May 24, 2017

Where Eagle(moss) Dares

Eaglemoss 1:43 scale US Studebaker US6 (M16A) 6×6 2-1/2 Ton Truck – CIAB (Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade), Northampton, England, April 1944 returns to stock this July

We were pleasantly surprised to learn today that a cache of Eaglemoss 1:43 scale military vehicles was uncovered by one of our distributors. While several vehicles were already in stock and available for general sale, quite a few long out-of-stock vehicles were purportedly unearthed, and should be back in stock some time this summer. Vehicles of note that are returning to stock include:

EM010 – German Sd. Kfz. 141 PzKpfw III Ausf. L Medium Tank – 16.Infanterie Division (Motorized), Voronezh, Russia, 1942

EM014 – US Army Dodge WC 63 6×6 1-1/2 Ton Truck – 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Arracourt, France, 1944

EM031 – US Studebaker US6 (M16A) 6×6 2-1/2 Ton Truck – CIAB (Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade), Northampton, England, April 1944

EM044 – German Sd. Kfz. 15 Horch Command Car – 4.Panzer Division, Radzymin, Poland, 1944

EM045 – US Army GMC CCKW 353 6×6 2-1/2 Ton Workshop Truck – Vehicle 3, 3886 Transport Company, Advance Section Communications Zone, Cherbourg, France, 1944

EM055 – German Sd. Kfz. 251/8 Krankenpanzerwagen Armored Ambulance – schwere Panzer Abteilung 501, Sidi Bou Zid, Tunisia, 1943

Big and beefy, look for this hard-to-find US Army GMC CCKW 353 6×6 2-1/2 Ton Workshop Truck to roll in this summer

Also, soon-to-be-available are EM080 and EM081, a Sd.Ah.116 Tank Transporter and a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf. G Medium Tank from the 14.Panzer Division respectively, which we believe were intended as gifts for subscribing to the partworks series. Neither vehicle comes with an acrylic case, but they do serve as nice supplements to the series, and an attractive set when paired together.

Although no case is included for either model, EM080 and EM081 make a handsome set, particularly when displayed together

 

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Films in Focus: T-34

Every so often, I’m left scratching my head trying to figure out the hows and whys of a conundrum rather than the simple because. Earlier today, we stumbled upon what looks like an intriguing teaser trailer for a film entitled T-34, which is a Russian film that is apparently being ported over to the English-speaking world. Although the visuals look first-rate, we’re not quite clear about the story line other than to say it is based upon a “legendary story” that apparently pits a lone Russian T-34 tank against a swarm of German infantry and panzers, battling it out for control of a small town on the Eastern Front in the dead of winter. Have a look at the accompanying trailer and perhaps you can help us decide whether its a film that deserves everyone’s attention..

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Dissecting Diecast: The Amazon Effect

There’s no question that Amazon has had a profound impact on the retail landscape in the main and the way in which merchandise is sold across the globe in recent years. Take into account that Amazon now offers same day delivery in some cities, and you can see why many users of the service swear by the etailer, even if they have to pay handsomely for these benefits through their Prime membership.

The problem with instant gratification, if we can call it that, is that people expect to be able to purchase a newly announced item the day and date it hits the wires. In the case of the diecast modeling industry, many items don’t fit the Amazon mold, to borrow a pun, announced simply to gauge consumer interest as a barometer of sorts to see if it pays to morph an idea from concept to production line. Other manufacturers are notorious for taking their time to release an item, oftentimes taking upwards of a year or more before their wondrous creation actually makes it to market. By that time, the average collector may have lost interest in the item, as they are constantly bombarded by competing items or other diversions competing for their discretionary dollar.

For this very reason, some services cast a dim eye towards offering online pre-orders, since it creates a bit of a stir in the market that may not be quelled for months on end. As we move forward towards becoming an omni-channel retailer, able to offer our wares on multiple venues with differing rules and regulations, we just wanted to point out that not all of our products or services will be available on every platform, and that the best source for obtaining product updates and the latest information will continue to be found on our web site.

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Reconnaissance in Force

Its Fleet Week here in New York City although the Merchant Marine seems to be bowing out of the festivities and sadly hasn’t offloaded anything new for the holiday. In fact, a number of items that were slated for a late May release have been pushed back into the first week of June, largely due to logistical delays connected with the Memorial Day holiday weekend. These include the first shipment of Solido 1:72 scale military vehicles and aircraft, Air Commander’s “Showtime 100” Phantom II fighter-bomber (AC1007), and the next Luft-X aircraft — a German Messerschmitt Me 329 Fighter (LUFT005). The first pair of Dragon Armor 1:72 scale PzKpfw IV Ausf. D medium tanks have been pushed back into June, although this may likely slip even further since no firm ship date was offered by Dragon. Calibre Wings’ inaugural pair of F-14 Tomcats have also slipped slightly, now likely rescheduled for a mid-June fly-in.

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