Films in Focus

Product Spotlight: Going Down with his Flagship

“Searches by my carrier planes revealed the presence of the Northern carrier force on the afternoon of 24 October, which completed the picture of all enemy naval forces. As it seemed childish to me to guard statically San Bernardino Strait, I concentrated TF 38 during the night and steamed north to attack the Northern Force at dawn. I believed that the Center Force had been so heavily damaged in the Sibuyan Sea that it could no longer be considered a serious menace to Seventh Fleet.”

– Admiral William “Bull” Halsey in his dispatch after the battle of Leyte Gulf to CINCPAC, October 24th, 1944

One of the Eaglemoss warships that we just received and has been selling unexpectedly well is the IJN battleship, Yamashiro (EMGC54), the flagship of Admiral Shoji Nishimura at the Battle of Surigao Strait in October 1944.

Near the end of the war in the Pacific, Nishimura was named the commander of the “Southern Force” in “Operation Sho-Go”, which was aimed at a final and decisive naval battle against the United States Navy in the Philippines. Nishimura′s Force “C” consisted of battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, heavy crusier Mogami, and destroyers Shigure, Michishio, Asagumo, and Yamagumo.

Launched in 1915, Yamashiro was an aging warship, although she was modernized between 1930 and 1935, with improvements to her armor and machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the pagoda mast style. Nevertheless, with only 14-inch guns, she was outclassed by other Japanese battleships at the beginning of World War II, and played auxiliary roles for most of the war.

By 1944, with the prospects of defeat for the Imperial Japanese Empire looming, Yamashiro was forced into front line duty despite its shortcomings. In the Surigao Strait between Leyte and Dinagat Islands on the evening of October 24th, 1944, Nishimura’s force came into contact with the US 7th Fleet under Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf, which consisted of six battleships, eight cruisers, 29 destroyers, and 39 motor torpedo boats. Nishimura′s force was crushed when the Americans crossed the Japanese “T”, thereby enabling the US forces to deliver crushing salvos against the Japanese fleet while minimizing their own exposure to enemy action. Nishimura was killed during the battle when his flagship, the Yamashiro, was sunk after being hit multiple times from the U.S. battleships by torpedoes and naval gunfire.

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PMA Sets the Scene This Winter

Recently, we wrote how Precision Model Art (PMA) is releasing several new 1:72 scale 88mm FLaK guns, the first expected in early November, with two more liveries following in December. At the time, we were reluctant to reveal that the manufacturer is also coming out with several pre-built vignettes, largely because of their price and issues that can arise from not being able to modify these dioramas. As we see it, our job is to curate each range, and determine its feasibility within our overall product portfolio.

Anyway, for a limited time, our distributor has offered these same dioramas at somewhat reduced prices if ordered before November 15th. So, we’ve decided to list each of the five dioramas on our site to gauge consumer reaction, particularly during the holiday season. Keep in mind that these sets do not come with any of the vehicles or figures shown in the images, so customers have some latitude with how they want to populate these sets with any item they see fit.

Moreover, the Malinava Counter Attack Set E comes with street lamps that actually work, so you can display it as a night action. Its not clear if the set is battery operated or requires a plug-in outlet.

So, we will offer these sets at reduced prices until November 15th, then raise them up a bit should orders come in after that date. Enjoy! Note: As a special bonus, we are including a free Fabbri 1:72 scale diecast tank with each diorama ordered at no extra cost.

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High Seas, High Tech: The Gallant Above the Hunted Below

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Perhaps its a case of the yin meeting the yang, but two new warships are entering service this month, one for the US Navy and the other serving with the Russian Navy. For the US, the Navy formally commissioned the nation’s seventh Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – USS Detroit (LCS 7) – on the Detroit River, officially placing the ship designed and constructed by a Lockheed Martin-led industry team into active service. More information on the ship and its capabilities can be found here: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2016/october/161022-rms-us-navy-commissions-newest-littoral-combat-ship.html?__prclt=1Ex7kode

On the other side of the ledger, and loitering beneath the waves is the Podmoskovie, which was commissioned way back in 1986 as a Project 667BDRM Delfin-class (NATO: Delta IV) SSBN designated K-64, colloquially known as a “boomer”. Over the course of nearly two decades, the massive submarine was modified to conduct special missions. But exactly what those missions might be remains somewhat of a mystery. According to The National Interest, “Podmoskovie and her sister BS-136 Orenburg—a former Delta III SSBN—are roughly analogous to the U.S. Navy’s secretive USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23)—which is a highly modified Seawolf-class boat. Carter is roughly 100ft longer that her two Seawolf-class sisters with the addition of a Multi-Mission Platform (MMP), which allows the submarine to launch and recovery of various unmanned vehicles and support special operations forces. Podmoskovie is thought to be similar in concept—but the Russians are not exactly keen on sharing those details for obvious reasons.”

