Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
No Lie About The Black Label Kits
Pongo_Arm
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:00 AM UTC
And that is child's play compared to the T54E1.
Pretty much the worst mainstream kit in the 21st Century.
Bravo1102
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Of course nowadays there are plenty of new model manufacturers who might just decide to put out a good kit where one of their rivals had put out a bad one.



Oh yes, I see how Meng, Takom and Hobbyboss et.al. are all just tripping over themselves to release new improved kits of the Black plague M6 heavy, M103 and Saladin.


Just like they all did with Tiger II and Panthers yup, all those new kits of the subjects Dragon fudged up.

Nope, for the foreseeable future it's the Black Death for those subjects.

But then there have been two new Sheridan's after a decades long wait.

And two whole new series of Lee/Grant after a dozen years--

But will I live that long?
Biggles2
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

... edit it out is un-[auto-censored]ing-believable.



Hmmm...auto-censure on the fritz?



-----------------
Auto-censor was dozing off there for a while, got myself a cup of tea in the meantime ....
/ Robin
plastic_slug
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text



Given the number of people on here and elsewhere who despise "rivet counters" and claim that "It looks like an X to me", it would not be surprising that it was acceptable to the majority of modelers. People buy those Toon Tanks, you know.

And, if you are the type who builds models in order to have a canvas and a neat backdrop for your photos of boutique paints and finishing supplies, then you probably think they are OK, too.

KL



The key flaw in this argument is two-fold-
Meng's Toon kits do not claim to be nor are marketed as serious replicas of the vehicle in question. Nor do they cost $60-$80 for a lazy, sloppy effort by Dragon on the Black Label kits.
long_tom
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Of course nowadays there are plenty of new model manufacturers who might just decide to put out a good kit where one of their rivals had put out a bad one.



....and they do too. Hence my comment above about Dragon's (the plastic kit side) days being numbered in the future. But they really don't care much about that part of their business since the plastic kit line is not the main moneymaker. If they did care, they'd charge less for junk, or get better at making newer, better kits. And DS plastic would disappear. I guess I sound bitter here-- but I recall a time when Dragon was a leader. I'd like to see them back, but I don't think it's going to happen. Time to let the new guys take over (or give money to the old guys who still compete)-- it's been done before.
VR, Russ [/quote]


Anyone remember the old A&P supermarket chain (it even rated a short story by John Updike) and how it's no longer around? Not that it matters; there are Jewel and Mariano's grocery stores in the Chicagoland area. Even Walt Disney ended up making money on his theme parks for several decades rather than his animated cartoons and movies, until the 1980's. How businesses can change and/or perish!
ALBOWIE
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:26 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Of course nowadays there are plenty of new model manufacturers who might just decide to put out a good kit where one of their rivals had put out a bad one.



Oh yes, I see how Meng, Takom and Hobbyboss et.al. are all just tripping over themselves to release new improved kits of the Black plague M6 heavy, M103 and Saladin.


Just like they all did with Tiger II and Panthers yup, all those new kits of the subjects Dragon fudged up.

Nope, for the foreseeable future it's the Black Death for those subjects.

But then there have been two new Sheridan's after a decades long wait.

And two whole new series of Lee/Grant after a dozen years--

But will I live that long?



make that TWO whole new series of M3 mediums
ALBOWIE
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:29 AM UTC
Sadly a lot of the Black label range is pretty terrible compared to what we know DML is capable of with very poor research, gross over simplifications and errors etc however in the absence of any other kit of the subject they fill a place in the market with releases of subjects no one else has done. Yes, I would have liked a bit of effort on behalf of DML but they are what they are. Like everything - Buyer beware
Al
Kevlar06
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:31 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Of course nowadays there are plenty of new model manufacturers who might just decide to put out a good kit where one of their rivals had put out a bad one.



Oh yes, I see how Meng, Takom and Hobbyboss et.al. are all just tripping over themselves to release new improved kits of the Black plague M6 heavy, M103 and Saladin.


Just like they all did with Tiger II and Panthers yup, all those new kits of the subjects Dragon fudged up.

