Dragon – The Motor Pool

Dragon’s Soldiers of Destruction

Earlier today we were surprised to see that Dragon will be bringing back an old favorite from the diecast graveyard. Marketed under their Cyber Hobby sub brand, DRR63281 is a departure of sorts for this model maker, since it resurrects one of their most popular Dragon Armor subjects that was originally released way back in 2005.

For those of you unfamiliar with this release, it contains a 1:72 scale King Tiger heavy tank that sits atop a circular display plinth which simply says DRAGON across the rim. Additionally, there are seven Fallschirmjager figures in varying poses that can be placed atop the tank to signify that they are being transported into battle. “Yellow 222”, as we’ve come to call it, was a German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank that was attached to schwere Panzerabteilung 501 — an integral part of the “Wacht am Rhein” operation — better known as the Battle of the Bulge Ardennes counteroffensive of December 1944.

For now, we will hold off listing this item on our web site since we aren’t certain if our distributor will be able to obtain this item and in any significant numbers. Moreover, we aren’t able to ascertain its price just yet, considering the vehicles comes bundled with a handsome display base and several pre-painted figures. The original set is listed on our site for $149.99 so its a fair bet this new iteration will retail for quite a bit more.

Finally, we aren’t sure if Dragon plans on re-releasing more previously available dioramas in the near- and long-term and how they will come packaged. Its clear they are trying to differentiate this new set from its predecessor by changing up the base and will more than likely alter the outer packaging to further distinguish the past from the present. Beyond that, we aren’t sure where this line will take us or the hobby down the road and how it will impact the prices of their former releases. As a guess, their next set of releases will involve the King Tiger heavy tank – likely produced in both Ausf. A and B variants — painted in a wide variety of schemes and attached to a great many heavy tank detachments that appeared on both the eastern and western fronts. So, don’t get your hopes dashed if the first few offerings aren’t your cup of tea since there will quite likely a lot scheduled for release on the horizon.

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Enter the Japanese (Literally and Figuratively)

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.

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Dragon Takes a Walk on the Wild Side

Our principal distributor confirmed today that Dragon is once again hard at work developing plans for a line of 1:35 scale pre-assembled military vehicles. The Company first released a series of 1:35 scale tanks and self-propelled artillery some 15 years ago, which primarily catered to collectors interested in larger sized military models they could display straight out of the box. Back then, the range primarily consisted of WWII-era German tanks, most notably King Tigers, Tigers, Panthers and Elefants, along with several versions of the Karl Gerat self-propelled mortar. Most of the vehicles sold for between $80-$100, so its a good bet this new range — possibly consisting of the same batch of vehicles — will command much higher prices at retail. Composed of plastic rather than diecast metal, the original group of vehicles was well received and were even supplemented by a Cyber Hobby Tiger I heavy tank that commanded an even higher premium.

From what we understand, the first vehicles slated for release will come out in 2025 and may include tanks from other nations and possibly subjects from other military eras. In effect, what you see in their 1:72 scale subjects will likely get the nod to be included in their all-new 1:35 scale line. Given their penchant for Abrams tanks, for instance, its a safe bet that the vehicle — which has undergone numerous upgrades over the last fifteen years — will get tapped at some point to join the 1:35 scale military parade.

Dragon’s upcoming 1:35 scale range will certainly come as excellent news to those collectors who have been abandoned by Minichamps long forgotten 1:35 scale all-metal series as well as Forces of Valor collectors who have been stymied by Waltersons’ seemingly hush-hush short- and long term plans. Whether or not a $200 price tag for each new product is acceptable is anyone’s guess.

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Dragon Goes Back to the Future, But Just for a Little While

We routinely get asked why we leave items up on our site when they are no longer available. Frankly, there is any number of reasons, from acting as points of reference should someone look to collect an entire range that may be available elsewhere to the oft chance that some of these items will return to stock. In the latter case, two long sold out items were recently uncovered by one of our distributors, who is now making them available for a limited time only. Both are from Dragon’s Can.Do series of pocket miniatures, which although small at 1:144 scale still pack plenty of punch in terms of beauty and collectability.

