I’ve seen many great reviews of the premium range from Dragon but not sure if I’m ready to tackle them.
To date I’ve built 3x Tamiya kits (Abrams, Challenger 1, Tiger 1) and an Italeri M109.
Tried the MLRS but once I got to the rocket section, I gave up and put it back in the box.
Tamiya is obviously easier but their range is limited imho.
Please let me know if you guys think I’ve built enough kits to tackle some Premium Dragon kits or if I should stick to Tamiya for awhile longer?
Thx
Tamiya is definitely a lot simpler to build OOB (it is just my own opinion). New dragon kits contain way too many small parts. Has lots of details, but it also means more work for you. You can also try Dragon’s Smart-kits, which supposed to have great details and relatively easy to build. Whatever you chose (between Dragon/Tamiya), you’ll enjoy building those kits.
If you get one, take your time with it. Be sure to study the instruction sheet, cause Dragons sheets can be confusing. A trick a friend of mine uses is to scan the entire sheet, and blow up the sections that are cluttered, then print out that portion.
Only you can determine if you are ready for one. Once you do get one, don’t let the amount of parts in the box intimidate you. Most of those usually build up into subassemblies. If it starts to overwelm you, put it back in the box and come back to it later.
Good luck
Henry
I’ve not that long ago got one of these premium kits, the panther D, a fantastic box full. when i gave up making kits back in 96, all i ever bought was tamiya and i agree that they were user friendly, when the dragon kits have so many options in there instructions and a lot more parts to put together, but saying that i’ve yet to make one and can’t wait to get stuck in. so as someone as already said if it gets to much put it away until you feel you want another bash at it! and the golden rule, don’t rush it.
good luck to you! (and here’s hoping i can put one together myself!!)
IMO I think that if you could not finish the DML MLRS, I’d probably give you the advice of saving yourself the money of a DML premium and going to a simpler DML kit, or sticking with other manufacturers, such as Tamiya and Italeri. The DML kits in general have more smaller parts, but are more detailed as a result. The premium kits have no fewer parts, and added to that you get the greater challenge of far smaller PE parts.
But, just to clarify, I don’t think they’re ‘hard’ to build. They’re generally very well engineered, and fit together just fine, barring few small fit issues here and there, but fairly typical of all kits I’d say. Anyways, if you’ve only built 3-4 armour models to date, I’d really practice some more. They really are very nice kits, but you may be better off to get more practice before you tackle them.
This is coming from a newbie, my 3rd kit is a premium and I think as long as you take you’re time, study the instructions, and test fit to make sure your doing things right you’ll be okay. They do have a little more PE than normal, but nothing un-managable. I can’t wait to try out a 2nd premium…I love all the detail and little pieces. (I’ve also done a Smart Kit and they are great too…the Panzer IA).
There is some solid advice from the gang in this thread already, you should heed it. The only thing I will add is “DO RESEARCH”. This is absolutely necessary, whether you are building a three in one or a smart / premium, you will get all the parts that may or may not be right for the version or time period in which you are depicting. I’ve seen the late Tiger with line company call numbers built with the command mantlet, (dragon gives you three or four to choose from) and other features that really should be on a different version showing up on the build. As stated, the instructions will confuse you in this respect, translation and information overload abound in the booklets.
The best poicy IMHO, is to pick a well documented and photographed vehicle, and work from the historical record, but, you’ve still got to do your homework to make a scale model. An example would be the most famous Michael Wittman discussion, vis a vis which call number he commanded and where in Normandy for example. There are professional historians who cannot agree on this.
A lot of those parts you get in the Dragon kits will go right to the spares bow as well. On the first page of the instruction booklet, Dragon doesa a good job of identifying (usually in blue, superimposed over the sprue layout diagram) which parts you don’t use for this particular model. Cut them off and quarrantine them right away, the blurring number of parts will decrease appreciably, minimizing confusion and the possibility of mis-assembly.
IMHO, they are the best German Armor offered right now, and they are well worth the “hassle” of confusing instructions and excess parts in the kits.
Good Hunting,
regards,
Steve
I have built many of the Dragon Premium kits and think that they are fantastic, I also agree with the others their are many small parts and that can be chanllenging but remember that there is no race to finish a model just try one. Dragons King Tiger kit is great; builds great out of the box and just be patient.The P/E fret is small and is no problem and the metal barrel is great just wished that they gave us a metal muzzel brake also but we can’t have everyting so just try it and the magic tracks are great don’t worry about them and don’t worry were always here.
Hi all
Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated.