Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survivability Kit – Commander’s Vehicle, E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored, Cavalry Regiment, Iraq, 2011
Late last year, Panzerkampf posted images of several different M1 Abrams tanks replicas, all of which boasted the US Army’s latest TUSK survivability equipment. TUSK improves protection, firepower, and Situation Awareness of the tanks. The TUSK includes such components as add-on explosive reactive armor and a slat armor, which provides protection against RPG rounds, 32 dischargers for 66-mm defensive grenades, which loaded with a combination of smoke and anti-personnel grenades, a transparent shielding around vehicle commander’s 12.7-mm machine gun that allow vehicle commander to be protected from enemy fire.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survivability Kit – 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, FOB Hammer, Iraq, 2011
Even though we are still awaiting the release of the first set of vehicles, the manufacturer, earlier today, posted three more additions to its growing fleet of M1 Abrams models, this time centering around the exploits of several US armored units deployed to Iraq in 2011. Its not clear if this latest set of vehicles will be released in conjunction with the first set of products or if these are slated to come to market later this year.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survivability Kit – 68th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Iraq, 2011
Keep in mind that it is entirely possible that the manufacturer has more Abrams tanks in the pipeline, as is common in the diecast military market.
Never one to disappoint, Hobby Master announced today their intent to model the Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter as its next modern era subject. The Su-30 comes as no surprise to the collecting community seeing as how the manufacturer has already modeled virtually all of the other modern era combat aircraft found within the Sukhoi family. Still, it represents an important addition to the Hobby Master stable of modern era platforms, and cements their place as the preeminent maker of pre-assembed diecast military aircraft.
Several other noteworthy aircraft were also shown for the first time, all of whom are tentatively slated for a November release. What follows are the balance of the May product announcements:
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – RF-D/EP594, Lieutenant Jan Zumbach, No.303 (Polish) Squadron, RAF Northolt, England, August 1942Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – BM592, Wing Commander Alois Vasatko, No.312 (Czech) Squadron, Exeter Wing, RAF Duxford, England, June 1942Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Israeli Boeing F-15A Baz Multi-Role Fighter – “672”, No.133 Squadron, Tel Nof Airbase, Israel, February 13th, 1981Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15C Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 86-0169, Lt. Colonel Cesar “Rico” Rodriguez, 493rd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, March 24th, 1981 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale NASA Lockheed ER-2 High Altitude Research Aircraft – “809”, Dryden Flight Research Center, California, 1999Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Spanish Boeing Harrier II Plus EAV-8B Jump Jet – VA.1B-24, Naval Air Station Rota, Andalusia, Spain, 2019Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Spanish Navy Boeing Harrier II Plus AV-8B Jump Jet – 1-19, Marina Militare, North Arabian Sea, Operation Enduring Freedom, 2002 [Low-Vis Scheme]
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale USMC Chance-Vought F4U-1D Corsair Fighter – Lt. Ira Kepford, VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”, 1944
When they took over the Forces of Valor brand some five years ago, Waltersons had hinted that many of the sub brands FOV had become famous for would be brought up to today’s standards, even if it meant taking some time to consider how to fulfill this dream. While anyone could have simply re-released several of their older and obviously more tired molds, thereby recouping some of their investment within the first year of the acquisition, Waltersons correctly realized that something had to be done to help differentiate them from their peers, even if it meant taking their time to get it right.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Fighter – Lieutenant Commander Sigeru Itaya, 2nd Squadron, 1st Section, IJN Carrier Akagi, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 1941
At long last, it appears as if the fruits of their labors are now quite evident, thanks, in part, to the posting of a group of photos aimed at showing off some of the features now found in their first batch of WWII-era, piston-engine fighters. Three fighters are expected to swoop in this summer, among them two Japanese Mitsubishi fighters and a lone USMC F4U Corsair, with several more warbirds looking to bolster their aerial armada later this year. While none of the subjects are new to the FOV squadron, Waltersons decided this would be their starting point with new toolings pushed off for a future date.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Fighter – Lt. Sumio Nouno, 11th Section, 4th Hikotai, IJN Carrier Hiryu, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 1941
The images clearly show the direction and philosophy Waltersons intends to take this category. For starters, each aircraft will come with a configurable display stand, which will enable collectors to pose the model in varying angles of attack. Should they decide to display their model in a landed position, each model will also come with a decorative display base designed to resemble a section of an aircraft carrier’s deck. And, while each model will come with a free-spinning propeller typical of a piston-powered fighter, the Company is also including a partially painted plastic spinner, which is designed to convey the illusion of motion, no easy feat given these are static display replicas. Other improvements include a removable engine cowling, which reveals a detailed power plant, seated pilot figure, and bombs/drop tanks, where applicable. Look for the first group of aircraft to arrive some time in July.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]
Per the course, Waltersons seems to be falling behind schedule with their inaugural Tiger I tank, a model originally forecast for an April release that has now been pushed back until mid May. Nevertheless. the manufacturer did post a bevy of imagery for the vehicle, which “we” believe will hit the streets some time in July, given requisite load times, the ability to fill a shipping container and current congestion clogging virtually all of the west coast ports. Still, we’re looking at things from a “glass half full” viewpoint, pointing out many of the improvements the manufacturer has made to the existing mold and assurances that slowdowns in production times are finally being addressed with some measure of satisfaction.
