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Forums - News / General |
For General modelling or hobby-related topics that are not covered by any other specific forum. Please keep to topics concerning the hobby. |
| Topics | 2958 |
| Messages | 21946 |
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| Subject: | Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) |  |
| Date: | Apr 19, 2002 |
| From: | Yuchung Wang | |
Hello T-L,
Although when I as the original DML release or just one Tamiya kit for that
matter! I recently bought two Shanghai Dragon Panther II's and one Panther
Ausf. G command version (with LOTS of spares) for the price ostarted back
into AFV modelling in 1997 my preferred brand was Tamiya, I am currently
increasingly favoring DML kits. In fact, with the last two issues of
FineScale Modeler comparing Sherman and Tiger kits, DML constantly stood out
with having the most varied subject matter and the most flexibility.
DML often include lots and lots and lots of spares along with their kits. In
fact, having four different Panther Ausf. G based kits from DML, I probably
have enough spare parts to build a complete Panther turret w/ main gun, a
spare 8.8 cm KwK barrel for some Tiger kit, three Panther Ausf. A or G
mantlets, spare steel and rubber road wheels, spare tracks and more. It is
simply economically "worth it" to purchase DML kits!
Many of the kits also come with a complementary PE fret. Of course, many
(including your's truly) prefer to replace the DML PE with parts from Aber
or Eduard, but these can once again be used to accentuate models built out
of the spare parts!
Lastly, and BEST of all, DML re-releases many of their kits via Shanghai
Dragon. Shanghai Dragon kits are basically the same as the original DML
releases! This means that you can get two or three Shanghai Dragon kits for
the same price f one Tamiya Panther Ausf. G with steel wheels. Considering
that most DML kits are often comparable to Academy and Tamiya in terms of
quality and fit (etc.), Shanghai Dragon kits are perhaps DML's secret
weapons to beat larger companies such as Tamiya!
DML is also very willing to make kits of obscure or sometimes subjects
deliberately ignored by other manufacturers (Maus, E-100, Panther II,
Panther Ausf. F...). Take the Ferdinand for example: most manufacturers
would have rested on their laurels after releasing an Elefant, relegating
the Ferdinand to aftermarket manufacturers or resin add-on kits. Not DML,
they released the Ferdinand right after the Elefant, and taking care to make
sure the right type of tracks are included! That, fellow modelers, is true
dedication to customers - their primary source of income!
Recently, DML seems to be abandoning the playing field in favor of military
action figures. But they suprised us again with the release of the Early
Panther Ausf. A, and very probably releasing the Late-Ausf. A and Ausf. D
very soon in the near future (judging from their pattern)!
My advice to new or returning modelers, buy DML kits once you have had your
taste of AFV modelling through Tamiya! This is truly a company that is both
qualitatively and quantitatively above others! A diamond in the rough!
BTW, I still like Tamiya. Their kits literally assemble themselves! ;^) |
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 | Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - Yuchung Wang - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . My English isn't that bad! Correction to the above post: - Yuchung Wang - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - Christophe Jacquemont - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - Danny Raadtgever - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - Yuchung Wang - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - C Bolick - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - MSW - Apr 19, 2002 |
| . . . . . . Re: Can't stop buying DML kits! (or DML, a company review.) - Yuchung Wang - Apr 19, 2002 |
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