Product Announcements

Chasing Down Cyber Hobby All Over Again

A pair of Dragon Armor 1:72 scale ZBL-09 Infantry Fighting Vehicles flanking their upcoming United Nations “chase” vehicle

At one time, Dragon and their Chinese-based specialty arm, Cyber Hobby, ruled the 1:72 scale diecast military space, producing a dazzling array of standard as well as exclusive models that, in some instances, commanded a king’s ransom to purchase outright. When Dragon kicked off their Dragon Armor range with a 1:72 scale rendition of Michael Wittmann’s Tiger tank (DRR60001) almost twenty years ago, Cyber Hobby went the subject one step further, by introducing a bevy of highly coveted variations that included numbered collector cards, etched bases, accessories, display plinths, and special collector tins. Although we are long since sold out of most of these Cyber Hobby exclusives, we’ve left the majority of them up on our web site to give collectors an idea of what was offered and their approximate value based upon after market prices collectors seem willing to pay for these rarities.

Taking a page from their playbook, it would seem as if Cyber Hobby intends to revisit this tried-and-true strategy of offering specially hyped vehicles and, whenever possible, including a “chase” product within the assortment to help spur interest. For the uninitiated, a “chase” vehicle can best be defined as a completely different vehicle included within each master assortment of standard vehicles, a common practice in their Can.Do line of smaller 1:144 scale vehicles. For their upcoming Peoples Liberation Army ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicles, the plan calls for the inclusion of a whitewashed United Nations vehicle within a master pack of 20 standard vehicles.

From Dragon’s point-of-view their goal is two-fold: by including one specialty vehicle within the master assortment, the retailer is more than likely going to order an entire case of standard vehicles in order to obtain this specialty vehicle, thereby bumping up the size of their order. And, for the collector, these “chase” vehicles typically command exorbitant prices in the after market, oftentimes many times more than the standard vehicle could ever hope to reach. So, the manufacturer, retailer and collector are all happy with the arrangement, provided interest doesn’t wane for the standard vehicles, and the manufacturer doesn’t run out of the “chase” products.

Each Master carton of Snow Leopards includes twenty standard vehicles and one “chase” vehicle

Judging by the accompanying diagram it would appear as if two of the standard vehicles in this DRR63001 assortment carries a “05-02” identifier while the rest are labeled “05-01”, thereby making the pair a bit less scarce than the other vehicles.

We’re assuming that the Cyber Hobby Snow Leopards will become available in the first quarter, although its not clear if they will be sold exclusively through Cyber Hobby or by Dragon Models USA. We’ll provide more information to everyone once everything gets sorted out and the hyperbole takes its inevitable course.

Note: Interestingly, Cyber Hobby is following a slightly different strategy for their second PZL Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle (#DRR63000). Instead of providing a completely different vehicle as the “chase” item, two vehicles in the master carton have been designated as special editions, one boasting a slightly different paint scheme and the second coming with a PLA flag. The remaining nine vehicles in the master carton will come with different numbered identifiers.

Share This:

Corgi Joins Forces with World of Tanks

This week, it would appear as if all we have on our mind is Corgi. Apart from a solitary post regarding new Hobby Master products for the month of June and another covering the return of Skymax Models, it seems as though Corgi has stolen the limelight with us and perhaps with good reason.

Earlier today we learned that Corgi has joined forces with the massively multiplayer online game, World of Tanks, and intends to produce a range of diminutive tanks that you might find in the game. There is no set scale for these vehicles as is the case with their larger brethren found in the Military Legends series. Rather, they are all designed to fit a common one-size-fits-all packaging, much like their Showcase range. In fact, there’s a good chance that this may be a re-branding move on the part of Corgi, intended to leverage the popularity of the game to help propel sales and give the makers of the game and avenue into the diecast market.

This new re-branded range is not to be confused with another World of Tanks range in which all of the vehicles are produced in 1:72 scale and where several are paired to form an adversarial pack such as a T-34 versus a Panther. We are still working to procure this range under a separate working relationship and will share the news once we have something more concrete to go on.

Incidentally, the inclusion of a US-built M48A3 tank, the only post WWII-era vehicle in the series, would suggest that Corgi is preparing to bring back their Vietnam War series as they did with their WWII line. If true, this is certainly welcome news for many collectors, still eager to collect a range that sold out several years ago.

