Dragon To Tackle the Panzer IV in 1:72 Scale!

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:18 pm

<img src="http://www.themotorpool.net/v/vspfiles/ ... 0187-1.jpg" align="left"> Dragon Sets its Sights on a New Subject 
Just when it seemed like Dragon 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....[posted 11/13/2008]

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

theToyFederation · Post by **theToyFederation** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:24 pm

bout F'ing time

cheesecake · Post by **cheesecake** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:51 am

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

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:17 am

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

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:36 am

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

ostketten · Post by **ostketten** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:06 am

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

EnemyAce · Post by **EnemyAce** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 10:32 am

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.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:31 pm

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

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:32 pm

MSRP as yet??

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:06 pm

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

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:30 pm

$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.

Tshintl · Post by **Tshintl** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:07 pm

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.

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:15 pm

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.

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:58 pm

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

Panzer_M · Post by **Panzer_M** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:05 pm

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.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:17 pm

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

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:15 am

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.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:02 am

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

Rowsdower · Post by **Rowsdower** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:23 pm

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.

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:32 am

I prefer the PzIII.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:59 am

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

Rowsdower · Post by **Rowsdower** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:45 am

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.

AMERICAN_GRENADIER · Post by **AMERICAN_GRENADIER** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:23 am

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

ltcbj · Post by **ltcbj** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:19 pm

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.

Rowsdower · Post by **Rowsdower** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:18 pm

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.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Dragon To Tackle the Panzer IV in 1:72 Scale!

Dragon To Tackle the Panzer IV in 1:72 Scale!

Mainstay

Panzer IVs

Panzer IV

Price