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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Russian Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” Stealth Fighter – “Bort 053”, MAKS 2019 Aviasalon Air Show
Even though their shipments have fallen behind schedule, that doesn’t mean Hobby Master hasn’t set its eyes on the coming year. Several new warplanes were announced recently, perhaps the most notable being their first 1:72 scale Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” stealth fighter, which is clad in a scintillating digital camouflage scheme. Here now the list of what you can look forward to nabbing in early 2021:
We’ve learned that another six warships in DeAgostini’s Kriegsschiffe warships line are slated for a September arrival, perhaps the most notable being the German battleship Bismarck. Unless we hear otherwise, each comes bundled with a German written full-color magazine chock full of photos and information regarding each warship. Here now the latest additions to DeAgostini’s growing range of naval vessels:
We were a bit confused several years ago, when Dragon decided to pull up stakes in the 1:6 scale action figure market and stopped producing one of their bread-and-butter lines. Admittedly, prices were starting to rise exponentially from where they started out in the early 2000s, and, when combined with rising competition, likely spelled the end for a series once hailed as the gold standard among action figure collectors.
Apparently, we gave then a standing 10-count well before they were ready to leave the arena. Earlier today, Dragon posted a teaser image on their Facebook page indicating they plan on making a return to the 1:6 scale action figure market, although no further details were provided. So, we’ll follow this lead where ever it takes us, and post news of any new offerings the minute they raise their head and expose themselves to return, and quite possibly, friendly fire.
