August 2019

Anatomy of War: The MiG-41?

An artist’s rendering of the supposed MiG-41.

I have to admit that prior to today I’ve never heard of a web site called Air Recognition, which purports that Russia has given the go-ahead towards producing the MiG-41. Previously known as the PAK DP, the MiG-41, according to the article, “will be able to fly into space,” said Ilia Tarassenko, CEO of the Russian aircraft manufacturer Mikoyan-Gourevitch (MiG) during a news conference broadcast by Reuters.

Tarasenko stated that “the aircraft will use new types of weapons, will be created with new stealth technologies, can carry a large volume of weapons and will operate at a very large intercept radius.”

“In addition to flying at very high altitude, claims Air Recognition, “the MiG-41 will be able to shoot down hypersonic missiles according to the former commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces, Viktor Bondarev. It will be the fastest plane in his class, he says. The device could even be autonomous or be remotely piloted like a drone.”

We’ll do some digging to determine if this is a hoax or couched in fact, especially since it comes on the heels of Russia giving the go ahead to the Su-57, previously known as the PAK FA. If true, this could be a game changer since it sounds more like a sixth generation jet fighter looking to outpace several competing designs put forward by a handful of Western nations.

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Modelcollect Fires Off Another Rocket Salvo

Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher – Grey Launch Tubes

Modelcollect is one of those companies that seems to enjoy identifying a particular niche in the marketplace then grinding out as many subjects as possible until they either tire or become infatuated with another untapped market segment. In the case of mobile rocket launchers, the Company showed off four more pre-built models this week, two covering the Chinese-built PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System — essentially a copy of the Russian-built “Smerch” — and two more based on the Russian “SA-10 Grumble” system. Here now the latest entrants in their growing “scoot-and-shoot” category:

AS72147 – Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher – Grey Launch Tubes (1:72 Scale)

AS72148 – Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher (1:72 Scale)

AS72149 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System – Camouflage (1:72 Scale)

AS72150 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System (1:72 Scale)

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The Toy Industry: “Saved by the Bell”

Earlier today, the US government decided to delay the imposition of tariffs on Chinese made toys which were supposed to go into effect on September 1st by pushing back the date to December 15th. A reprieve of sorts, manufacturers, distributors and retailers will therefore not feel the sting of an added 10% price hike, which could have had a serious impact on sales this coming holiday season. The industry and consumers were saved by the bell until both sides can come to a mutually beneficial trade agreement.

The Toy Industry had this to say about the postponement: “The Toy Association – the not-for-profit trade association representing the toy, game, and youth entertainment product businesses that drive the annual $28 billion American toy market and are leaders around the world – lauded the Trump administration’s decision to delay imposing a 10 percent tariff on most toys as a welcome reprieve for the toy industry going into the holiday season.”

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Hobby Master Lays Out Their Winter Wonderland for January

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019

Never one to disappoint, particularly around the chilly wintry days of January, Hobby Master laid out what’s on tap for the first month of the new decade:

HA4209 – RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber – BZ405, No.88 Squadron, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

HA1615 – ROCAF Dassault-Breuget Mirage 2000-5 Multi-Role Fighter – 2020/E120, 2018 “20 Years of Operation” (1:72 Scale)

HA3545 – RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA4518 – USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 97-0219, 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters”, “75th D-Day Anniversary Scheme”, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA5606 – Ukrainian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-A” Interceptor – “Red 49”, 146th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Vasilkov Air Base, 1995 (1:72 Scale)

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Anatomy of War: German Tanks of WWII

If you thought AmazingViz’ rolling visual presentation of the American tanks of World War II was truly incredible, you had better think again. Apparently, they are just as talented when it comes to depicting some of the German armor that took to the battlefield in the name of Blitzkrieg. Here now the German viewpoint, from the early assault guns to the mightiest of heavy tanks, all rendered in crisp 3-D detail.

By the way, a quick trip to their YouTube page shows that they have been at this for some time. They have equally interesting videos on aircraft, buildings and other vehicles, all rendered in the same manner. Goes to show the lengths some people/organizations will go to pursue their life long passions.

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Eaglemoss Extends its Reach into the Stars

Eaglemoss Star Trek Excelsior Class Starship – USS Excelsior NCC-2000 Nilo Rodis Concept III

Eaglemoss has decided to add a number of new models to several of their Star Trek lines. In fact, we’ve heard that their standard-sized range will now be extended to at least 80 models, meaning you’d better clear off some more shelf space if you intend to collect the entire series. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s been bolted on to their ever-expanding Star Trek series:

Standard-Sized Range

ST0162 – Star Trek Whorfin Class Transport – SS Lakul (NFT-7793)

ST0163 – Star Trek Orion Syndicate Interceptor

ST0164 – Star Trek Excelsior Class Starship – USS Excelsior NCC-2000 Nilo Rodis Concept III

ST0165 – Star Trek Karemma Starship

Star Trek Special-Sized Range

STSP19 – Special Edition No. 19: Star Trek Son’a Starship – Ahdar Ru’afo Flagship

