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:
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.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18XT Advanced Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 168492, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme]
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:
PMA’s 1:72 scale German V-2 Long-Range Guided Ballistic Missile with Meillerwagen Launch Trailer and Brennstand – V-2 Rocket Division, Dark Grey and White [Test Scheme]
Seems as if more and more modelmakers are beginning to show signs of recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier today, Precision Model Art (PMA) showed four new military vehicles on their web site, three of which are new takes on something old.
Just when you thought you’d seen every version of the V-2 vengeance rocket comes a new variant, this time around painted in a dark green and white test scheme. Frankly, I had never seen this version prior to today, so it never hurts to pay attention to what careful research and dedication to one’s craft can bring to market.
PMA’s 1:72 scale German Karl-Gerat Super Heavy Self-Propelled 60cm Mortar – “Thor”, schwere Artillerie Abteilung 833, Sevastopol, Russia, 1942
Also up for your consideration is a repainted Karl-Gerat mortar which now bears the name “Thor” on its sides. No doubt other mortars will eventually make its way into the pipeline, once inventory levels have been pared down and consumer interest remains high.
PMA’s 1:72 scale IDF Magach 6B Blazer Medium Tank with KMT-4 Mine Roller – Operation Peace for Galilee, Lebanon, 1982
Third on the docket is this Israeli Defense Force Magach 6B Blazer (Patton M60A1) that has been affixed with a KMT mine roller, which was used with great effect in mine clearing the way for the Israeli armored forces as they drove deeper into Lebanon during Operation Peace for Galilee in 1982.
PMA’s 1:72 scale Iraqi BM-21 Grad Mobile Rocket Launcher – Operation Inherent Resolve, 2017
Lastly, there’s a 1:72 scale replica of a Russian-built BM-21 Grad mobile rocket launcher that was in the employ of Iraqi Ground Forces as it grappled with ISIS during Operation Inherent Resolve. An interesting choice for PMA that will undoubtedly be brought back at a later day and likely clad in the markings of the Soviet Army during their invasion of Afghanistan in 1980.
All four new subjects are expected to waylay the hobby sometime later this year.
Looking to get the most mileage out of their existing molds, Dragon announced that they were revisiting their Stryker armory and producing three new versions of previously released Neo Armor vehicles. The vehicles, which include a M1296 Dragoon Armored Personnel Carrier, M1134 Stryker ATGM Guided Missile Vehicle, and M1128 Mobile Gun System, are identical to three earlier efforts although at least one comes caked with a layer of dust to the vehicle’s exterior as can be seen in the accompanying image. Thus far, its not clear if the new assortment will come with any chase vehicles, which oftentimes command higher than market prices due to their limited availability, although we’re willing to bet they won’t. All three vehicles are expected later this summer, so run don’t walk to our updated Dragon Armor section if you plan on nabbing any or all of these re-treads.
