April 2016

New Line: Zvezda

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When a long time model maker decides to enter the pre-assembled vehicle space, you would expect them to replicate what they do best, at least at the outset. Russian plastic kit maker, Zvezda, recently made a surprise announcement by doing just that, with plans to offer a pair of pre-built 1:72 scale models based upon their Russian heritage. Expected in April, the company’s initial offerings will comprise a Russian T-90S main battle tank along with a TOS-1A Multiple Rocket Launch System, both painted in torrid southern Asian camouflage schemes.

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There’s already a rather wide array of competitive models to choose from, some fashioned in diecast metal, so it will be interesting to see how these vehicles fare in the market place. Th saving grace for Zvezda is that these models are being produced in cooperation with “URAL-VAGONZAVOD”, the manufacturer of the actual weapons systems, and aimed originally for the Russian market place, as can be seen by the Russian Cyrillic markings adorning the packaging.

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Barbarossa and The Bulge: Lego Style

In the “so you think you’ve seen everything” department, we came across this highly creative video portraying the opening stages of the German invasion of Russia done entirely with Lego bricks. Created by Brick Dictator, its a four-minute look at the war on the ground and in the air, complete with sound effects, explosions, pyrotechnics and some dialogue, expressed in Russian with English text overlays. Enjoy!

Meanwhile, on the western front, Raptor5120 has created a seven-minute recreation of the Battle of the Bulge. Again, well thought out and beautifully executed. I can’t help but think that these guys sure have a lot of time on their hands, but nevertheless applaud their fabulous efforts!

 

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DeAgostini Gets Ship Shape for May

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Admittedly, its been a little slow of late when it comes to announcing new products. So, when DeAgostini announced that a new squadron of 1:1250 scale warships were due to make port in May, we instantly sat up and took notice. Three new warships are scheduled to set sail, including the Kriegsmarine’s Bismarck as well as His Majesty’s Prince of Wales and Hood. Priced at just $21.99 apiece, these warships have been selling like hotcakes, and go a long way towards proving collectors are interested in diecast that sailed the high seas as much as they are interested in military vehicles and combat aircraft.

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The Mighty Eighth Takes Wing in 2017

First Daylight Raid on Berlin

Originally entitled Master’s of the Air, HBO’s latest mini series, The Mighty Eighth, pays homage to the men and machines of the US Army Air Force’s 8th Air Force during WWII. Once again the magical movie pair up of film director, Steven Spielberg, and award-winning actor, Tom Hanks, looks at the exploits of the bombardment squadrons tasked with bringing the Third Reich to its knees, largely through precision daylight bombing raids flying deep into Nazi-occupied Europe and back. The series follows in the footsteps of Band of Brothers and The Pacific, two previously released mini series held in high regard by historians, military buffs and film goers alike. While Band of Brothers focused on the exploits of a paratrooper company in the ETO and The Pacific cobbled together the stories of several real-life veterans of the war against Japan, The Mighty Eighth attempts to encapsulate the story of the bombing campaign by avoiding the use of composite characters, focusing instead on the real stories of the actual figures who flew with Eighth Air Force, and in particular the “Bloody Hundredth” bomb group, one of the hardest hitting — and hardest hit– which alone lost 229 airplanes and suffered nearly 1,900 men killed or taken prisoner between June 1943 and April 1945.

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ModelCollect’s May Day Parade

 

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April showers may bring May flowers but this year, they could also be helping to sprout T-14 Armata tanks. First debuted to the public last year at the Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9th, the T-14 Armata tank represents the latest generation of armored fighting vehicle put forward by the resurgent Russian “Bear”, combining speed, mobility, firepower and armament into one combat platform.

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We’ve known for some time that ModelCollect had a model kit of the Armata on the drawing board, but now we’ve learned that they have a pair of pre-assembled versions of the Armata being cranked out by their arms industry. Two versions will be offered, one in the standard green scheme bearing the new Russian Ground Forces emblem (AS72046), and a second painted in a desert sand scheme (AS72047). We’re hoping both versions will be available by May 9th, no doubt to celebrate the 2016 Victory Day Parade. With nine new vehicle types shown to the public at last year’s parade, its entirely possible that ModelCollect could also be working on replicas of these vehicles too, particularly the T-15 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which is designed to replace their aging BMP fleet.

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