Product Announcements

Corgi Stokes the Fires of Our Winter of Discontent

Corgi’s 1:48 scale RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 Multi-Role Fighter – ZK349 GN-A, Flt. Lt. Ben Westoby-Brooks, RAF No.29(R) Squadron, Battle of Britain, Typhoon Display Team, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, Summer 2015 [Anniversary Scheme]

For some inexplicable reason, Corgi seems to run into problems announcing their yearly introductions on an annual basis. Their 2021 range, which was initially supposed to be unveiled on the 5th, was delayed by two days until today presumably to get out the news in a sustainable format so that all the world could see. Frankly, this seems to be anything but the case as their web site continues to either crawl or crash, preventing many collectors from ogling what they have in mind for the calendar year.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Bristol Beaufort Mk.1 Torpedo Bomber – N1016 (OA-X), Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, No.22 Squadron, RAF Cornwall, England, 1941

So, while we have some information stored away for safe keeping, largely obtained at the ungodly hour of 5am, it appears as if we will have to slowly roll out Corgi’s new announcements over the course of the next few days, as online traffic to their web site begins to wane and page views can be achieved with some degree of reliability. In the meantime, we’ve begun listing a handful of new items that we did manage to learn about, including this stunning 1:48 scale RAF Eurofighter Typhoon GR4 due out later this year. We’ve also posted a YouTube video created and narrated by Corgi that does a wonderful job of showcasing many of the models due out later this year.
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Hobby Master Fires Up the Production Line for May Day

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” Stealth Fighter – “Bort 053”, MAKS 2019 Aviasalon Air Show

Now that the holiday season has come and gone, we can at last get down to business and start hawking some of the latest additions to our product portfolio. In the case of Hobby Master, several new aircraft were debuted in late December, all of which are tentatively scheduled for a May release. While no new toolings were shown, several of their most popular models are being hauled out again for a re-purpose and re-dress, which should make aviation collectors giddy with glee when they roll off of the assembly line. Here now the newest introductions to our burgeoning Hobby Master inventory:

To learn more about these items, simply click on each image, which will take you directly to the product listing.

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Panzerkampf Takes the Hind for a Spin

If you thought Panzerkampf was “one-and-done” in the under-served helicopter space, you’d be wise to think again. Earlier today, the company revealed plans to offer up the Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter to its adoring public, likely loitering over the diecast battlefield sometime in mid 2021. Thus far, only a couple of CAD drawings were shown on their Facebook page, so its not clear which version will make the initial cut and/or in which liveries. Still, its a promising sign that their initial MH-53 Super Stallion met with great success and therefore opened the door for other oft-requested helicopters.

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Panzerkampf Hits the Surf

Panzerkampf’s 1:1000 scale US Navy Yorktown Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Enterprise (CV-6)

It was bound to happen. After first producing a wide array of scale military vehicles, aircraft and even helicopters, Panzerkampf has decided to flex its muscles once again by offering up their first ever warship replica. According to a recent posting on the manufacturer’s web site, the first ship they plan to model is the war-winning USS Enterprise (CV-6), a Yorktown class aircraft carrier that played a pivotal role at the Battle of Midway and in virtually every major battle of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Replicated in 1:1000 scale, its not clear if the warship will come with a complement of aircraft lining its deck, or if details such as a moveable aircraft elevator will be included. Pricing is still up in the air, as is its date of availability, which we presume will be some time in early 2021.

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Calibre Wings Fires Up the Tracker

Calibre Wings 1″72 scale US Navy Grumman S-2G Tracker Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft – Bu. No. 152806/NH-720, CAG “Tooter” Teague, VS-37 “Sawbucks”, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), 1974

The Grumman S-2 Tracker Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft is one of those oft-requested planes that never seemed to earn the respect it so dearly deserved from several of the leading model making houses. Its a pity really, since it enjoys a rich history all its own, and helped to put US Naval Aviation on a par with every other branch of the military during the Cold War.

The Tracker (S2F prior to 1962) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the United States Navy. Designed and initially built by Grumman, the Tracker was of conventional design — propeller-driven with twin radial engines, a high wing that could be folded for storage on aircraft carriers, and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world. Introduced in 1952, the Tracker and its E-1 Tracer derivative saw service in the U.S. Navy until the mid-1970s, and its C-1 Trader derivative until the mid-1980s, with a few aircraft remaining in service with other air arms into the 21st century.

According to Calibre Wings, the model has already entered the prototyping stage with images of their achievement already proliferating around the web. If the rumors are true, the first production model is expected in early 2021 with other follow-on models expected throughout the rest of the year. There’s a good bet that Calibre is already eyeing the Tracer and Trader as likely candidates to succeed the Tracker once the obvious schemes and high profile squadrons have run their course.

