Has DML (Dragon) improved since 1992?

Yes, they are one of the few companies to go back and completely re-tool their earlier releases. Unfortunately, they tend to do this with WW2 kits like the Hummel and not modern kits like the T-72, T-80, BMP-1, BMP-2.

They reworked their Sherman series as well. Most of their German armor is top notch. Their Pershing/Patton kits are excellent and their Abrams series is the best overall M1 kits.

I've heard nothing but overall praise for their Hetzer kits.
Just like other companies, they do have their skeletons in the closet though.

Dragon have got better, so has Tamiya its been Ten years
there T80 was one of there first kits so they wouldnt have had mutch experience with tooling and producing kits
if you dont want to get another Dragon kit ever again becouse of a bad kit you bought in 1992, its up to you
if your after a Hetzer but dont want the Dragon dont bother with the Itarleri kit its more than ten years old and your never buy an Itarleri kit again

Fair enough, anyone want a T-80 real cheap?

Out of all the T-80 kits kicking around, it's not that bad. Skif has a recent release which is better, but it is a T-80UD. Lindberg's only slightly resembles a modern Soviet tank and the tracks are horribly stiff. In all fairness, the T-80 was still a state secret when DML and Lindberg attempted to model the kits.

I've got both the DML T-80w/ERA (3505) and the DML T-80 MBT (3506), the Lindberg (76004) and the Skif T-80UD (201). The Skif kit is more accurate, but detail seems finer on the DML kits.

BTW, which T-80 kit do you have? I've been looking for a cheap T-80U (SMT-1989) #3512 to round out my collection.

As has been mentioned, the current Dragon crop is excellent. I haven't built the very old stuff, but the M4A3E8 went together well, and I believe it's from mid-90's.

I've built their JS II and was impressed with the fit and finish. I like that it is molded in grey and has the indy tracks. I have the early Hetzer and it looks to be a neat kit as well. Overall, good bang for the buck. I also have two more of their kits ordered and on the way.

Rob-

I believe it's the kit you are looking for. I'm at work right now so I can't verify, but I know it says 1989 in the version on the box.

I'll check tonight and if so, you can buy it from me if you like.

I caution you though, I've already put the return rollers on, after that, I stopped, but the kit is not entirely unbuilt.

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk As has been mentioned, the current Dragon crop is excellent. I haven't built the very old stuff, but the M4A3E8 went together well, and I believe it's from mid-90's.

Depends on the boxing. There are 3 different M4A3E8 Rice's Red Devils kits kicking around. Last one is the best. They did originate in the mid 90s (95-96?) and originally used a lot of bits from the older Italeri M4A1 Sherman. Great kit nonetheless.

It's the Hasegawa issue with a new figure and Japan Ground Self Defense Force decals. I had to do quite a bit of surgery on the lower hull to make it the EZ8 version (I reckon this was an Italeri hull), but it was nothing difficult; just cut a bunch of stuff off.
Was the original version the "Rice's Red Devils" kit?

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk Was the original version the "Rice's Red Devils" kit?

Yes, it came in three varieties: kit #9009 using the Italeri lower hull (had to cut VVSS mounts off); #9009X included a resin lower hull, no cuting required; #6811 with a corrected plastic lower hull that is ready to use. I've got the last two, very nice kits.

Rob-

It is the very kit you are searching for.

Drop me a line at pilate_error@yahoo.com if you want it