Small Scale Military Headquarters

<img src="http://www.themotorpool.net/v/vspfiles/ ... 0187-1.jpg" align="left"> <b>Dragon Sets its Sights on a New Subject </b><br>
Just when it seemed like <b>Dragon</b> was slowing down their tank production in the face of growing competition comes word that they're finally tackling a new subject: the dreaded Panzer IV medium tank. Due out some time in December, their first foray will replicate an Ausf. G model, which served with distinction with the 3.SS Panzer-Grenadier Division "Totempkopf". Painted in field grey, this first issue PzKpfw IV is equipped with a long-barrelled 75mm gun, and will certainly be sought after since its their inaugural release in the Panzer IV lineage....<i>[posted 11/13/2008]</i><p>

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

bout F'ing time

a bloody fucking good news...

sorry for the bad word... but i'm happy

For everyone interested by a translation in french

Une putain de bonne nouvelle

Hello,
LOL. Be careful what you wish for. I'm sure there will be dozens to choose from when its all said and done. Personally, I'm jazzed by the decision to move forward with the PZ IV. It was the mainstay of the German Panzerwaffe and, IMHO, you can never get enough of them in any configuration and color scheme.

Who knows, maybe they found a Panzer IV crewman for next year's DX Expo.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

i agree! and im sure your right on the DX hobby show!

This is good news for 1/72 collectors. The offerings from FOV were not that great unfortunately.

The FOV pz IV is very disappointing, but the Dragon version looks great! And we know from their stugs that they can do a great job with the schurzen.

Hopefully they will also find some time to work some Sturmpanzers in amongst all the new pz. IV releases.

Hi,
I think if past performance is any indicator, you'll likely see eight Pz IVs off the bat without schurzen: four long barrel Ausf. G and four short barrel F1s. After these have run their course, you'll likely see an equal number of Ausf H and Js with and without schurzen and turret girdles. Then, you have the derivatives, like the Ostwinds, Flakpanzers, Tachtpanzer, Command vehicles, captured schemes, etc.

Clear off some shelf space cause there's lots to consider in the Pz IV range along with the myriad paint schemes.

Panzers vorwarts!

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

MSRP as yet??

Hi,
We put it our for $25.99. Cant speak for other retailers. Costwise, its coming in at the top end of the 1:72 scale product range, akin to the recent Sherman tank with wading equipment.

My guess is that the uparmored schurzen variants will likely retail for a couple of dollars more, unless Dragon decides to tow the line and keep them as low as possible to move more product. From a popularity standpoint, this is conceivable, since alot of people have been clammoring for the Pz IV family of military vehicles for a long time. Make more product and you could, theoretically, bring the costs down a bit...

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

$25.99 for a (mostly plastic?) 1/72 model seems like an awful lot to me. I know that you have little to control of the price but it seems to me that the price might prove to be a limiting factor on the popularity.

I've seen it listed at $21.56 online. Fortunately it comes without the more expensive diorama base which would go right in the trash.

I would like to see the PzIII from Dragon.

The Admiral PzIII-H is terrific although it is missing the turret box. Their L & M versions have the box but just seem to lack something the "H" has.

Hi Itcbj,
I hear where you're coming from. Frankly, I agree, but we have to base our retail price on the wholesale cost, then take into account any sales promotions we may run down the road. In my mind, most of the 1:72 scale vehicles should top out at around $20. Heck, the maligned FOV Panzer IV retails for around $14-$16, which is very affordable even if some dont believe its as good as the upcoming Dragon Panzer IV.

I'm still hoping that a great many manufacturers are able to dial back their costs somewhat in 2009 with the price of oil dropping daily. Guess we'll have to wait and see...

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

ltcbj wrote:I would like to see the PzIII from Dragon.

The Admiral PzIII-H is terrific although it is missing the turret box. Their L & M versions have the box but just seem to lack something the "H" has.

yea I would buy a DML Pz III M w. deep wading muffler, and a ausf N.

I talked with my ebay guy and he will retail the dragon panzer iv for around 21 dollars

I remember the "old days", what(?) five-six years ago, when Dragon came out with their first two Dragon Armour Tigers. $9.99 each. Supposedly ushering in an era of "affordable" die-cast 1/72 tanks....

Then I watched the price climb and climb and the metal content take the long slide into history and that just makes me angry.

They are beautiful little models but the price is, to me, a bit excessive. I remember when if you wanted great detail you had to buy a kit, build it, paint it yourself, and if we had had an internet take pictures and be admired from half a world away. Today anybody (with the money) can buy a pre-built pre-painted model for more money and less self satisfaction than in the past. And of course if MY model isn't to look like everybody else's I will have to repaint it anyway....

I'm an older guy at this point and my fine modeling days are over and I would like to have pre-built, pre-painted models. But not at the cost of a meal in a restaurant.

There are some dealers out there willing to give discounts on multiple items. aswell as very good starting prices on single items.

Sweet, the PZ IV is my fav German tank! Looks much better than the FOV version that is out now. Hope they will make better looking schurzen.

I prefer the PzIII.

I totally agree on the schurzan.
what i didnt like about the FOV Pnz iv was it seemed alittle larger than 1/72 scale?

AMERICAN_GRENADIER wrote:I totally agree on the schurzan.
what i didnt like about the FOV Pnz iv was it seemed alittle larger than 1/72 scale?

I'm not sure but the commander figure seemed a bit large to me.

Yep the figures are totally wrong!
Im very excited about the Dragon pnz iv im sure there will more to follow!

The FoV pz IV commander can be removed and his hatch battened down. Certainly not as good as I would expect from Dragon but quite adequate for most purposes.

My big disappointment was that the advertising copy for the 1/72 used detail pictures of the 1/32. False and misleading but I have come to expect that from the company. Very very sloppy.

ltcbj wrote:My big disappointment was that the advertising copy for the 1/72 used detail pictures of the 1/32. False and misleading but I have come to expect that from the company. Very very sloppy.

Ouch! I agree, and they seem to be getting worse all the time.