…or more specifically, their 1/350th scale destroyer kits…
So several years ago Dragon released their well-received USS Buchanan. Then they released several minors variants of the same kit. Then came their German Z-series of destroyers…then the well went dry. So where’s a British or Japanese destroyer? Or an Italian versioN? Where’s the Destroyer Escorts? “The World Wonders…”
Anyone have an intel on whether or not Dragon will continue delivering in this area or is the market not there? I hope so…if any of you own, or have seen these kits, I think you will agree that they are probably the finest of their type in 1/350th scale…
I built the USS Buchanan as the USS Duncan (DD-485) for a friend of mine whose dad died aboard her in the Battle of Cape Esperance in October, 1942. I gave it to him as a present. I’m convinced I could have done a better job but it was fun and my friend appreciated it.
Impresssive…I’ve been doing a lot of reading on the naval battles of Guadalcanal lately and am convinced the surface engagements were some of the most savage actions of the war, on the ground or in the water…I didn’t know the Duncan was a Buchanan class DD but regardless it looks great…how’d you do the water?
I’m just finishing building the USS Livermore as the USS Hammann. Even though the Hammann is a Sims-class DD and the stack and aft deckhouses are Shapeways parts, I can’t say enough good stuff about these kits. The detail is amazing, everything fits and they look great.
USS Hammann was at both Coral Sea and Midway. She was the DD that tied up to Yorktown and was ultimately sunk with her when they were torpedoed by a submarine.
The image I posted of my model is as close as I could get to the last known photograph of the Duncan in October, 1942 as she steamed toward her fate. See here:
I’m no expert on ship kits but, from what I’ve read by way of reviews, the Dragon 1/350 USS Buchanan is one of the finest kits of its kind. I sure found it to be a remarkably good kit. I can’t speak for your other choices … perhaps others will chime in.
If that’s the case (I didn’t realize it was) then, assuming Dragon has put the flat stacks for the Benson class destroyers in with other minor detail changes in the Benson class kits, it would simply be a choice you’d make based on how you feel about the ships.
Don’t hold your breath. I worked with Dragon on their 350th ship line and no real work has been done for years. I’m not saying it won’t happen, just that even if we started up again tomorrow it would take a whilel to get any new product finished and to market.
That said, there is a possibility that I’m not aware of what they’re doing at this instant. I keep contact up, but it’s more of a “hey, look, cool gallery of one of your kits” than “answer my questions!”
Hey, Tracy–good to see you back in here with your maritime knowledge.
Bummer…Its a shame cause those kits are cherry…do you know Timothy Dike, the researcher they used for those destroyers? What is your opinion if the kits?