Nope, for the foreseeable future it's the Black Death for those subjects.

But then there have been two new Sheridan's after a decades long wait.

And two whole new series of Lee/Grant after a dozen years--

But will I live that long?



See-- this is part of the issue-- there are new kits coming out almost daily now-- good quality kits. This will be the dragon-slayer (pun intended) for Dragon. However, Dragon won't go quietly into the night. They'll sell their dies to another company, and those old kits will come out in new livery (they've partnered with Italeri in the past). The difference is, other manufacturers won't sell outdated, inaccurate kits at the same price point. And that's OK too. I might be tempted to buy a BL M103, or an Atomic Cannon (I need another to display in the firing position anyway, as Dragon's can really only be built accurately in the travel position) but I won't pay $70 for it either. And many have forgotten Dragon does more than armor kits (although they'll probably hold onto their spacecraft line) and some of those molds are pretty nice. But there are dogs there too (their P-51 for instance). Those kits sit on shelves while cheaper Revell kits are snatched up (Dragon and Revell have also collaborated in the past). And their kit availability? They've discontinued, delayed and limited supplies of kits (no doubt to suit their business model) much to the angst of many modelers. (our biggest issue in the LHS/distributor I worked for was Dragon replacement parts--there were none, not even any for sale). Dragon may continue to sell a few high priced kits to unsuspecting or undiscriminating builders. But most folks sticking to the hobby will eventually look elsewhere. The point is this-- if Dragon insists on charging high prices for poor quality, (or retreads of good stuff) only the competition wins.
VR, Russ
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:39 AM UTC

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Given the number of people on here and elsewhere who despise "rivet counters" and claim that "It looks like an X to me", it would not be surprising that it was acceptable to the majority of modelers. People buy those Toon Tanks, you know.

And, if you are the type who builds models in order to have a canvas and a neat backdrop for your photos of boutique paints and finishing supplies, then you probably think they are OK, too.

KL



The key flaw in this argument is two-fold-
Meng's Toon kits do not claim to be nor are marketed as serious replicas of the vehicle in question. Nor do they cost $60-$80 for a lazy, sloppy effort by Dragon on the Black Label kits.



Sigh. Here, let me delete the tail end sentence so you can focus on the other 90% of my post, and make it clear what I was talking about without the earlier references:


Given the number of people on here and elsewhere who despise "rivet counters" and claim that "It looks like an X to me", it would not be surprising if the BL kits were acceptable to the majority of modelers.

And, if you are the type who builds models in order to have a canvas and a neat backdrop for your photos of boutique paints and finishing supplies, then you probably think they are OK, too.


Is that better?

KL
Kevlar06
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Washington, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 12:00 PM UTC
We should not ignore the other stumble-foot Chinese manufacturer in our lop-sided musings about Dragon. Trumpeter has committed some pretty grave errors in the past. But the difference between Trumpeter and Dragon is this-- they continue to at least try to make new releases a little more accurate, and have shown effort in learning from past mistakes to the point of re-issuing corrected kits. But they have one other great thing going for them-- they don't have DS tracks!
VR, Russ
nikon1
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 12:18 PM UTC
Being a Braille Scaler, I lost faith in DML years ago when the concentrated the majority on their efforts on WWII equipment and only released the Abrams, Challenger, Leopard, AAVP7 and Humvee in 1/72. Everyone on this thread that is ladying have it made compared to those of us that model in 1/72. Those who model in 1/35 have a vast range of aftermarket kits to detail and or correct any errors on the kits. There are items in 1/35 I would love to have in 1/72 such as the range of Modern figures from the various countries that are available. Also would love to have some of the modern wheeled IFV's out on the market. This is a hobby after all and how we reach the end of the build is personal
Cheers
Charlie
long_tom
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 12:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Sigh. Here, let me delete the tail end sentence so you can focus on the other 90% of my post, and make it clear what I was talking about without the earlier references:


Given the number of people on here and elsewhere who despise "rivet counters" and claim that "It looks like an X to me", it would not be surprising if the BL kits were acceptable to the majority of modelers.

