We learned today that our distributor received their October shipment of Hobby Master products. Ordinarily, with a week’s vacation looming, we would ask them to hold our shipment until we return from our hiatus. But, since so many people are waiting for many of these items, particularly the Su-35, A-10 and last batch of B-26 Counter Invaders, we decided to release the shipment, with the hope that it arrives before the weekend. This would enable us to process and ship out orders before we head off for the wild blue yonder, thereby making everyone happy. So, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the shipment doesn’t get diverted or delayed and will do our best to turn around orders connected with this shipment the moment it arrives.
October 2017
Films in Focus: Journey’s End
There seems to be no shortage of war films in recent years, although most are either skewed towards WWII, the Gulf Wars or more modern settings around the world. Enter RC Sherriff’s Journey’s End, the seminal British play about WWI. Set in a dug out in Aisne, France, in 1918, it is the story of a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating young officer Stanhope, variously awaiting their fate in the face of overwhelming odds. Look for Journey’s End to storm the ramparts later this year.
PMA’s Latest Wares Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint
“Military Vehicles, Mr. Rico. Zillions of ‘Em”
We are about to be inundated in military vehicles. Lots of ’em. Drawn from a line in Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, we have been informed that our shipment of Eaglemoss Military Vehicles of the Second World War are en route and expected early next week. Many of the 1:43 scale vehicles expected have been sold out for some time, while others have never graced our shelves, meaning a great many people have been waiting a very long time hoping to one day nab these military apparitions.
Our Product in Transit page shows all of the vehicles contained in the shipment, so, if you are interested in adding your name to the list of hopefuls we strongly suggest you pre-order the vehicles as quickly as you can. It’s entirely feasible that this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, since they have already indicated they may not be able to obtain more of these vehicles for the foreseeable future.
Eaglemoss Claims People Can Indeed Hear You Scream in Space
Hot off of Comic-com here in New York City, Eaglemoss was kind enough to provide us with several updates concerning several of their continually expanding intergalactic lines. First off, their convention exclusive USS Aventine, which was the subject of a fan-based petition, has a ship date — we expect the ship to arrive in November. If you haven’t already pre-ordered the ship we strongly suggest you do so since its become one of the critical ships in the Star Trek line.
Next up, the Nostromo, the center piece of the all-new Aliens and Predator ship line, also has a street date — look for it in December. Only 3,000 pieces are being made, each with a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Lastly, Eaglemoss is kicking off the Battlestar Galactica range with an oldie but goodie — a Colonial Viper Mark II fighter from the first televised series. The Viper is slated for a February escort mission with additional ships expected each month thereafter. Frankly, with rumors circulating that the manufacturer is considering a similarly-conceived Star Gate line, we’re beginning to wonder where people are finding the money to pay for all of these cool toys. Maybe that’s the subject of a separate debate…
Star Wars Gets Promoted to Elite Status
At long last, we have some concrete information concerning Mattel’s range of 1:18 scale Elite diecast ships drawn from the Star Wars universe. Six products are slated for a mid-2018 release, among them a TIE fighter, X-Wing fighter and the Millennium Falcon, along with a First Order TIE fighter, Resistance X-Wing fighter, and Pom Dameron’s personal X-Wing fighter, all inspired by the feature film, Star Wars The Force Awakens.
We are currently taking pre-orders for all six vehicles but may have to curtail orders should they reach our order threshold already submitted to our distributor.
Hobby Master Shows Off Several New Toolings for 2018
While we are still awaiting pricing and some ancillary information, Hobby Master announced today three new toolings for 2018. In the air, the Company unveiled their first ever Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker-B multirole aircraft (HA6001), something we kind of suspected was in the wings after they announced a Su-35 earlier in the year.
On the ground, two versions of the US M35 2-1/2-ton truck were shown for the first time (HG5701 and HG5702), the successor to the ubiquitous 2-1/2-ton truck first seeing action in World War II. And finally, in a surprise move, the Company displayed their first-ever NASA Orbiter (Space Shuttle), which depicts the Atlantis in 1:200 scale (HL1401). Other new items were also made known, and we hope to have them all listed on our web site by Tuesday, October 17th, once we get the ordering information finalized.
Minichamps: We’re Back in the Saddle Again, Hopefully
So, we’re never quite clear where we stand with Minichamps, particularly when it comes to their classic 1:12 scale motorcycles. Their release dates are never accurate, the stories behind their delays seem to change on a daily basis, and yet, despite all of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies, their bikes are some of the most sought after collectibles on the market today.
As of late last week, here is where we stand with several of their most eagerly anticipated bikes — the latest release schedule calls for the re-release of their 1939 Triumph Speed Twin motorcycle some time in early 2018 and their 1932 Brough Superior SS 100 is supposedly coming back to the market within the fourth quarter of 2017.
And now their pair of Vincents, first announced eight years ago, and still two of the most eagerly expected bikes ever to make it onto the manufacturer’s drawing board. Although the German Minichamps site has taken down both listings — for whatever reason — the US distributor has not been informed otherwise, and has therefore kept both bikes on their release schedule. We don’t know what to tell you folks. We are not connected with Minichamps, we continue to wish that the bikes still materialize, and have watched the asking price for the replicas increase year over year, and yet collectors are still keeping their fingers crossed that the bikes will one day show up. I know its not much to go on, and other retailers will likely tell you the same thing based upon the information they too have been provided. So, we are still asking you to hang in there and will post any further news the moment we receive it.
Anatomy of War: The Flying Wing Gets a New Pair
According to War History Online, the only remaining derelict section of a German Horten Ho 229 flying wing has been completely refurbished at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, a part of the US Air & Space Museum, and will likely go on display for the world to see in the not-too-distant future. The Ho 229 was an advanced secret aircraft developed by the Horten Brothers for the Luftwaffe that wedded jet technology with the world’s first stealthy design. It was largely intended to be used against rampaging allied bombers in an effort to defend the Reich from further bombing raids.
For more information on the restoration, click on the following link: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/the-horten-229-v3-flying-wing-amazing-image-collection.html
Eaglemoss Puts the Star(s) in Star Trek
