As we await the next wave of Neo Dragon Armor vehicles, the Company debuted yet another pairing of 1:72 scale armored subjects. Like their previously announced Hummel tank destroyers, the Hornisse was developed to provide a mobile anti-tank antidote to the growing array of Allied armor they were facing towards the latter half of the Second World War. As a stop gap measure, the Waffenamt saw the need to develop a special weapons-carrier vehicle based on the PzKpfw IV chassis, which was adapted to take the 8.8cm PaK 43 gun. The first of these so-called Nashorns (“Rhinocerous”) entered service in 1943. Later knows as Hornisse (Hornet), the vehicle had an unusually high profile that was difficult to conceal, a problem increased by poor armor with only the driver being fully protected. It was therefore used as a long-range weapon, in contrast to most other tank destroyers. The powerful gun made the Nashorn a potent battlefield weapon, but it was too bulky for its prescribed role and only the lack of anything better kept it on the production line as long as it did. Some 433 were built before production ceased in 1944.
Featuring a fully detailed fighting compartment, elevating gun and superbly painted exterior, look for Dragon’s Hornisse to rumble onto the diecast battlefield later this year.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Germany, 1945
Technically, 2023 marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese mythology, however, with the deluge of Neo Dragon Armor subjects expected this February, we’re going to characterize it as the Year of the Dragon. According to a recent announcement made by our distributor, no fewer than 20 new products are expected in the second month of 2023, far outstripping our first shipment that arrived back in October. The list of upcoming releases is too numerous to list here, so we’re going to point everyone to our February Release section, which shows each item and, where applicable, each variation currently on the docket. We advise everyone to go through the section as soon as possible and pre-order those items you’d like to nab before some sell out.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Mga, Russia, 1942
Going forward we will likely see more of these larger-than-normal shipments arriving every quarter or so. The reason for this is that ever since Dragon Models USA closed its doors well over a year ago, our distributor must bring in a container load of new product at a time to make it worth their while and lower the per unit trans-oceanic cost associated with importing goods from the Pacific Rim. That means the next shipment is probably pegged for this coming spring, and will likely include those items that are currently showing a “2023” estimated release date. Its also hoped that with shipping costs slowly decreasing as compared with the 2021-2022 period, that the retail price for many of their soon-to-be-released items will drop somewhat as well.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – Korea, 1950
After secretly crossing the Yalu River on October 19th, 1950, the Peoples Volunteer Army (PVA) 13th Army Group launched the First Phase Offensive on October 25th, attacking the advancing UN forces near the Sino-Korean border. This military decision made solely by China changed the attitude of the Soviet Union. Twelve days after PVA troops entered the war, Stalin allowed the Soviet Air Force to provide air cover and supported more aid to China. After inflicting heavy losses on the ROK II Corps at the Battle of Oniong, the first confrontation between Chinese and US military occurred on November 1st, 1950. Deep in North Korea, thousands of soldiers from the PVA 39th Army, encircled and attacked the US 8th Cavalry Regiment with three-prong assaults—from the north, northwest, and west—and overran the defensive position flanks in the Battle of Unsan. The surprise assault resulted in the UN forces retreating back to the Ch’ongch’on River, while the PVA unexpectedly disappeared into mountain hideouts following victory. It is unclear why the Chinese did not press the attack and follow up their victory.
The UN Command, however, were unconvinced that the Chinese had openly intervened because of the sudden PVA withdrawal. On 24 November, the Home-by-Christmas Offensive was launched with the US Eighth Army advancing in northwest Korea, while US X Corps attacked along the Korean east coast. But the PVA were waiting in ambush with their Second Phase Offensive, which they executed at two sectors: in the East at the Chosin Reservoir and in the Western sector at Ch’ongch’on River.
