Italeri vs Dragon 1/35 Puma

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

tigerman

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

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!

tigerman

bufflehead:

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

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!

 

 

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....

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. 

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

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.

bufflehead

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

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!

 

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

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

Sorry Eric, I couldn't resist!!

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.