Well, not exactly but try telling that to Legion Models. Earlier today, the manufacturer indicated that they were getting into the Sherman game with the Firefly medium tank, due out by year’s end if you can put stock into their marketing material. Legion, a budget-minded producer of military diecast models and an offshoot of Panzerkampf, seems to like the British Firefly tank — so much so that five models will be offered when they roll out for front line duty this holiday season. Why they have a penchant for releasing so many versions of any given subject all at the same time is anyone’s guess apart from economies of scale, no doubt an effort to keep the retail price as low as possible. Be that as it may, we’re in the process of listing the quintet to our web site, and should have the diminutive platoon ready for pre-sale by the close of business today.
And, if you’re wondering about the difference between the standard US-built Sherman medium tank and the British conversion, check out the accompanying video that was produced by the British Tank Museum:
Diecast sometimes makes for strange bedfellows. Take the case of Militaria Diecast, who recently indicated that two more 1:72 scale warbirds were joining their growing pantheon of military aircraft. According to our distributor, two new fighters are winging their way to us, each, in its own right important additions to the Allied war effort in World War II. As it turns out, both are the mounts of two high-scoring aces, one in the ETO, the other halfway around the world in the PTO.
USMC Chance-Vought F4U-1A Corsair Fighter – “Lucybelle,” Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, CO of VMF-214 “Black Sheep,” Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, November 1943 (1:72 Scale)
The first aircraft represents Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s P-47D Thunderbolt fighter, a plane that made him one of the top scoring ace’s facing the Luftwaffe over the western front. And, if that weren’t enough, collectors can look forward to a rendition of Greg “Pappy” Boyington’s F4U Corsair, who famously went on to become the leader of the “Black Sheep” squadron operating against the Japanese in the vast Pacific Theatre of Operations.
Pegged at just $39.99, these replicas have become synonymous with quality at an affordable price, at a time when just about everything else in the diecast military space seems headed towards the stratosphere. Both models are on their way to us and we should have them in stock and ready for outbound shipping by the middle of August.
Like clockwork, Hobby Master recently announced a gaggle of new aircraft models that are slated for a January release. While no new toolings debuted, the roster includes a number of fan-favorites that have demonstrated a strong sales history among collectors world over. Included are two models from their SkyMax Models range — a separate budget-mind line that has largely been ignored over the last few years., Both introductions are based upon the Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter, a highly respected if late-to-the-party warbird that ended up being pressed into service at the start of the Cold War.
Here now what you expect to place on your diecast tarmac in early 2026:
SkyMax Models US Navy Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Fighter – 121717, VF-61 “Jolly Rogers”, 1949 (1:72 Scale)
SkyMax Models US Navy Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Fighter – 121714, Duxford, England, 2014 (1:72 Scale)
USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 09-4190, 90th Fighter Squadron “The Diecemen”, 3rd Fighter Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, 2017 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 80-0283, 25th Fighter Squadron “Assam Draggins”, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Force Base, Japan, 2015 (1:72 Scale)
USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 88-0705, 90th Fighter Squadron “The Dicemen”, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, August 2005 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
French Dassault Rafale B Multirole Fighter – “113-1E”, EC 01.007 Provence, Libya, 2011
US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 168256, VAQ-139 “Cougars”, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, 2025 (1:72 Scale)
Additionally, Hobby Master is bringing back a fan-favorite with the re-release of HA33003. This aircraft sold out quickly when it was first issued earlier this year, so its encore performance will certainly be viewed with great fanfare.
USAF Northrop F-5C Tiger II Fighter – 64-13332, 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando “Skoshi Tiger”, Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam, 1965 (1:72 Scale)
