Have to say that I feel a bit tricked, this is vertually the same kit that was released a year (+) ago, but the previoues offering had a lot more goodies.
The new tracks are OK’ ish, but hey, they do not replace metal tracks and they are not good enough to replace smart tracks.
I hate the feeling that I have been pulled by the leg.
But right now I think I have been.
I think you’re right. I think 6406 is a re-issue of 6253, without all the AM and multiple part options.
The question is why? Is 6406 marketed as a “smart kit”? Dragon re-re-re-releases so many kits you really have to do your research to find out what you’re getting and what you’re missing.
I have 6253 and it’s not a smart kit. But when I look it up on Greatmodels, it is.
I wonder what’s so smart about it. I need a separate reference library just for that kit. There are so many different part options my head was swimming just looking through the instructions.
In fact, I’m building 6253 right now, for the “Liberation of Western Europe” GB. Here are a few pics (with the Tank Workshop interior): EDIT: The engine deck & superstructure plate do in fact sit snugly on top of the tank. It’s popped up in a couple of these pics, but that’s my fault, not the kit’s.
I fail to understand what the “complaints” are about concerning these kits. The Cyberhobby kit was a"limited release" so of course we got extra stuff. The new release is still THE BEST 1/35th scale Tiger 1 kit on the market. If you doubt that, build the Tamiya and the AFV club kits as I have. You guys should be thankful that this level of accuracy and detail is available for you to enjoy.
To imply that you are ripped off in some manner just baffles me. There seems to be no argument purchasing and overpriced Tamiya Tiger, adding AM details at additional expense, to bring it close to the OOB level of the Dragon kit??
I don’t get it.
And…thats right, you do need to research the vehicle properly to construct a particular version of the "late " series. If you can’t understand the the differences, why is that a problem with a kit that provides you with a host of extra parts that competing kits don’t in basically the same price range? yes, dragon instructions are not dummy proof, they have problems…but somehow, we seem to make the models anyway.
Part of the satisfaction of model building for me and others on this board is knowing as much about a particular vehicle as possible.
Unless I misread the initial post, I think Svenne was saying “newer kit=more goods”, and he found it to be the opposite. Accuracy wasn’t necessarily the issue. Sorry if I misinterpreted your thoughts.
Hi, I picked up kit 6406 in the vendor room at the nats last month and was wondering about how the “new” single length tracks are. I’ve not seen any write-ups or comments about them and was wondering if & when I’ll get Fruil’s to replace them. Seems to be same plastic as the magic track links so they ought to glue and paint ok, but what’s the fit like and do they “look” right?
yet more moola to spend… G.L.
With the wealth of information available on the Internet these days it’s very easy to know what’s in a kit before you buy it to avoid feeling “ripped off” when you get it home and open up the wrapping. When DML stopped production on 6253, they indicated that it would be re-released in the future but not with the same inclusion of extras that the original had. The reason they released it with a new kit # is simple, it’s not the same kit as 6253 for the very reasons you mentioned. In addition they took advantage of their newer technology that wasn’t available when 6253 was released to retool some of the parts and provide different tracks. DML didn’t make any secret about what was or wasn’t included in this new release and reviews abound on the nature of the kit. I would suggest in the future that you take advantage of such sites as the PMMS site, http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/ , Armorama http://www.armorama.com/ , Missing Lynx http://www.missing-lynx.com/ , or even the manufacturer’s website, www.dragon-models.com/ , before making future purchases to avoid frustration in the future.
…great advice wbill…
…I mean, when you bought a DML Tiger I E, late, what were you expecting in the box to be so different than what you got???
…I do hope that they re-release the other kit…to me, it was the epitomy of the Tiger I in styrene, and that box-art was classic…
Right on the spot Eric, thank you.
In 2006 I paid 35 Euro for an absolutely wonderful kit, the box was so filled with goodies it was absolutely mind blowing.
In 2007, after a long wait, I pay 40 Euro and most of the goodies are gone.
I do not get:
the turned gun barrel
the brass exhaust shields
the cartridges
the smoke grenades dispensers
the sheet metal mud guards
the extremely cool bucket 
and the 2’nd generation commander
The only 3 parts that I can see have actually been retooled are the rear plate which now comes with cushions for the exhaust heat protection plates and an opened hatch for the NEW engine heater “giving modellers an extra option”.
So I feel that I have been pulled by the leg.
Dragons marketing department have managed to create enough fuzz around there “new” release for me to jump on the train and get a second copy of 6253.
- Higher prized
- With less goodies
Soon they will release their “Zimmed” Tiger and guess who will be jumping up and down for a copy?
Me!
And cheers looking at you Crockett, I never complained about the quality of what’s there!
Baffled? Having a bad hair day or what?
Svenne
No, you sure don’t.
What we’re talking about here is how easy it is to get confused by all of the re-releases. I’m not talking about Cyber-Hobby kits or any of the other kits on the market. Personally, I had to buy this kit twice to get the Am stuff that it was issued with in the first place - because of all the different iterations it’s been through. That’s all anyone’s talking about in this thread.
But thanks, Crocket, for letting us all know that we need to do research. Appreciate that.
Somebody really needs to set up a spreadsheet that lists type (ie Tiger I, Sherman, Sdkfz 251) and manufacturer with item number (Tam, Dragon), scale, and breakdown of what the kit consists of.
Who wants to start… [swg]
OK, I suppose I deserved that. Don’t stay mad, I just had a mad moment there. I really didn’t appreciate your viewpoint …
I really mean no disrespect in my comments, it just seems that no matter what is released, there seems to be a lot of bellyaching. I just remember the days when these types of models were nothing but a dream. I’m willing to put up with bad instructions and the complexity just to have the ooportunity to build these models. Maybe my expectations are too low. Please excuse my rant, and I hope you an Svenne accept my apology.
There are only two “iterations” to my knowledge, the CyberHobby release and the latest? Am I mistaken?
regards,
Steve
Okay, well, I’ll stick to the point now. [#toast]
And the point was, this kit was released in a bunch of different, um, releases. At least three that I know of - and that’s not counting smart kits or cyber hobby kits. It was released as 6253 twice (I know this because I have both of them). One has all the goodies and the other doesn’t (and it’s not a case of someone ganking all the stuff out of the box, because one box has the AM stuff on it and the other doesn’t). And it was also released as 6406.
But you’re right in that it is a beautiful kit, even without all the extra stuff. Especially when you compare it (unfairly, but still) to the old Tamiya kit, and whatever else was available in the 1970s. These newer Dragon kits have a ton of cool features in them.
Steve,
I take your point in that I am / we are somewhat blinded by the light.
With the options given the 6406 it is the most accurate kit out right now.
But I do miss the goodies, especially the sheet metal mud guards and the turned barrel.
Anyways, thanks!
Svenne
BTW1. I still think the AFV Tiger is very good value for money, I think you posted it in the same configuration as the current box art displays but in a 3 tone camo?
BTW2. What did you use for your interior jthurston, Academy or AM?
I am personally cannibalizing the Academy full interior for easy access…
But the balance mechanism for the gun is wrong for a late T1, will post a pick as soon as I get net access.
…wow…that is looking sweet…what scheme are you gonna go for??? I am always impressed by anyone who attempts an interior…they invariably are a B@#$*! to do and add threefold to the build time from my experience (at least)…