Share This:

Hobby Master Embarks Upon a Hearts and Minds Campaign this June

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

As news spreads concerning the receipt of their December shipment, Hobby Master announced their latest spate of military hardware being readied for battle. Here’s what you can look forward to claiming for your very own this June:

On the ground…

#HG4916 – US 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank (1:72 Scale)

#HG3015 – Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-2 Heavy Tank (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA7853 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – BL973/RY- S, Flight Leader Stanislav Fejfar, No. 313 Squadron, May 1942 (1:48 Scale)

#HA7854 – RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – AB972/UD-W, Flight Leader Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, No. 452 Squadron, RAF Kenley, England, October 1941 (1:48 Scale)

#HA8714 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

#HA4611 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169164, VMFA-121 “Green Knights”, Iwakuni, Japan, 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6602 – German Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 30+83 (cn GS063), Jagdgeschwader 74, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6603 – Spanish Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 14-06, 142 Squadron, “NATO Tiger Meet 2016” (1:72 Scale)

#HA5115 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 410/168478, VFA-151 “Vigilantes”, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6404 – Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – Bort 88, Admiral Kuznetsov, Syria, 2016 (1:72 Scale)

Skymax Models

#SM8009 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

#SM8010 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-3, Ensign William R. Evans, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

Share This:

Skymax Makes an Encore Appearance

Skymax Models 1:72 scale USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway”

No doubt the box office success of Midway this past year contributed to the decision for Skymax Models to return to the collecting community after all but vanishing from the aviation radar. Expected in June, the Company plans to kick things off by delivering a pair of Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes. Both models are based upon aircraft that served with VT-8, then embarked upon the USS Hornet (CV-8) during the pivotal battle of Midway in June 1942. Its not clear if the manufacturer plans to upgrade the packaging so that they resemble 5-panel Hobby Master packaging or retain the clear open box look they adopted when they first came into being well over a dozen years ago.

Share This:

Pax Britannia: Corgi Looks to Rule the Waves in 2020

Still in the early stages of development, the announcement of a new scale model representation of Britain’s impressive new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers demonstrates continued new tooling investment in the Corgi range.

As an addendum, of sorts, to their list of 2020 product announcements made earlier this week, it appears as if Corgi intends to stick its toes in the diecast warship space with the release of two surface ships. According to the Corgi Developer Diaries found on Facebook, two 1:1250 scale aircraft carriers are in development, both looking to pay homage to the latest pair of capital ships now serving with the British fleet.

“Attempting to select highlights from any new Corgi model range can be something of a challenge, as each one will contain a great many new models, be they new tooling announcements, modified toolings, or one of the host of model livery changes which make up the bulk of any new range. With toy and collectable models falling into several sub categories, which as well as including the ranges already covered above, include gift products, Film and TV subjects, Best of British, Original Omnibus and Showcase collections, we really do try to include something for every occasion and every model collecting taste.

That being said, the subject which is always of most interest during range launch week is most definitely that of new model tooling announcements and we have even more news to bring you on that score. Staying with the theme of military related models, our design team have been working on producing a new 1/1250th scale representation of Britain’s impressive new aircraft carriers, the flagships of the nation and the most capable warships ever built for the Royal Navy. With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales scheduled to be produced, this pair of new models mark the service arrival of these huge ships and the culmination of years of planning and construction work. Endowing the Royal Navy with more striking power than they have ever possessed, these mighty warships are destined to stay in service for the next 50 years and will become a highly visible embodiment of Britain’s naval power.”

No dates of availability or pricing were announced so it remains to be seen when they are expected and their cost. We’re also assuming that both ships will come with a complement of embarked aircraft to give them a more robust look.

Share This:

Corgi Bares its Soul in Hong Kong

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944

As we hinted at last week, Corgi revealed it’s latest line up of military aircraft and vehicles at the 2020 Hong Kong Toy Fair. Frankly, there weren’t any huge surprises in the mix, the only new tooling being a 1:48 scale Bristol F2B fighter of WWI renown. Anyway, we’ve listed all of their newest aircraft and military vehicles in their respective sections and are now accepting pre-orders. Most are expected towards the latter half of the year. Here’s the list of what’s on the horizon from the folks at Corgi:

On the ground…

#CC51606 – Captured Soviet T-34/76 Model 1943 Medium Tank – “222”, Panzerjager Abteilung 128, 23.Panzer Division, Ukraine, 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC51032 – Captured US M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – l./Panzer Regiment 5, Tunisia, Early 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60216 – Captured German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank – 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards “Cuckoo”, Netherlands, 1944/5 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60514 – German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “300”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 505, Eastern Front, Summer 1944 (1:50 Scale)

…And in the air

#AA36212 – RAF Gloster Gladiator Mk. II Fighter – N2308 HP-B, RAF No.247 Squadron, 1940 (1:72 Scale)

