Panzerkampf Calls Up the Leopard 1 for Frontline Service

Make no mistake about it, this blog post is a bit of a two steps forwards, one step back approach at defining what makes a good candidate for our expanding product portfolio. For starters, we’ve decided to pull down the latest batch of Leopard 2 main battle tank that Panzerkampf has in the hopper, all of which were scheduled to roll out later this spring. We’ve taken this unusual step largely because we don’t think very many collectors care about a Turkish, Finnish or Swiss Leopard 2 tank, despite their appearance and pedigree. To bring in all six vehicles, requires a large investment in capital, money we believe could be better spent in other areas of our business. While there are far fewer new releases coming out of late, we also believe that financing stillborn projects such as Leopard 2 tanks is a waste of resources and ensures manufacturers make a more well-informed decision as to which subjects they should replicate.

As I have stated previously, our job is to curate each line, bringing in those products we feel we can sell within a prescribed period of time. We are not here to carry EVERYTHING a manufacturer decides to make, and would rather limit our selection than stock an abundance of items that would likely need to be reduced substantially to help clear them out.

With that out of the way, we’re happy to report than Panzerkampf has decided to model the German-built Leopard 1 main battle tank, which we see as a better way of both moving the hobby forward, keeping collectors interested in their most recent releases and freeing up dollars for more cogent purchases. According to a Facebook posting, at least four new Leopard 1 tanks are on the drawing board, although images were provided for their inaugural vehicle. We’re pegging them at the customary price of $59.99 apiece, and anticipate taking delivery later this fall.

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Hobby Master Keeps Cranking Them Out for November

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Vought A-7D Corsair II Attack Aircraft – 70-0970, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1970s

Never one to miss a beat, Hobby Master debuted their lineup for November earlier this week. Of particular note is their Vought A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft, when the mold was acquired from Century Wings just before they announced they were closing up shop. Aircraft of all size and eras were included in the mix, so there should be something for everyone when these warbirds take flight.

Interestingly, two Avenger’s made the cut. We bring this up because many collectors had feared that Hobby Master was giving up on World War II, instead preferring to offer jets from the Cold War on up to the present day. Privately, it remains to be seen if interest is waning in World War II, what with the 25th Anniversary of the Unites States coming up, History Channel’s WWII with Tom Hanks series set to kick off this Memorial Day, and record crowds attending all of the WWII museums located around the nation.

So, without any further ado, here now the rest of the models we plan to bring in for Turkey Day:

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAAF North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fighter – Captain Leonard “Kit” Carson, “Mildred”, 362nd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, RAF Leiston, England, June 1944

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fighter – George Preddy, “Cripes A’Mighty”, 487th Fighter Squadron “Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney”, 352nd Fighter Squadron, RAF Bodney, England, July 1944

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 170106, VMA-311 “Tomcats”, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, 2024 [Low-Vis Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 161435, VF-103 “Jolly Rogers,” NAS Oceana, Virginia, 2002

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Boeing Harrier II AV-8B Jump Jet – 165427, VMA-223 “Bulldogs”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, 2025 [Low-Vis Scheme]

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “White 5”, Torpedo Squadron 4 (VT-4), USS Ranger (CV-4), September 1943

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “The First Avenger”, January 1942

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Corgi Beefs Up for 2026

Earlier today, Corgi threw back the curtains on their May-August 2026 releases, bringing back a range that had been dormant for several years running. According to their press briefing and accompanying video, two 1:32 scale WWII warbirds are in the offing, one for the Allies and a second for the Axis. Both represent mounts flown by two high-scoring aces — one in the ETO and the other in North Africa.

Corgi’s 1:32 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4 (Trop) Fighter – Hans-Joachim Marseilles, “Yellow 14”, 3/Jagdgeschwader 27 “Afrika”, Egypt, September 1942

A number of other aircraft are also in the mix, most notably their third take on the Me 410 heavy fighter. Curiously, no mention was made of either the Commemorative Aircraft Collection they discussed in a previous video post or the Top Gun series they alluded to on Facebook just one day prior. Either no information was available at the time of this video blog or they could be waiting until later in the year to take the wraps off of both series.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Avro Vulcan B.2 Strategic Bomber – XL426, The Vulcan Restoration Trust

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The Forces of Valor Update: Your Guess is as Good as Ours

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(76)W Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – Sgt. Daniel “Buttons” Cardell, “Julia”, 761st Tank Battalion “Black Panthers”, Task Force Rhine, Germany, 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]

As some companies shutter or slow down production due to an uncertain future, one seems content to keep us guessing as to what’s going on. Recently, at the Beijing Hobby Show, several 1:32 scale subjects were shown for the “first” time — well, lets just say they haven’t been heard from in a very long time. Among them were a King Tiger, Panzer IV Ausf. F1 and Pershing, to say nothing of the illustrious Kubelwagen. When we asked when they were expected and their cost, we got a cold, starry eyed response — if that’s even possible from several thousand miles away and over the Internet.

