The folks at Popular Mechanics just published a fascinating discussion on The Evolution of the American Tank. From the fields of France in World War I to the mountains of Afghanistan, the tank has had to endure all sorts of obstacles to their success, from anti-tank weapons and mines to ever more powerful enemies on the ground and in the air. We strongly recommend you check out the article here.
Recently, at the now concluded Nuremberg Toy Fair, TSM Model Wing left the aviation collecting community a gasp when it revealed its intention to model both a Lockheed A-12 (TSMW720001) as well as a YF-12 aircraft (TSMW720002). While Century Wings modeled both aircraft some time ago, collectors have been after them to release follow-on replicas, something the Company seems loathe to do, for what ever reason. Enter TSM Model Wing, who seemed to have picked up the gauntlet and decided the time was right to expand their aircraft ensemble.
Although pricing is still up in the air, collectors can get a better sense as to what these aircraft will look like when they speed off the runway later this year. Undoubtedly, other versions are in the wings, most notably an SR-71 as well as the M-21 carrier shouldering a D-21 drone. These will likely put in an appearance in 2019, once the manufacturer gets a better sense of the market and its own capacity to build these super-sleek models. Enjoy!
If you like ’em a wee bit smaller, TSM is offering a wide array of 1:200 scale replicas and accessories, including a faux MiG-28 fighter (TSMWTP009) and this spectacular rendition of Fightertown USA (TSMWAC009). Again, we do not have pricing for any of these new introductions, so we ask that you hold off before contacting us to place any pre-orders.
We were concerned that Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, hadn’t put in an appearance at the recently concluded Nuremberg Toy Fair largely because no one had seen nor heard from them at the Show. Turns out the Company was in attendance, all-too-eager to demonstrate to their fans that the productions lines were already churning and that plans were laid out for the year.
According to our liaison, the first grouping of product expected this Spring will be their 1:72 scale aircraft, which will be followed, in quick succession, by several different 1:32 scale armored subjects. They also plan to update their web site as well as their respective Facebook pages, thereby maintaining regular communication with their fans and dealer network.
In the mean time, several of their upcoming 1:32 scale vehicles can be seen atop one display in their Nuremberg photo gallery. New camouflage schemes are evident for several of their 1:24 scale radio controlled vehicles, as well as images for their upcoming M26 Pershing, M1A1 Abrams and MLRS.
Waltersons claims that many of the relaunched 1:72 scale aircraft are already highly detailed so they will look much the same as in the past, perhaps with more attention paid to the engines. The display stands, however, will resemble the type used for their warship line, in that they will boast a “wooden look” with the name and nationality of the aircraft appearing on the front. Moreover, the display pillar has been completely redesigned, thereby enabling the aircraft to be rotated in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion.
As far as 1:32 scale vehicles go, here is what we know thus far based upon post Nuremberg Show information passed along to us by the manufacturer. “After the 88mm guns, the Jagdpanther and Elefant will enter production. Following that would be the Sherman Firefly and Soviet T-34-85, and finally the Tiger I with lots of modifications. That would be the 1st – 2nd week of May.” So, if you read between the lines, any new molds such as the Sturmtiger and M4A3E8 Sherman are still a ways off, likely stealing the spotlight towards the end of the year. Likewise, the 1:16 scale Tiger, which everyone has been asking about, will almost certainly make it to market towards the end of 2018.
Again, we ask that you not contact us at this time to ask when a particular item is expected or to check on an order. You know as much as we do and questions of this nature are counterproductive, taking us away from things that we can fully address.
Recently we saw an uptick in sales in our limited line of Arsenal Tanks of the World. We weren’t sure why sales got rosier since its basically a budget-minded partworks range with but a few subjects available for us to offer. However, now we know why. Our distributor for the line informed us today of another dozen new vehicles expected this month, and likely much more as we head into Spring.
We’ve been extremely busy this week thus far, so we will hold off posting all of the new vehicles until next week. Frankly, some of the subjects have been done ad nauseum, and others have been offered previously from other model makers. There are, however, a few SKUs of keen interest, such as each of the British tanks as well as the Michael Wittman Tiger I tank that commands a handsome sum from the Dragon Armor series. So, if you’re looking to fill in some holes in your 1:72 scale collection, and cost has always been an issue, then you likely can’t go wrong with any of the tanks produced by this Russian concern.
There seems to be no shortage of WWII-themed movies coming to the fore, with the recently released Dunkirk, Churchill and Darkest Hour perhaps taking center stage, demonstrating renewed interest in the greatest conflict in human history. But now comes Hurricane, the true story of the Polish pilots who comprised 303 Squadron, ex-pats who were fighting for their own country while defending a foreign land during the Battle of Britain. Produced by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, expect Hurricane to scramble some time this summer.
Oftentimes, it takes a load of bricks to knock us down and force us to take an interest in something. And then there’s the odd occasion where all it takes is a simple feather. Earlier today we learned that TSM Model Wings is planning on stretching its wings in the aviation community in an incredible way, not just with the Top Gun license, but with a whole host of new toolings and subjects that left us slack jawed. According to their Facebook page, the Company has big plans for 2018, with both an A-12 as well as a YF-12 in development. Also in the cards are 1:72 scale renditions of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as an F-15 Eagle. Its not clear if any of these aircraft will be featured in the upcoming sequel to Top Gun, which isn’t due out until 2019 at the earliest. We also saw that a 1:200 scale portrayal of an E-2C Hawkeye is being produced, meaning they haven’t forgotten about their smaller brethren.
