March 2020

Product Spotlight: The Sauvastika

Corgi’s 1:48 scale German Fokker Dr.1 Triplane Fighter – 155/17, Lt. Eberhard Mohnicke, Jasta 1, von Richthofen’s Flying Circus, Lechelle, France, 1918

Most people tend to associate the swastika with the rise of the Third Reich, coming into being with the formation of the National Socialist Deutsche Arbeit Party (NAZI) in the early 1920s. It would become a symbol of hate two decades later as the Wehrmacht rampaged over Europe, committing all sorts of war crimes and atrocities in the name of Aryan supremacy.

In point of fact the left-facing swastika, referred to as the Sauvastika, was used as early as World War I, adorning some but not all aircraft of the Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte, the German Air Force, which was subordinate to the Army and the Kaiser.

In Buddhism, the left-facing sauwastika is often imprinted on the chest, feet, palms of images of various Buddhas. It is also the first of the 65 auspicious symbols on the footprint of the Buddha. In Hinduism it is often associated with esoteric tantric practices and often stands for Goddess Kali.

Its not at all clear why some members of the WWI-era Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte employed the sauvastika on the sides of their aircraft and others chose to avoid it or if its use in the Great War helped to sway Adolf Hitler when he decided to adopt it as the symbol of the Nazi Party. Corgi’s upcoming Dridecker features the sauvastika, or left facing swastika, prominently on the sides of the fuselage and is due to arrive in early April. Politics aside, we’ll leave it up to you to decide if it has a place in the annals of aviation history.

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World of Tanks Meets the World of Diecast

In an effort to build out its brand and try out new untapped markets, the makers of the massively multiplayer online game, World of Tanks, entered into a collaborative agreement with model maker, Hachette, to produce a range of 1:72 scale military vehicles. Five pairings were released under the Salvat brand and now these sets will soon be made available here in North America. Attractively priced at just $34.99 per set and made available for a limited time, the five sets include:

#SCWT01 – “The Battle of Kursk” – German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank and Soviet T-34/76 Model 1942 Medium Tank (1:72 Scale)

#SCWT02 – “The Invasion of Normandy” – British M4A4 Sherman Firely Mk.Vc Medium Tank – “Belvedere,” B Squadron, The Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade and Pz.Kpfw.VI Ausf.E Tiger I Heavy Tank, June 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#SCWT03 – “The Battle of Remagen” – US M26 Pershing Heavy Tank and Panzerjaeger Tiger Ausf.B Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer – sPzJgAbt 512, February 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#SCWT04 – “The Battle for Dong Ha” – North Vietnamese Type 59 Medium Tank and US M41A3 Walker Bulldog Medium Tank – 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam, April 1972 (1:72 Scale)

#SCWT05 – “The Battle of Kasserine Pass” – German Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G Medium Tank – 7.Panzer Regiment, 10.Panzer Division, Deutsche Afrika Korps and US M3 Lee Medium Tank – 13th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Tunisia, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

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The Forces of Valor Update: Sherman’s March

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – “Cobra King”, C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]

Last year, Waltersons announced their intent to make eight different versions of the ubiquitous M4 Sherman tank, the workhorse of the American Army throughout WWII. Initially we were stunned that so many different versions were in the works, when Unimax, the previous owner of the Forces of Valor brand, released only one over the course of several years. While we were a bit skeptical, and hoped they planned on spacing out their releases so that collectors could pick and choose at their leisure instead of having to accept them en masse, the fact remained that we were happy to see so many different variants were going to be offered. Earlier today, we learned which vehicles, units and theatres of action are being replicated and have updated our web site accordingly. Here’s what you can look forward to leading into battle as early as this summer:

#FOV801072A – US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank with HVSS Suspension – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, NW Europe, 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801070A – US M4(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – 47th Tank Battalion, 14th Armored Division, France, July 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801071A – US M4(105) Sherman Flame Throwing Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – 713th Flame Throwing Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division, Okinawa, April-June 1945 [Bonus Continental (Wright) R-975, Radial 9 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801059A – US M4A3(105) Sherman Howitzer with HVSS Suspension – 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Avranches, Brittany, France, July-August 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801020A – US M4A3(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – 35th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801073A – US M4A3(76)W Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – C Company, 771st Tank Battalion, 12th Armored Division, Linnich, Germany, February 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801074A – US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – “Cobra King”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

#FOV801057A – US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank with HVSS Suspension – “A Paper Doll”, A Company, 68th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division, Germany 1945 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine] (1:32 Scale)

CAD images showing some of the new M4 Sherman variants on the drawing board

Interestingly, most of the vehicles will carry an $89.99 price tag while a handful will be pegged at $79.99. Information will soon be disseminated regarding their set of four different Tiger I heavy tanks as well as the first vehicle in their newly launched Inside Out Series, the Sturmtiger assault mortar.