STSP20 – Special Edition No. 20: Star Trek Vulcan Warp Sled

Star Trek Discovery Range

DISC19 – Star Trek Federation Class-C Shuttlecraft

DISC20 – Star Trek Federation Medical Frigate – USS Hiawatha NCC-815

DISC21 – Star Trek Klingon Obelisk

Star Trek Mega Sized Range

MEGA16 – Star Trek Romulan D’Deridex Class Warbird

MEGA17 – Star Trek Deep Space Nine Space Station

Star Trek Discovery XL Range

DISCMG02 – ISS Charon

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Corgi Hints at Bigger Things to Come for Their Diecast Warriors

Corgi’s 1:50 scale German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, Leningrad, Russia, 1942

As they approach the kick off date for the release of their Military Legends series, Corgi unveiled a bunch of new photos largely showing the re-designed packaging for each of the updated military vehicles. In a post on Facebook, the Company also discussed the reason behind why it took so long to get the series off the ground, even though many of the items were launched years ago and were now languishing awaiting service and upkeep.

Corgi’s 1:50 scale British RAF Bedford QL Supply Truck – RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943

“In the previous edition of Diecast Diaries,” says Corgi, “we took a closer look at the recent return of our 1:50th scale Military Vehicle range and how these impressive models, which made their original Corgi debut back in 2003, are making something of a comeback after ten years in the collector wilderness. Their welcome return to the range has not been without a number of challenges for the Corgi development team, several of which only became apparent following the decision to reintroduce the models to the range, however, determined not to be beaten and with a desire to produce the most authentic versions of these fantastic scale military vehicles, their efforts are finally coming to fruition. With several of the models passing through the pre-production stage and the appealing box designs finally taking shape, we are pleased to say that these popular models are just on the model collecting horizon and we have a further series of exclusive images to bring you in this latest edition, led by arguably the most famous military vehicle in the history of warfare, the fearsome German Tiger tank.”

Corgi’s 1:50 scale German Krauss-Maffei Sd. Kfz. 7/1 8-Ton Semi-Tracked Personnel Carrier/Prime Mover – Unidentified Unit, Deutsches Afrika Korps, Tunisia, 1943

Reading between the lines it would appear as if several of their remaining 1:50 scale vehicles that aren’t part of the initial re-release will also be making a come back at some point in the not-too-distant future, likely augmented by several new toolings should the series do well at retail. I think we can also expect a relaunch of their separate Korean and Vietnam War era series, perhaps as early as 2020 should the toolings still be in salvageable condition and interest for their return gathers momentum in the wake of their WWII era series return to the hobby.

Corgi’s 1:50 scale German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 502, Leningrad, Russia, 1942
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Films in Focus: El Alamein

There haven’t been all that many films produced of late that have attempted to portray some of the huge armored conflicts of the Second World War. For one reason or another, film makers typically stick to small scale engagements to depict a battle largely because there aren’t all that many vehicles from World War II still in working condition. That said, it will be interesting to see how film maker David Ayers attempts to portray the pivotal battle of El Alamein in which the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, went toe-to-toe with Bernard Montgomery to wrest control of the all-important town of El Alamein away from the British 8th Army.

The film’s release is still a ways off — likely set for a 2021 showing — so there’s plenty of time to figure out how he plans to address the battle from a logistical standpoint. No big name stars have yet to sign on to the project and no mention was made of the size of the budget at his disposal, so it will be some time before a film trailer provides clues as to how he plans to depict the battle.

For more information on the film, head on over to this link.

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Films in Focus: Lancaster Skies

There seems to be no shortage of WWII-based films coming to the silver screen, some revisiting famous battles, campaigns and even weapons of the savage conflict. Lancaster Skies is just such a film, focusing on the British bomber campaign in World War II while deftly paying homage to the British war films of the 1940s and 1950s.

The plot is familiar: Angry and bereaved by the death of his younger brother, Flight Lieutenant Douglas Miller, a broken, solitary, spitfire ace, who survived The Battle of Britain, transfers to Bomber Command, determined to take the war to the skies over Germany. On arriving at his new posting, he is given the unenviable task of replacing the much loved Skipper of an experienced Lancaster Bomber crew, who was killed in action just days before. Struggling to bond with his new crew, and obsessed with his mission to wage war at any cost, Douglas must find a way to gain their trust, and overcome his inner demons, in order to become the leader they so desperately need.

Look for Lancaster Skies to vault onto the big screen this coming February.

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Star Power

If you thought you were pretty handy with a fractal design package, or knew your way around an ArtStation, you’d better think again. Ansel Hsaio, a member of the Starships and Space Stations of the Galaxy group on Facebook, posted his rendition of a so-called Bellator-class Star Destroyer drawn from the Star Wars universe. He claims his design consists of at least a billion polygons. While we’re not going to go over his creation with a fine-toothed comb, or break out our calculator to verify his claim, we believe him and frankly, so should you. Take a gander at his creation and decide if you have the chops or the time to create something as wondrous as this.

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