When Panzerkampf shows off a new model, they tend to do it in a big way. Yesterday, we learned that they have not one but six different versions of their upcoming Dassault Mirage III interceptor in the hopper, all lovingly festooned in accurate markings and insignia. Currently we are awaiting pricing and release information to flesh them out so we’ll refrain from opening them up for pre-order on our web site. With Toy Fair right around the corner, it shouldn’t be too long before we obtain their background information and pricing so that we can begin accepting pre-orders.
Back when they were first announced in 2011, fourteen 1:72 scale aircraft were debuted with the promise that no new re-paints would ever be offered. Some fourteen years later, we’re now up to 128 releases, several of which have been pumped out over and over again to justify the cost of the initial tooling. Be that as it may, this British-based manufacturer recently added four new models to the line and will likely continue to produce more re-paints for the foreseeable future now that they are no longer under the Hornby umbrella.
Frankly, it will likely take Oxford some time before they can offer new tooling due to the fact that their owners paid a considerable price to take them private. On the plus side many of their introductions can still be had for around $30, while comparable models from other model makers are now two and oftentimes three times that price. So, if you don’t mind waiting or collect on a budget, then Oxford still offers excellent value for the price. Here now the four new models expected over the course of 2025.
Its been a couple of years since we heard anything from Calibre Wings regarding their oft-promised Convair B-58 Hustler bomber. There’s all sorts of reasons for the delay but suffice it to say that the owner seems to finally be prepared to share news of their upcoming project now that its entering its final phase of prototype development..
The Convair B-58 Hustler, designed and produced by American aircraft manufacturer Convair, was the first operational bomber capable of Mach 2 flight. The B-58 was developed during the 1950s for the United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command (SAC). To achieve the high speeds desired, Convair chose a delta wing design used by contemporary interceptors such as the Convair F-102. The bomber was powered by four General Electric J79 engines in underwing pods. It had no bomb bay; it carried a single nuclear weapon plus fuel in a combination bomb/fuel pod underneath the fuselage. Later, four external hardpoints were added, enabling it to carry up to five weapons.
The B-58 entered service in March 1960, and flew for a decade with two SAC bomb wings: the 43rd Bombardment Wing and the 305th Bombardment. It was considered difficult to fly, imposing a high workload upon its three-man crews. Designed to replace the subsonic Boeing B-47 Stratojet strategic bomber, the B-58 became notorious for its sonic boom heard on the ground by the public as it passed overhead in supersonic flight.
We’ve contacted Calibre Wings to express our desire to stock their B-58 provided its well within our selling regime. Thus far, Calibre hasn’t discussed pricing, dates of availability, packaging, and shipping costs from China to the US, in part due to the Trump administration’s willingness to place hefty tariffs on incoming goods from much of Asia to the United States and, in particular, the PRC. So, while we would love to stock and sell this model, it may be impractical due to higher-than-normal costs and the increasingly hostile relationship currently occurring between the US and China. As I’ve mentioned in a previous Tales of Transparency blog post, some things are simply out-of-our-control and could actually impede your ability to acquire this model should you choose to purchase this model from a US-based retailer rather than direct from the manufacturer. In any event, we will stay in touch with Calibre once they have a better idea regarding the ultimate costs associated with bringing this model to the US.
A video compendium showing the development of the Calibre Wings B-58 Hustler through the years:
Its a fair bet that few people saw this one coming. While they’ve built a great reputation for modeling several of the world’s current crop of military vehicles, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is one of those subjects that was likely shunted to the back burner until Panzerkampf could tackle some other more pressing projects.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), known and marketed under Oshkosh development as the L-ATV (Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle), is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle. The Oshkosh-developed JLTV was selected for acquisition under the US military’s Army-led Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. In the very early stages of the program it was suggested that JLTV would replace the AM General High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) on a one-for-one basis. It is now suggested that the JLTV will partially replace the HMMWV.
The L-ATV was designed to deliver a level of protection comparable to that of heavier and less maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) class designs, these having more protection from blast than up-armored HMMWVs which they were delivered to replace on deployed operations.
Recently, Panzerkampf decided to show off imagery of their prototype JLTV, bereft of any markings or camouflage schemes. Better images showing more complete insignia will almost certainly come in the weeks to come. Its not clear when these vehicles will be turned out for sale of their purchase price. So, hang in there a bit more as we await word on further product information.
Looking to kick things off for 2025, Corgi showed off a wide range of upcoming products that are due out in the first half of 2025. Rather than attempting to steal the spotlight and keep everyone at bay for hours on end, we thought you might like to watch their user-created video which covers everything in the hopper from this prolific manufacturer. Enjoy!
When we heard that Panzerkampf had sold through its initial batch of MiG’s we couldn’t believe our ears. Surely a product as successful as the “Farmer-C” was going to be followed up by a new batch of product or, at the very least, even more models that would dazzle the hobby and satisfy the retail trade.
Well, it looks as if our prayers have been answered. According to our distributor, three new models are on the horizon, all expected to hit the streets some time in March. Bear in mind, the upcoming MiG-19PM, better known by the NATO reporting name of “Farmer-E” is a bit different than the original MiG-19S or “Farmer-C” in a very important way. The PM variant had its cannons removed entirely, a bit of a bummer if you like close-in dogfighting, which was typified by air-to-air combat in the Korean conflict. The PM is, however, armed with four Kaliningrad K-5M (NATO: AA-1 “Alkali”)beam-riding missiles, one of the earliest attempts at taking down adversarial aircraft by other means than the traditional gun or cannon.
