Using Dragon 1/72nd armor for dioramas (1 Viewer)

[PolarBear]

Does anyone have any experience using the 1/72 armor from Dragon for dioramas. I bought my first one today-a Tiger I from the Eastern Front 1944 and discovered it is attached by 2 miniature screws to the bottom of the display case that it came in. I have attempted to remove the screws to use it in a scene but they are impossible to turn. Since the tanks are only thin plastic and not diecast metal I am afraid if I increase the force on the screws the tank will break. Anyone have any advice on handling these?

Thanks,

Randy

 

[Warrior]

Randy,
The best advice I can give you on the Dragon models is to invest in a eyeglass repair screwdriver as the screws on the Dragon model boxes are extremely small and strip very easily I'm afraid. The tank is almost impossible to get off the base once you strip the screws, I actually went so far as to cut the plastic base away from the tank; good luck with it.................

 

[PolarBear]

Thanks George. I do have a jeweler's screwdriver and I could see that it could easily strip the head. I think I'll just leave the tank on the base and add ground cover and some figures, rather than risk wrecking the tank. It's too bad that Dragon makes them this way because the detail is nice. I like painting 1/72nd scale figures but my fingers are getting to old (62 yrs) to deal with the small parts for assembling 1/72nd scale vehicles--that's why I thought I would give Dragon a try. I hear the tanks were originally all metal diecast but now are basically plastic.

Randy

 

[Warrior]

Randy,
You are pretty much on target regarding Dragon, they started off at around 10.00 per tank a few years ago and were mostly metal, now they have doubled in price and have gone over to mostly plastic, go figure.

I too have packed it in on buying and building model kits, haven't touched or bought a kit in over two years. With everything Dragon, IXO, Hobby Master, Admiral and MRC are doing in 1/72nd scale diecast, why bother? I have about 500 1/72nd scale tanks in my WWII collection along with about 2,000 painted metal figures, they look 1000% better than the plastic ones. Check out some of the pictures of my collection in the bored tonight, post a picture of your dioramas thread..............

 

[Warrior]

On another note, are you going to the Dedham toy soldier show this Sunday; if so, let me know as several forum members along with myself will be there............