Six more warships are joining the DeAgostini Kriegsschiffe fleet next month, adding more muscle and mass to an already growing naval armada. Here’s what you can add to your diecast flotilla the first week of October:
DAKS24 – German Kriegsmarine Auxiliary Cruiser – Atlantis [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)
While we were basking in the warm summer sun, Hobby Master took the opportunity drench us with a cold wake up call by announcing a bevy of new products expected this February. The vehicles and aircraft cut across virtually every category, scale and era, so without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your collection early in 2020:
For the Ground Pounders:
For the aviation enthusiasts:
#HA5906 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1956 (1:72 Scale)
#HA5907 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1960s (1:72 Scale)
#HA6502 – Polish Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “100th Anniversary” (1:72 Scale)
Even though parent company, De Agostini, shuttered Atlas Editions late last year, that doesn’t seem to prevent them from living on, at least for the time being. While we were away on vacation, we received word that their 1:72 scale Ultimate Tank Collection will finally be brought over to our shores, with six tanks expected by the end of this month. We’ve listed the first wave of vehicles on our web site and, based upon the promotional literature that accompanied the announcement, it would appear as if a great many more vehicles can be expected over the course of the next few months. Priced at just $19.99, these vehicles offer great value for the money and, in certain instances, include vehicles not previously made available to the military collector in any other series.
#ATL4660102 – British M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – Regiment HQ, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy, 1944 (1:72 Scale)
#ATL4660103 – Soviet T-34/76 Medium Tank – Unidentified Unit, Kursk, 1943 (1:72 Scale)
With the all-important holiday season fast approaching, Air Force 1 announced the impending arrival of three new models for the aviation community. No surprises here considering the range of aircraft already available in the extensive Air Force 1 arsenal.
Of particular note are a pair of B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers, the aircraft most closely associated with the 8th Air Force’s daylight bombing campaign over Europe during the middle and late stages of WWII. “Swamp Fire” (AF10110B) is a B-17 that was attached to the 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, then deployed to Europe from 1944-45. As such it wears the iconic olive drab scheme most collectors and aviation buffs remember when considering the exploits of the US 8th Air Force. “Miss Conduct” (AF10110C), on the other hand, comes in a shiny, natural metallic finish, which was more commonly associated with aircraft that flew with the 481st Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group. These aircraft were lighter in weight than an aircraft clad in olive drab paint, and could attain slightly higher speeds since there was less drag.
Lastly, the Company has decided to bring back their Pak FA mold by reintroducing it as a Suhkoi Su-57 stealth fighter (AF11011A). Perhaps tearing a page out of today’s headlines, the Su-57 represents Russia’s next generation of front line fighter and was recently given the go ahead by the Russian government to go into full production. While it isn’t quite as capable as either the Lockheed F-22 or F-35 it might one day go against, its still a formidable aircraft, particularly when paired with some of the latest generation of Russian weaponry it is designed to carry.
