Selecting the Best Red Dragon Miniature - lil' help here please

[pogre]

Greetings!

I just received a commission to paint a big old Red Dragon. That's the entirety of the commission. My only limit is that the unpainted miniature itself must cost under $100.00. That puts some awesome miniatures in range. I need to know what company makes the best Red Dragon. It must be large and approximate the look of the red dragon in the MM.

Some choices I am considering include:
T'Rakzul by Reaper
Gauth by Reaper
Verocithrax by Reaper
Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy Battle: Dark Elves : Witch King On Black Dragon (using the dragon only of course)

I am looking at these choices because I know they are readily available. I am open to look at other companies' dragon figs - if you could include a link that would be great!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Frostmarrow]

I'd go Games Workshop if I were to buy a dragon. It's not as D&D as I might like, it but the quality and style of their work is in my opinion unsurpassed.

 

[Kweezil]

From those four choices, I'd go with Gauth, it has the most draconic look to it, and the most dramatic pose. IMHO Verocithrax looks too much like a GW dragon, too skinny with an over-large head, and T'Rakzul is built more like a T-Rex with wings than a proper dragon.

Personally, I'm very happy with my Dragoneye large red dragon, but I can't paint a miniature to save my life :\

 

[veinglory]

I can't say that those Reaper minis look all that great, to me :\ . Hopefully you will get some better suggestions.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Of the ones you listed, I'd go with Gauth. But here are a few other dragons to consider:

http://www.discounthobby.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DIS&Product_Code=FEN-DM03

http://www.discounthobby.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DIS&Product_Code=20097

 

[kengar]

Marthrangul, no question. ($63 at Do or Dice)

http://www.reapermini.com/gallery/showcase/Marthrangul2_af

http://www.reapermini.com/?nav=Models&sub=Greens&old_date=2003-07-07 (for scale)

 

[ConnorSB]

Marthrangul, no question. ($63 at Do or Dice)

http://www.reapermini.com/gallery/showcase/Marthrangul2_af

http://www.reapermini.com/?nav=Models&sub=Greens&old_date=2003-07-07 (for scale)

I second this

 

[frankthedm]

This one is from the dwarf wars mini line. 50 bux, better purpotions than Marth's uberfeet. and the wieght is about the same. [wieghed them in comparison at games plus a ehile back.] http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/detail.asp?product_id=DW-718

T'char is very big but a tad lithe for an ancient dragon.
http://ironwindmetals.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=5_13&products_id=1579

you could hunt down the Wotc black dragon, you might just find one of those for a hundred. possibly in my town...

Does the 'mini' have to be metal? If not look for the red dragon of krynn model kit. It is a good 2 feet long so you might not want that big of a job however. If you [or anyone else] are Ebaying the one up there now let me know so i don't get into a bid war with you.

Does the Dragon have to be western? the clan war fire dragon is darn right huge and very impressive. [ebay may be best bet.]

 

[pogre]

Excellent choices posted everyone!

Does the Dragon have to be western? the clan war fire dragon is darn right huge and very impressive. [ebay may be best bet.]

I do like those dragons, but I am leaning towards a more western dragon. The old glory fig is a possibility - I'm not crazy about the plated legs. Thanks for posting the pic! The WOTC Black Dragon is cool - I have one. I don't want to give it up though

Marthrangul, no question. ($63 at Do or Dice)

The only dragon with two votes so far. The best selling big dragon of the Reaper kin for Alliance distributors from what I hear too.

Of the ones you listed, I'd go with Gauth. But here are a few other dragons to consider:

Thanks for the links - I order from Discount Hobby all the time and had not even looked there. The thing about the Fen model is it may take too long to get here and they seem light to me - even for resin. I do like the looks of the first one. Maybe I'll ask "my pal"* about the turnaround time.

Oh, and I lied earlier - Gauth has two votes also.

* the guy from Discount Hobbies sends every e-mail with this sig: "your pal"

I can't say that those Reaper minis look all that great, to me . Hopefully you will get some better suggestions.

Well, I am not as down on them as you are, but yeah, I agree they do not strike me as awesome and I am a huge Reaper fan.

I would love to see more suggestions - I just talked (via e-mail) with this guy and he says no rush (6 month time limit) so the Fenryll Dragons are a possibility. Anybody have these? What do you think of them?

I also had somebody send me some links to some of the old Grenadier Dragons - very cool stuff - I have a few. Unfortunately, they are tough for me to get ahold of - not really interested in camping on ebay to find them either.

 

[kengar]

The problem with the WOTC Black Dragon is that it is possibly the worst mini I have seen when it comes to assembly. The "tabs" on the wings have to be filed extensively before they fit onto the body, the neck and tail leave large gaps when attached. It's cool-looking, but a pain in the tuchas to make.