series, and what is good or bad about each. I'm not an expert, just experienced at buying Dragon kits. I cover Imperial Series, 39-45 Series, Smart Kit, Premium Edition, as well as Cyber Hobby Orange Box and Limited Edition White Box.
0:55 Imperial Kits
4:10 39-45 Series
8:24 Premium Edition
11:07 Smart Kits
14:38 White Boxes
16:38 Orange Boxes
OUTSTANDING VIDEO !!! Glad that I came across this. I have several Dragon kits and was not sure of the big difference in their kits. Glad that the kits I have, have been reviewed by you in your videos and I find that I have a few decent Dragon kits. Off to the bench &Thanks for this info.
You're very well come. I'm glad I could help.
great video. thanks for taking the time to help other ppl from getting stung. keep up the great work!
It might be nostalgia, but I love the artwork in that Imperial Series Early Stug IV
So my first Dragon/Cyberhobby kit was the Stug III F #9101. New kid on the block here after many many years. It was only 20 bucks. Walked around Hobby show with it for an hour not noticing the laughing behind my back. I finished the build. Yes there are issues but I managed to get through them. Thanks to your uploads I have learned much about kit quality and accuracy. Keep up the great work.
Great vid! Very informative for choosing kits. I've not bought anything dragon but definitely will check scalemates first after watching this!
Excellent discussion of everything Dragon. I follow the same procedure as you do... do your homework and you will be rewarded! I can enjoy using scale mates as well as you can track the family sprue tree to the kit you are looking to buy. Well done mate!
Cheers!
GeekyRocket Knowing what has gone on in the design and manufacture may seem silly to some to spend the time to study, but then you don't get burned. We seem to share a lot of the same thoughts on modeling.
glad I found this before buying my second model
been trying to decide what to do next
Nice video ! I was always a bit lost between all the different Dragon series ! I think i will try a smart kit for my first Dragon.
You earned a subscriber :)
glad I could help.
Thanks for the info, I have recently built a Dragon Jagdtiger an ok kit, instructions not the best but I over came, lots of parts. I was looking at a King Tiger from Dragon, but then I saw a review of the Meng King Tiger, now working on a Meng King Tiger (no interior) with a Takom Chieftain in the on deck circle.
Awesome, thank you for this, I have many Dragon kits, unbuilt of course, so this is very helpful when I'm looking for that future purchase. Cheers
ScaleModelKitReview You're very welcome. It's not 100% all there is to know, but it's enough to get started in understanding how they market things.
Thank you for a very informative video about purchasing Dragon kits. I never realised that their production choice could be such a minefield. The retail cost of Dragon kits can be very expensive for poor tax payers like ourselves. I will follow your advice in future regarding research of a given kit through sites such as Scalemates. Thanks again for taking the time to post thius vid. Is greatly appreciated.
The best video on comparisons Adam! Many thanks. Something is telling me to buy those crap kits from you. Let me know.
Thank you, Adam for another great video on Dragon kits. I've been trying to decypher the dragon for years. There are a few gems in the Imperial series. You're right, best stay away from those unless you're experienced. I like the 39-45 series manufactured between 2005-2009, kit #s 6150 and above. Thanks again for all your hard work.
+Rick Beman You're most welcome. The more information is out there the better.
If I had had youtube, and reviewers like yourself when I started out
, I could have avoided that very expensive Shelf of Doom I now own.
Thanks for this one Adam. About a year ago I was showing a modeling friend my "stash" and he said "oh Imperial Kits. They can be pretty bad." I have 4 of them plus an orange box 9111. Your video just convinced me to sell them on ebay.
Martin Collmer My pleasure. They can be pretty rough.
I built one Cyber-Hobby orange box kit, the Schwere Panzerspähwagen armored railcar; it was COMPLETE CRAP! That said, it did come as a 2-in-1 bonus kit; the second kit was a completely unrelated set of 4 SS Viking division infantrymen which (I haven't built it yet) actually looks pretty good.
Good info. Thank you for making this video. Good thing I only have one Imperial kit (Japgdpanzer IV). I also have a Brummbar late in the '39-'45 series and the wheels fit very sloppily and idler wheel hole is larger than the axle. Haven't started the Imperial Jagdpanzer, but I expected the same fitment since a few of the sprues are the same.
