March 2021

West Coast Port Congestion Could Last Through the Summer

U.S. West Coast Port Congestion Could Last Until Summer Peak Season

Things seem to be going from bad to worse as far as getting in new merchandise is concerned, with many of the US west coast ports reporting huge bottlenecks that has prevented them from offloading cargo in a timely manner. In some instances, product has been waylaid for several months, sitting in limbo and awaiting their turn for release by customs officials. As a for instance, the Forces of Valor Sturmtiger, which was received in the Port of Los Angeles back in December, is just now receiving clearance and is currently expected to arrive at our distributor some time in mid April. Please bear this in mind when placing or awaiting delivery of your orders since the problem will likely last well into the summer and perhaps into the busy autumn months.

Needless to say, product we expected to be in earlier this year has been delayed by months, causing all sorts of issues for us as well as our customers. We bring this to everyone’s attention because in this business its extraordinarily important to have the patience of a saint if you expect to lay claim to many of the item’s listed on our future release schedule. Having said that, we do not, under any circumstances, accept “conditional orders” whereby the customer tells us that s/he needs to receive his or her order by a certain date otherwise they are cancelling their order. Friends, we are in the collectible business, which by its very definition means product seems to get completed then shipped to our door all according to their own schedule no matter how much we try to predict their actual dates to market. In this day and age, when people seem to think that virtually everything they order, from bleach to pet food, will arrive to them within 24-hours after order placement creates quite a bit of a problem for us and everyone involved in the process not to mention consternation on our part as we are forced to answer the same question over and over again. If you cannot accept this vexing situation, then we strongly advise you to pursue other interests and/or hobbies until such time as when the product does come out. Contacting us over and over again, asking us when an item is expected, does no one any good particularly when we are completely up front about the release schedule and how best to pay for product. Pre-paying for an item using a debit card, PayPal or AmazonPay also does not mean you move to the front of the line or the item in question will get to us any sooner. All it means is that we now have your payment in hand, rather than billing you when the item does materialize. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to quenching your diecast appetite now and well into the future.

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PMA Aims for the Heavens with its First Aircraft

Precision Model Art’s 1:72 scale German Horten Ho 229 Fighter Bomber [Bonus Pair of Jumo 004 Turbojet Engines]

Having carved out a respectable niche in the diecast military vehicle space, it appears as if Precision Model Art (PMA) now has its sights set – quite literally – on the skies above. Earlier today, the manufacturer decided to dip its toe into the military aircraft space by announcing plans to build a 1:72 scale replica of the Horten Ho 229 fighter-bomber. Previously, Luft-X had offered the same model in its product portfolio but has since gone dormant over the last few years with no new product announcements. Sensing the time was right to step into the void, PMA’s offering will be made of diecast rather than the resin replica Luft-X created, and will feature a bevy of features commonly found in their military vehicles.

For openers, the PMA version will have removable engine covers so collectors can peer inside the aircraft thereby enabling them to ogle each of the intricately detailed Junkers Jumo 004 engines found within the model. Also shown is a removable canopy and detachable landing gear, so aviation enthusiasts can display the model in multiple configurations.

Precision Model Art’s 1:72 scale German Karl-Gerat Super Heavy Self-Propelled 54cm Mortar – “Fenrir” (Son of Loki), schwere Artillerie Abteilung 833, Hillersleben, Germany, 1945

Also shown for the first time is a new Karl Morser siege mortar, this time portraying the prototype 54cm gun which was capable of firing a huge projectile several miles at fixed enemy fortifications. The pre-order window for both items is now open and shipment is expected to take place some time this summer.

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Panzerkampf Picks Up the Pace for March

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale French Dassault Mirage 2000B Multirole Aircraft

Typically, March is one of the slowest months in the industry largely because it falls one month after Chinese New Year and, as such, means there usually isn’t all that much to ship out of Asia to the rest of the world. Add to that the fact that there is record congestion in many of our port of entries, tying up goods that were destined for our markets months earlier. That said, we learned today that Panzerkampf has cleared customs and several eagerly awaited items are expected towards the end of this month.

A new Mirage 2000B is slated for arrival as is a pair of Russian Kurgenats-25 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The complete list of what we are expecting can be found by clicking on the Mirage image located above.

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Product Spotlight: Corgi’s B-17G “Snake Hips”

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31713 (UX-T) “Snake Hips”, 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92nd Bombardment Group, Podington, England, August 24th, 1944

Corgi’s 1:72 scale B-17s are undoubtedly one of their most popular models, flying off the shelves, year-after-year, and into the homes of aviation aficionados world over. Therefore it came as no surprise late last year when the manufacturer decided to announce yet another Flying Fortress, no doubt capitalizing on the success of some of their most recent four-engine heavy bombers.

