Great Models just got these in at $45 a pop…
I studied the details of the pre-zimm on DragonUSA’s site and I gotta tell you they nailed the nuances that this AFV had concerning the zimm patterns and textures (better than their earlier efforts, IMO)…some really sublime molding…even the barrel has rifling molded inside! Also, nickel, pre-cut plates for the schurzen!
My only complaint is the DS tracks—I prefer the MAGIC ones…If you are a Grizzly fan, you are now in nirvana…
Do you have to keep reminding me??? [:D] Of course I bought the non-zim kit and the Atak set to go with it 1 week before they announced this one so I was already set.
I share your reservations about the DS tracks…but if the schurzen are mounted then maybe it’s not such a big issue in terms of sag but still, I would’ve preferred to see the indys since they already have them available from the non-zim kit.
LOL…I’m onto their game…I almost bit on the StuG IV but I’m confident we will see a pre-zimmed one within a year…
That is their marketing strategy with ALL of their German armor…they will release the least desirable and non-zimmed types first, then release the kits everyone really wants…most stashers will have 2 or 3 kits of the same vehicle type when they would have been satisfied with the last one released…
True enough about the strategy, that seems to be the way they generally handle these…I thought I had waited long enough but I guess I wasn’t quite patient enough! I did already get the IV H and zim set to go with it because I have that one slated for the near future and figured I’d have it built by the time they came out with the pre-zim one…that and the fact that if they’ve done DS tracks for the Brummbar they will probably do the same with the IV H if/when it’s released pre-zimmed.
Just ordered one…Man I love peer pressure !!! [:-^]
Speaking of their DS tracks, do they all need to be shortened? I have the Tiger I and I know I need to trim off 2 links…just wondering if they were all that way.
I’m waiting closer to Christmas, betting that Greatmodels will have it even cheaper yet. This looks like a great kit and the DS tracks don’t bother me with the schurzen hiding the majority of them anyway. Plus a couple of hundred tracks doesn’t blow my hair back either.
I gotta be honest–I am s-i-c-k-e-n-e-d by DML’s use of DS tracks!
I have to admit that that aspect of this kit alone would preclude me from buying it. I’m that serious about it.
I gotta admit, this would be my first time with DS tracks, someone told me if they’re too long that you can soak them in hot water. Does this sound right ??
I can’t answer that for sure, but I believe the recommended method is to cut a few off and glue them together.
My only time using them was on the Elefant. They fit fine and glued down easily. Saved my mind, though the indies looked better. I was having a lot of trouble getting them to stay together, alas, I hadn’t heard of Doog’s indy tutorial at the time.
[quote user=“Manstein’s revenge”]
~Manny, I think it’s really funny we both put up new threads today about great Dragon kits at the same time that other thread hits in Armor, kicking Dragon in the grill !
~Facinating your take on how they get us to buy one great kit, only to need the next one with the missing feature…gripes…No wonder we buy…no wonder we complain. It must be halarious to *them.
~As far as DS vs. ‘magic’ goes… My take is for say, a Sherman, DS is the best track out there(4 tinytiny parts per link-NO THANKS), but for a Panzer or T-34 Magic Tracks are truelly magic! anywhere you need to model in some any sag, they got NO business stickin us with band tracks. An extra $40 for metal tracks? Not me. Any of you guys?
~Do those DS tracks fit ANY model OOTB ? Far as I know you always need to cut out about 2 links(and no I doubt hot water is going to shrink them to fit)
~ Indy
I’m with you Doog…kits that come with DS tracks give me pause…but I have picked up a couple after waiting for a while for the price to come down and then getting a set of MK tracks to replace them with. If DML is starting to pursue a strategy where you can get non-zim, Magic track kits AND pre-zim, DS track kits of the same subject, that might actually prove to be a pretty smart move to cater to a broader spectrum of builders. This is the first time they’ve done that so it will be interesting to see how high this trial balloon flies. [;)]
Interesting, Bill! That would be a great option! I hope they do them for the same price?!
I guess that the DS tracks would apply to the modeler who wants the “easy route”? Kinda makes sense, I guess, for that type of kit…
Is the non-zimmed one with Magic Tracks?
POOP! I just placed an order with them and didnt see this. Oh well I guess there will be two deliveries this week…LOL.
Bob
There seems to be no rhyme or reason on their use of DS vs MAGIC tracks…DS has been around awhile yet they seem to not not be able to make up their minds on whether or not to go all the way with them or not…I believe different incarnations of their Tigers and Panthers have all seen both types used…
I just got the Jagdpanzer, and not only did the kit include MAGICS, but they are right and left-handed! The right side tracks are molded in a darker grey than the left handed side (I’m guessing the difference is the side the track-pin extends from?)! And now, a couple of weeks later, the Brummbar comes out with DS…doesn’t make sense to me; I’m a huge MAGIC track fan myself…If I recall, I think I saw on the DragonUSA site that they sell MAGIC tracks separately???
Youz guys are on the right track (pun) meza dinks. Dragon is covering all bases. By giving modelers the opportunity to do your own zimm and link to link, and providing DS and pre zimm. They’ve given modelers a choice. Isn’t that nice? The only issue I see is those who didn’t wait and bought too soon, (like me). Of course I don’t mind doing my own zimm, or stuff like Cavalier. I don’t mind link to link either, but I also don’t dislike the so called “rubber band”. Pretty easy to please type am I. I’ll be getting this little beastie in the near future. Looks nice. They’ve been doing the right/ left thing for some time now. I really prefer the DS on the M-4s, those little end connectors are a Royal Pain, and Shermans don’t sag, much anyway.
Just think back to the old days of the 70’s and early 80’s, BMK, Before Model Kasten. Darn we are spoiled rotten now. And on a kit price then and now, prices vs wages are about the same. Or even better in some cases. Especially concerning all the after market you don’t need to buy anymore. Your results may vary. But that can be a whole different, and boring subject.
Doug
I must agree with alot of you about the DS track issue.
When
Give comments like, {Cons, Still comes with “Magic Track” links}
and {now with DS tracks!}
I don’t know were he is comming from…
The Armor modelling comunity 1st. went from “rubber band track” to indy link track in order to model track sag.
DS tracks are a step backwards!!!
If Dragon wants to apease the modellers who want “Rubber bands” then they should include bolth in the kit as an option.
Just my 2cents worth[soapbox]
Tom
DS tracks IMO works well on the Panthers and Tigers, but less so on the Mk III’s and IV’s due to replicating the sag between the rollers, whereas the cats didn’t have the rollers. Just glue them to the roadwheels.
Providing both DS and Magic-tracks would fulfill any modelers need.
They should at least provide the MAGIC tracks separately at a fair price…I prefer them much more than MK’s…they used to sell their Winterketten tracks as a separate kit; now you have to buy the F8 just to get those!!!
I agree,
How does Dragon justify $19.95 for a set of {Magic Tracks} (with ejector pin marks) when the kit is $45.00?
Are the tracks REALY 45% of the kit cost?
If they are going to sell them at that price, they need to get rid of the ejector pin marks by improving thier molds!
Thats just the way my stick floats…[:-^]
Tom