Great video. Thanks Adam.
Thank you Adam. Appreciate the effort you went to, to explain their Kits. Sort of looks like they not making few new kits, but just doing minimal reboxing of older kits. They also need to redo their Website, I find it very poor.
Adam,
Excellent Video, some of this information I would have never known about until seeing you video, or getting stung on the bad end of a deal.
To add to your mantra on this, I have a couple of Really old Dragon kits that are actually Shanghai/Dragon, specifically the M1A1 Abrams from the Modern AFV Series. The kits for the most part are ok-ish because the tracks are molded in sections with the individual links for going around the rear gear wheel and front idler. They also have nice ejection mold marks in the tracks as well.
That being said I have a small selection of other dragon kits and they are phenomenal. As you stated, a little research is really required before purchase, other wise you may be stuck with something you aren't expecting.
Jason Smith Thanks very much man. That's exactly why I wanted to make the video and I'm happy to help people avoid bad kits. Since I only build WWII armor I hadn't even thought to check out the modern AFV series. So you'd compare it to Imperial stuff quality-wise?
Adam Mann Well since this is a "In-Box" Review point I can't say weather it goes together like the Imperial Stuff. Comparing it to another manufacturer, at least as the tracks are concerned, it reminded me very much of an Italeri Kit that I recently built. Not bad just a bit fiddely, meaning it may take a little extra work to get it right.
Also I just built the Panther A, loved it amazing kit
Ian E I'm looking forward to building it, just want to get a Zimmerit plan worked out. I saw your build, it was great.
Loved all their Panther kits,especially the premium kits..
Excellent informational vid. I actually summarized all of the different things you said on these kits on my whiteboard to absorb them really. Thanks. I was hoping for a Dragon Kit Black Label comparison as well but this wasn't included. I get the impression that the Black label series originated from Dragon USA.
IvanTheTerrible Asked around in our local modeling community here in my country and according to them the Dragon Black Label Series are focused more on the prototype models. They are marketed as a premium priced kit. As in most cases, It is a hit and miss release from Dragon. Some are good and some are not so nice.
IvanTheTerrible That sounds correct to me. They're primarily heavy tanks as well.
Looking forward to checking out some newer videos but hey, I just found you and thanks for doing these videos. This one in particular was extremely helpful - comparing and contrasting with Tamiya helped immensely. I'm restarting the hobby after many years and I'm totally new to the military side of things. I had been playing it safe with Tamiya kits, and they are good kits at fair prices as you know, but you helped me try a Dragon kit and I'm really looking forward to the build. I found #6820 at a decent price so I'm going to try that after I get through some Tamiya and Academy kits. P.S. Ever do an Academy kit? I thought my King Tiger Last Production by Academy was pretty good but had significant flaws, especially the tracks which is an important component to a good kit.
Great video Adam, very informative.
I actually remember the very first Dragon 39-45 series kit.....9001 Nashorn. Not Imperial but not great construction, there weren't even any alignment pins for the kit!
They were just learning the ropes back then, now they're one of the best.
milky55way2012 Thank you. I didn't know that was the first 39-45, awesome. Yeah you can see the progression in their kits over the years.
Then they re-tooled the Nasorn to the present generation starting with 6165 Hornisse, then 6166 Nashorn, then I think came the early and late Hummels.
Very handy to know- thank you.
Totally agree with you regarding scalemates and modelmaking.eu....scalemates is where I came across your awesome video reviews, so you're right up there with those two, when I'm thinking about buying a kit!
Keep up the excellent work!
jan
research is key. All the information is out there.
good review, thanks.
I have one orange box kit its a su 85 it’s a surprisingly well detailed kit
Wow, now I know. Great info..
Another nicely done video Adam. Lots of information packed in this one. I do agree with Stevie that the Orange box kits can be an excellent value I built one last year and it was the Stug III ausf. F. and enjoyed it.
TacticalJackalope Maybe I'll try more Orange boxes, but have you built any of Dragon's current gen Panzer III or StuG kits? they're amazing.
