Reports from the 62nd All Japan Model and Hobby Show are indicating that Dragon Models plans on expanding their 1:72 scale Neo Dragon Armor range with the addition of several Japanese armored fighting vehicles. From what we can make out in the accompanying image, it appears as if both the Chi-Ha medium tank and Ha-Go light tank will make the cut. Its a good bet Dragon Models will round out the assortment with the inclusion of the Ka-Mi amphibious tank.
We didn’t see any signs of the 1:35 scale tanks hinted at some time ago so its a fair bet that they are still a ways off or pulled from the showing for competitive reasons. With Panzerkampf’s recent announcement that they are getting into the 1:35 scale AFV market it could be a situation where Dragon wants to see Panzerkampf’s initial offerings, price points and overall quality before they themselves commit to making a formal announcement regarding their own 1:35 scale vehicles. Interestingly, Waltersons, the owners of the Forces of Valor line, was not in attendance so its difficult to say what they themselves have waiting in the wings in terms of 1:32 scale combat vehicles.
Unfortunately, its difficult to make out some of the other new products shown at the expo from this or some of the other photos Dragon uploaded to Facebook, so we will have to wait and see what our distributor has been told following the show’s conclusion. Keeping their cards close to the vest is nothing new for Dragon. With competition heating up from Forces of Valor, Panzerkampf and quite possibly Hobby Master if they decide to jump in, it makes sense to closely guard their product pipeline like a rooster standing sentry duty over the hen house.