Trumpeter announced a Karl, although I think that has been dropped from their 03-04 schedule when it was also said that Tristar would do one. Now, aparently DML has the kit already. It is to be released very shortly. VLS says they will have it in during Feb 03 Kit DR6179 $69.99
This is an interesting thing to have such BIG kit to be announced from three companys out of nothing the same time ... after all those years where nobody cares about the Karl (except for the resin thing from CMK).
Well, Dragon has it ready for about 70 USD?? And they would come first with it ...
Guess what will the Tristar Karl cost?? looking at their prices with a Panzer I for 40USD and the interior for that Panzer I for "only" 58USD ... AND the fact that Tom Jentz will also be paid for his technical supervision of that project .. WHAT will it cost?? 150 USD?
Ok, it will be historically perfect, good details ... and hopefully Tristar will bring a figure set for the Karl ... but I think it won't sell if the price is much higher than the Draon one!
Actually, quite a few people have done a "Karl" on
resin , I think Cromwell, Mini Art Studio , CMK alone with Accurate Armour have all did one at one time if memory serve me.
The rumour I heard is that DML bought the research from Mini Arts, and use it to do theirs which is why they manage to come out with one so quickly, and in stealth.
I have also heard the rumour that ALL the Chinese company gang up together to creat a smoke screen in term of what their release going to be, so as to confuse Tamiya industrial spy of what their truth intend is.
Certainly, Tamiya appears to be completely caught flat footed in term of release, as they are just turning out slightly better version of T-55, and a different version of Marder. I mean T-55 is such an unpopular subject in the west that, the only market which will sell lots are likely only to be CHina, as they have lots of them in service, but most people can't afford the Tamiya version as it is too expenesive. Trumpeter is cheap in China, and I heard the rumour that they have recoup the investment for the mould already, and is planning a better one, which like most Trumpeter armour kit, is going to be cheap.