Isn't everyone rather missing the point? The big news is that with The KT with Zimmerit, for the first time EVER (I'm not including Italaeri's attempts in the 70's), it is possible to actually build a late-war German tank kit OOB without the need for any AM, or smearing it with body putty. This is rather fantastic news for German modellers, especally since the Zimmerit looks pretty good in the pictures. If DML go on to do this for all their late war German stuff, they will definitely be the only game in town.

The Italeri Kits of th Tiger I and Panther w/Zimmerite from the 1990's are very buildable from the box, IMNSHO. DML may do it better and make it easier and more accurate, but it has been done. And remember guys...it is only the "Golden Years" if you happen to want to buy a 1/72 Submarine...or a 1/35 Dora...or 10 different SdKfz 250 or 251's. There is more to the world than WWII German Armor. I understand that DML, Trumpeter, and the others are feeding their true base; the Asian market. They love to buy German WWII. Fine. I does not mean that i have to be happy with their choices. And I find it hard to believe that they are going to make MORE profit off of a retooling of a decent kit into a slightly better kit with the 250 rather than investing in a new product that could be expanded. Or keep working on current runs...Where are the M3 halftracks? Current Marketing Depts. are not offering kits I want to buy. I want to let you all know how that upsets me because I am so important.

I am not totally happy with thier current releases, but I do like the fact they are putting extra detail into thier kits. If we are not happy we can always contact them and let them know. It is possible they even have somebody read our posts here. I would love to see a better balance of all nations. Maybe it will happen one day.

First off let me say that I really like what Dragon/Cyberhobby have been doing the last couple years. They have really taken the hobby by storm, revolutionizing the way kits are made and sold. For anyone who a decade and a half ago thought Tamiya had it all right, well DML has "really" got it right. Here's my gripe. I don't mind that they're coming up with all the German variants. It's good history and keeps alive maybe the most innovative military designers ever in the Germans from the 30's to 1945. I do though have a slight problem with them making so many "paper" or prototype models, some that never even saw production. There are so many other uncovered and under appreciated vehicles out there that saw combat and played large roles in history that get no respect. Take the M113 for instance. The AFV that revolutionized mechanized warfare and spurred a generation of types similiar to it. How is it that only 2 companies have mainly covered this vehicle? Are we not LONG overdue for a truely accurate and up to date 113, a mold thaty is not 30 years old? Thats just a small example. Like I said, I really like what DML has been doing. All I hope for is that at some point once past this phase they branch and really cover the other stuff that has been underappreciated from 1945 on.

what about figures in their announcements did they have anything to say about them?

Manufacturers can't please everybody. They don't really need to. I to have enough kits in my stash to last for 10-15 years. I don't have to buy anything. Out of every 15 kits DML releases (this includes tanks, figures, airplanes) I will find 1 or 2 I really want. Sometimes I might get 2 or more of the same kit. I just purchased 3 of their Tiger I Late kits. I can complain that I am unhappy with their choice of subject matter, or their decision not to include an aluminum barrel, etc. But that doesn't matter because they don't expect me, or any other modeler to purchase every kit. What they want is to offer enough choice that I will purchase DML over Tamiya, and to make the kit better to inspire brand loyalty. Sure, I would like to see certain subjects released. And if I wait long enough, they probably will be. In the mean time, I have plenty to keep me happy, and my stash will probably continue to grow.

I like the addition of the zim on the KT. Its one of those things though, like Magic/indy tracks, that once you start doing you own zim or a Cavalier set, you don't think about NEEDING it on the model already anymore or needing continuous tracks(although the new DS ones are pretty awesome too). But nothing's wrong when you have good tooling for a tank type to keep coming out with new versions. I think they need to come out with premium versions of the tank killers, Hetzer, Jadgpanzer, and Jagdpanther though. They have updated running gear for the platforms, and with updated etch and a few retooled/cleaned parts it would be pretty easy to update 'em. Not to mention there would be quite the market for a definitive M10 kit.

Just a wild guess on the reason for the tendency of German subjects being favored by kit manufactures: could it be related to IP rights and licensing? i.e. do likes of DML and Tamiya have to get license from original manufacturer of the subjects of their kits? If so, and assuming that such license bears royalty, then no wonder they prefer German subjects, since, afterall, Nazi Germany lost, and is no longer. ... just a guess...

Actually equipment funded by the government is pretty much exempt from copyrights. However, a model company can sell a B-17 Flying Fortress, but they CAN'T sell a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress without permission. I'd would like to see more modern stuff, but to be completely honest, I have enough to build for quite a while. I'd rather they take their time and release a few kits each year than rush two or three dozen in a single year. Supply and demand don't ya know!