We’ll keep a close eye on TSM Model Wings going forward as they seem to have caught our attention as well as others with some of these surprise announcements. We’re hoping to have pricing and other information pertaining to these product announcements shortly and will update our product portfolio accordingly. In the mean time, enjoy the TSM Model Wing photo gallery.
Hobby Master burst onto the scene way back in 2006, which, for all intents and purposes, might as well be an eon ago in the hobby industry’s time line. Since that time, we’ve kept a careful eye on their progress, marking all of their revolutionary advances with both applause and criticism, taking them to task when an item doesn’t live up to its hype and clapping them on the back when they have exceeded our expectations. However, there are times when they make evolutionary changes, that, quite literally, push the hobby forward and demonstrate their prowess as model makers even if other collectors, critics and model makers might not notice.
Earlier this morning, images were posted for two of their upcoming aircraft: a McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle – “75th Anniversary of Oregon ANG” (HA4559) and a Grumman F-14A Tomcat, VF-14 “Tophatters”, 80th Anniversary, 1999 (HA5214). As you can see by the accompanying photos, Hobby Master has demonstrated their ability to tackle some of the more complex camouflage schemes and adornments that other model makers might side step, a clear indication that more intricate artwork isn’t a thing solely left to aftermarket specialists.
In the case of the F-15 (top), look at how they have managed to not only recreate the screaming eagle, but align the tampo printing so that it covers multiple panels below the cockpit. As for the F-14 (bottom), marvel at all of the smaller cautionary signage that appear along the fuselage as well as some of the finer detail and stenciling that went into the wing tips, ventral fin and tail. In a word, bravo!
Well, its the last day at the Nuremberg Toy Fair and thus far we haven’t heard a peep from Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand. That doesn’t necessarily spell doom and gloom. Far from it. It could very well mean that they are so busy that they haven’t found the time to post any of their latest introductions online. So, rather than contact us and hear the same old story of not learning anything new, we would prefer that you contact them directly and perhaps get it firsthand. Oh, and if you do learn anything, please be good enough to share it with us and everyone else.
Internet:
http://forcesofvalor.com/new_website/products.php
Facebook:
We’ve been after certain modelmakers to expand their offerings for a number of years. Some times our calls fall on deaf ears; other times we strike a vein and score the mother lode. Last month, we were tickled pink when we learned that Hobby Master was going to dip their toes in the warship market, giving such stalwarts as Eaglemoss, Forces of Valor, and several others a run for the money, crossing the “T” when they least expected it.
We have since learned that, at least in the case of their first offering, the USS Ticonderoga, the ship can only be displayed in a full draught configuration, meaning no provisions are being made for it to be shown as a waterline model, making it ideal for wargaming. I’m not sure why this decision was made when other modelmakers seemingly have no trouble offering their ships in either configuration. The model carries a $84.99 MAP, meaning, from a pricing perspective, it falls right where it should in the diecast task force. However, from a features stand point, it still lacks a critical punch that could have sunk some foes. Its possible they may elect to amend their decision, considering its not due out until June. They have been known to change their mind on occasion, so here’s one instance we wish they did and give the maritime collector everything they deserve.
Ordinarily, you’d think any manufacturer handed a contract from the WWI-era German War Cabinet would be thrilled to build war machines for the Kainer’s cause. Not so for Hannoversche Waggonfabrik AG, a German aircraft manufacturer that had to learn the ropes while others were all-too-eager to feed the war effort. The Company had been known as a railway rolling stock constructor until required by the German government in 1916 to start the construction of aeroplanes. The aircraft branch of the company was established at Hannover-Linden where other types were first manufactured under license until 1916 when the Hannover type itself came on stream.
The Hannover CL.II was an escort fighter, produced in Germany during World War I, designed in response to a 1917 requirement by the Idflieg for such a machine to protect reconnaissance aircraft over enemy territory. It was a compact biplane of largely conventional configuration with single-bay staggered wings of unequal span. The fuselage was a thin plywood paneled, wooden monocoque design, very similar to the style of fuselage in Robert Thelen’s Albatros series of single-seat fighters. The main units of the fixed tailskid undercarriage were linked by a cross-axle, and the pilot and tail gunner sat in tandem, open cockpits, with the gunner’s cockpit elevated above the line of the upper fuselage to afford him a greater field of fire. For the same purpose, the aircraft featured an unusually compact empennage, with a short fin integral with the rear fuselage structure and a biplane tail unit that allowed the rear gunner to have a larger field of aftwards fire when defending the aircraft. Smaller than the usual C-class reconnaissance aircraft, it was easy for enemy pilots to mistake it for a single-seat fighter; a mistake that would bring them into the line of fire of the rear-facing dorsal gunner when closing from astern.
The CL.II was also produced under licence by LFG, under the designation CL.IIa. The type was widely produced, and as the war continued, was increasingly employed as a ground attack machine, remaining in service in this role until the Armistice.
A copy of Hannover CL.II, named CWL SK-1 Słowik, was the first aircraft built in independent Poland, in CWL in Warsaw in 1919. It however crashed during a public flight on August 23, 1919 in Warsaw, due to faulty bracing wires, killing its constructor Karol Słowik.
Look for Wings of the Great War’s rendition of the Hannover CL.II biplane fighter (WW11901) to assume its role in the war effort this March.