Frankly, we’ve been surprised by the success of DeAgostini’s 1:72 scale WWII-era Military Aircraft series, a line of fighters that comes attractively packaged in Japanese-only marketing material. Its a bit difficult to talk up a range when we’re not even sure what the text both inside and outside the box says, although we’re pretty confident collectors aren’t purchasing the line just for the prose. Nevertheless, the models continue to sell extremely well, and we’ve had to re-order several of the models numerous times to maintain inventory. That said, four more fighters are expected to arrive in July, along with yet another restock of models that have been out-of-stock for several weeks running. Here’s what you can add to the DeAgostini stable in just a week’s time:
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian (Object 695) Kurgenats-25 infantry fighting vehicle with four Kornet-EM guided missiles
While other modelmakers still seem to be recovering from the effects brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Panzerkampf seems to be stoking the diecast fires, announcing an ever widening array of diecast products for the months ahead. This week, for instance, the Company announced plans to replicate the Russian Kurgenats-25 infantry fighting vehicle in 1:72 scale, thereby adding yet another new vehicle to the pantheon of Russian armor first debuted a few years ago at the Moscow Victory Day Parade. The Kurgenats-25 is a tracked, 25-ton modular infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier being developed for the Russian Army. The Kurganets-25 will evolve into various models, gradually replacing BMP, BMD, MT-LB and other types of tracked Soviet armored platforms. The Kurganets-25 will have modular armor that can be upgraded for specific threats. Two variants of the Kurgenats-25 are initially being offered: the Object 693 is the armored personnel version and bears the insignia used during the Moscow Victory Day Parade while the Object 695 comes equipped with four Kornet-EM guided missiles and is painted in a camouflage scheme.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Red Army KV-220-2 Heavy Tank – Multi-Colored Winter Camouflage
Additionally, the Company intends to bring out two versions of the WWII-era KV-220-2 heavy tank, a vehicle that never entered into mass production but was seen as one potential antidote to the growing array of German armor massed along Russia’s European borders prior to the run-up to Operation Barbarossa. Previously, the Company showcased their KV-3 heavy tank, which should be rolling in shortly, so the impending release of the KV-220 tank made sense from a design standpoint. Other combat vehicles are expected to be announced shortly, along with a dizzying array of additional aircraft, helicopters and who knows what else they have in the pipeline. Keep an eye on Panzerkampf as they continue to gain traction in the diecast military space.
Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has finally revealed details concerning their eagerly awaited aircraft line. While no mention has been made concerning their over-sized 1:32 scale aircraft, the manufacturer decided to pull back the curtains on several different 1:72 scale military aircraft now being developed. Thus far, only line art drawings are being used to show off those fighter planes purportedly in the pipeline, all of which will carry a $49.99 MAP. We’re not sure how they will differ from previous Forces of Valor aircraft, seeing as how the manufacturer likes to revamp each existing mold and incorporate added features, particularly removable engines, as evinced in their 1:32 scale military vehicle range. The Company has taken down information concerning a couple of twin-engine bombers that were also expected, so its unclear if or when they will turn up.
We’ve listed many of the upcoming fighter planes in our Forces of Valor military aircraft category but please keep in mind that we do not know when they will actually hit the market. It could be late 2020 or they could slip into the next year’s lineup.
Just days after Calibre Wings announced their intent to model the famous Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft comes word that Hobby Master plans to bring the spy plane to market ahead of its wily competition. While we are still awaiting word concerning pricing, the street date for the initial release has been set for February. This announcement certainly serves as a clear shot across the bow of the Calibre Wings warship, and perhaps signals their designs for the diecast military aircraft space, stealing thunder away from other modelmakers to prevent them from gaining further traction in the widening marketplace.
Atlas Editions’ 1:72 scale USMC LVTA-1 Amtank with 37mm Howitzer
While June has turned out to be an extremely dry month for new arrivals, Atlas saw it as an opportunity to announce six more tanks to its growing arsenal. Priced to perfection at just $19.99 apiece, these introductory level 1:72 scale military vehicles represent an ideal way to build out a battlefield on an affordable budget. Here’s what you can expect from the folks at Atlas Editions later this month:
Several years back, TWH, which makes a wide range of 1:50 scale construction models, offered up a subset of military vehicles under their Sword Models moniker. One of the most popular vehicles they developed was a US Army Oshkosh M10 tank transporter, which, when coupled with a 1:43 scale M1 Abrams tank sitting atop a M1000 flat bed, made for an excellent display set that made many collectors “green” with envy. We sold loads of these sets, both in the traditional tri-color camouflage pattern and a sun-baked desert motif, until our supplies quickly ran out and collectors had to seek them out in the after market venues.
Yesterday, we learned that Panzerkampf will soon be releasing a 1:72 scale version of the M1070 tank transporter, which can obviously be used with a wide range of 1:72 scale modern era military vehicles. As is customary with Panzerkampf, they will likely create several schemes besides the one shown here, and quite possibly offer them in the liveries of other user nations. We don’t as yet have a price for this item nor do we know for sure when they will be motoring on down the highway. So, for now, these pictures will have to do until everything gets firmed up and we can begin to open up the pre-order window. Pretty sharp, huh?