On November 13th, Mao appointed Zhou Enlai the overall commander and coordinator of the war effort, with Peng as field commander. On November 25th, on the Korean western front, the PVA 13th Army Group attacked and overran the ROK II Corps at the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, and then inflicted heavy losses on the US 2nd Infantry Division on the UN forces’ right flank. Believing that they could not hold against the PVA the Eighth Army began to retreat from North Korea crossing the 38th Parallel in mid-December. UN morale hit rock bottom when Lieutenant General Walton Walker, commander of the US Eighth Army, was killed on December 23rd, 1950, in an automobile accident.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – “215”, Korea, 1950
In the east, on November 27th, the PVA 9th Army Group initiated the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Here the UN forces fared comparatively better: like the Eighth Army the surprise attack also forced X Corps to retreat from northeast Korea, but they were in the process able to break out from the attempted encirclement by the PVA and execute a successful tactical withdrawal. X Corps managed to establish a defensive perimeter at the port city of Hungnam on 11 December and were able to evacuate by 24 December in order to reinforce the badly depleted US Eighth Army to the south. During the evacuation, about 193 shiploads of UN forces and matériel (approximately 105,000 soldiers, 98,000 civilians, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies) were evacuated to Pusan. The SS Meredith Victory was noted for evacuating 14,000 refugees, the largest rescue operation by a single ship, even though it was designed to hold 12 passengers. Before escaping, the UN forces razed most of Hungnam city, with particular attention to the port facilities. The UN retreat from North Korea also saw the massive evacuation from the capital city of Pyongyang. In early December, UN forces, including the British Army’s 29th Infantry Brigade, evacuated Pyongyang, along with large numbers of refugees. Around 4.5 million North Koreans are estimated to have fled from North Korea to either the South or elsewhere abroad. On 16 December 1950, President Truman declared a national state of emergency with Presidential Proclamation No. 2914, 3 C.F.R. 99 (1953), which remained in force until 14 September 1978. The next day, 17 December 1950, Kim Il-sung was deprived of the right of command of KPA by China.
China justified its entry into the war as a response to “American aggression in the guise of the UN”. Later, the Chinese claimed that US bombers had violated PRC national airspace on three separate occasions and attacked Chinese targets before China intervened.
Dragon has announced their own plans for Chinese intervention with two versions of a People’s Volunteer Army T-34/85 medium tank, both of which are due out in early 2023.
As we finish up digging through an avalanche of new armor subjects, comes news that even more Neo Dragon Armor vehicles are slated for an early 2023 roll out. Frankly, its refreshing to see Dragon take such an active stance in reinvigorating the range, several years after the original Dragon Armor series of armored subjects reached the pinnacle of its success.
Looking ahead it comes as no surprise that Dragon would offer up a pair of German 251/22 halftracks as part of its 2023 lineup, perhaps hinting at their intent when they first indicated plans to re-release their time-tested Sd. Kfz. 251 halftrack earlier this year. The upcoming pair of 251/22 tracks are fitted with the infamous PaK 75 mm anti-tank guns, which were used with great effect to stem the tide of allied armor rolling across Europe in late WWII. And, if we had to guess, other 251 variants are waiting in the wings, likely signalling a cavalcade of re-purposed German APCs throughout the year.
Neo Dragon Amor’s 1:72 scale Sd.Kfz.251/22 Ausf.D w/7.5cm PaK 40
Also falling in for duty are two US-built M4A1(76W) Sherman medium tanks, which soldiered on late in the war even though they were no match for some of the heavier German armor they were tasked with engaging as the Allied armies advanced through northwestern Europe late in 1944.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A1(76)W VVSS Sherman Medium Tank – “Ferocious III”, 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, Belgium, 1944Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A1(76)W VVSS Sherman Medium Tank – “Elowee”, 2nd Armored Division, France, 1944
Update: We woke up today to see four more new vehicles have been added to the Neo Dragon Armor lineup: two initial production Tiger I heavy tanks and a pair of Hummel tank destroyers. Needless to say, we’ve added these new entrants to our product portfolio and have begun accepting pre-orders but we do want to warn you that they are still several months away from being released here in North America. Remember, patience is a virtue!
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 165 Hummel Self-Propelled HowitzerNeo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 165 Hummel Self-Propelled HowitzerNeo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 243”, schwere Panzerabteilung 503, Rostov, 1943Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad, 1943
Dragon’s 1:72 scale USMC M4A3 Sherman Flame Tank with HVSS Suspension – “F23”, POA-CWS-H5 Flamethrower, Korea, 1951. Looks like we’re going to be subjected to a huge armored onslaught in a few weeks time.
In a previous post we alluded to the fact that its been very difficult obtaining some of the latest Neo Dragon Armor military vehicles since Dragon USA closed up shop last year. In a last ditch effort, we enlisted the aid of one of our closest distributors to help us out and see if they could import the line for US consumption. Turns out, not only were they successful, but there’s a bevy of new subjects on the water, all scheduled to arrive towards the end of this month. The list of new arrivals include the following vehicles:
Bear in mind that we will be closed for vacation from October 26th to November 2nd so its more than likely these will arrive at our facility in early November. We didn’t order all that many pieces of each vehicle so we strongly recommend submitting your pre-orders sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. I’m not certain if we will restock any item that sells out quickly until the beginning of 2023 if, in fact, they are still available from our supplier.