Expected some time in January are the King Tiger heavy tank series (CAN20020) and the equally handsome Jagdpanther heavy tank destroyer series (CAN20019). We aren’t sure if more products in the Can.Do range will be unearthed, but its nice to know that every so often some hard-to-find items make it back into the mainstream market, even if its for a limited time.

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Dragon: The M1 Makes a Return Engagement

Some times we’re left scratching our heads when long sold out inventory mysteriously reappears. In the case of Dragon, the manufacturer has indicated that they are receiving a restock of their highly sought after 1:144 scale M1 Abrams tank assortment later this month, perhaps the first indication that their Can.Do lineup could be reinvigorated. Even if it doesn’t signal the range’s return, the fact that the Abrams tanks will once again become available is certainly good news for collectors, making excellent stocking stuffers this holiday season.

In other news, Dragon has confirmed that their 1:72 scale Ka-Mi amphibious vehicle with pontoons (#DRR60607) is now en route to us and expected later next week. A similarly constructed light green variant will likely show some time in November.

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Dragon Schedules Lift Off for July

As part of their burgeoning Project Cutaway range, Dragon has announced that their long awaited 1:144 scale replica of the Space Shuttle “Discovery” w/Solid Rocket Booster is slated to lift off this July (DRP47403). Like their previously released Air Force One, the upcoming Space Shuttle will feature sections that are transparent, allowing the collector to peer inside the model without taking anything apart.

The model comes with its own circular stand that allows the assembly to be safely displayed as though it is about to launch vertically on one last mission.

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Dragon Fans Out For Our Winter of Discontent

Admittedly, we’ve let our action figures section tail off of late, largely because there really hasn’t been anything to crow about lately. Well, the dry spell seems to have run its course and now it appears as if a truly awe-inspiring product is about to see the light of day. According to Dragon, their 13th Anniversary figure, “Igor Ivanovich Bazarov”, is nearing release, and already looks to be a winner (DRF70385). This all-new light machine gunner comes complete with an Aerosan RF-8 which is a type of propeller-driven snowmobile, running on skis, used for communications, mail deliveries, medical aid, emergency recovery and border patrolling in northern Russia, as well as for recreation. Aerosanis were used by the Soviet Red Army during the Winter War and World War II.

According to research, the first aerosanis may have been built between 1903-05 by Sergei Nezhdanovsky. In 1909–10 young Igor Sikorsky tested self designed aerosani, before he built multi-engine airplanes and helicopters. They were very light plywood vehicles on skis, propelled by old airplane engines and propellers.

Priced at $269.99, this is a marvelous way of reintroducing enthusiasts to the world of action figures and a terrific centerpiece to anyone’s military replica collection.

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Lots of Inbound Products Being Prepped for Shipment

Dragon’s 1:72 Scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 Tank Destroyer with Armored Side Skirts – Fallschirm Panzer Division ‘Hermann Goring’, East Prussia, 1945

We have a number of new 1:72 scale items showing up over the next few days from such notable manufacturers as Dragon, War Master, Hobby Master and Panzerstahl. Since many of you have placed pre-orders with us cutting across many of these companies, we have to wait until all of the new products arrive before processing these items for shipment. While this delays their shipment to our customers, it also reduces shipping charges as well as workload, so we ask you to please bear with us as we begin prepping these items for turn around.

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Dragon Introduces a New Line of Premium Vehicles

Flakpanzer V "Coelian" Anti-Aircraft Vehicle — Dragon’s 1:72 scale Flakpanzer V “Coelian” Anti-Aircraft Vehicle – Unidentified Unit, Germany, 1945

Looking to stay on top of the 1:72 heap, Dragon today showed off a new line of military vehicles they are calling Ultimate Armor. According to their web site:

“Ultimate Armor series is a new line-up of Dragon Armor, featuring unusual and rare vehicle types such as the first one Flakpanzer V “Coelian” presented here. Those unique items will cater to the demands of discerning collectors. Many such rare fighting-vehicles will come up.”

The first vehicle in the line is a Flakpanzer V “Coelian” (DRR60590) which never saw service but nevertheless was intended to augment Germany’s armored forces as a means of warding off low-flying enemy aircraft. Dragon is indicating a November ship for this intriguing item, which will carry a retail price of $39.99.

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