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Tales of Transparency: New York and the Coronavirus

I thought we’d give everyone a short update regarding the Coronavirus and its impact on our operation. We are still open for business although we are working from home, updating our web site and continuing to fill orders as expeditiously as possible. We have temporarily suspended all inbound shipments to us for the balance of March so that we can get a better sense of the impact the pandemic has on our business and the populace in general. We are filling orders as best we can and still accepting orders through our web site as well as our marketplace sites (Amazon and eBay). All of the major couriers (USPS, UPS and FedEx) have been deemed essential services, still picking up outbound orders from us in a rather routine fashion. We have temporarily done away with Prime and free shipping options on Amazon in favor of standard shipping, since the free shipping oftentimes requires us to hand deliver packages to Staples, our UPS drop-off location, before their final pick up of the day. That said, Staples sent out a notification earlier this week indicating they are closing their stores earlier than normal at 6pm, which means they cannot guarantee that the local UPS driver can make their daily pickups, which is typically scheduled for around 5:30pm.

New York has been adversely affected by the Coronavirus and New York City, where we are based, has been particularly hard hit over the last several weeks. Its still a mystery as to why we have been affected well out of proportion to the rest of the country, although the density and diversity of the city’s constituency could have something to do with it. On any given day, we can hear ambulance sirens wailing away on a regular basis as they attempt to respond to calls of distress. We are practicing social distancing as best we can and have been forced to make some changes to the way we operate so that we can still serve our clientele in an acceptable manner.

We also recognize that many of you have been frustrated of late, waiting for items you may have pre-ordered some time ago. With that in mind, I want to address that issue as best we can.

We sell collectibles — we do not make them, distribute them or in any way have a hand in getting product to market apart from shipping out said items as soon as they arrive at our facility. Its frustrating to have to repeatedly stress this point to everyone, particularly during this crisis. The outbreak of the Coronavirus has and will continue to have a huge impact on the supply chain. In many instances, factories in eastern Asia were shut down for weeks on end, their workers unable to report for work. When that happened, our forecasts for the arrival of certain lines went out the window. Fortunately, as we understand it, those factories hardest hit by the contagion are back up-and-running with few new cases of Coronavrius having been reported over the last several days. Apparently the drastic measures the Chinese government instituted seemed to have worked, an encouraging sign despite all of the hardships they had to face. Those very same measures are now being mandated here in New York, which has significantly hampered operations for a great many businesses.

For some reason, however, there are a handful of patrons that seem to think that the Coronavirus shouldn’t have an impact on our business and that we are simply sounding a false alarm, using the contagion as an excuse for the delay of certain items. If that were true, then other retailers would have in their possession the very same items that we are indicating haven’t arrived, and are therefore able to serve their clientele while we are unable to do the same. This is not the case. Period. Secondly, by placing an order early or paying in advance by using PayPal or AmazonPay, it does not mean you somehow move to the front of the line and get the product quicker than someone that followed our directions. In point of fact, we have always indicated that the best way to pre-order an item is to use a credit card. By doing so, you are not being charged until the item comes in and ready to go out. I’m not at all sure why this seems to be a recurring problem for us, especially at the height of the pandemic. I can certainly understand your frustration for having to wait a lengthy period of time, but if you just took the time to read our First-Time User information or examined the product’s listing, most of these concerns could be addressed from the get-go, without ruffling any feathers or fraying any exposed nerves.

To sum up, we certainly appreciate your business and hope you understand that these are trying times for us, our neighbors, local community and nation as a whole. We ask that you be patient as everyone does their best to address the pandemic as best as they could. Making unnecessary assumptions or presuming that nothing is happening at our end does not help. If you cannot wait, take up crocheting, watch a movie or give your loved ones a call. That would be productive for any number of reasons.

Since opening our doors in 2000, we’ve been through 9-11, Hurricane Sandy and now the Coronavirus. I have every confidence in the world that we will get through this latest problem. I even see the light at the end of tunnel despite having to presently navigate through our darkest days. After all, New Yorkers are a hearty people despite what some people might think of us because of our brusque manner. But to have to address utter silliness and impatience during this latest issue to have befallen New York is simply unacceptable. There you have it. Blunt and to the point. A true New Yorker. Thank you.

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Hobby Master Tosses Another Warbird on the Barbie for August

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Fighter – Erich “Bubi” Hartmann, 4./Jagdgeschwader 52, Hungary, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

Looking to maintain their lead as the most prolific maker of diecast military vehicles and aircraft, Hobby Master recently announced the latest group of products scheduled for an August showing. Of particular note is this Messerschmitt Bf-109G, the second variant produced by Hobby Master, and its pilot, top scoring ace Erich “Bubi” Hartmann. Here’s some of the other items on tap for the Dog Days of Summer:

On the ground…

#HG3423 – US M10 Tank Destroyer – 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Volturno River, Italy, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#HG3424 – US M10 Tank Destroyer – 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Italy, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

…in the air…

#HA8750 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Fighter – Erich “Bubi” Hartmann, 4./Jagdgeschwader 52, Hungary, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