I know this is old now, but just bought Dragon/ Cyberhobby orange box StuG iii ausf f for $10 plus $12 shipping to DE. Now thats cheap modelling. The figures alone would cost 10 bucks, the magic tracks another 20 bucks, so youre getting the model for free!!!!!
I just bought this for $20 Cdn. Finished the build. It was my first Dragon kit ever haha. There were some issues but I enjoyed it especially after just building the old 70s Tamiya Tiger 1 kit. There is value in the extras for sure. Have you built yours yet and how did it go? @@steviegibson5847
@@JBonzalot18 built it years ago! LOL. Good kit for the money. Check out my CZcams videos. Type in Stevie Gibson.
I bought the last week the Panzer IV ausf.E, the dame that you put in this video. And it's amazing! Thank you for the help!
Luca Bonaiti I've very happy to hear that. That's exactly why I made the video and I'm glad it's working.
Informative Adam that's swell, I was about to buy an imperial Panther flam Panther I think. It was 10 bucks but the shop owner was like "don't buy that you'll hate it"
Ian E Good for him, A little honesty is always nice to hear about.
I like to think it's the best hobby shop ever they know me pretty well and what I'm into ha ha.
Thanks for the info! I am getting back into building after a LONG time. When I hung up my glue I had a Dragon kit on the shelf and it seems to have vanished over the years. Can you tell me what a "Good" Dragon kit would look like? I would like to build something with workable tracks in 1/35. Open to suggestions. CRAP, the one I had did have the barrel and rounds and such. Damn, that sucks.
I have the same problem with the Imperial series yet with the wheels not lining up and then I realized that the arms of the suspension were too long and when I cut a little section off all the wheels lined it up just fine
Thanks. Was just wondering about the differences when I saw your video 'recommended'. Not as straightforward as I expected, but what is? Looks like Dragon is strapped for cash, so doing the old rebox trick with a few changes to sell more kits without investing in all new tooling. Cheers.
Very interesting...
Funny but White Boxes are really cheap up here...usually less than smart kits, though with some exceptions. I love White Boxes!
Hello AdamGerman tanks, just like you. I also like the German half tracks
I have some of half tracks as well. If it's German and WWII I'm a fan.
This was really helpful. thank you!
Hi Adam, are your kits mostly Dragons?
Nice video and very helpful. I put together a German Half-Track which I believe was a 39-45 series. What a nightmare. I have not bought a Dragon kit since!
Shawn Streeter Thanks. I've heard a lot of stories of similar things happening with people. My first Dragon kit being that excellent Panzer III went the opposite way. I bought tons more of them, won't buy anything else.
Adam Mann Not even new Tamiya? The fit is so sweet and new tooled ones have plenty of detail. The only exception being the Stug III B which is pretty awful as far as the over width situation
Martin Collmer I like new Tamiya, but not enough to pay what it costs.
[1:58] I can't get any my kids to model with dad. Great review and thanks for the heads up on the 9000 series Dragon kits. I recently received my first Dragon kit (#6700) and was pretty impressed with the detail and quality of the parts.
I'd just give it time. I'm 16 and I didn't show any signs of interest in modeling up until this year.
That's great, I hope you enjoy it, I know I do. As for my son (17), well I'm competing against xbox and airsoft. I think I'm on the losing end! :) But you could be right, maybe he'll surprise me.
+MrGameengineer I am! And yeah, you never know :)
My son tried it and totally hates it now. I think because he lacks an interest in history modeling makes no sense to him. The thing that fuels me is the mystique of the vehicles, because they're all but extinct. If someone doesn't love the subject modeling seems silly. For me it's an artistic expression of my passion for a historical subject.
hehe! I laugh because I can totally relate to that! I'm actually fine with my son not getting into modeling "with dad" because we have other things. I actually enjoy airsoft although I get my butt kicked by him and his friends ganging up on me but I guess that's to be expected. :)
Adam was wondering if you could help me out, i'm looking a Jagdtiger and a Tiger but not sure which is the best. Your help is needed please, which one's would be the best....Even the best two of each if you know what i mean....By the way great youtube site
Hello, i have built my first Dragon kit: DRA6011X, 1:35 German Heavy Tank E-100 'Nachtjäger', but i didnt like the plastic parts' quality and my overall rating for this kit is very low. I think that they are using the same parts from the 1994 model, just have changed the box picture. Can i ask a question: i am about to buy DRA6384 Panther G like this one shown in the video, will i make a mistake? The content pictures look great. Thanks
I can get the Dragon 6264 kit, but on one of the sites, this kit was shot down as being inaccurate with certain parts supposed to be 1.5 mm lower than what they appeared on the real tank.