B-17G Flying Fortress 42-31713 “Snake Hips” arrived at the USAAF’s 92nd Bombardment Group base at Podington in February 1944 and quickly benefited from a name and nose artwork that her crew hoped would bring them luck in the air battles to come. The aircraft saw extensive action over the next few months and brought her crew through relatively unscathed, until undertaking a mission to the heavily defended synthetic oil plant at Leuna on August 24th, 1944.

On the run in to the target, “Snake Hips” took a direct 88mm flak hit in the bomb bay and whilst the explosion did not detonate the bombs, it did blow a gaping hole in the side of the fuselage and start a hydraulic fire which threatened to engulf the bomber. The aircraft dropped out of formation and headed for home, but on attempting to jettison the bombs, several ‘hung’ and members of the crew were forced to deactivate them, in the midst of all this airborne chaos.

With two engines out and the pilot heading for the relief landing airfield at Woodbridge, he ordered his crew to parachute to safety, knowing he could not leave his station and fearing the landing may result in their injury. Fortunately, he managed to land the bomber without further incident and “Snake Hips” became one of the most heavily damaged B-17s to make it back to the UK during the Second World War.

As US heavy bombers began their strategic bombing campaign against German targets in occupied Europe towards the end of 1942, they were hoping that the heavier calibre of guns used on their aircraft would prove decisive against the threat of Luftwaffe fighter attack, particularly when their bombers were arranged in defensive boxes, bringing the firepower of hundreds of guns to bear.

Assembling hundreds of bombers above the English countryside in all weathers as they rose from their respective bases, would prove to be a huge challenge and collisions were relatively commonplace. Once formed up and heading for their targets, accurate navigation was essential if they were to remain in formation and avoid the murderous flak fields, until they were actually on the run in to the target, all the time knowing that the Luftwaffe were ready to pounce, often in large numbers.

During the early months of the campaign, the bombers would have to run the gauntlet of German defenses alone, as Allied fighters lacked the range to escort the bombers all the way to their targets and losses were crippling. Once longer range Lightning, Thunderbolts and Mustangs entered service, the bombers had their protection and as a result both bombing accuracy increased and Luftwaffe fighters began to fall to the guns of their ‘little friends’.

Snake Hips is currently en route to us and expected to arrive towards the end of March.

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The Forces of Valor Update: 2021 and Beyond

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]

Our distributor was kind enough to pass along the latest Forces of Valor production schedule which encompasses all of 2021. Its an ambitious run rate, to say the least, calling for multiple items to be released each and every month and cutting across virtually every category and sub-category. It even includes their on-again, off-again 1:16 scale radio controlled T-72 tank, which, according to a Facebook posting by Waltersons, was originally supposed to come out way back in May 2020. Interestingly, the production schedule passed along to us does not contain any of their 1:24 scale radio controlled tanks, nor any of the VS tanks they were supposed to start producing after they acquired the line several years ago.

We have updated all of our Forces of Valor sections using the information at-hand, but padded the release dates by at least sixty (60) days to address any production mishaps, delays in shipping and any other issues that will likely affect each item’s true release date. Moreover, we highly doubt that several of the items expected in the fourth quarter will actually hit their mark as manufacturers of all stripes and colors attempt to bring in their own merchandise during these hectic months. More likely several products will either come in towards the tail end of 2021 or, quite possibly, the early part of 2022.

Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale USMC Chance-Vought F4U-1D Corsair Fighter – Lt. Ira Kepford, VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”, 1944

While a couple of new items were added to the roster, such as a second version of the USS Enterprise and a handful of metal track upgrade kits, most of the product shown on the list have already been discussed in detail and are simply awaiting their turn in the production cycle. Many vehicles, such as the Tiger I and Sherman tanks have been spaced out by several months to avoid oversupply in the supply chain and logjams in the production pipeline. No new photos were shown apart from some placeholder line art imagery and other similar faux photos. Should the anticipated dates of delivery change, we will update our web site accordingly.

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Hobby Master Holidays on the Iberian Peninsula this Summer

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 “Emil” Fighter – Oblt. Hans Schmoller-Haldy, 3.Jagdgruppe 88 “The Condor Legion”, Spanish Civil War, March 1939

While the Company continues to shuffle around some of its previous introductions, and beef up many of its strongest categories, Hobby Master took time away from their busy schedule to announce their late summer lineup. Although no new toolings were debuted, there were a number of notable new offerings, including their first ever subject from the Spanish Civil War: a Messerschmitt Bf-109E3 attached to the Luftwaffe’s Condor Legion. Designed to test the mettle of Goring’s young air force, the Condor Legion would go on to play a key role in the war between the Republican and Communist forces dueling for control over Spain from 1936 to 1939.