Beam-riding, also known as Line-Of-Sight Beam Riding (LOSBR), beam guidance or radar beam riding is a technique of directing a missile to its target by means of radar or a laser beam. The name refers to the way the missile flies down the guidance beam, which is aimed at the target. It is one of the simplest guidance systems and was widely used on early missile systems, however it had a number of disadvantages for long-range targeting and is now found typically only in short-range roles. This version of the MiG-19 entered production in 1957.
Look for all three versions to beam in this March.
You can’t accuse Militaria Diecast of resting on their laurels. Just a scant few weeks after announcing and shipping out several new 1:43 scale military vehicles comes news that a further five vehicles are in stock and winging their way to their retail network. All five are priced at just $29.99 apiece, so when you consider the size of some of these new introductions, such as the all-new GMC truck with a communications shelter (shown above), their heft and diecast construction, that represents awesome value for the buck.
We’ve placed our initial order with our distributor so the quintet should be in stock and ready for outbound shipment to our customers by the end of next week. Barring any logistical issues, that means they can still make it under the tree in time for Christmas.
Earlier today we were surprised to see that Dragon will be bringing back an old favorite from the diecast graveyard. Marketed under their Cyber Hobby sub brand, DRR63281 is a departure of sorts for this model maker, since it resurrects one of their most popular Dragon Armor subjects that was originally released way back in 2005.
For those of you unfamiliar with this release, it contains a 1:72 scale King Tiger heavy tank that sits atop a circular display plinth which simply says DRAGON across the rim. Additionally, there are seven Fallschirmjager figures in varying poses that can be placed atop the tank to signify that they are being transported into battle. “Yellow 222”, as we’ve come to call it, was a German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank that was attached to schwere Panzerabteilung 501 — an integral part of the “Wacht am Rhein” operation — better known as the Battle of the Bulge Ardennes counteroffensive of December 1944.
For now, we will hold off listing this item on our web site since we aren’t certain if our distributor will be able to obtain this item and in any significant numbers. Moreover, we aren’t able to ascertain its price just yet, considering the vehicles comes bundled with a handsome display base and several pre-painted figures. The original set is listed on our site for $149.99 so its a fair bet this new iteration will retail for quite a bit more.
Finally, we aren’t sure if Dragon plans on re-releasing more previously available dioramas in the near- and long-term and how they will come packaged. Its clear they are trying to differentiate this new set from its predecessor by changing up the base and will more than likely alter the outer packaging to further distinguish the past from the present. Beyond that, we aren’t sure where this line will take us or the hobby down the road and how it will impact the prices of their former releases. As a guess, their next set of releases will involve the King Tiger heavy tank – likely produced in both Ausf. A and B variants — painted in a wide variety of schemes and attached to a great many heavy tank detachments that appeared on both the eastern and western fronts. So, don’t get your hopes dashed if the first few offerings aren’t your cup of tea since there will quite likely a lot scheduled for release on the horizon.
Earlier today we learned that Militaria Diecast received and is now shipping out seven new 1:43 scale diecast military vehicles to their retail netowrk. Composed of diecast metal and offering great value for the price, we expect to receive their latest batch of soft-skinned military vehicles by the middle of the month, making them perfect holiday gifts. Perhaps the most notable new introductions include this Sd. Kfz. 9 18-tom FAMO prime mover (shown above) and its accompanying tank transporter (shown below), both painted in an early war field grey scheme.
All seven have been listed to our web site under the November New Additions section and the pre-order window is now open.
In our 25 years or so of doing business online, I’ve seen some strange things but I think this one takes the cake. Earlier today Panzerkampf announced that they were planning to bring back their highly successful MH-53 Sea Dragon medium lift helicopter. Priced at just $99.99 a copy, that’s a pretty good bargain considering its track record, size and overall quality. The catch? Well, for some odd reason they plan to offer a squadron’s worth of alternatives to choose from. In the case of their dark blue chopper from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 “Blackhawks”, five different versions will take to the diecast skies this January. Their light blue helo from Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 “Black Stallions” will see five versions as well and five birds will put in an appearance with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Sixteen “Vanguard”. That’s fifteen helos in total, in case you weren’t counting, all expected at the same time.
Why the manufacturer feels the need to make so many different versions is anyone’s guess. Granted, only 100 pieces of each version are being made for an international audience, so they will likely go fast, at least at the wholesale level. At the retail level, that’s a completely different matter. These are big burly choppers that take up a lot of room even for a relatively larger diecast seller that can sell them across a fairly wide number of e-commerce platforms. Whether or not this will become a pattern for Panzerkampf remains to be seen. I, for one, don’t think its a great idea but what do I know. Enjoy!
We’re going to handle the sale of these helicopters a bit differently than in the past. As we run out of a particular model, we will automatically fill each order with a helicopter from the same squadron but with a different identification number. In the case of the “Blackhawks”, if we run out of “White 05”, for example, then we will fill the order with a helicopter from the same squadron but with a different identification number. We will NOT be re-ordering these models after we have exhausted our stock of a particular model. Frankly, they take up a lot of room and tie up a lot of inventory dollars plus we have no way of knowing if Panzerkampf will be applying this strategy to future releases. Please be mindful of this process if you have your heart set on a particular model and supplies at our end start to dwindle.