Solido’s 1:48 scale US M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank – Desert Camouflage
Back when we started out in 2000, Solido was one of the dominant makers of military vehicles, producing an ever-expanding range of 1:43-1:50 scale tanks, artillery and soft-skinned vehicles. Over the years, they seem to have ebbed and flowed, producing a handful of vehicles one year then lying dormant for several years running. Hopefully, that may have changed as we ourselves learned recently, with nine new 1:48 scale diecast military vehicles slated for a summer release. Nine is a bit of a stretch, since four of the vehicles will be offered in both a woodland camouflage scheme as well as a desert motif. Still, this can only be seen as welcome news as we basically gave up on seeing anything new from them for the foreseeable future.
We’ve listed all nine vehicles in our revamped Solido military vehicle section and are accepting pre-orders as we speak.
Precision Model Art’s 1:72 scale German Horten Ho 229 Fighter Bomber [Bonus Pair of Jumo 004 Turbojet Engines]
Having carved out a respectable niche in the diecast military vehicle space, it appears as if Precision Model Art (PMA) now has its sights set – quite literally – on the skies above. Earlier today, the manufacturer decided to dip its toe into the military aircraft space by announcing plans to build a 1:72 scale replica of the Horten Ho 229 fighter-bomber. Previously, Luft-X had offered the same model in its product portfolio but has since gone dormant over the last few years with no new product announcements. Sensing the time was right to step into the void, PMA’s offering will be made of diecast rather than the resin replica Luft-X created, and will feature a bevy of features commonly found in their military vehicles.
For openers, the PMA version will have removable engine covers so collectors can peer inside the aircraft thereby enabling them to ogle each of the intricately detailed Junkers Jumo 004 engines found within the model. Also shown is a removable canopy and detachable landing gear, so aviation enthusiasts can display the model in multiple configurations.
Precision Model Art’s 1:72 scale German Karl-Gerat Super Heavy Self-Propelled 54cm Mortar – “Fenrir” (Son of Loki), schwere Artillerie Abteilung 833, Hillersleben, Germany, 1945
Also shown for the first time is a new Karl Morser siege mortar, this time portraying the prototype 54cm gun which was capable of firing a huge projectile several miles at fixed enemy fortifications. The pre-order window for both items is now open and shipment is expected to take place some time this summer.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 “Emil” Fighter – Oblt. Hans Schmoller-Haldy, 3.Jagdgruppe 88 “The Condor Legion”, Spanish Civil War, March 1939
While the Company continues to shuffle around some of its previous introductions, and beef up many of its strongest categories, Hobby Master took time away from their busy schedule to announce their late summer lineup. Although no new toolings were debuted, there were a number of notable new offerings, including their first ever subject from the Spanish Civil War: a Messerschmitt Bf-109E3 attached to the Luftwaffe’s Condor Legion. Designed to test the mettle of Goring’s young air force, the Condor Legion would go on to play a key role in the war between the Republican and Communist forces dueling for control over Spain from 1936 to 1939.
Here’s the rest of what you can expect to see when the summer draws to a close and everyone climbs back into their cockpit, er, returns to work:
As we await the arrival of their eagerly anticipated trio of M1 Abrams tanks and their pair of two-piece M1070 tank transporter sets, Panzerkampf made the decision to release several 1:72 scale tanks replicas that had been languishing in the wings for several months running. Among the notable introductions is a British A39 Tortoise heavy tank painted in a snakelike, three-tone camouflage scheme as well as the ponderous WWI-era A7V clad in a multi-colored camouflage pattern. All five new introductions are currently on the road to us and should be in stock by the middle of March. Panzers vor!
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German Sturmpanzerwagen A7V Infantry Support Tank – CamouflagePanzerkampf’s 1:72 scale British A39 Tortoise Heavy Assault Tank – CamouflagePanzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian T-15 Armata Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle – CamouflagePanzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Chinese Peoples Liberation Army ZTZ99A Main Battle Tank – “235”, Desert CamouflagePanzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Soviet Object 279 Heavy Tank – Striped
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Finnish Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – “White 0”, Ilmari Juutilainen, MT-451, 1/LeLv34, June 1944
Even as we begin packing up the February Hobby Master releases that showed up this week, we’re already looking ahead to the summer when the latest flock of warbirds materializes. That said, here’s a quick-and-dirty at what you can expect to set off for the wild blue yonder this coming July:
German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – “Yellow 6”, Ofw. Alfred Surau, 9./Jagdgeschwader 3 “Udet”, Germany, September 1943 (1:48 Scale)German McDonnell RF-4E Phantom II Reconnaissance Aircraft – “Norm 83A”, 35+67, Aufklarungsgeschwader 52, Leck, Germany, 1992 (1:72 Scale)
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Israeli Defense Force General Dynamics F-16C Barak Fighter – 101 Squadron, Norvenich Airbase, Germany, Exercise Blue Wings, 2020
With Chinese New Year fast approaching, Hobby Master wasted no time re-jiggering its mid-year lineup and adding a bevy of new aircraft for a June delivery. While no new toolings were shown, several of their newest warbirds have been requested for several months, including an Israeli F-16C Barak fighter that took part in joint operations with the Luftwaffe over German skies as part of Exercise Blue Wing 2020. Here now some of the latest aircraft added to the Hobby Master aerial armada.
