So far I really like Tamiya’s 1/16 figure kits, but I just noticed while searching Squadron (a daily event…I need to do something while I’m at work [:D]) that Dragon has a whole bunch of figures out as well. Anybody work with these? How’s the detail/accuracy?
I have worked with a few of these figures, and have even been fortunate enough to win a few figure contests with some of these as my entry. I mention that because I think it speaks to the quality of the product. The quality and the accuracy is outstanding, thanks in large part to the meticulous research done by Ron Volstad. The torso comes in halves, as do the legs, so these figures require some careful clean up, but it’s nothing to worry about. If you’ve done other kinds of models, you can do these figures. The equipment provided is especially good. The weapons are every bit as good, if not better than much more expensive resin kits. I compared the German helmet from a Dragon 1/16 figure with a similar one from Warriors, and the difference between the two is not worth mentioning.
Having said all this, I think it’s only fair to say that the quality of the kit has improved over the series. Some of the earlier releases have a few molding flaws. Again, it’s nothing a modeler with even limited exerience couldn’t deal with, but if you want to avoid the hassle, stick to some of the later releases. At the price, you simply cannot beat them and I would happily recommend them to someone looking to get into historical figures in large scale.
Hello,
I must say that these are excellent kits in all regards. I mainly work with these DML/Dragon kits (I have over a dozen different kits), and Historex kits, and have yet to find a resin kit from any company, that I liked better (but I do prefer styrene over resin). The mold quality is generally excellent, as is fit and detail. A couple of the kits have received bad reviews in the “fit” department, but when I worked with the those specific kits, I did not experience the same issues the reviewer was critical of, but I do tend to detail and convert every figure I build.
Since they are styrene they are very easy to convert. The plastic is good quality, and they are easy to work with. It is also easy to “super detail” the figures, and there are some very good aftermarket insignia, badge, and detail sets available from Verlinden and VLS.
A good deal of patience is necessary for cleanup and detail work (as on any model), and the possibility to add scratch-built details always presents itself (helmet details, slings for weapons, etc.), but I honestly feel there are no better 1/16 scale kits available. In fact, when the opportunity has presented itself, I have purchased as many as 5 or 10 extra of these kits, just to use as spare parts (heads, hands, equipment, weapons, helmets, etc.) for conversion work.
Hope this is helpful.
RM