#AA37810 – German Albatros D.V Fighter – 2111/17 ‘M’, Martin Mallmann, Jasta 19 “Les Tangos”, Western Front, January 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA37909 – French SPAD XIII Fighter – ‘White 3’, Pierre Marinovitch, Escadrille Spa 94 “The Reapers”, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38110 – Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel F.1 Fighter – Wilfred May, No.209 Squadron, Bertangles, France, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38310 – German Fokker Dr.1 Triplane Fighter – Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, Jasta 11, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38907 – German Fokker D VII Fighter – Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 15/JG II, Chery-les-Pouilly Aerodrome, France, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA39214 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Ia Fighter – ‘QV’, RAF No.19 Squadron, Dunkirk Evacuation, May 1940 (1:72 Scale)

#AA37709 – Royal Flying Corps Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Fighter – D3511, Major R. S Dallas, CO RAF No.40 Squadron, Bruay Aerodrome, France, May 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA36615 – USAAF Lockheed P-38G Lightning Interceptor – 43-2264 Major John Mitchell, “Miss Virginia”, 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, Operation Vengeance, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#AA27109 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 Tropical Fighter – “Yellow 14”, Hans Joachim Marseille, 3./Jagdgeschwader 27, Quotaifiya, Egypt, September 30th, 1942 (1:72 Scale)

#AA28702 – German Fokker E.III Eindecker Fighter – Manfred von Richthofen, Kasta 8, June 1916 (1:48 Scale)

#AA28801 – Royal Flying Corps Bristol F2B Fighter – D-8063, RAF No.139 Squadron, Villaverla, Italy, Sept 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA35416 – RAF Sepecat GR.1 Jaguar Attack Aircraft – GR.1 XX109, M55 Motorway Trials, Lancashire, England, 1975 (1:72 Scale)

#AA36410 – RAF Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – FGR.4 ZJ924, RAF No. IX (B) Squadron, Lossiemouth, Scotland, May 2019 (1:72 Scale)

#AA38509 – German Messerschmitt Bf 110D Destroyer – VJ+OQ, Rudolf Hess, Eaglesham, Scotland, May 10th, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33621 – RAF Panavia Tornado GR4 Fighter Bomber – GR.4 ZA548, No.31 Squadron “Goldstars” Retirement Scheme, RAF Marham, England, March 2019 (1:72 Scale)

#AA35314 – USAAF North American B-25J Mitchell Medium Bomber – “Betty’s Dream”, 499th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group, Le Shima, Okinawa, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33717 – German Heinkel He-111H-2 Medium Bomber – 1H+JA, Stab./Kampfgeschwader 26, October 28th, 1939 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33319 – USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#AA32626 – RAF Avro Lancaster B Mk. I Heavy Bomber – PA474, operated by The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (1:72 Scale)

#AA27204 – RAF Avro Vulcan B.2 Strategic Bomber – XM575, RAF No.101 Squadron, Waddington Wing, 1975 (1:72 Scale)


Share This:

PMA Orders its Tanks Forward into the Modern Era

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Saddamizer”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991

It was bound to happen. After playing for years in the World War II sandbox, Precision Model Art (PMA) has finally decided to turn the hands of time forward and move into the modern era. Well, almost. Yesterday we learned that the Company plans to model the US-built M60A1 Patton main battle tank in 1:72 scale, mainstay of the US Marine forces forces for several decades running. To kick things off, they chose three M60A1 tanks that took part in Operation Desert Storm, each one studded with explosive reactive armor (ERA) cells.

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Beirut Payback”, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Kuwait, 1991

From the pictures posted, its not clear if the Pattons will feature removable turrets thereby enabling collectors to peer inside the vehicle. Likewise we do not know if other areas of the vehicle are removable particularly the engine block like it is in their Tiger I series of heavy tanks. Stowage gear has been affixed to the sides of the vehicles although we aren’t sure if these can be detached. Look for each of the three Pattons sometime in late winter.

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “American Express”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
Share This:

Hobby Master Dashes Once More Unto the Breach

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC McDonnell F-4N Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 15323, VMFA-531 “Grey Ghosts”, USS Coral Sea (CV-43)

Certainly one of the most prolific model makers of our time, Hobby Master has nonetheless kept one eye on the mill stone and one on the clock ever since they came into being back in 2006, releasing a steady diet of replicas month in and month out that have become the envy of aficionados world over. For April, collectors can expect to look forward to taking delivery on the following models:

On the ground…

#HG5313 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light Tank (1:72 Scale)

#HG5314 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) Marine Corps M41A3 Walker Bulldog Light Tank (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA0152 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM “Fishbed” Fighter – “Red 50” (1:72 Scale)

#HA3336 – US Navy Northrop F-5E Tiger II Fighter – 527th Aggressor Squadron, Alconbury AB, England, 1976-1988 [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA8904 – USN Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Fighter – Lt. Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare, “White F-15”, VF-3, USS Lexington (CV-2), 1942 (1:48 Scale)

