May 2024

Anatomy of War: Turtles and Cope Cages

Admittedly, I haven’t been following the day-to-day coverage of the Russo-Ukrainian War as I should be, largely due to other previous commitments that take up most of my time. That said, I do try and review some of the news and videos that circulate online, all in an effort to see how they can be adapted to our business model.

Recently, I watched with curiosity some of the field modified vehicles both sides have been deploying in response to the latest anti-tank weaponry being tested and operated on the battlefield. The Russians, for instance have modified some of their older T-72 tanks with all sorts of added if strange-looking protection, which give these once proud main battle tanks a peculiar look. These “turtles”, as they are being called by some analysts, resemble small barns or quonset huts with a gun protruding out the front, which prevents the gun from rotating its turret a full 360 degrees and, for all intents and purposes, turning the tank into an assault gun.

On the other side of the ledger, some of the older US-built M1A1 Abrams tanks have been similarly “upgraded” by the Ukrainian army, all in an effort to protect them from top down drone attacks that have destroyed or disabled many a tank. As the accompanying videos demonstrate, both adaptations create problems for the crew to both enter and leave their vehicles, to say nothing of the loading of the vehicle’s main armament. While I have no comment regarding the effectiveness of this “hillbilly armor” that have been used in previous conflicts, I do wonder how new systems such as the M10 Booker and T-14 Armata can survive on the battlefield if they are already being outgunned by the latest anti-tank weaponry reaching the battlefield.

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Dragon Takes a Walk on the Wild Side

Our principal distributor confirmed today that Dragon is once again hard at work developing plans for a line of 1:35 scale pre-assembled military vehicles. The Company first released a series of 1:35 scale tanks and self-propelled artillery some 15 years ago, which primarily catered to collectors interested in larger sized military models they could display straight out of the box. Back then, the range primarily consisted of WWII-era German tanks, most notably King Tigers, Tigers, Panthers and Elefants, along with several versions of the Karl Gerat self-propelled mortar. Most of the vehicles sold for between $80-$100, so its a good bet this new range — possibly consisting of the same batch of vehicles — will command much higher prices at retail. Composed of plastic rather than diecast metal, the original group of vehicles was well received and were even supplemented by a Cyber Hobby Tiger I heavy tank that commanded an even higher premium.

From what we understand, the first vehicles slated for release will come out in 2025 and may include tanks from other nations and possibly subjects from other military eras. In effect, what you see in their 1:72 scale subjects will likely get the nod to be included in their all-new 1:35 scale line. Given their penchant for Abrams tanks, for instance, its a safe bet that the vehicle — which has undergone numerous upgrades over the last fifteen years — will get tapped at some point to join the 1:35 scale military parade.

Dragon’s upcoming 1:35 scale range will certainly come as excellent news to those collectors who have been abandoned by Minichamps long forgotten 1:35 scale all-metal series as well as Forces of Valor collectors who have been stymied by Waltersons’ seemingly hush-hush short- and long term plans. Whether or not a $200 price tag for each new product is acceptable is anyone’s guess.

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Forces of Valor Steps up to the Microphone

After laying low for several months, and still trying to figure out why they are having issues correctly shipping out orders to their retailing network, Waltersons has finally re-surfaced to share some news with us about upcoming projects. Apparently, a large re-stock shipment is expected to reach our shores in July, filled — according to their literature — with all sorts of relatively new items they ran out of earlier this year. According to the manufacturer, the following items will reportedly return-to-stock this summer:

1:32 scale US M24 Chaffee Light Tank

1:32 scale GMC 2-1/2-ton Trucks

1:48 scale USMC Bell AH-1W “Whiskey” Super Cobra Attack Helicopter

1:700 scale US Battleship Missouri (full hull)

1:700 scale German Battleship Bismarck (full hull)

1:32 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – Hauptmann Herbert Oehme, “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad, Russia, February 1943

1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – Lt. Vermehren, “Alwin”, “121”, 1/schwere Panzerabteilung 501, Panzerarmee Afrika, Tunisia, 1943

1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “Red 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943

1:32 scale US M4A3(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – Training Vehicle, C Company, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, New York, 1943

1:32 scale US M4A3(76)W Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – Sgt. Daniel “Buttons” Cardell, “Julia”, 761st Tank Battalion “Black Panthers”, Task Force Rhine, Germany, 1945

1:32 scale US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – Lieutenant Charles Boggess, “Cobra King”, C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944

Also expected are the following new items that have been shown on their web site for well over a year:

1:72 scale USMC AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter

1:700 scale HMS Invincible aircraft carrier (full hull and waterline)

To be perfectly honest, we will believe all this when we see it, based upon their past performance and mishandling numerous issues. Moreover, nothing was mentioned regarding new product in the pipeline even though we are quickly looking at the back half of 2024 and the all-important holiday season. To be blunt, they’re still having trouble getting their ducks in a row, one year after they acquired Greenlight Collectibles. Moreover, the sales sheet sent to us fails to include information about their upcoming 1:72 scale F4 Phantom II and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, nor does it talk about any of the 1:64 scale military vehicles supposedly hitting the streets. So, if you plan to place orders for any of the items Waltersons says are expected in July, please do so with a grain of salt and understand we have no control over the situation nor do we guarantee that said items will actually materialize this summer. Its been an exercise in frustration that we wish was finally addressed to everyone’s satisfaction

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Legion Clamors into the Cockpit of the Mustang

Looking to add more allied fighters to its growing aircraft inventory, Legion announced that they will soon be releasing no less than five different North American P-51B Mustang fighters. Expected later this summer, all five of the models are based upon celebrated aces, running the gamut from Don Gentile to James Howard.