#HA3553 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18+ Hornet Strike Fighter – 162841, VFC-12 “Fighting Omars”, 2018 [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA2915 – USAF Douglas A-1H Skyraider Attack Aircraft – “The Good Buddha”, 1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, 1968 (1:72 Scale)

#HA4521 – Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Boeing F-15J Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 72-8963, “2003 TAC Meet White Dragon”, 2003 (1:72 Scale)

#HA6550 – Russian Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29SMT ‘Fulcrum-C’ (9.19) Fighter – “Red 20” (1:72 Scale)

#HA2821 – USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – AF 09185, 1st Operations Group, Langley AFB, Virginia, June 2017 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6604 – Spanish Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – C.16-48, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5117 – RAAF Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – A44-210, No.1 Squadron, “No.1 Squadron 100th Anniversary”, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, 2019 [Anniversary Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6011 – Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27SM “Flanker-B” Mod. 1 Multirole Fighter – “Red 76”, 2016 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5229 – US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – 160408, VF-84 “Jolly Rogers”, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), May 1993 (1:72 Scale)

#HA6540 – Islamic Republic of Iran Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 3-6133, Tehran, Iran, 2010s (1:72 Scale)

…and deep into space

#HL1406 – NASA Space Shuttle Columbia – OV-102, April 12th, 1981 (1:200 Scale)

#HL1407 – NASA Space Shuttle Challenger – OV-099, January 1986 (1:200 Scale)

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The Forces of Valor Update: “We Were Framed”

Ever since they started rolling out late last year, I’ve wondered why the display bases for the revitalized 1:32 scale military vehicles seemed a tad unfinished along each of their edges. Well, now I know the reason. Yesterday, we learned that Waltersons has been planning several enhancements for each 1:32 scale set that are designed to give them a bit more polish and added flair. Beginning this summer, the manufacturer plans to release a series of wood-like frames that attach to each of the four display base sides with the forward facing edge mounting an etched metallic name plate. Three sizes will be offered (small, medium and large) as is three types of faux wood finishes: mahogany, black wood and walnut. Pricing hasn’t been set just yet and its not clear if each frame will include an assortment of name plates so that the collector can pick and choose which vignette they are looking to portray. Update: Waltersons informs us that three etched metallic name plates will be included in each set and that the retail price point will probably be fixed at $12.99.

While no images were offered, Waltersons did also indicate that they are planning to come out with an assortment of full-color back drops that can be mounted behind each vignette. Its possible that each back drop will be reversible giving the collector two options to choose from. Its not clear if the back drops will dramatize daytime/nighttime lighting conditions, as hinted at in their T-34/85 medium tank series, or simply provide different vistas and even 3-D pop outs such as buildings and fortifications. Look for these and possibly other enhancement sets later in the year.

On a different note, the Company is looking to branch out a bit by offering a new series of budget-minded interlocking sets that will feature a 4-inch aircraft along with a 1:200 scale section of an aircraft carrier deck. The first “panorama”, if you will, is designed to portray deck operations atop the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) just after its overhaul in 1982. Twelve individual sets make up the entire deck, five on the port side of the ship, five on the starboard side, and two forward over the bow. The embarked air wing will consist of several F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 Hornets, and an E-2C Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft.

Pricing for each section will likely be pegged at around $20 per section, thus bringing the entire 12-section set in at just under $240. The entire series is expected to street some time this summer.

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Tales of Transparency: Vacation Closure

We will be closed for business from December 22nd until December 25th. During this period, you may freely place orders through our web site, although they will not be addressed until our return on the 26th. Moreover, any product inquiries or order updates will be responded to upon our return.

Our marketplace sites on Amazon and Walmart will be temporarily shuttered in compliance with their selling guidelines although our marketplace on eBay will be open and operational albeit with the understanding that any orders received will be shipped out upon our return, again in compliance with their venue-specific selling guidelines. As always, we thank you for your patronage and look forward to delivering the highest quality products and service possible. Enjoy Halloween!

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Dragon Makes its Mark in 2020

As if to say “we’re back and in a big way”, Dragon recently posted an intriguing image to their Facebook account showing the latest crop of pre-assembled products that have been enlisted for their Neo Dragon Armor line. While we aren’t sure if a new Snow Leopard vehicle is in the offing, it would appear as if two additional vehicles are in the works: a US-built M1 Abrams main battle tank and an Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. Its not clear if chase vehicles will be included in each batch, thereby making them even more sought after by collectors in the know. In the past, this strategy has proven to be very successful among the collecting community, and helps to create additional buzz from a marketing perspective that spurs even greater interest.

The teaser image doesn’t indicate when these new vehicles are scheduled to appear, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has shuttered many Chinese factories for several weeks. Apparently, a Turkish Leopard 2A4 main battle tank is also in the offing, although it was not included in the image and could be released ahead of the Abrams and Bushmaster. For now, we’ll keep an eye out for these and other new entrants expected in the series and congratulate the manufacturer for reigniting interest in a once dominant if somewhat dormant category.

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