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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