Each model features optional position landing gear, a spinning propeller, historically accurate markings and insignia and a display stand. The quintet of new aircraft have been listed on our website and we are now accepting pre-orders.

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Cyber Hobby Returns to the Battlefield

**Cyber Hobby German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 161 PzKpfw IV Ausf. H Medium Tank with Schurzen Side Skirts – “Red 624” [Snowy Exterior]**

Years ago, when Dragon Armor was at the height of its popularity, we imported a sister line of 1:72 scale armor dubbed Cyber Hobby. Said line featured upscale packaging, limited edition collector cards and oftentimes was based upon vehicles tied to famous tank commanders such as Michael Wittmann and Otto Carius.

Today we learned that some of the latest Cyber Hobby releases will soon be available in the North American market, although supplies will be extremely limited. So limited that we doubt we will be able to list them on several of the after market retail sites we typically use to help promote our product portfolio.

Four vehicles are supposedly going to be made available in this initial batch – two based upon the Panzer IV Ausf J medium tank and another pair based upon the Panzer Ausf. H. We’ve listed the quartet of vehicles under the Cyber Hobby sub section found within our Dragon Armor category. Again, these products will be sold on a first come, first served basis. We’re not certain if the newest Cyber Hobby products will be sold using the same marketing materials as in the past including the limited edition collector cards and metal tins we alluded to earlier. As a guess, they will probably be sold in the black cardboard packaging Dragon has been using for its Neo Dragon Armor line and the vehicles may require some minor assembly work to complete the build.

One final thought. We may have to allocate the Cyber Hobby products should pre-orders exceed our expectations, all in an effort to be fair to as many of our customers as possible. So please don’t get upset if we have to pare down your order once we get a handle as to how many we will need to complete our orders. Also, just because we will be getting these four vehicles does not necessarily mean we will be receiving and selling the entire series henceforth since availability is largely determined by both the manufacturer and our distributor.

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Anatomy of War: The Bradley Gets an Upgrade

As we get set to head off for a well-deserved vacation, we noticed that the US Army unveiled the latest iteration of its Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Dubbed the M2A4E1, the newest variant boasts a wide array of enhancements that are designed to make it more lethal, survivable and mobile on today’s battlefield. There’s a good chance that many of the upgrades discussed in the accompanying video will be incorporated into the upcoming M10 Booker armored fighting vehicle, a lighter and more maneuverable combat tank than the M1 Abrams. The Bradley, which was named after General of the Army Omar Bradley, has served the US Army well for over four decades, first entering service way back in 1981. Over the years, it has been continuously upgraded and reconfigured, all in an effort to keep it current with the latest technological advancements achieved by DARPA.

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Panzerkampf Almost Gets it Right

Interest has been steadily building ahead of the release of Panzerkampf’s set of MH-60 helicopters that pay tribute to the men and machines that took part in Operation Gothic Serpent — a military operation conducted in Mogadishu, Somalia, by an American force code-named Task Force Ranger during the Somali Civil War in 1993. While the models have been painstakingly researched and replicated, and even the rotor blades have been re-worked to make them less brittle to the touch, the manufacturer seems to have gotten the colors a tad incorrect. Instead of a flat black exterior, each of the forthcoming helos boast a slightly greenish hue, as shown in most of their preview photos.

As many of you know, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the “Night Stalkers”, fly under the darkest of night time conditions, oftentimes during a new moon when there is no ambient light that can be cast down upon them to reveal their whereabouts and ultimate intent. So, while the manufacturer almost got it right with their insignia, markings and other significant details, they scored a near miss when it comes to getting the colors spot on. Please bear this in mind if you plan to order any of these soon-to-be-released choppers as we are giving you fair warning well ahead of their arrival, something the 160th SOAR doesn’t ordinarily do to their unwitting opponents.

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The Forces of Valor Update: Comes the Destroyer

Hinted at a few years ago, Forces of Valor has finally unveiled details concerning their upcoming 1:32 scale Ferdinand tank destroyer. Like their Sturmtiger rocket assault mortar, the Ferdinand will feature a removable superstructure so that collectors can peer inside the vehicle and even monkey around with the vehicle’s ammunition, its stowage racks and other pertinent details they ordinarily wouldn’t get to see had the superstructure remained in a fixed position. According to their literature, the Ferdinand will come with two crewmen although neither figure was shown in the preview pictures. It also appears as if the vehicle will not come with removable engines that we assumed would come inside the package and have become a hallmark of the series. As a guess, they were omitted to keep the final cost of the item down to below a manageable price point.

On the downside, it seems as though the Ferdinand will come with a hefty price tag – $189.99, well above either of their previously released Sturmtigers or any of their other 1:32 scale armored fighting vehicles. Interestingly, only a couple of hundred vehicles are being built for each major market and, if their information proves correct, is pegged for a late summer release, perhaps in conjunction with several other new products.

At the recently concluded China Hobby Show, the Company also showed off the next Tiger I heavy tank, which we believe will hit the diecast battlefield as early as this summer. We haven’t listed it for pre-sale just yet as we are awaiting details concerning which unit it severed with and if the retail price has gone through a similar uptick in cost. So, for now, we’ve opened the pre-order window for the Ferdinand and will unveil their newest Tiger I as soon as information is passed along to us.

On a completely separate topic, a collector posted an image of a 1:32 scale US M60A1 Patton tank in what we are calling older Unimax packaging that carries the Green Light Collectibles logo on its front exterior facing.

We are assuming that Green Light is bringing back some of the old Unimax favorites as a means of bolstering their line up and will, presumably, offer these vehicles at a lower cost than their traditional Forces of Valor series. We’ve asked the manufacturer for clarification and hope to get an answer back after we return from vacation towards the second week of May.

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