Small Scale Military Headquarters

Does anybody know approximately how large Dragon's production runs are for the 1/72 diecast tanks? I believe the limited editions are 999 units - at least the WOH King Tiger was.

Mike

I don't think anyone knows what production runs of the "regular" issues are.. If they do, I haven't heard yet..

Thanks for the response hworth18. For those of you who have purchased limited editions, were they runs of 999 units?

Mike

Hi,
Pure speculation on our part but I'd guess that each SKU represents at least 10,000 pieces on the low end and perhaps 20,000 at the high end depending upon the weapons platform being replicated. Keep in mind that the manufacturer has to sell greater volume of a smaller 1:72 scale piece than a comparable, larger scale piece to recoup their initial investment in tooling, packaging, marketing etc. Furthermore, as the series becomes more popular, and greater numbers of retailers start to carry the product, Dragon has to make enough to satisfy increasingly higher market demands. Limited edition pieces are probably being made in the 1,000 piece range, but then again that's conjecture and nothing more. Perhaps the best way to tell is taking a survey of the numbered certificates of authenticity.
Having said all that, it sometimes makes more sense to buy what you would think would be the least popular pieces since far fewer are being made and they're more likely to appreciate in value once supply becomes exhausted an the manufacturer level. Its sort of like coin collecting. People think that the highest volume years will appreciate the most but in reality its sometimes the lowest years when people initially take the least interest that escalate in value the most.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.bigstep.com

Great response Lightning2000. You bring up some very good points. I have often wondered exactly what you said - if the less popular items will appreciate more in price down the road.

It is interesting to watch the price of the first two Dragon releases (Early Tigers) as they are auctioned on Ebay. I am starting to track this to see how demand changes as more Tigers are released. Yes, I know I am anal.

Mike

I recently saw a 1st issue Wittman winter Tiger go for around $130 on Ebay.

I remember when they were just $9.99 not that long ago.

I remember that too Mr. Football. That was right as I was getting into Dragon 1/72 and right before they sold out at the retail level. Unfortunately I purchased some of the other models thinking I could go back later and order the first two Tigers if I liked the product line. BIG MISTAKE .

Mike

I have heard this before and it makes sense:

* their tooling and setup costs were already covered so the production run did not have to be large,
* the third and fourth release were recently available at the MSRP most likely due to a greater supply,
* speculators could easily buy multiple units of the first two releases due to the low price.

Mike