Its a good long time ago now though isn't it Jon? Surely it must be at least 15 years since they last made any real effort in modern soviet and around 4 years since their last modern release I can think of (someone will prove me wrong now!) the M1A2 SEP I agree that modern is the second to last great frontier to be truly explored by the manufacturers (the last being WWI!) and DML releasing good quality kits would be good, but I think recent AFV Club releases are as good, and with the Stryker series they really hit the right buttons for a good modern subject release. With them, trumpeter, bronco with its various modern stuff, all making good quality kits of modern subject I say let DML do whatever it wants and ask companies that DO recognise the market to cover your subject instead but then, as modellers we are fully entitled to our opinions on model companies and its great fun wishing for more

The whole accuracy thing is actually a double edge sword, most modelers have gone completely over the edge with this, almost to a psychiatric level. People like Dragon are simply cashing in on this fact. As long as people buy this kits manufacturers will make them, is that simple. I am sure no company would have dare to pull tricks like these 20 years ago. But now is every day stuff, every company is making money out of the most absurd of detail sets and the like, just look at Eduard. I am not saying old kits cannot be improved, but some sets they sell, you really have to go to college and get a degree in medicine to manipulate the parts!!! But modelers buy them, the same thing with the DML german armor kits. You want diversity? Don't buy them, period.

ANOTHER TIGER? I reckon all this axis loving is still riding on the hype of Saving Private Ryan. There needs to be a movie that involves some T-35s and T-28s, then there will be some actual kits of them. Thats just my idea.

I'm a little tired of saying it, but Dragon (and that includes CH) do what they do and produce Axis. They probably do it better than anyone else. All the wish-lists in the world ain't gonna change that - that is their policy. Full Stop. Unfortunately, and i'll broadly seperate the two markets out here - the 'western' market SEEMS to be getting a little jaded with DML There ARE modelers out there who want every Tiger variant with the most miniscule change of detail. They're getting provided by CH. There are people out there who like getting told what they'll buy also... The 'Eastern' market (yep a VERY broad-brush) is still a market for every Axis release and, in that respect DML is still VERY strong there. Unfortunately for DML, the PLA is coming up the side as being a really strong marketing element. Back to where we are. A few years ago, every DML announcement would have had Page-Views here, on the News Section of Armorama, going through the roof. They're still respectable, but, as a rough guesstimate, have probably fallen 50%. Our Site Traffic has gone up enormously but, in News, it's going to companies like MiniArt, Masterbox, Bronco or ICM. Now, bearing in mind we're the biggest Network on the 'Web, if I was DML, i'd be concerned. To be brutally frank, CH & DML are only a small part of our News Coverage, why then is ALL the discussion aimed towards them? Check out the News Section occasionally and you might just find something to talk about which ISN'T Tiger Variants...

True, but at least they released the items, items that numerous companies have reboxed time and again. Tasca for a new plastic T-64 I say!

All, I would love to be able to say this is a case of 'they are laughing all the way to the bank', but sadly criticism like this does cause companies in Asia distress. It shouldn't however. To be honest I get a bit tired of the politics of 'what kind of kit are they making now'. Who cares? Be happy they are releasing kits. If you drive a Ford F-150 truck and have owned 5 over your life, are you really going to complain that every year Ford releases 4 new versions of them? Some new or returning modeler is going to walk into their local hobby shop and buy this Tiger. And they will have not clue one that it's one of many released in the past few years. This is bad how exactly? Get real people. And yes I am talking to my staff as well with this. Cheers, Jim

Jim - chill, My Man! The bottom line is, it's just a bit of banter going on here between modellers. Of course with all the sh!t going on in the world, not to mention the common daily grind we face to put food on our tables, clothe the kids, pay the bills etc. etc. what does it matter in the grander scheme of things what DML (or whoever) do or don't release. Everyone has their pet likes and pet hates and their "wish lists". And sure, I for one would be far happier to see DML branch out a bit more rather than "play it safe" all the time, and I make no apologies for saying so here. But that's what forums are for - to chew the cud and have a bit of banter with kindred spirits during your lunch break or after a hard day's graft. I actually find it quite amusing in a way every time I see one of these "New Tiger" announcements. I chuckle to myself at the deja-vu-ness of it all. I smile and shake my head with mirth as the Tiger anoraks (no offence meant guys!) then start up with the old "ah yes but of you look at the position of the jack mounting on this one, you'll notice that ... blah blah" and sometimes I'll chime in with a comment or two. But really it ain't no big deal, and at the end of the day it's not something I'm ever going to lose any sleep over. Would be nice to see DML do a T-90 though ......... - Steve

Nice Now how about "how long will it be before DML release they're next Tiger I?"