Is DML/Dragon Gen 2 really an improvement

When i was building my korsun pocket defense set of guys, I was impressed by the details of the new accessaries and the weapons.  While the arms and legs casting method isn't much different from the older figures, the two piece torso was quite annoying for the same reason you had stated, since I hardly ever needed to use putty for the older figures.  I use my xacto knives carefully for removing seam lines and so far that hasn't created much of a problem for me though.  Personally, I don't like the individually stick on pouches and stuff that Dragon had started in the first place and rather stick with the well sculpted resin guys instead.

Great kits, but too much work for my skill. 

First thing: Keep in mind they are styrene and not resin. Resin figures have high detail due to the way the molds are made (material and technique) and the way they are cast. It's impossible to have the same detail in a single cast styrene figure.

Second: I haven't built one yet, but judging by the pics I've seen the detail is much better. As far as I can tell the best detail in styrene-world. Considering you get four figures for less the price of one single resin figure I'd say you also have a good price-quality ratio.

They're also a great source of equipment for older sets of figures. The quality here is much better than anything previously achieved in injection-moulded plastic. It could be argued that the figures themselvs are over-engineered, though - and it's not too difficult to drill out rifle barrels in 1/35, or hollow out sleeves with the tip of a No.11 blade. I think that it might be better to use a Pritt stick to attach the etched badges, buckles and medals - CA would obscure the detail.

In the UK, the Korsun pocket set works out at less than $US 3.00 per figure, which has to be stunning value for near resin-quality. I only wish that Dragon would do some Gen-2 figures in non-combat poses - after all, soldiers spend nearly all their time just hanging around, not fighting.

Cheers,

Chris.