Modelcollect is one of those companies that seems to enjoy identifying a particular niche in the marketplace then grinding out as many subjects as possible until they either tire or become infatuated with another untapped market segment. In the case of mobile rocket launchers, the Company showed off four more pre-built models this week, two covering the Chinese-built PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System — essentially a copy of the Russian-built “Smerch” — and two more based on the Russian “SA-10 Grumble” system. Here now the latest entrants in their growing “scoot-and-shoot” category:
AS72148 – Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher (1:72 Scale)
AS72150 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System (1:72 Scale)
Never one to disappoint, particularly around the chilly wintry days of January, Hobby Master laid out what’s on tap for the first month of the new decade:
HA4209 – RAF Douglas Boston Mk.IV Light Attack Bomber – BZ405, No.88 Squadron, 1944 (1:72 Scale)
Eaglemoss has decided to add a number of new models to several of their Star Trek lines. In fact, we’ve heard that their standard-sized range will now be extended to at least 80 models, meaning you’d better clear off some more shelf space if you intend to collect the entire series. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s been bolted on to their ever-expanding Star Trek series:
Standard-Sized Range
ST0162 – Star Trek Whorfin Class Transport – SS Lakul (NFT-7793)
ST0163 – Star Trek Orion Syndicate Interceptor
ST0164 – Star Trek Excelsior Class Starship – USS Excelsior NCC-2000 Nilo Rodis Concept III
ST0165 – Star Trek Karemma Starship
Star Trek Special-Sized Range
STSP19 – Special Edition No. 19: Star Trek Son’a Starship – Ahdar Ru’afo Flagship
STSP20 – Special Edition No. 20: Star Trek Vulcan Warp Sled
Star Trek Discovery Range
DISC19 – Star Trek Federation Class-C Shuttlecraft
DISC20 – Star Trek Federation Medical Frigate – USS Hiawatha NCC-815
DISC21 – Star Trek Klingon Obelisk
Star Trek Mega Sized Range
MEGA16 – Star Trek Romulan D’Deridex Class Warbird
MEGA17 – Star Trek Deep Space Nine Space Station
Star Trek Discovery XL Range
I have to admit I have yet to see a single episode of the newest sci-fi series, The Orville. A staple on Fox for the past two years, the series is scheduled to move to Hulu in 2020 when it kicks off its third season. Despite the venue change and whimsical look at prime time sci-fi epochs, its apparently a strong enough license to warrant the attention of Eaglemoss, who have decided to tap it for its next model ship range. Ben Robinsion, head of development at Eaglemoss and likely overseer for the new range of ships, announced its forthcoming roll out at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Although few details were revealed, the first models will begin to appear in early 2020. Its not clear which ships will make the cut, their relative size or numbers being considered for replication. We will likely get a better sense of what’s in store at the upcoming Comic Con held in New York City.
At this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, Corgi announced that they were adding two more aircraft to its 2019 roster, both based on the recently retired Panavia Tornado. The manufacturer had this to say about their latest additions:
“Corgi are proud to announce two new products honouring the RAF Panavia Tornado, which were officially retired from service in March 2019. To celebrate these magnificent aircraft, we are releasing limited edition models of the Panavia Tornado GR.4 ZG752 (AA33619) and Panavia Tornado GR.4 ZG775, No. IX (B) (AA33620).
The 1:72 scale limited edition models will have detailed crew figures, fuel tanks and moveable sweeping wings, with a wingspan of 181mm and 118mm for the GR.4 ZG752 and GR.4 ZG775, No.IX (B) respectively. They are an ideal addition to any aviation enthusiast’s collection for £79.99 each.”
True to their word, Waltersons, the current owner of the Forces of Valor brand, will be offering a slew of M4 Sherman variants in the coming year. Three new 1:32 scale Shermans were announced today, one featuring an HVSS suspension and the other two sporting the older VVSS suspension. It appears as if Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt” will be modeled although its not clear which one of his mounts will actually see the light of day. A bunch more variants were revealed on Wednesday morning, covering just about every conceivable Sherman tank to see battle during the Second World War.
Thus far, only black-and-white photos have been posted to their web site, so it could be some time before we get to see the finished products in the flesh with firm release dates set in stone. For further information, hop on over to the Forces of Valor web site.
As an aside, its refreshing to see a manufacturer take on a subject with such zeal and fortitude to warrant producing so many variants of the Sherman within a relatively short time span. Its not clear, however, if the manufacturer plans to create two different versions of each model, thereby portraying each vehicle type under differing lighting conditions and weathering effects. If they do, it represents a huge inventory build for distributors and retailers alike, who will certainly be hard-pressed to keep all of the SKUs in stock at all times. While we certainly applaud their effort to depict every known Sherman tank that saw action during the War, it might make more sense to spread out their release over the course of several years instead of potentially flooding the market with so many variations in a narrow period of time.
