Now that we’ve reestablished ourselves in the warm weather state of Florida, we thought it made sense to bring everyone up to speed concerning some of the upcoming events and news that has come to light over the last few weeks. For starters, we’re days away from the opening of the Nuremberg Toy Fair, which is typically where most of the diecast manufacturers share news concerning their upcoming wares. Naturally we’ll post news of the show the minute we learn about some of the latest product expected this calendar year.
Corgi has already discussed some of their upcoming projects for 2023, diverging somewhat from their 2022 strategy of announcing upcoming product in trimesters or every four months or so. Frankly, we’re not sure which strategy makes more sense but we’re willing to bet that something came up during 2022 that made their initial strategy untenable, at least for the near term. In any event, several new aircraft were discussed briefly on their 2023 price list, although nothing firm was provided including imagery for several planes that include their second issue 1:48 scale Eurofighter. These will likely be talked about in greater detail as the year progresses, possibly in their Diecast Diaries. We did learn, however, that Corgi lost the license to the highly coveted Top Gun film collection, likely because someone else with deeper pockets came along and was willing to pay more money for the rights to produce replicas based upon the box office smash hits. We’re sold out of their best-selling jet-based twin pack but do have a handful of the F/A-18/P-51 twin pack in stock as well as Maverick’s F/A-18 all by its lonesome. No doubt these will sell out quickly once word spreads that Corgi no longer has the rights to the Top Gun franchise.
In an interesting turn of events, Corgi indicated that they had secured the rights to produce Star Trek-related products from Paramount, something the now defunct Eaglemoss had owned lock, stock and barrel for several years running.. In the wake of Eaglemoss’ demise, however, I’m beginning to wonder if they also hired Ben Robinson, the former product manager for Eaglemoss range of sci-fi ships and other paraphernalia to oversee the Corgi expansion. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Corgi discusses the Paramount licensing deal in greater detail at the upcoming Nuremberg Toy Fair. In other news, the manufacturer also created this video which shows some of the products expected in early 2023 as well as those products they are currently working on and slated for release later in the year.
In other news, we are still awaiting the release of the Forces of Valor “Cobra King” Sherman tank, an eagerly awaited replica that was supposedly due out in late December but seems to be delayed for one reason or another. We are awaiting clarification regarding its release but seeing as how its Chinese New Year, we may have to wait a few more days to determine when we can expect our shipment.
Our distributor who handles the Panzerkampf line reports that a new inbound shipment is expected in February. Currently we do not have a manifest outlining which items are expected, so we do not have any hard-and-fast information concerning those items coming in. We’ll stay in touch with the distributor to determine when the container is expected to make landfall as well as those items included in its bowels. This same distributor also stocks the Neo Dragon Armor line of 1:72 scale military vehicles so here again we will await further word as to when and which items are scheduled to arrive.
We’re all caught up on those orders we can successfully ship out so our turn-around time for new orders should be almost instantaneous moving forward. Items such as Hobby Master’s inaugural Dassault Rafale fighter and third issue Su-57 “Felon” stealth fighter are in stock and ready to wing their way to anyone that places an order with us while stocks remain strong. Keep in mind that all outbound shipments are now emanating from Florida instead of New York, now that our transition to Wesley Chapel has gone without a hitch. That’s about it for now as we await news from Europe on some of the latest and greatest diecast collectibles you can expect to lay your mitts on this calendar year. Panzers vorwarts!