More information on the Podmoskovie can be found here: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-super-secret-spy-submarine-returns-sea-18171?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Early%20Bird%20Brief%2010.26.2016&utm_term=Editorial%20-%20Early%20Bird%20Brief

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Holiday Shipping Deadlines

united_states_postal_service_logo-svg As we approach the hectic holiday period, we thought it made sense to lay out all of our shipping deadlines ahead of time so our customers, both here and abroad, can determine when they need to get their deliveries in the mail to receive them before the holidays. So here goes:

December 10th – Last Day For Priority Mail International Shipments Outside the US for Christmas Delivery

December 12th – Last Day for Express Mail International Shipments Outside The US for Christmas Delivery

December 15th – Last Day for First Class Mail Shipments Within the US for Christmas Delivery

December 17th – Last Day for Priority Mail Shipments Within the US for Christmas Delivery

December 21st – Last Day for Express Mail Shipments Within the US for Christmas Delivery

Hanukkah comes later this year on December 24th, which can be challenging for the postal system since it means more packages are being shipped concurrently with Christmas deliveries. Needless to say, the sooner you get your orders into the system the better, particularly if weather- or work-related issues and/or delays pop up across the nation. Keep in mind that once we hand off the parcels to the USPS, we have no control over their delivery, routing or location, so we strongly recommend not waiting until the bitter end to place or inquire about your orders. The aforementioned deadlines can also be viewed on our Calendar page.

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Product Spotlight: The Hornet Gets Super

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“Victory”

– VF-103 radio callsign

Announced several months ago, Hobby Master’s first ever F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter has slowly edged its way from the drawing board to the production line in an effort to get the first bird out the door by year’s end. Their inaugural offering is based upon a US Navy Boeing F/A-18F that served with VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers,” then embarked upon the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) in 2012 (HA5102).

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By all accounts, collectors are quite happy with the way the first model looks, particularly since it bears the insignia of the illustrious “Jolly Rogers”, one of the most sought after squadrons among aviation enthusiasts. Hobby Master has pegged this model with a tentative release date of December, so we are hoping, perhaps against all hope, that it may still make it in time to be nestled under the Christmas tree, if Santa busts a move. We will post further information as soon as it reaches us.

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Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103), nicknamed the Jolly Rogers is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1952. VFA-103 flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (USA). The squadron’s radio callsign is Victory and it is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven.

The original VF-103 squadron insignia was a cloverleaf, and the aircraft tailfins had a horizontal yellow arrow outlined in black. Later a stylized aircraft darting through the leaf was added, along with a baseball bat. The baseball stemmed from an early skipper who often carried one with him. In 1991, VF-103’s aircraft used the squadron insignia for tail-art, in place of the bold arrow. When the Sluggers became the Jolly Rogers they adopted the famous white skull-and-crossbones.

The Jolly Rogers have always displayed some of the most recognizable squadron markings in the world: sinister white skull-and-crossbones on all-black tails, with gold bands wrapped around the tip of the tail fins, and black bands with gold chevrons (known as vagabonds strips from the Crusader days of VF-84 (1955-95)) run down the sides of the forward fuselage.

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Film in Focus: USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage

Occasionally, a movie slips by us that we never expected, and USS Indianapolis is just that flick. Based upon the real-life exploits of the US Navy cruiser USS Indianapolis, the film traces the final voyage of the ship towards the end of WWII, from its successful mission to take components for the atomic bomb to a forward operating base, to its sinking at the hands of a Japanese sub, and the ignominious fate thereafter. Starring Nicholas Cage as Captain McVay, the commander of the USS Indianapolis, look for the film to reach theaters around the middle of November.

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Product Spotlight: Spock’s Jellyfish

“Live long and prosper.”

– Science Officer Spock, USS Enterprise NCC1701

The Jellyfish was a late-24th century starship commissioned by the Vulcan Science Academy for the transport of red matter. It was described as being “our fastest ship” and featured a rotating tail section.

After the ship’s commissioning in 2387, Ambassador Spock piloted the Jellyfish during his attempt to save the Milky Way Galaxy from destruction by a massive supernova before it destroyed the planet Romulus. Spock used the Jellyfish to inject red matter into the supernova, resulting in the creation of a black hole that absorbed the nova. While the plan succeeded, Spock was unfortunately too late to stop the nova from destroying Romulus.