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Panzerkampf Strikes Out for the Green Fields Beyond

Panzerkampf’s 1:100 scale British Mark IV Male Heavy Tank

Thus far, Panzerkampf has been perfectly fine catering to the needs of the 1:72 scale military collector, disgorging a wide array of vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that has earned them a special place among the pantheon of military modelmakers. It therefore comes as a bit of a surprise that they would dabble in the smaller 1:100 scale military market, perhaps scratching an itch no one knew existed.

According to a recent press release, the manufacturer is about to roll out seven different WWI-era military vehicles, spanning everything from the ubiquitous British Mark IV to the somewhat brutish German A7V tank. Interestingly, all seven vehicles are expected to roll out in time for the holidays, late November to be specific, if you’re a calendar watcher. Priced at just $14.99 apiece, these tanks make ideal stocking stuffers and a great way to start beginners off on the diecast battlefield.

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PMA’s Roll Call of Honor: Tigers

PMA’s 1:72 scale German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “233”, schwere Panzerabteilung 507, Eastern Front, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 Engine]

You can’t fault Precision Model Art (PMA) for having a love affair with the iconic Tiger I heavy tank. After all, it was feared by all of the Allied nations arrayed against Germany, a powerful if ponderous tank that seemed to symbolize German resistance in the face of still opposition. Slow and ungainly, it nevertheless took on swarms of enemy armor and, in the hands of competent crews, denied the enemy the upper hand at a time when they could have easily steamrollered past tanks of a lesser caliber.

It therefore comes as no surprise that PMA has decided to release the fourth version of the Tiger, this time around bearing the markings and insignia of schwere Panzerabteilung 507. Painted in a summer camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark details you’ve come to expect from this vaunted diecast modelmaker, we expect it to hit the streets sometime in early 2021.

In the meantime, if you need to get your fix on for a Tiger tank, PMA is re-releasing the Otto Carius version, which sold out quite quickly earlier this year. Its a magnificent model, and one with lots of history behind it. Expect it to return to stock in time for Thanksgiving.

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Corgi Passes out the “Swiss Miss”

Corgi’s 1:72 scale Swiss Junkers Ju 52/3m Tri-Motor Transport – Tarnmuster A-702

In a surprise announcement, Corgi unveiled and released two new 1:72 scale Junkers Ju 52 transports, both bearing Swiss markings and insignia. One comes in the standard Corgi packaging while the other is nested in a European style box likely created for a special client.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale Swiss Junkers Ju 52/3m Tri-Motor Transport – IWC HB-HOS

In other news, several eagerly awaited aircraft models were also released, all of which are now winging their way to us. All of the October releases are expected to safely land at our aerodrome by the end of this month.

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DeAgostini Fires Up Five More Warbirds for an October Fly-In

The DeAgostini fleet of WWII-era aircraft keeps growing by leaps and bounds with the addition of five more aircraft to the warbirds roster. Like the other aircraft in the series, each comes bundled with a full-color magazine written in Japanese and a handsome bookcase style package. Here’s what you can expect to nab by the end of October:

#DAWF19 – Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2A “Zero” Fighter – 3-112, 1941 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

#DAWF23 – Imperial Japanese Navy Kyushu J7W1 Shinden Fighter [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

#DAWF28 – Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Kawasaki Ki-100 Fighter – 5th Sentai, 1945 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

#DAWF24 – RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk. I Fighter – Flt. Lt. Arthur Clowes, 1940 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

#DAWF32 – Soviet Yakovlev Yak-3 Fighter – Georgiy Zakharov, 1944 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)

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Product Announcement: Warbirds of World War II

We’ve been given the go ahead to move forward with the launch of the Warbirds of World War II line of 1:72 scale military aircraft. Like the Armored Fighting Vehicles of World War II range expected to hit the streets later this year, the Warbirds line will encompass aircraft previously released under the Altaya banner several years ago but unavailable in great quantity here in North America and elsewhere. This time around, they will be packaged within an upscale 5-panel box that will help to explain the aircraft in question much like a Corgi or Hobby Master release. Like the AFV line, each aircraft will come with a numbered limited edition collector card. As a bit of a departure from the norm, we will be releasing them in a different sequential order than when they were first released, meaning the entire assortment and order of release has not been set just yet and could be shuffled around based upon certain criteria. The first six warbirds will likely come out in early 2021, and plans call for six new warbirds to be produced each month thereafter. Unless things change, each release will carry a $34.99 price point.

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