Here’s the rest of what you can expect to see when the summer draws to a close and everyone climbs back into their cockpit, er, returns to work:

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 “Emil” Fighter – “Yellow 1”, Oberleutnant Josef Priller, Staffelkaptian 6/Jagdgeschwader 51, France, Autumn 1940 (1:48 Scale)
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Polish General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Fighter – 4047, 302nd Fighter Squadron, December 2019 [Anniversary Scheme]
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force McDonnell F-4E Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 3-6643, Bushehr International Airport, Iran, 2010
Hobby Master”s 1:72 scale German Navy Panavia GR. Mk. 1 Tornado IDS All-Weather Bomber – 46+20, Marineflieger Geschwader 2, 1990s
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Iraqi Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 29060 “Tornado Killer”, Habbanyah Air Base, Iraq, 1990-91
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Slovak Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 6829, “Slovak Tiger 2002”
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – “Red 22”, Latakia, Syria, 2015
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-34 “Fullback” Strike Fighter – “Red 24”, Latakia, Syria, 2015
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Calibre Wings Kills Two Birds with One Stone

No stranger to YouTube, Calibre Wings has posted yet another instructional video to their YouTube account, this time offering a close-up look at their latest F-14 Fleet Defense Fighter. Based upon a Tomcat flown at the NFS/NSAWC, the latest release should appeal to both Top Gun fans as well as F-14 enthusiasts, striking a chord with both communities along with diecast aficionados. Enjoy!

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The Forces of Valor Update: Whiskey Anyone?

As we await notification that our distributor has received the first batch of 1:32 scale Sturmtigers, Forces of Valor released a new instructional video to their YouTube account, this time taking a closer look at their soon-to-be released trio of 1:48 scale AH-1W Whiskey attack helicopters. Although the video seems to have been created for their Asian consumers, viewers can nevertheless get the gist of how to remove the helicopter from its base then put together its various components. The first three helicopters to come out are based upon ROCAF machines; USMC versions are expected to roll out some time this spring.

In other news, the manufacturer has begun talking up their range of 1:32 scale Sherman tanks, which has been languishing on their drawing boards for over two years. The Company claims that each of the new Shermans will boast features and components typically found in their larger 1:16 scale Extreme Metal series, thus making them heavier in the hand and ultimately more realistic for the diehard FOV collector. To that end, the manufacturer has produced a short video that focuses on the removable engine located in the rear of the vehicle, and will likely follow up this video with additional clips showing off some of the other detail. They have mused that the first vehicles will street this spring, right around the same time as the first Tiger Is are expected. Hope they’re right!

Incidentally, we noticed another pair of Sherman tanks were announced on the FOV website, although no images were posted for either model. This brings the total number of new Shermans to eleven. No doubt there are other versions in the works, possibly as many as three vehicles for each type of Sherman tank being introduced. That’s a lot of Sherman tanks although this probably comes as no surprise since it would seem as if this is their strategy going forward.

One final note. While it appears as if the tempo of operations has finally improved at the manufacturer’s end, and they are now posting anticipated release dates on Facebook and elsewhere, this does not mean it will be in our hands and ready for shipment to our customers at the same time as they are forecasting. Generally, it can take upwards of a month to transit the Pacific Ocean, clear customs and get offloaded from a container ship. Afterwards, the goods must then be shipped to our distributor, who, in this case, is located in Las Vegas, Nevada. After they review the shipment, it can then take another week or so before it reaches us here in New York thereby enabling us to finally ship out said product to our customers. So, please bear this in mind when they indicate that their first 1:32 scale Tiger I will be completed some time in April. From our standpoint, we are expecting to take delivery of the item around the end of May, fully six weeks after the item was “finished” at the manufacturer’s facility.

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There’s A Reason Why They’re Called Panzerkampf

As we await the arrival of their eagerly anticipated trio of M1 Abrams tanks and their pair of two-piece M1070 tank transporter sets, Panzerkampf made the decision to release several 1:72 scale tanks replicas that had been languishing in the wings for several months running. Among the notable introductions is a British A39 Tortoise heavy tank painted in a snakelike, three-tone camouflage scheme as well as the ponderous WWI-era A7V clad in a multi-colored camouflage pattern. All five new introductions are currently on the road to us and should be in stock by the middle of March. Panzers vor!

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German Sturmpanzerwagen A7V Infantry Support Tank – Camouflage
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale British A39 Tortoise Heavy Assault Tank – Camouflage
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian T-15 Armata Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle – Camouflage
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Chinese Peoples Liberation Army ZTZ99A Main Battle Tank – “235”, Desert Camouflage
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Soviet Object 279 Heavy Tank – Striped
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