November 2020

Panzerkampf Hits the Surf

Panzerkampf’s 1:1000 scale US Navy Yorktown Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Enterprise (CV-6)

It was bound to happen. After first producing a wide array of scale military vehicles, aircraft and even helicopters, Panzerkampf has decided to flex its muscles once again by offering up their first ever warship replica. According to a recent posting on the manufacturer’s web site, the first ship they plan to model is the war-winning USS Enterprise (CV-6), a Yorktown class aircraft carrier that played a pivotal role at the Battle of Midway and in virtually every major battle of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Replicated in 1:1000 scale, its not clear if the warship will come with a complement of aircraft lining its deck, or if details such as a moveable aircraft elevator will be included. Pricing is still up in the air, as is its date of availability, which we presume will be some time in early 2021.

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Tales of Transparency: Lightning Strikes Twice

For anyone that has been following this blog, you’ll probably remember that way back in 2017 my son-in-law, Dr. Samir Pandya, along with the assistance of Dr. Whitney McBride and a good portion of the esteemed surgical staff at Maria Ferrari Childrens Hospital in Westchester, New York, successfully separated conjoined twins who were connected at their spine and shared several internal organs. A minute long commercial ran at the conclusion to the 2017 Super Bowl, congratulating the parents and pointing towards the complexities of performing such a procedure. I’ve posted both before and after photos of the twins, who are now fully ambulatory and are destined to lead long and fruitful lives, just as it was intended, thanks to their 20 plus hour long operation.

On a recent trip to Dallas, I mentioned that I had received a photo of the twins from their mother, who are now five-years old, and looking perfectly healthy. His response, rather curiously, was “which set of twins were in the photograph?” I looked at him, unsure of what he meant by that flippant remark, not putting two and two together until he filled me in further. Turns out that just a few weeks ago he, along with the eminent staff of the Childrens Hospital of Dallas, successfully separated a second set of conjoined babies, this time around connected at the liver. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos to share with you but suffice it to say that he has entered a rather select worldwide fraternity of medical professionals who have now separated multiple sets of conjoined twins. Needless to say, they look forward to helping other young families in their quest towards leading normal lives, all with the help of modern medicine and the patience and fortitude of doctors such as Samir.

I’ll get off of my soapbox now. Oh, and if you aren’t already doing so, wear a mask. If he can wear it for over 20 hours, you can do it for just a few scant minutes every day. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving….

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Tales of Transparency: Odds and Ends for November

With Thanksgiving just a week away, we thought it might be a good idea to update everyone as we head into the all-important holiday season. So, with that said, lets get to it!

Earlier this week, we received the October shipment of Hobby Master goodies. Our distributor has informed us that they are still expecting the September shipment some time this week, if all goes according to plan. If it does arrive as prescribed, we will likely have everything in stock right before Turkey day. Why these shipments have taken so long is anyone’s guess. You’ve got your pick of reasons, from the pandemic to shipping and customs issues, to well, everything in between.

The often asked about Forces of Valor MH-47G Chinook has arrived at a different distributor and is now on their way to us. Here again, they should land at our doorstep right before Thanksgiving, which means we have a lot of boxing and shipping to do as we scarf down our turkey dinner.

On the downside, we were told several months ago that the Forces of Valor 1:24 scale radio controlled tanks were expected in November, which turned out not to be the case. Grrr. As it stands now, they are now scheduled to arrive in early 2021, unless, of course, this turns out to be another fictitious release date. We aren’t expecting anything else from Forces of Valor this year, although the manufacturer claims that several items are pegged for an early 2021 release, most notably their first 1:32 scale Sturmtiger. Most of the warships are presently in stock save the Yamato and Bismarck, which, as we understand it, are undergoing some modifications so that they can be displayed in either full draught or waterline poses.

We’re not sure what’s happening with Panzerkampf or when we can expect either the three MH-53 Super Stallions or any of the Mirages to arrive. They’re likely loaded on to a very slow boat out of the Far East, so we’re not sure how or when they are hitting our doorstep. The same holds true for their Abrams tanks, tank transporters and Russian APCs, all likely arriving very late this year on possibly in early 2021.