#HA3876 – USAF General Dynamics F-16C Block 25 Fighting Falcon Fighter – “Ghost Scheme”, 64th Aggressor Squadron, 57th Adversary Tactics Group, Nellis AFB, Nevada [Aggressor Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA19014 – USMC McDonnell F-4N Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 15323, VMFA-531 “Grey Ghosts”, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) (1:72 Scale)

#HA5605 – Syrian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-A” Interceptor – 5th Aerial Squadron, Tiyaz, Syria, 1985 (1:72 Scale)

#HA3026 – RAAF General Dynamics F-111C Aardvark Strike Aircraft – A8-272, No. 6 Squadron, 1994-2007 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5113 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers”, 75th Anniversary Commemorative Scheme, USS Lincoln (CVN-72), 2017 (1:72 Scale)

This May, the following aircraft are scheduled to swoop in:

#HA4210 – USAAF Douglas A-20G Havoc Medium Bomber – “Little Joe”, 389th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force, Early 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#HA1328 – USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 2005 (1:72 Scale)

Share This:

Eaglemoss Transitions from Impulse Power to Warp Drive in Birmingham

Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Archer’s Toy Ship [With Collector Magazine]

At the Destination Star Trek event held in Birmingham, England, Eaglemoss unveiled a bunch of new items for several of their Star Trek product lines. Here’s a quick look at all of the new ships you can expect to see in the months ahead:

Standard Sized Starships

#EMST0170 – Star Trek Penk’s Starship [With Collector Magazine]

#EMST0171 – Star Trek Denobulan Medical Ship – The Barzai [With Collector Magazine]

#EMST0172 – Star Trek Xindi Insectoid Fighter [With Collector Magazine]

#EMST0173 – Star Trek Antares Class Freighter – The Arcos [With Collector Magazine]

#EMST0174 – Star Trek Archer’s Toy Ship [With Collector Magazine]

#EMST0175 – Star Trek Pakled Transport – The Mondor [With Collector Magazine]

Special Edition Starships

#EMSTSP22 – Special Edition No. 22: Star Trek T’Plana-Hath Class Vulcan Lander – T’Plana Hath [With Collector Magazine]

Star Trek Discovery

#EMSTDISC24 – Star Trek Klingon Daspu Class Vessel [With Collector Magazine]

#EMSTDISC25 – Star Trek Section 31 Drone Ship [With Collector Magazine]

XL Sized Starships

#EMSTMEGA20 – Star Trek Federation Galaxy Class Starship – USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D [With Collector Magazine] (Large Scale)

#EMSTMEGA21 – Star Trek Federation Crossfield Class Starship – USS Discovery NCC-1031 [With Collector Magazine] (Large Scale)

Share This:

The “Shock”-Tober Update, Part 2

So, news has been flooding in of late concerning the release schedule. To begin with, we now have a fair idea of which Eaglemoss Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica items are expected in November, and which have likely been pushed back to a late year arrival. Rather than list everything here, we’ve updated our Eaglemoss sections and release schedule accordingly. Bear in mind that Destination Star Trek, which is currently being held in Birmingham, England, will undoubtedly show off some new items, which we’ll add to our web site the minute the news rolls in.

We were under the impression that both Wings of the Great War and Luft-X were terminally ill and on their respective death beds and that we weren’t likely to see anything new from either line, much less receive our back orders, which have been languishing for months on end. Well, we’ve been set straight, so-to-speak, and can now happily report that both lines are expected to resume production in early 2020. We’re not sure what is happening with their distant cousin, AF-X, a similarly conceived line unveiled earlier this year, that has received little in the way of further reinforcements beyond the lone X-15 produced to date. Reading between the lines, that means AF-X will likely take a back seat until both Luft-X and Wings of the Great War have resumed their aerial campaigns.

Modelcollect seems to be back in the swing of things after lolling about with their fantasy-based Fist of War series. Two BMP-3s are schedule for a late year release and we’re willing to bet that other more-traditional AFVs are probably falling in behind them. While the Company has been making 1:35 scale model kits, it remains to be seen if they are giving the go ahead to a pre-assembled line of military vehicles.

As we indicated in a previous post, Dragon has caught its breath and is finally resuming production of their iconic Dragon Armor line. Three replicas, all based upon the Stryker family of Infantry Carrier Vehicles, are slated for a November roll out, although the manufacturer has been known to delay releases for extended periods of time. Stiff upper lip and all that chums as we await their release and hopefully more new items as we head into the new year.

That’s it for now, but expect further updates as we transition to a November war footing.

Share This: