Help! DML Bison II 15cm New Production Run?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

There’s a kit I’ve had my eye on for some time, Dragon’s Bison II 15cm s.I.G. 33 (Sfl.) auf Pz.Kpfw. II. Recently, I was looking around on Scalemates, and I noticed that there was supposed to be a 2015 new production run of the kit. I read through the kit specs for both, and it sounded like at the very least, they added something vinyl to the kit (from watching a review of the Bison I, I’m betting it’s wicker shell holders molded in DS). However, I’m betting they tweaked some stuff that people had been complaining about too.

Is there any way to tell which is which? The product numbers are the same.

Here are links to…

…the first kit: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/122670-dragon-6440-bison-ii-15-cm-s-ig-33-sfl-auf-pz-kpfw-ii

…and the second kit: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/955822-dragon-6440-bison-ii-15-cm-s-ig-33-sfl-auf-pz-kpfw-ii

2

Well, it actually looks like the aforementioned vinyl may just be DS tracks, which replace the Magic Tracks from the earlier production run.

3

I can’t see there being much different as they both have the same box number, This is a new one on me from Dragon. Normally they would give it a new number and either add or take away from the kit as well as make some changes. I have been planning on getting one of these for a while and now this complicate things as I will need to be sure which tracks I will get.

4

I know, it’s weird that they don’t do anything to the product number. All I can see changed are the tracks, which I’ll probably replace with Friuls anyway. Maybe Dragon just really hates Magic Tracks?

5

It does seem they are moving away from the magic tracks. Hopefully I can pick up one with the Magic Tracks, other wise I will have to get Fruils as well. And I bet they don’t sell these for less with the new tracks.

6

Having this one as a temporary shelf queen, it definitely looks like the new addition is DS tracks. I honestly prefer the Magic Tracks myself.

7

I wish I had more to add to this thread than just to express my disgust with Dragon for this “DS” fraud that they are foisting on us. What a regression, back to rubber band, non-sag-able tracks! Seriously, someone in the upper offices needs to be fired!

8

Someone should email customer service and ask why they changed it. Or maybe a petition on Change.org?

9

I believe a lot of people don’t like the idea of putting all those links together. I have read some reviews which almost mark them as a negative. Those DS tracks do look nice and are certainly an improvement over the old Tamiya rubber bands. But as Karl points out, no sag. Ok if you can hide them behind some side skirts.

10

Have to agree with ya doog, Magic Tracks are the way to go! You nailed it I think Bish. At one point every review that Cookie Sewell did on a Dragon kit got negative marks because they contained Magic Tracks. They are a little intimidating the first time you use them, but with tutorials out there like Karl’s it becomes truly easy to create some great looking track runs without spending a fortune on an aftermarket set of workables such as Friul or ModelKasten.