I see you have that kit and have built it. Does the finished model look decent or are the supposed errors too glaring?
Thanks for all the advice.
it looks very good. I'm aware of the inaccuracies, but they are minor. 6301 is the same kit with corrections.
It is a weird that some kits normally equipped with goodies like ALU barrels and P.E. and such... and you say some didn't come with it even-thou shown on the box... Wow... that must upset a few fan boys when that happens ?... if that was done at a production facility and bought through a Store that's one thing but that must be hard to prove if bought on Ebay? if you say Dragon will provide the missing goods... that's a good point in their favor.
Good idea behind the movie BTW ! Same could be done with Older Trumpeter kits...
But I won't go there... The are now doing the same thing as Airfix and re-boxing their early tooling in brand new boxes... and confusing everyone....
So that why no one on CZcams has a video on the dragon imperial series Night fighting Panther.
It was a decent kit though
A lot of great info, but I can't understand the "PREMIUM" prices since they are basically an old kit!
Border are good for that! Adver parts in the kit and instructions and then go in there web page and it says early batches only! I got there panzer 4 ausf J ment to have a metal barrel and brass smoke discharges never came with either not even any plastic discharges to use instead either so that was bad meng have the same on there new ja G2 model with the crane and engine included on the box but theres no engine in the kit atoll that's these new one just not long out this year!
you can also try out 1999 japanese hobby website. they have most dragon, tamiya and a lot of other kit images and instructions
Yep, I noticed that too.
Dude I love Scalemates
Damn. It sucks to hear your som started and ended on that Stug. I put have a Kfz 8 that I ended up giving up on because the roadwheels didnt align and the tracks barely fit.
Can you give me the numbers of other German Armoured vehicles that you would call Special kits?
Hey Adam
another great informational video. I would've never known if you didn't do the research show that to us. Thank you for the really great information. Very well researched. But it almost sounds as if I'm going to have to do a lot of research before buying any particular Dragon kit. Would I be correct in that assumption? Thanks for the video
PFMANN1 That is a very correct assumption in regards to research. But you start to know what you're looking at the longer you do it. Otherwise ask around, there is always someone who bought or built a given kit. Thanks for the compliment though, I I try to make these videos for someone who is where I was and doesn't know. It really makes it worth while if someone leans something from it.
Adam Mann I have never had any problems with the Imperial Kits I'm actually working on one as we speak and everything is fine I've been modeling for 35 years I never had a problem with a dragon Kits I mean I'm not saying there isn't small issues but they're all fixable but your video is very very informative very good
Thanks. I guess what I was trying to say about imperial is that for beginners they require a lot more love and skill than a smart kit. I've seen people do amazing builds with Imperial kits, Coen C's Jagdpanzer IV A0 and his recent Stug A dio were beautiful.
I love Scalemates
I have built a number of Imperial and some are fine...I think the JagdTiger was quite good appart from the short 128 mm gun. I have built the Panzer III and Stug IIIs and also found them fine (not as good as the as the later ones).
Starting with the Tiger and Panzer IV "Super kits" from the early 2000 to 2010 were the golden yrs for Dragon. In Australia you could pick these excellent kit up for $50.00(Aud), with all the "goodies".
NOW Dragon kits with far less to the bear minimum in turms of the"goodies" , are commanding prices of between $80.00 -$130.00 (Aud). They are both over priced and very disappointing. Other manufacturers such as Rye Field, Border, Ming, and Takom, are producing extremely good with interiors etc kits, for the same prices or"curbside" for half the price of Dragon. As I said Dragon are both over priced and very disappointing. Their after sales support is also appalling.
i completely agree
Wonder if Dragon realizes how fucked up their product line is? A proper model company like Tamiya, with some tweaking, could wipe Dragon off the map. Listening Tamiya?
