Dragon versus DML

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

This is something I’ve noticed dozens, no, hundreds of times on the forums, so I thought I’d give you the ‘real deal’ about the whole Dragon/DML thing…

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, a model company was formed named Dragon Models Limited. They marketed kits to the US under the Dragon label, but there was a small company in the Pacific Northwest that had the trademark and copyright to the name Dragon. So…Dragon changed it’s box name (in the US as far as I know) to DML, or Dragon Models, Limited. Eventually, the fellow who owned the name Dragon Models failed to renew his trademark/copyright, and DML went back to using Dragon.

I’ve seen Shanghai Dragon as well, I’m not sure if this was also a temporary way around the name issue.

But, to the best of my knowledge, kits are no longer being produced under the DML label even though that’s the parent company name…there’s probably considerable stock left on shelves around the country though.

Hope this clears up any confusion…Dragon was DML, and DML was Dragon.

[%-)] Jeff

2

Interesting…I knew they were the same but never why. Thanks

3

I’ve wondered that myself Jason. Thanks for the explanation

4

I just type DML because it’s shorter than Dragon… atleast I understand it to be the same thing… thanks for sharing nontheless!

5

Dragon/DML was started in Hong Kong in the 1980s (before reunification with PRC). Shanghai Dragon is/was a subsidiary of Dragon/DML that is based in Shanghai, China. Shanghai Dragon normally reissued older kits while Dragon/DML continued to produce new kits. Sometimes Shanghai Dragon did retool or add some new bits to the older Dragon/DML when reissuing.

Because the Shanghai Dragon kits were made in the PRC (much cheaper labor), there is a perception that the SD reissues are not up to the quality of the original issue Dragon kits.

6

Thx,[:D]

7

I believe that Dragon actually started life as Kirin, issuing kits from other company moulds, resin aftermarket sets, etc. Check out the old Kirin logo - the stylised dragon motif and the red on white name - very, very similar to the Dragon logo. I guess Kirin is one of the dragons of chinese legend. This company then branched out to be the DML we now know. Old Kirin kits have cropped up as DML/Dragon re-issues as well.

8

It’s always been just “Dragon” here in Japan.
The only DML kit I recall building before coming to Japan (1993) was a 1/200 “stealth” set featuring a B-2 and F-117. I had no idea they even did armor at the time! I became aware of the “Dragon” brand name only after coming to Japan.