GSE Review Pt2: Dragon Wings

In the early years of the 2000s Dragon Wings was the biggest manufacturer in 1/400 (or at least as big as Gemini) and produced a good range of models including ones that came with terminal pieces and ramp sections. They also somewhat randomly slipped in GSE items with several models plus they released two GSE sets of their own. Let's take a look at them.

Dragon was always better with plastic and the Dragon GSE, despite being only slightly younger, is much superior to the Gemini 1998 set reviewed in part 1.

The pieces to the left all came with standard Dragon Wings releases and include a scissor lift food truck, belt loader and simple pushback tug. Considering their age the detailing is very good and the belt on the belt loader as well as the truck scissor function are moveable. My only criticism of the truck is that it is a bit thin.

I find the tugs are well sized for working with narrowbody aircraft, like 737s, but look a bit small with widebodies.

In addition to these kind of singletons Dragon also released two full GSE sets, both of which I've been lucky enough to recently acquire.

DW55592 Airport GSE Set 1 Cargo

The cargo set consists of 2 belt loaders, 2 roller tray baggage loaders, two carts and 4 trolleys with 8 cargo containers. The carts and trolleys are especially good and Dragon as far as I know are the only company to have made the containers. The roll tray loaders are a bit blocky but do have a working scissor lift. Even today this is a good little set.

DW55593 Airport GSE Set 2 Passenger

The passenger set shows its age a bit more than the cargo one. It comes with 2 food trucks, 2 tugs, 2 mobile airstairs, 2 small coaches and 2 large buses. This set could do with some decals. For me the buses are the standout pieces, being of an interesting rear entry design. The rest is ok and can still be used quite easily in airport dioramas.

Both of these Dragon sets are nice additions, but nowadays they are hard to find so get hunting!