Dragon Neo Armor’s upcoming 1:72 scale US M103A2 Heavy Tank with Reliability Improved Selected Equipment (RISE) IR/White Light Spotlight
Earlier today, Dragon announced two more new vehicles that will join their Neo Dragon Armor line. The newest of the new are both M103A2 heavy tanks, immensely powerful vehicles that served our country well if for a short period of time during the Cold War. While Dragon is indicating that these vehicles will be available in September we will more than likely stock them towards the end of this year.
Which brings me to the real purpose of this post. When Dragon Models USA closed their doors last year, it created a void in the marketplace whereby product was still being made by Dragon Models but not being stocked by any distributor here in North America. We had the opportunity to import the line ourselves but declined because we are unable to store that much new product to make it worth our while. A month or so ago, one distributor did decide to step up to the plate and will be importing the Neo Dragon Armor range into North America. Because they must purchase the product in larger lots so they can fill a container, we fully expect that it could be some time before they are able to fill each new container with the latest product. More likely, they will be bringing in merchandise once per quarter, based, in large part, upon what is ready in Asia at the time they are placing their order. Of course, should the manufacturer decide to delay the release of new product, then this will have a detrimental effect on when the latest new items will actually reach our shores. Hopefully this won’t occur too often but I thought you might want to take notice of this should there be extended delays from here on out.
In recent weeks the cavalcade of new vehicles rolling out of the Dragon model works has shown no signs of abating, with more new subjects appearing almost on a daily basis. The latest two vehicles to see the light of day are a pair of M65 Atomic cannons – one portraying the vehicle in travel mode and the other in a firing configuration. Known colloquially as the “Atomic Annie”, the gun was an artillery piece built by the United States and capable of firing a nuclear device. It was developed in the early 1950s, at the beginning of the Cold War; and fielded between April 1955 and December 1962, in West Germany, South Korea and on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
The cannon was transported by two specially designed tractors in the same manner as railroad Schnabel cars. Both tractors were capable of independent steering in the manner of some extra-long fire trucks. Each of the tractors was rated at 375 horsepower (280 kW), and the somewhat awkward combination could achieve speeds of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) and negotiate right-angle turns on 28-foot (8.5 m) wide paved or packed roads. The artillery piece could be unlimbered in 12 minutes, then returned to traveling configuration in another 15 minutes. The gun was deployed by lowering it from the tractors onto levelled ground. The whole gun assembly was balanced on a ball and socket joint so that it could be swung around the footplate. The traverse was limited by a curved track placed under the rear of the gun.
Due to its size, the new M65s will obviously command a retail price well in excess of the $39.99-$44.99 range their current vehicles are commanding, and will more likely weigh in at around $89.99 apiece, and no doubt be nestled in much larger and heavier packaging. A Cyber Hobby limited edition version may also be in the works, although nothing yet has been discussed by the manufacturer. We hope that these new vehicles will be available for the holidays but with the current logjam still affecting our ports, its not clear if they will indeed be made available for the approaching holidays.
On a separate note, its truly refreshing to see this dynamic model maker both returning to its roots and producing subjects collectors have been hoping to see for years. Well done Dragon and keep them coming!
Dragon’s 1:72 scale US M4A3 Sherman Flame Tank with HVSS Suspension – POA-CWS-H5 Flamethrower, Korea, 1951
When war broke out between the Empire of Japan and the United States in December 1941, war planners at the Pentagon knew that US forces would have to take the war to Japan if they were to break the enemy in their island fortress. Between the tenacity of the average Japanese soldier and the nature of the terrain throughout the south and central Pacific, it was quickly realized that the American arsenal would have to be beefed up substantially if they were to assault and seize those enemy-occupied islands deemed important for capture, so the call went out for all manner of weaponry to help fill the void.
One device that was pressed into service was the man-portable flamethrower, a weapon of war that was both terrifying in nature and successful in use. The use of flamethrowers as a means of breaking an enemy’s morale and storm heavily defended fortifications was nothing new in 1941 — in fact they were first used several decades prior in WWI as a means of clearing trenches and other heavily fortified obstacles standing in the way of an advance. Unfortunately for the operator, a man-portable flamethrower became instantly recognizable to the enemy since he was both conspicuous in stance and an obvious target that could be picked out with ease. It was said that the life expectancy of a flamethrower could oftentimes be measure in seconds so it took nerves of steel and a fair bit of luck to serve as an operator.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale USMC M4A3 Sherman Flame Tank with HVSS Suspension – “35”, POA-CWS-H5 Flamethrower, Hawaii, 1945
Recognizing their vulnerability on the battlefield as well as the incorporation of mechanized units on the mid-twentieth century battlefield, war planners eventually developed more potent and better protected means of employing scorched earth tactics. One such result was the flame tank. A flame tank is a type of tank equipped with a flamethrower, most commonly used to supplement combined arms attacks against fortifications, confined spaces, or other obstacles. The type only reached significant use in the Second World War, during which the United States, Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom (including members of the British Commonwealth) all produced flamethrower-equipped tanks.