As Spock was attempting to depart, he was intercepted by the Romulan mining vessel Narada, and both ships were pulled into the black hole. The Narada emerged from the tunnel through space-time in 2233 and was the catalyst for the alternate reality, whereas the Jellyfish exited the black hole twenty-five years later. Upon capture by Nero, the ship was stored inside the Narada. Nero later ordered the use of the red matter aboard the seized ship to destroy the planet Vulcan.

The ship was destroyed when the younger Commander Spock of the alternate reality was able to retrieve the ship and piloted it on a collision course with the Narada, igniting the red matter inside. Spock survived the collision and was beamed aboard the USS Enterprise at the last moment.

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Precision Model Art Takes the High Road this Winter

Precision Model Art (PMA) has undergone some changes of late, but that doesn’t mean their quality has suffered or their lineup has been affected. As several new items arrive this month, we’ve also learned that a bunch of other products are in the wings, proving they are in it for the long haul against some of the more entrenched players with wider assortments.

Expected in January are two new renditions of the 88mm FLaK gun – one painted in a desert camouflage pattern (P0311) and the other in a winter livery (P0313). Also on the docket are two 5-man WWII era figure sets containing German soldiers in varying poses (P0401 and P0402). While the PMA products are a bit pricier than their competition, its important to keep in mind that they offer far more detail and craftsmanship, thereby warranting the higher coinage. For instance, the 88mm guns come with ammo crates and the gun itself can be configured to either a towed or firing position. Look for these and other new items to roll in this January.

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The Russians are Coming…and Keep on Coming

While available in Russia for the last couple of years, it wasn’t until today that our distributor announced that the Eaglemoss range of Red Army Soldiers of World War II would be made available to comrades elsewhere. Twenty seven 1:32 scale soldiers comprise the series, all hand painted and pre posed and cutting across all ranks, titles and job duties. Look for the human wave assault some time in January.

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The Cold War Anew?: Russia Revives the KGB in the Form of the MGB

News out of Russia seems to be getting more and more dire by the day, as hard line members have seemingly gained control over the Duma, the lower house of parliament, taking three-quarters of its 450 seats, its largest ever majority. And, according to the UK Telegraph, Russia plans to shake-up its security forces, reviving an old organization that conjures up the darkest days of the Cold War.

“[The] MGB (Ministry of State Security), would be created from the current Federal Security Service (FSB), and would incorporate the foreign intelligence service (SVR) and the state guard service (FSO), under the plans.

It would be handed all-encompassing powers once possessed by the KGB, the Kommersant newspaper said, citing security service sources.

Like the much-feared KGB, it would also oversee the prosecutions of Kremlin critics, a task currently undertaken by the Investigative Committee, headed by Alexander Bastrykin, a former university classmate of President Putin. The Kremlin has not commented.

The MGB is not a new designation. It was the name of the state security apparatus for eight years during Joseph Stalin’s bloody rule. It was renamed the KGB after Stalin’s death, and disbanded in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when its powers were distributed among a number of newly-created security services.” This all comes less than 24 hours after taking a majority stake of the Duma.

The history of the MGB is as feared as its role in the former Soviet Union. The MGB was just one of many incarnations of the Soviet State Security apparatus. Since the revolution, the Bolsheviks relied on a strong political police or security force to support and control their regime. During the Russian Civil War, the Cheka were in power, relinquishing it to the less violent State Political Directorate (GPU) in 1922 after the fighting was over. The GPU was then renamed The People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD) in 1934. From the mid-1930s and until the creation of the KGB, this “Organ of State Security” was re-organized and renamed multiple times depending on the needs and fears of the leadership. In 1941, the state-security function was separated from the NKVD and became the People’s Commissariat for State Security (NKGB), only to be reintegrated a few months later during the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. In 1943, the NKGB was once again made into an independent organization in response to the Soviet occupation of parts of Eastern Europe. SMERSH—anecdotally derived from a phrase translated as “Death to Spies”—which was designed to be a counter-intelligence unit within the Red Army to ensure the loyalty of the army personnel. Following the end of the war, both the NKVD and the NKGB were converted to ministries and redubbed the Ministry for Internal Affairs (MVD) and the Ministry for State Security (MGB). The MGB and MVD merged again in 1953, orchestrated by Lavrenty Beria, who was then arrested and executed. The KGB took on the mantle of the NKGB/ MGB and, in 1954, broke off from the reformed MVD.

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