And, if you are the type who builds models in order to have a canvas and a neat backdrop for your photos of boutique paints and finishing supplies, then you probably think they are OK, too.


Is that better?

KL


With both models and paints getting expensive, and most hobby shops having gone out of business nowadays so you have to order most kits through mail order, people are going to want to buy stuff that they know is good. Things have changed even from ten years ago, so I think complaints about bolt counters are going to be few and far between in the near future.
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 01:29 PM UTC

Quoted Text

. . . I think complaints about bolt counters are going to be few and far between in the near future.



I have seen no evidence of it dying down and there was a thread within the last month that was as virulent as ever.

KL
nikon1
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 02:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text


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. . . I think complaints about bolt counters are going to be few and far between in the near future.



I have seen no evidence of it dying down and there was a thread within the last month that was as virulent as ever.

KL



Being a robot counter is like being a double edged sword, the good side of the blade striving to create an excellent and accurate model be it working with the manufacturers and or creating after market sets to offer for sale and the bad side, nit picking models while forgetting this a hobby and that all models are built to the owners own spec.
Cheers
Charlie
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 02:33 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Being a robot [sic - rivet?] counter is like being a double edged sword, the good side of the blade striving to create an excellent and accurate model be it working with the manufacturers and or creating after market sets to offer for sale and the bad side, nit picking models while forgetting this a hobby and that all models are built to the owners own spec.



The "It's a hobby and it's supposed to be fun" gang seems to have never really accepted that last bit.

Rivet counters find faults with kits; Fun Builders find faults with Rivet Counters.

KL
Kevlar06
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 02:45 PM UTC

Quoted Text



...Rivet counters find faults with kits; Fun Builders find faults with Rivet Counters.

KL



I think in all the many posts you've made on Armorama Kurt, that's the funniest thing I've seen you write. You really cracked me up with that one, but, I have to agree, it's somewhat true and well said. I think I'm somewhere in between-- some kits I like to rivet count, other kits I like to build for fun (but end up doing a little rivet counting anyway). If we as model builders didn't demand so much from kit manufacturers, we'd still be building Aurora style kits with national insignia marker lines on the wings, or in the case of Armor kits-- rubber bands for tracks.
VR, Russ
long_tom
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:16 PM UTC

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...Rivet counters find faults with kits; Fun Builders find faults with Rivet Counters.

KL



I think in all the many posts you've made on Armorama Kurt, that's the funniest thing I've seen you write. You really cracked me up with that one, but, I have to agree, it's somewhat true and well said. I think I'm somewhere in between-- some kits I like to rivet count, other kits I like to build for fun (but end up doing a little rivet counting anyway). If we as model builders didn't demand so much from kit manufacturers, we'd still be building Aurora style kits with national insignia marker lines on the wings, or in the case of Armor kits-- rubber bands for tracks.
VR, Russ


Like I said, hobby supplies are more expensive and not easy to pick up locally like in the past, so I say the way of the Fun Builders is going the way of Sears.
Bravo1102
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Posted: Tuesday, September 24, 2019 - 11:31 PM UTC

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...Rivet counters find faults with kits; Fun Builders find faults with Rivet Counters.

KL



I think in all the many posts you've made on Armorama Kurt, that's the funniest thing I've seen you write. You really cracked me up with that one, but, I have to agree, it's somewhat true and well said. I think I'm somewhere in between-- some kits I like to rivet count, other kits I like to build for fun (but end up doing a little rivet counting anyway). If we as model builders didn't demand so much from kit manufacturers, we'd still be building Aurora style kits with national insignia marker lines on the wings, or in the case of Armor kits-- rubber bands for tracks.
VR, Russ


Like I said, hobby supplies are more expensive and not easy to pick up locally like in the past, so I say the way of the Fun Builders is going the way of Sears.


False analogy. Like saying that the casual reader will fade away because book stores were replaced by Amazon.

There'll always be the casual builder. When I went to art school I got a box with all the art supplies. I was surprised how many were redundant with my modeling tools.

You do arts and crafts and an occasional model will fit right in. Just like they occupy an aisle in an arts and crafts store either brick and mortar or online.

