Foregoing its January shipment, Unimax, the makers of the wildly popular Forces of Valor military series, has indicated that their next batch of product will be coming in February. Several important reintroductions are among the mix, including a 1:32 scale replica of a US 105mm Field Howitzer M2A1 with crewmen (UNI81013). Look for further details concerning these items as well as some of their newest 2013 releases to be announced at the upcoming Toy Fair held in New York City.
Minichamps has confirmed what we had feared for some time now – the cancellation of its eagerly awaited second issue T-72 tank and 7th issue Leopard 2A4 main battle tank. No reason was provided concerning their decision to cancel these subjects, which had been on the books for several years running. Its not clear if this signals the death of Minichamps military vehicle series since these were the only two tanks still to be released and we have yet to see their 2013 program. Please contact us if you prepaid for either of these items using PayPal and are entitled to a refund.
Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.
Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.
Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.
Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.
According to Dragon, their first ever Flakpanzer 341 anti-aircraft vehicle is now being distributed to its dealers. Painted in a two-t0ne summer camouflage pattern and reportedly attached to an unidentified unit, then deployed to Nuremberg, Germany, during 1945 (#DRR60594) this is the latest 1:72 scale addition to their Ultimate Armor range, which will no doubt be featured prominently at the upcoming Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany later this month.
Quiet for several weeks, The Collectors Showcase has begun to shed light on the first batch of new products expected in 2013. Likely due out in February, their first set of figures is based around the US 2nd Infantry Division after it moved inland from Omaha Beach in Normandy. Several figure sets will be offered along with a 1:30 scale reproduction of a 57mm anti-tank gun. Look for further product details in the days ahead.
According to the BBC, a pair of British civilians are restoring a World War II-era Avro Lancaster to flying condition. Paying homage to their elder brother who piloted and was subsequently killed in a Lanc during the War, the rebuilt Lancaster is based in Lincolnshire and can already ferry passengers around the taxiway. Their hope is to get the Lancaster into flying condition later this year. For further information, check out this web page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684
As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).
In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.
As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).
In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.
