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Italeri vs Dragon 1/35 Puma

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  • Member since
    December 2011
Italeri vs Dragon 1/35 Puma
Posted by Chrisk-k on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:06 PM

I have the urge to buy a Puma (Sdkfz 232/2). I always liked it but never built it. The Italeri kit is readily available. Some eBay sellers in China sell the Dragon kit. Unless the Italeri kit is godawful, I wouldn't buy from one of those eBay sellers. Can anyone comment on the quality of the Italeri kit?

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:11 PM

Get the DML kit if you can...it's by far the better kit in terms of quality of molding, accuracy, and modern tooling. I've built both and the Italeri kit, while buidable, requires more care and TLC to get it up to standard. All depends on what you want...if you want something that has few parts, looks relatively close to a 234/2, and want it cheap...the Italeri kit will fit the bill under those criteria.

  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Cat Central, NC
Posted by Bronto on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 7:43 PM

I agree with Wbill, the Dml is far ahead of the Italeri kit in terms of detail and accuracy.  You should be able to find the DML kit in the US.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 8:12 PM

The Dragon mold is at least 30 years more modern, so yes, it's going to be more accurate and detailed. The Italeri version isn't half-bad, but does need the barrel replaced. 

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Arkansas
Posted by K-dawg on Thursday, January 19, 2012 3:07 PM

Yup, hands down... get the Dragon offering. It's got a few years on it now so you may be able to pick one up reasonably cheap if you look around.

Kenneth Childres, Central Arkansas Scale Modelers

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:06 PM

The Italeri kit is not godawful,and builds up to look like a Puma when complete. Ibuilt one about 20years back. If you can get it for a good price, go for it. But as stated above, the Dragon kit is much newer molding technology and more thoroughly researched. If you have to have all the newest bells and whistles, go for that one.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:19 PM

I checked major online hobby shops and none of them havea Dragon Puma in stock. I'll take a chance and do an international transaction on eBay.

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Philippines
Posted by constructor on Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:34 PM

I have the Dragon 234/2 kit which I finished building late 2010. I was very happy with the quality and the detail specialy in the suspension. The interior and the exterior detail was topnotched. I cannot say anytthing about the Italeri kit but this is my experience with the Dragon kit. 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, January 19, 2012 6:37 PM

Chrisk-k

I checked major online hobby shops and none of them havea Dragon Puma in stock. I'll take a chance and do an international transaction on eBay.

Check ebay. Many shops are under the "Buy it now" price, but I always go for the auctions.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:53 PM

I don't know.....Tigerman's Italeri kit looks like a pretty good Puma to me!

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!Big Smile

 

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:33 PM

bufflehead

I don't know.....Tigerman's Italeri kit looks like a pretty good Puma to me!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa263/bufflehead5/000_0430.jpg

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!Big Smile

 

LMAO! Where did you did that old relic from? Imagine how good it would look if I knew anything about weathering.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:38 PM

As stated, the Italeri kit was pretty good for the 1980s and probably their best WW2 German armor kit line of that time. Having said that, current levels of detail have risen and the DML kit is much nicer, more detailed, etc.

If you can get it cheaply, go for it. If you plan on adding all sorts of AM to it, then just buy the Dragon kit; you'll get an overall better kit and spend about the same money.

A barrel + PE + resin wheels + Italeri kit will run more than a DML kit and still won't be as good.

Again, if you find it cheaply and want a decent OOB build, don't pay more than $10-12 for one.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:53 PM

I'll embarrass myself with a few additional pics for you.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:55 PM

tigerman

 bufflehead:

I don't know.....Tigerman's Italeri kit looks like a pretty good Puma to me!

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa263/bufflehead5/000_0430.jpg

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!Big Smile

 

 

LMAO! Where did you did that old relic from? Imagine how good it would look if I knew anything about weathering.

LOL!  I saved the photo from way back when you hosted the Italeri Group Build 2 a few years back!  At the time I had never seen a Puma before and I wanted a reference photo.  Still haven't bought a Puma kit though....Dunce

If I were to buy one however, most likely I would choose the Dragon kit.  From all reports its a far superior kit, however with better detail, accuracy, and parts fit usually comes a higher price tag, higher parts count and more difficult build. 

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco Bay Area
Posted by bufflehead on Friday, January 20, 2012 12:09 AM

tigerman

I'll embarrass myself with a few additional pics for you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/tigerman12/000_0423.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/tigerman12/000_0422.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v381/tigerman12/000_0427.jpg

Ahhhhhh.....memories.....!!

Still a fine looking build there El Tigro!!

BTW, our own wbill76 (Bill Plunk) built the Dragon kit a couple of years ago and posted a BLOG on this site:  http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=144578&ord=&page=1

He may have posted it here on this forum as well.  Hopefully it may help you decide which kit to get!

Ernest

Last Armor Build - 1/35 Dragon M-26A1, 1/35 Emhar Mk.IV Female

     

Last Aircraft Builds - Hobby Boss 1/72 F4F Wildcat & FW-190A8

     

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Friday, January 20, 2012 1:28 AM

Bill's is much nicer then mine, but from about 500 ft away, they both look like Pumas. LOL

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

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