Hi Adam
Can I ask what Friulmodel tracks I would need for the DML King Tiger 6254 battle of the bulge kit.
I am confused by the type of metal sprocket wheels I would need that can also be purchased for them from Friulmodel ATL-16 (AW 14) are one type but their are a few others.
What type would you choose if any and how do you know which are correct for the period etc.
King Tiger tracks aren't my expertise, but i have a set of the 5 piece per link type for KT and they came with sprockets in the box. I would think if they were thought to not fit most plastic sprockets they would come with one. I will ask around and see if i can get an answer on which tracks were common in the Ardenne.
@@AdamMann3D
I have just read that 9 tooth sprockets were used for that particular KT.
Great video. But now there is Black series and modern series... Video needs an update.
Old video, but nerdy be damned. Dragons got the most expensive kits. As was stated many will charge the same due to the name.
But every maker has crap and quality parts. Granted $20 for crap versus $70 is huge.
I'm building a Churchill Mk.III for my first kit like ever and I'm only 16 is there any way to learn how to read the instructions or any tips you may have?
Great question. And without seeing them not really. Perhaps you could meet up with Panzermeister and I on Skype? Or certainly if you have any questions feel free to email me mann.adam.r@gmail.com. You could totally make a video with your issues too. Or join the CZcams Modelers facebook group. There are about 50 of us in there that would be glad to help.
@@AdamMann3D I did it, I built it. It took me 10 hours but by golly I did it, I'm definitely getting a 1:35 scale next time I almost went Insane trying to put all the tiny pieces on
Regreted wasting cash on the Dragon BRDM-2 When there was a trumpeter one next to it, well the only thing I liked about the company was the 1990s Navy Seal, 1/35 OH-6A/UH-1D
Interesting how they sucker customers. I think scalemates would have saved me a lot of money in the last 20 years, but I only found out about it in 2021. I'd have to check my stash but for sure I have some of the ancient lemons.
Iam a fulltime model builder.i love to take old kits like the red boxes and Scratch bill and accurate tank.for me that fun .I have over 400 kits most are Dragon kits.i have a bad habit of getting new kits and now paint I also collect. Anyone looking to sell dragons kits or your model stash let me know.
curently building the pz.blfwsg III ausf K...imperial. the worst part about it is the tracks, they come in seperate links on sprues!
and a good amount of parts doesn't fit.
HawkDave RIP
Can you give me the numbers of a few German WW2 armour kits that you would also refer to as "Special Kits" ?
Super kits? 6264 and 6265 are two that I have. Check those out.
Thank you. Much appreciated. I will check them out
Would you mind if i shared this vid with a model group on facebook?
Of course not. Go ahead.
You refer to the one kit as a Special kit. What other kits does dragon have that you would also call special kits? Can you supply some other kit numbers please?
What type of vehicle are you interested in? I don't know all of their kits.
umm it might be just me because i don't know about better but i'm in painting phase of tamiyas stug IV wich is from 76' and to me it looks pretty dayum good detailed so if somewhere out there is something better from tamiya in reasonable price pls let me know :D
Check out the StuG III B from Tamiya.
Ok thanks but i'm not really hyped about building a another stug :D
I tend to agree some time a kits good because of the work you put into it .It only has to past muster with you and when all done even a struggler can be a winner we cant all get the poure le merit ALWAYS REMEMBER IT IS A HOBBIE when I was a kid wee built them not to out do our friendies it was a labour of love thou we apreachiet the heads up on bad kits
#makemodelkitsgreatagain
Absolutely
C'mon man.....YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS as a famous tennis player used to say. The Imperial Stug iiis are great and a great kit can me made from them. OK, not as good as newer kits but probably half the price. Ive built 3 or 4 of these and I think theyre fantastic for the money, especially as you can get them 20 bucks quite often.
Stevie Gibson I had a feeling I'd take some heat for that. I've only dealt with that Orange Box StuG, so forgive my calling them all crap. And certainly anyone with skills could make a beautiful piece out of them. I simply want people to understand the differences based on the boxes and such. The modern ones fall together and so well detailed.
Hehehe.....the new ones are nicer, but for the price the old ones are great. Also, a beginner might not want to spend a lot and they have less pieces too.