On the positive side, we did finally receive a price list for their complete collection sans these new entrants. Apparently, some old favorites will be marking their return including “Julia” a heavily requested Sherman tank, along with a handful of previously sold out earlier Shermans. Also expected is a 1:700 scale reproduction of the USS Arizona along with a pair of USS Missouri battleships. The wholesale price for many of their products seems to have also decreased, so we are finally able to reduce the price on much of the Forces of Valor range to reflect these adjustments. Anyway, we’ve placed a re-order with them and hop to have the whole shebang back in stock by the end of May, just in time for Father’s Day.

In the meantime, we will keep pestering Waltersons to determine when the “new old” products, or should that read “old new” products are ready to make their triumphant return. Wish us luck.

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Corgi Lights the Candles on the Top Gun Cake

In a somewhat curious Facebook post, Corgi intends to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the showing of the feature film, Top Gun, with the announcement that they plan to bring back the classic to the diecast fold. Several years ago, the company produced a series of “fit-to-box” Top Gun models that paid tribute to the Top Gun Maverick film. By announcing their renewed partnership, its not clear if this diminutive range will be brought back or if the manufacturers plans to launch an entirely new lineup that could include much larger 1:72 scale replicas. If so, they could be in for a strong showing, seeing as how a third film in the franchise was just discussed and will likely materialize in either 2027 or the following year.

The manufacturer is supposed to pull back the curtains on their second trimester launches tomorrow, May 15th, so I guess we will have to wait another 24 hours to see what they have in store.Stay tuned.

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Another One Bites the Dust

On the surface, it would appear as if Dragon Models has decided to call it quits in the face of the on-again, off-again Trump tariffs, escalating labor costs and higher oil prices. According to a blog post on Facebook made earlier today, it seems as though they will be shuttering their production facilities and instead offer its intellectual properties as digital downloads that can then be 3-D printed by the end-user. We’re not certain what they plan to charge for this service and whether or not this shift in philosophy and business strategy will be successful.

It was, perhaps, a matter of time before home-based 3-D technology was good enough and cost effective from the consumer’s standpoint before companies such as Dragon pulled up stakes and called it a day. Could other model makers follow suit? Almost certainly, if they feel as if there are enough inexpensive 3-D printers being adopted and whether or not end users feel comfortable printing out a model kit instead of buying one off the shelf. Needless to say, customers who prefer pre-assembled models are in for a rude awakening in the coming years unless there are firms willing to print out, decorate and sell IP-based properties for a decent profit to make it worth their while to shoulder the burden of this type of service. In any event, we’ll keep an eye on this developing story and its impact upon other model makers that we deal with.

Update: On May 18th, the following announcement was posted by Dragon Models:

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The Art of War: Are Black Triangles Real?

If you believe everything you read, see and hear on the Internet, then yes, black triangles quietly hovering above cityscapes then streaking across the night sky are indeed real. The so-called TR-3B “Black Manta” is a rumored, top-secret American anti-gravity spy plane, often described in conspiracy theories as a triangular “black triangle” UFO. Developed within “black projects”, it is said to use pressurized mercury accelerated by nuclear energy to create plasma-based anti-gravity, allowing for silent, high-speed, and high-G maneuvers.

Key Aspects of the TR-3B “Black Manta” include:

Misconceptions: The “TR-3B” differs from the alleged “TR-3A,” which is described as a conventionally powered, smaller tactical reconnaissance aircraft. 

Design & Technology: The craft is described as a massive, black triangular vessel with lights on each corner and a central, glowing circular mechanism. It is often referred to as a “flux liner”.

Performance: Rumored capabilities include hovering silently, making sharp, right-angle turns, and incredible acceleration, frequently reported over military areas in Southern California’s Antelope Valley.

Origin Rumors: Stories suggest the technology was derived from Nazi-era research after World War II. It is sometimes called “the bat” by researchers.

Official Status: There is no public evidence to confirm the existence of the TR-3B, and it is largely considered a conspiracy theory or a mis-identification of stealth aircraft like the F-117 Nighthawk or black project, as discussed on Reddit.

Whatever these objects are, they have fascinated both UFO conspiracy theorists and military-minded architects alike. According to Wikipedia, many of these UAPs have been classified as military aircraft and could well be responsible for many black triangle UFO reports. Several such sightings have been reported over Antelope Valley, an area of desert in Southern California. This stretch of desert draws people interested in potential “black project” aircraft because it is close to several known military research and testing areas, such as Edwards Air Force Base and United States Air Force Plant 42. A geographic analysis by the now-inactive National Institute for Discovery Science suggested that black triangles might be U.S. Air Force craft.

At least some of the proposed military types may be fictitious. The Northrop TR-3A Black Manta is a speculative surveillance aircraft purported to belong to the United States Air Force and to have been developed under a black project. It was said to be a subsonic stealth spy plane with a flying wing design. It was alleged to have been used in the Gulf War to provide laser designation for Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk bombers, for targeting to use with laser-guided bombs (since the F-117 possesses a laser designator, the reason for both aircraft being utilized is unclear). There is little evidence to support the TR-3’s existence; however, it is possible that black triangle UFO reports associated with Black Manta could be a technology demonstrator for a potential new-generation tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and/or that “TR-3” refers to a Technical Refresh of an existing program

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The Art of War: Could this be the Navy’s Next Aircraft?

In a bid to gain traction ahead of the US Navy’s upcoming fighter competition, Northrop Grumman released a slick video showcasing what its entry would look like should it get the nod to build the US Navy’s sixth generation fighter. Featuring robust landing gear, a blended body design and other cutting edge features emblematic of a futuristic aircraft, the Northrop Grumman version would likely boast top mounted engine intakes, a wide fuselage so it could carry weapons internally and a tailless design to reduce its radar signature. The Navy is due to make its decision later in 2026 as it chooses between the Northrop Grumman version and a similarly designed aircraft offered by Boeing. Whoever wins the competition would almost certainly earn the right to enter full scale production right from the get go, so that aircraft, in appreciable quantities, would join the fleet as early as 2035.

The accompanying video does an excellent job of providing more detailed information on the Northrop Grumman entrant, and discusses what the next-generation aircraft will mean to the US Navy’s efforts to maintain control and keep open all the world’s waterways. Many already believe that the Northrop design will win the competition, because Boeing has already been picked to build the US Air Force’s F-47 NGAD fighter. Typically, the DoD doesn’t like to place all of its eggs in one basket by going with one manufacturer for two all-important programs, should anything go wrong to delay the release of one or both aircraft.

From a diecast standpoint, none of the major model makers has made a serious attempt at replicating the upcoming F/A-XX, largely because no one knows who will win the upcoming competition nor do they have available — with absolute certainty — an exacting version of either of the contestants so they can prepare accordingly. Whichever aircraft wins the competition, you can bet that there will be several scale models to choose from, all in an effort to attract collectors, military historians and enthusiasts to our growing hobby.

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The Art of War: Russia’s Latest Chess Move

For several years now, Sukhoi’s Su-75 light attack aircraft, heretofore known as the “Checkmate” by Russian officials, was mired in development, first debuted to the public way back in 2021. An eternity in design circles, the Su-75 is, for all intents and purposes, a fifth generation stealth fighter created primarily for export purposes although it could end up serving alongside the Su-57 “Felon” much like the F-35 Lightning II flies in concert with the F-22 Raptor. Since its first showing, the stubby single-engine fighter has undergone a number of critical changes and updates, likely caused by budgetary constraints, assets diverted to the War in Ukraine, and other more pressing issues that have kept it on the back burner for half a decade.

Now, according to several sources, the “Checkmate” is ready for flight-testing, although no export customer has been signed as yet and questions regarding its stealth characteristics have come into play. From a modelmaking standpoint, its a good bet the Su-75 will end up garnering a bit of attention, provided it lives up to expectations and manages to reach operational status by 2030. If not, it could end up being an afterthought, heaped onto the junk pile of misbegotten projects by claims it could never live up to.

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The Forces of Valor Update: The Future Revealed?

We’ve been pestering Waltersons, the owners of the Forces of Valor brand, for months on end regarding what they planned to do with their range of military vehicles, warships and aircraft. Typically, we take things at face value, but when it comes to this manufacturer, they seem content to leave people guessing, particularly after their acquisition of Greenlight Collectibles a couple of years ago.

This week, at the Chinese Hobby Show held in Beijing, images surfaced that show the manufacturer hasn’t closed up as has been rumored for several months. While nothing in the way of new tooling was put on display, the photos are indeed encouraging, and demonstrate — at least on paper — that they are still in the diecast game even though they are leveraging old tooling to see them through for the foreseeable future.

The photos show several older 1:32 scale military vehicles getting a new coat of paint, insignia and updated markings, along with supposedly a new Sherman tank that is based upon Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt”. It remains to be seen if any of these vehicles will be made available to retailers such as ourselves or if the manufacturer has decided to go it alone by selling these vehicles.through their own web site. We hope to have more information shortly, provided the manufacturer is ready to open up about their future plans. For now, we wont’ list them on our web site unless we know for sure that we can sell them, and do so by having hard-and-fast information at-hand.

Forgive me if I sound jaded and a bit put off, but trying to provide our clientele with accurate information is exceedingly difficult, not just because of the tariff situation but because this manufacturer seems as if they are doing thngs on a lark instead of attempting to appease both their dealers and clientele who have stood by them for years. In our case, we basically put them on the map after running all sorts of print advertisements talking up the line. Its a bittersweet way to say thank you when others rode our coattails for year’s on end.

Update: Now that the Beijing Hobby Show has concluded, we asked Waltersons about the “new’ish” vehicles shown above, wondering if they had pricing and dates of availability information at hand. Oddly, nothing was provided, other than to say they are expected later this year. So, it’s your guess as good as ours when these 1:32 scale tanks are coming out, their price and whether or not they will be made available to retailers such as ourselves. I’m not certain why a manufacturer would display product at a show then remain mum concerning further details. It could have to do with the Trump tariffs, which are still in limbo, or it could have nothing to do with any valued added taxes applied to product coming out of China. Its a strange situation nonetheless, and one they need to address if they plan to remain a viable “force” in the military diecast business.

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