As news spreads concerning the receipt of their December shipment, Hobby Master announced their latest spate of military hardware being readied for battle. Here’s what you can look forward to claiming for your very own this June:
On the ground…
#HG4916 – US 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank (1:72 Scale)
#HG3015 – Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-2 Heavy Tank (1:72 Scale)
…and in the air
Skymax Models
No doubt the box office success of Midway this past year contributed to the decision for Skymax Models to return to the collecting community after all but vanishing from the aviation radar. Expected in June, the Company plans to kick things off by delivering a pair of Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes. Both models are based upon aircraft that served with VT-8, then embarked upon the USS Hornet (CV-8) during the pivotal battle of Midway in June 1942. Its not clear if the manufacturer plans to upgrade the packaging so that they resemble 5-panel Hobby Master packaging or retain the clear open box look they adopted when they first came into being well over a dozen years ago.
As an addendum, of sorts, to their list of 2020 product announcements made earlier this week, it appears as if Corgi intends to stick its toes in the diecast warship space with the release of two surface ships. According to the Corgi Developer Diaries found on Facebook, two 1:1250 scale aircraft carriers are in development, both looking to pay homage to the latest pair of capital ships now serving with the British fleet.
“Attempting to select highlights from any new Corgi model range can be something of a challenge, as each one will contain a great many new models, be they new tooling announcements, modified toolings, or one of the host of model livery changes which make up the bulk of any new range. With toy and collectable models falling into several sub categories, which as well as including the ranges already covered above, include gift products, Film and TV subjects, Best of British, Original Omnibus and Showcase collections, we really do try to include something for every occasion and every model collecting taste.
That being said, the subject which is always of most interest during range launch week is most definitely that of new model tooling announcements and we have even more news to bring you on that score. Staying with the theme of military related models, our design team have been working on producing a new 1/1250th scale representation of Britain’s impressive new aircraft carriers, the flagships of the nation and the most capable warships ever built for the Royal Navy. With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales scheduled to be produced, this pair of new models mark the service arrival of these huge ships and the culmination of years of planning and construction work. Endowing the Royal Navy with more striking power than they have ever possessed, these mighty warships are destined to stay in service for the next 50 years and will become a highly visible embodiment of Britain’s naval power.”
No dates of availability or pricing were announced so it remains to be seen when they are expected and their cost. We’re also assuming that both ships will come with a complement of embarked aircraft to give them a more robust look.
As we hinted at last week, Corgi revealed it’s latest line up of military aircraft and vehicles at the 2020 Hong Kong Toy Fair. Frankly, there weren’t any huge surprises in the mix, the only new tooling being a 1:48 scale Bristol F2B fighter of WWI renown. Anyway, we’ve listed all of their newest aircraft and military vehicles in their respective sections and are now accepting pre-orders. Most are expected towards the latter half of the year. Here’s the list of what’s on the horizon from the folks at Corgi:
On the ground…
#CC51032 – Captured US M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – l./Panzer Regiment 5, Tunisia, Early 1943 (1:50 Scale)
…And in the air
#AA36212 – RAF Gloster Gladiator Mk. II Fighter – N2308 HP-B, RAF No.247 Squadron, 1940 (1:72 Scale)
#AA28702 – German Fokker E.III Eindecker Fighter – Manfred von Richthofen, Kasta 8, June 1916 (1:48 Scale)
One of our principal goals is to make the implements of war sexy. Its a somewhat strange conundrum we find ourselves in trying to talk up weapons of war that have contributed to the death of millions and the wholesale destruction of entire nations over countless generations, yet here we find ourselves in now undertaking our twentieth year of operation delivering scale military models to the masses. I’ve often wondered what makes the study of war so intoxicating to the average onlooker when they could just as easily set about pursuing other more peaceful pursuits and learn about the creation of civilizations instead of their obliteration. I’m not sure I’ll never know the answer to that vexing question, which has dogged us and others despite the Bible telling us that we should beat our swords into plowshares and study war no more.
That said, we have a tough road ahead of us for the next few months, as we attempt to discuss many of the newest scale models headed everyone’s way. Presently, we’re also laying out our strategic vision for year 21 and moving into our new digs at Shopify all in the next few weeks. Our dance card is certainly full even though we’ve done our best to accept new partners here and there when the music abruptly stops and we’ve had a quick run at the punch bowl. So sit back and relax as we take it to the next level and hopefully continue to provide the very best service we can muster. Panzers vorwarts.
In years past, the American International Toy Fair was the preeminent means of showcasing new releases for the calendar year. Over time, the Nuremberg Toy Fair supplanted the American venue, typically opening to the trade and public a few weeks earlier and oftentimes boasting a larger exhibitor list. Now it seems as if the Hong Kong Toy Fair is beginning to take center stage, not only because it comes even earlier than either the Nuremberg or American shows, but because more and more companies are based in China.
On Monday, January 6th, the Hong Kong show opens its doors to a worldwide audience eager to see what’s in store for the 2020 calendar year. While we won’t be in attendance, the power of the Internet and email enables us to learn about the new releases almost as quickly as if we were standing on line ogling the new products. And, with the power of online computing, we can post this new information within moments of receiving the news, thereby keeping our clientele informed and up-to-date like never before.
Two brands, Corgi (which is one of the flagship brands of Hornby) and Forces of Valor (now managed by Waltersons) will be showcasing some of their latest wares, providing information and imagery for their newest products and hopefully guidance as to when we can expect them. So, get to bed early on the night of the 5th, because we’re sure we have lots to share with you early the next morning.
It was bound to happen. After playing for years in the World War II sandbox, Precision Model Art (PMA) has finally decided to turn the hands of time forward and move into the modern era. Well, almost. Yesterday we learned that the Company plans to model the US-built M60A1 Patton main battle tank in 1:72 scale, mainstay of the US Marine forces forces for several decades running. To kick things off, they chose three M60A1 tanks that took part in Operation Desert Storm, each one studded with explosive reactive armor (ERA) cells.
From the pictures posted, its not clear if the Pattons will feature removable turrets thereby enabling collectors to peer inside the vehicle. Likewise we do not know if other areas of the vehicle are removable particularly the engine block like it is in their Tiger I series of heavy tanks. Stowage gear has been affixed to the sides of the vehicles although we aren’t sure if these can be detached. Look for each of the three Pattons sometime in late winter.
