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.
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:
#DAWF23 – Imperial Japanese Navy Kyushu J7W1 Shinden Fighter [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)
#DAWF32 – Soviet Yakovlev Yak-3 Fighter – Georgiy Zakharov, 1944 [With Collector Magazine] (1:72 Scale)
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.
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:
#HA6801 – Russian Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” Stealth Fighter – “Bort 053”, MAKS 2019 Aviasalon Air Show (1:72 Scale)
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:
#DAKS01 – German Kriegsmarine Bismarck Class Battleship – DKM Bismarck (1:1250 Scale)
#DAKS39 – German Kaiserliche Marine Derfflinger Class Battlecruiser – SMS Lutzow (1:1250 Scale)
#DAKS41 – German Kaiserliche Marine Kaiser Class Battleship – SMS Friedrich der Grosse (1:1250 Scale)
#DAKS47 – German Bundesmarine Training Cruiser – Deutschland (1:1250 Scale)
#DAKS57 – German Kriegsmarine Auxiliary Cruiser – Orion (1:1250 Scale)
#DAKS67 – British Royal Navy Nelson Class Battleship – HMS Nelson (1:1250 Scale)
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.
Barely a day after we first announced plans to resume carrying the Calibre Wings line of military comes in-depth news concerning their upcoming F-16 Fighting Falcon. First hinted at a few years back, and occasionally discussed online in conjunction with different hobby expos, Calibre Wings recently put together a 21-minute video montage explaining the model in detail, which includes the amount of metal being used in its construction, salient features, how the aircraft can be taken apart, and multiple display configurations. While I’d love to go into greater detail and gush over its accuracy, we thought it best to whet your appetite by embedding the manufacturer’s video here. Bear in mind that the model shown is a Block 52 version of the F-16. Follow-on models will be based upon newer builds of the Fighting Falcon, which now come with conformal wing tanks attached to the upper surfaces of the aircraft giving them extended flying time. Enjoy!
Calibre Wings’ 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter
We’ve had a difficult time getting Calibre Wings’ line of military aircraft with any regularity from a reliable seller so we’ve decided what better way to bring them back into the fold than to buy direct. Beginning in October, we plan on carrying the core line of Calibre Wings models which covers their F-14 Tomcats and Su-24 Fencers, along with several of their newer models, among them the Lockheed U-2 spy plane, General Dynamics’ F-16 Fighting Falcon and Convair B-58 Hustler strategic bomber. Based upon fan reaction, all of these models are doing fabulously well at retail, so we expect much the same results when they return to stock. The pre-order window is now open and the first batch of aircraft are expected to arrive some time next month.
Even though they shuffled their release schedule for the balance of 2020, that hasn’t prevented Hobby Master from putting another gaggle of warbirds on the September tarmac. Here’s what you can look forward to nabbing in the months ahead:
#HA3338 – US Navy Northrop F-5E Tiger II “Aggressor Special” Fighter – 1980s [Pseudo Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
#HA3339 – US Navy Northrop F-5F Tiger II “Aggressor Special” Fighter – 1980s [Pseudo Scheme] (1:72 Scale)
As I alluded to earlier, Hobby Master has been moving some projects up in the schedule and others back, so its entirely possible that these are initial release dates that could be altered in the months ahead. Food for thought as we near the all-important holiday selling season.
Like clock work, Hobby Master announced their latest spate of new models due out some time in December. While several intriguing new schemes were shown, the most notable new inductee into the pantheon of Hobby Master aircraft models is a F/A-18XT Advanced Super Hornet Strike Fighter, the latest generation of versatile combat aircraft that are designed to beef up the US Navy’s arsenal of aerial assets. Here now the newest military hardware in the pipeline:
#HA6503B – German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 29+03, 2003 (1:72 Scale)
#HA6505 – North Korean Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 553, 2015 (1:72 Scale)