Will that casual builder who just wants a Sherman or Tiger for their shelf really count rivets?

I'm a former rivet counter who evolved into a fun builder for my own mental health. More power to those who can keep counting rivets and enjoying the hobby. For some the two are not compatible.

Don't ever read the DSM and then look at these threads or you'll start reading all kinds of mental illnesses into them.

I could go on, but its breakfast at the institution and they have Eggs Benedict today.

brunocollin
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 03:24 AM UTC
I bought a BL kit, the Saladin, for 2 reasons:
- the only kit available
- found a second hand kit, less expensive, nearly affordable

Dragon is dead from my point of view !
Biggles2
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 03:52 AM UTC
Does anyone here remember Dragon's very first 1/35 Jeep - the one with interior issues, wheel hub issues, but, most obvious, a totally incorrect grill - which previous companies like Tamiya, and even Italeri, got right, or at least, more correct (or less wrong)? Considering it was more expensive than either of the other two offerings, could that be considered as "acceptable" to even a casual modeler? I bought one and immediately returned it to the LHS at a loss because it was opened. It certainly wasn't worth the cost of additional after-market corrective parts!
Bravo1102
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 05:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Does anyone here remember Dragon's very first 1/35 Jeep - the one with interior issues, wheel hub issues, but, most obvious, a totally incorrect grill - which previous companies like Tamiya, and even Italeri, got right, or at least, more correct (or less wrong)? Considering it was more expensive than either of the other two offerings, could that be considered as "acceptable" to even a casual modeler? I bought one and immediately returned it to the LHS at a loss because it was opened. It certainly wasn't worth the cost of additional after-market corrective parts!



A great irony is that the 1/35 scale jeep came after the 1/6 one. The 1/6 scale one had none of those issues.

Seems the 1/6 scale team did better research than the 1/35 group? Or were they better at translating the research into plastic?

You can see what market Dragon was most concerned about.

Any all new mold will probably be flawed and sub-par. But for those of us who suddenly find ourselves wanting an older release when they were at the top of their game and there's a deal? Sure. And DS looks just fine on a Sherman.
KurtLaughlin
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 06:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Does anyone here remember Dragon's very first 1/35 Jeep - the one with interior issues, wheel hub issues, but, most obvious, a totally incorrect grill - which previous companies like Tamiya, and even Italeri, got right, or at least, more correct (or less wrong)? Considering it was more expensive than either of the other two offerings, could that be considered as "acceptable" to even a casual modeler? I bought one and immediately returned it to the LHS at a loss because it was opened. It certainly wasn't worth the cost of additional after-market corrective parts!



If someone didn't realize - or more importantly, care - that the hubs and grille and whatnot were wrong, my guess is that the decision would be based 80% on price and 20% on boxart. If those aspect were acceptable, that causual modeler would almost certainly find the kit to be acceptable.

For the experienced guy, no it wouldn't be acceptable, and you even write why. It's not better than what is already out there. The price would have to be heavily discounted to make it worth buying. I would not buy a BL M6 tank or Atomic Cannon at full retail but at around $24 each they were acceptable to me, even with their faults because there was nothing better.

KL
long_tom
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 09:58 AM UTC

Quoted Text

False analogy. Like saying that the casual reader will fade away because book stores were replaced by Amazon.


They weren't actually. Plenty of book stores still exist.
long_tom
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 11:26 AM UTC
And BTW, I never heard of Amusing Hobby but I'll bet their Conqueror tank kit is better than Dragon's.
RLlockie
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Posted: Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 06:55 PM UTC
For some of us, fun and rivet counting are not incompatible. I enjoy getting to a result that is of acceptable accuracy to myself. If I have to fix things to get there, that’s fine with me. I may build very slowly but that doesn’t mean that I get less fun than someone who can knock off a model in a weekend while I’m still filling and sanding sinkmarks or removing mould lines that are almost invisible when the thing is finished anyway. After all that, relocating or adding a few rivets and bolts is actually enjoyable for me because it makes my result closer to the original than it would have been otherwise.