But anyway.....it is a good video! KUTGW.
+Adam Mann Hi Adam. First let me say a sincere thanks for taking the time to make the vid. Appreciated. I'm sure it has helped a lot of people out as it has me. I just bought 6383 and 6384 after cross referencing your vids following other research. Delighted with both, including 6384 for the price. A quality slide mouded turret and the styrene barrel of 6384 suits me just fine, and the Zimm is just a bonus both in cost and labour.
However, I also have the Cyber-Hobby Orange box StuG III Ausf B. I feel obliged to say that whilst respecting your personal opinion, I agree with Stevie in that I don't agree with your comments about the StuG III Ausf B even if you didn't like the Ausf C/D. Things like the casemate's raised rivet heads and bullet splash can be corrected with a modicum of modelling skill and plasticard, the hinges can be remodelled by those who really want to go to that degree of pedantry -who'd notice other than hardcore? And how about value? After you subtract the price of the included Magic-Tracks and correctly themed and quite respectable Barbarossa figure set, you essentially get the model for free? A alleged width discrepancy is a new one on me? Perth's review actually suggests the Dragon kit more accurate dimensionally with reference sources. So unless it's the interior of Tamiya's newer tool which appeals, and as you can see I am a quality buyer, I think this is still a superb kit and inexpensive alternative regardless its lineage.
I have no issue with those who want to go with Tamiya's, but I don't think it's helpful to us as a community to dismiss this particular Orange Box kit as critically as you do. You and I might, but not everyone, including kids starting out that dad mightn't be around to pay the 'freight', has a Tamiya or Dragon new tool purse, nor do they need it to still make a very nice quite accurate model and diorama from this kit they can be proud of. Anyone who can put together a complex Dragon kit like 6418 my T-34/76 '41 cast turret should have the modelling skills to make a decent job of this too. Admittedly I'm an old school modeller who cut his teeth as a kid of the plastic kit modelling heyday in the '60's, so slide moulding, super detail, photo-etch, Magic-Tracks (I'm patient) and fine fit like we get now is just sheer luxury.
Just an alternative perspective. All the best, and keep up the excellent reviews.
what is pe?
photo eched brass.
I'm not a fan of DML. In HK Tamiya is cheaper than Dragon. Dragon has horrendous fits in many places, poorly written instructions and simply too much parts. In fact I can buy 2 Tamiya StuG IIIs for 1 DML StuG and have a happy build.
for the longest time I thought you were a young college student.
I wish I would have watched this vid a week ago. Picked up 9040. So crappy.
I bought and built some of the Imperial series kits back in the 90's. Awful kits, I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of money on them.
+Erik F. It seems they're hit and miss, but mostly miss. The smart kits of the 2005-2009 era are wonderfully engineered.
you have a lot of kits
I have their Panzer IV from the 6-Day war series and the instruction sheet is the worst I have ever seen. Many, many options, but zero notes as to what the individual options apply to. Terrible.
Why are Dragon kits so expensive? And then all I can fin is people complaining about them.
The tank in the beginning, I suppose you could make a diorama around it, it being the centerpeice of a destroyed tank after a battle? Great vids, brother! Oh, I found this info, Thought you might be interested. www.alanhamby.com/tiger.html
That is why it is called MODEL BUILDING.........
j bought an imperial kit and i got so angry j took old airon hamer and smasht it
That's exactly why I made this video. It can be a mine field for the uninitiated.
I'm a bit pissed. Idk why dragon kits even their non ww2 popular kits are $75+ EVERY WHERE. What the hell.
use this site to research. www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/
I found Imperial Series Stuh42 kit 9058 pretty dam good.
Waffen in the background
Some companies are good at producing paint/kits but gunze was better at paint making!
Also no matter which re-pop you buy DML's instructions suk!
Jman
Kabul81 Never used Gunze stuff, but I will agree with you on Dragon instructions. I'm used to them now, but when I started doing Dragon after doing Tamiya for a while I was lost. And they still have errors.
Avoid...
Just scored a dirt cheap Dragon 3516 M1A1 Abrams with mine plough kit. Dirt cheap for a Dragon kit in general...