An Observation Regarding the Dragon Armor Line

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:08 am

Hello All,
Part of our job, as I see it, is to occassionally step out of our retailer's shoes and offer some commentary on the market at large. Obviously you can draw your own conclusions from what I'm about to say.

I thought that collectors of the Dragon 1:72 scale Armor line might be interested to learn that it seems to be getting harder to obtain additional stock of each new item being introduced, starting with the last few T-34s, one of the Hornisse SP guns, and one of the StuG IV assault guns with skirts. It looks as though Dragon has indeed cut back on production, no doubt in an effort to boost their popularity again. Frankly, I think its a smart move on Dragon's part, even if it means less product to sell.

Simultaneously, some of their newest introductions are, at least for this unabashed collector, far more interesting and appealing, even if some of you might disagree with their choice of patterns and models being replicated. Obviously some might say this is a way to spur sales, which it probably is, but then again you can purchase these vehicles from dozens of sources, not just from The Motor Pool. Anyway, food for thought if you've been frustrated by their recent delays and multiple paint patterns.

Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net

Gunner · Post by **Gunner** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:06 pm

I concur.

Dragon isn't the only one following this pattern.

Some of the new MRC/Trumpter armor releases are already hard to find (my FLHS can't get any more Pattons from his distributors).

I expect to see this spread to A/C as well.

Tshintl · Post by **Tshintl** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:10 pm

I have mixed feelings about this. Cutting down on production is fine as long as supply can meet demand. It's once demand starts exceeding supply that I have a problem. Nothing worse than missing out on a regular Dragon Armor release and not being able to find it anywhere else except Ebay where some guy that was lucky enough to get several is trying to sell it for big bucks.

graycap · Post by **graycap** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:29 pm

Here in the UK we are still waiting for
1) The three (at least) T34 mod 1943 versions

2) The two STUG IVs with side skirts

3) The two Panthers with zimmermitt all of which, I understand, are available in the US.

Talking to one of the sales rep in the central London Model Zone there is concern that one of the Panthers might not be available in the UK at all!!

Note to UK Dragon collectors - buy 'em when you see 'em!!!