We received a large shipment of PMA products, including their second Karl Gerat mortar and a re-stock of their very popular Otto Carius Tiger I tank. Both are selling rather quickly so if you have your eye on any of these items, we strongly recommend you nab them now.

With that all said, we urge you to purchase only those items listed as being in stock if you intend to give them as gifts for someone special. Otherwise, there’s a good chance we may not be able to supply many of the items still listed as arriving in December. Sales are particularly strong this year, brought on, in part, by more people purchasing online rather than visiting a brick-and-mortar outlet. Please keep all of this in mind this holiday season.

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Calibre Wings Fires Up the Tracker

Calibre Wings 1″72 scale US Navy Grumman S-2G Tracker Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft – Bu. No. 152806/NH-720, CAG “Tooter” Teague, VS-37 “Sawbucks”, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), 1974

The Grumman S-2 Tracker Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft is one of those oft-requested planes that never seemed to earn the respect it so dearly deserved from several of the leading model making houses. Its a pity really, since it enjoys a rich history all its own, and helped to put US Naval Aviation on a par with every other branch of the military during the Cold War.

The Tracker (S2F prior to 1962) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy. Designed and initially built by Grumman, the Tracker was of conventional design — propeller-driven with twin radial engines, a high wing that could be folded for storage on aircraft carriers, and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world. Introduced in 1952, the Tracker and its E-1 Tracer derivative saw service in the U.S. Navy until the mid-1970s, and its C-1 Trader derivative until the mid-1980s, with a few aircraft remaining in service with other air arms into the 21st century.

According to Calibre Wings, the model has already entered the prototyping stage with images of their achievement already proliferating around the web. If the rumors are true, the first production model is expected in early 2021 with other follow-on models expected throughout the rest of the year. There’s a good bet that Calibre is already eyeing the Tracer and Trader as likely candidates to succeed the Tracker once the obvious schemes and high profile squadrons have run their course.

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Panzerkampf Strikes Out for the Green Fields Beyond

Panzerkampf’s 1:100 scale British Mark IV Male Heavy Tank

Thus far, Panzerkampf has been perfectly fine catering to the needs of the 1:72 scale military collector, disgorging a wide array of vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that has earned them a special place among the pantheon of military modelmakers. It therefore comes as a bit of a surprise that they would dabble in the smaller 1:100 scale military market, perhaps scratching an itch no one knew existed.

According to a recent press release, the manufacturer is about to roll out seven different WWI-era military vehicles, spanning everything from the ubiquitous British Mark IV to the somewhat brutish German A7V tank. Interestingly, all seven vehicles are expected to roll out in time for the holidays, late November to be specific, if you’re a calendar watcher. Priced at just $14.99 apiece, these tanks make ideal stocking stuffers and a great way to start beginners off on the diecast battlefield.

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PMA’s Roll Call of Honor: Tigers

PMA’s 1:72 scale German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “233”, schwere Panzerabteilung 507, Eastern Front, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 Engine]

You can’t fault Precision Model Art (PMA) for having a love affair with the iconic Tiger I heavy tank. After all, it was feared by all of the Allied nations arrayed against Germany, a powerful if ponderous tank that seemed to symbolize German resistance in the face of still opposition. Slow and ungainly, it nevertheless took on swarms of enemy armor and, in the hands of competent crews, denied the enemy the upper hand at a time when they could have easily steamrollered past tanks of a lesser caliber.

It therefore comes as no surprise that PMA has decided to release the fourth version of the Tiger, this time around bearing the markings and insignia of schwere Panzerabteilung 507. Painted in a summer camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark details you’ve come to expect from this vaunted diecast modelmaker, we expect it to hit the streets sometime in early 2021.

In the meantime, if you need to get your fix on for a Tiger tank, PMA is re-releasing the Otto Carius version, which sold out quite quickly earlier this year. Its a magnificent model, and one with lots of history behind it. Expect it to return to stock in time for Thanksgiving.

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