A number of production methods were used. The flamethrowers used were either modified versions of existing infantry flame weapons (Flammpanzer I and II) or specially designed (Flammpanzer III). They were mounted externally (Flammpanzer II), replaced existing machine gun mounts, or replaced the tank’s main armament (Flammpanzer III). Fuel for the flame weapon was either carried inside the tank, in armored external storage, or in some cases in a special trailer behind the tank (Churchill Crocodile).
In contrast to man-portable flamethrowers that were vulnerable to bullets and shrapnel making them extremely dangerous to their operators, flame tanks were extremely difficult to catch on fire or explode unless hit with an armor piercing round or explosive reaching the ammunition and engine fuel inside the tank’s main hull. Tanks such as the Churchill Crocodile, which towed the flamethrower liquid container behind the actual tank, held no greater risk of fire than standard tanks. Although the towed container itself could be easily targeted, the tank and its crew remained well protected. The armored trailer and armored coupling of the Churchill Crocodile could be jettisoned from inside the tank if necessary.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale USMC M4A3 Sherman Flame Tank with HVSS Suspension – “F11”, POA-CWS-H5 Flamethrower, Korea, 1951
Crews of flame tanks were not necessarily more vulnerable than those crews in the regular tanks, standard version of the tank (a Churchill Crocodile flame tank being more or less as vulnerable to anti-tank weapons as the standard Churchill), but the crews of flamethrowing tanks were often treated differently should they be captured alive by German troops. Due to the perceived inhumanity of the weapon itself, captured crews of such tanks were often treated much less humanely than crews of regular tanks. Instances of flametankers being executed by German troops upon capture were not uncommon. Subsequently, British tank crews received sixpence a day extra “danger money” due to the threat of arbitrary execution. Flame tanks also suffered from the fact, along with flamethrower-armed troops, that all enemy within range would usually open up on them due to the fear of the weapon.
Recently, Dragon announced the imminent release of no less than three flame tanks as part of their burgeoning Neo Dragon Armor range. Look for the first of these to unleash a firestorm on the diecast battlefield later this year.
To my knowledge, Dragon still has no official distribution arm in North America after they closed up their self-titled shop back in 2021. Candidly, its hard to imagine that a large model maker such as Dragon, who was once the undisputed king of the 1:72 scale pre-assembled market, has pulled out of what has to be their most lucrative market but there you have it folks. Stranger things have happened. Its entirely possible they could be looking to re-establish themselves by forming a partnership with another modelmaking entity but until that time, retailers such as ourselves, are being asked to order direct from their Chinese factory, which, I might add, is too costly and time consuming to undertake.
Happily, they do seem intent to keep their toe in the diecast water by churning out several new vehicles under their Neo Armor banner. While it remains to be seen if these vehicles will ever make it to our shores within a reasonable time frame, we’re holding out hope that someone will eventually step forward and pick up the gauntlet, making these and anything else they plan to produce once again available to the Noth American collector. Anyway, here’s a quick pictorial update as to what’s purportedly being made for 2022.
Last week, we published a blog post claiming that several model makers seem to have dropped out of the 1:72 scale pre-assembled market over the last year. Earlier this week, we heard back from one of the companies discussed – Dragon Models. Their representative politely indicated that the manufacturer is still very much interested in continuing their Neo Dragon Armor line. He went on to say that two new vehicles are expected later this month, both M2A3 Bradley Infantry Vehicles. But here’s the rub. Since Dragon shuttered its US distributor, Dragon Models USA, and now pointed its web address to their own web site in Hong Kong, they can only make these items available on a wholesale basis if the merchandise is purchased direct from them in Hong Kong. Frankly, this is a non-starter for us, particularly in light of all of the issues affecting the global supply chain, not to mention the costs and quantities associated with purchasing direct instead of through a middleman. So, unless a distributor steps up to the plate and demonstrates they are ready to take on this task, it could be some time before we actually see some of their latest efforts within North America. In the meantime, you can still order these items direct from Dragon Models, first by clicking on either image, then following Dragon’s checkout procedures.
