Product Announcements – Page 27 – The Motor Pool

The Forces of Valor Update: Chinese National Day and the Liaoning

Forces of Valor’s 1:700 scale People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force Liaoning Class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier – Liaoning (CV-16), Hong Kong Visit, 2017

With National Day of the People’s Republic of China 2019 serving as a back drop, Waltersons took the opportunity today to formally introduce their 1:700 scale replica of the PLAAN Liaoning (CV-16) to the public. First announced more than two years ago, the manufacturer decided to delay its release so that they could update their original plans for the aircraft carrier. Much like their 1:32 scale vehicle series, the Liaoning will come in two flavors: the first (FOV861010A) represents the warship’s configuration as it sailed into Hong Kong harbor in 2017. A second portrayal (FOV861010B) shows the ship as it embarked upon its maiden ocean-going voyage in 2016.

According to the manufacturer, the model encompasses some 240 plastic and alloy parts as compared with 150 used in the construction of their model of the USS Enterprise. Furthermore, 80 pad printed decals have been used throughout, covering everything from identification tags to deck markings. Interestingly, the ship comes with a clear removable display arm attached to the bow and aft of the warship which can then be affixed with a 1:700 scale aircraft. A vertical display stand can be used to show a helicopter as it lifts off or lands. Best of all, a slew of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft also come with the warship, all meticulously researched based upon the latest declassified data and photographs available to the public.

As is customary with the Waltersons line of Forces of Valor warships, the Liaoning can be displayed in two manners. Collectors can sit the warship atop a pair of golden pillars that are attached to a simulated wooden display plinth finished with an etched metallic name plate. Conversely, collectors can detach the ship from its base and display the ship within a blue ocean-inspired shell, giving it a more realistic appearance.

Look for the first version of the Liaoning to make its maiden voyage into the retailer network this holiday season.

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Eaglemoss Drops Out of Hyperspace for NY Comic Con

Never one to disappoint, Eaglemoss today revealed a convention exclusive Star Trek starship that has to be seen to be believed. Available at the upcoming New York Comic Con, which is scheduled to run from October 3rd to the 6th, the “Cloaked Defiant” bears a somewhat crystalline look that attempts to portray the starship as if its was evading detection.

Its not clear if the convention exclusive will be made available to retailers as oftentimes has happened in the past or if it can only be purchased direct from the Show. That said, we’ll take a wait-and-see attitude by holding off listing the ship on our web site until we know for sure.

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Altaya Soldiers On with a New Line of Military Vehicles

As we await the formal conclusion to their 1:43 scale armored fighting vehicle range — which is tentatively set for early 2020 — it appears as if Altaya is launching yet another partworks line, this time around focused on an assortment of cars pressed into military service. According to their web site, this new 1:43 scale range will encompass some of the staff cars, off-road trucks and other vehicles that served both the Axis and Allied powers during WWII. Each will come with a magazine (written in french) discussing the vehicle at length. Moreover the line touts the usual bonus vehicles and accessories a subscriber can obtain once they have reached a predetermined number of orders . For now, the line is available in Europe but we have high hopes that it will eventually reach our shores once it too has formally reached its end and Altaya has moved on to something else collectors might covet.

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Six New Warships Join the DeAgostini Fleet

DeAgostini’s 1:1250 scale US Navy Essex Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Essex (CV-9) [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

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:

DAKS03 – German Kriegsmarine Deutschland Class Heavy Cruiser – DKM Admiral Graf Spee [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS13 – German Kaiserliche Marine Derfflinger Class Battlecruiser – SMS Derfflinger [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS18 – German Kaiserliche Marine Koenig Class Battleship – SMS Koenig [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS19 – German Kaiserliche Marine Blucher Class Armored Cruiser – SMS Blucher [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS24 – German Kriegsmarine Auxiliary Cruiser – Atlantis [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS06 – US Navy Essex Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Essex (CV-9) [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

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Hobby Master Pokes its Head Out of its Burrow for Groundhog’s Day

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War

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:

#HG1704 – German Sd. Kfz. 2 NSU Kettenkrad Light Tractor – 20.Panzer Division, Russia, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

#HG3814 – US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – 1st Platoon, B Company, 807th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Germany, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#HG5611 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M60A3 Patton Medium Tank – Taiwanese Marine Corps (1:72 Scale)

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)

#HA6503 – German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – Jagdgeschwader 73 “Steinhoff”, 1994 (1:72 Scale)

#HA4610 – RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM151, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6203 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “Pole Test Scheme”, 2012 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6204 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “ED-104”, Edwards AFB, California, 2016 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA2550 – USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War (1:72 Scale)

#HA5152 – RAAF Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – No. 6 Squadron, “100th Anniversary”, 2018 (1:72 Scale)

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Introducing The Ultimate Tank Collection from Atlas Editions

Atlas Editions’ 1:72 scale German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Heavy Tank – Michael Wittmannn ‘S04’, 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte ‘LSSAH’, 1943

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.

#ATL4660101 – German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Heavy Tank – Michael Wittmannn ‘S04’, 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte ‘LSSAH’, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#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)

#ATL4660104 – German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank – schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660105 – British Churchill Mk. VII Infantry Tank – 34th Armoured Brigade, Italy, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660106 – German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – schwere Panzer Abteilung 654, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

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Air Force 1 Takes Aim at the Holiday Season

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale Suhkoi Su-57 goes prime time.

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.

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – “Swamp Fire”, 524th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Europe, 1944-45

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.

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – “Miss Conduct”, 481st Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group, Europe, 1943-45

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.

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Modelcollect Fires Off Another Rocket Salvo

Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher – Grey Launch Tubes

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:

AS72147 – Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher – Grey Launch Tubes (1:72 Scale)

AS72148 – Russian S-300 (“SA-10 Grumble”) with 5P85SE Missile Launcher (1:72 Scale)

AS72149 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System – Camouflage (1:72 Scale)

AS72150 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army PHL03 Multiple Launch Rocket System (1:72 Scale)

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Hobby Master Lays Out Their Winter Wonderland for January

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019

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)

HA1615 – ROCAF Dassault-Breuget Mirage 2000-5 Multi-Role Fighter – 2020/E120, 2018 “20 Years of Operation” (1:72 Scale)

HA3545 – RAAF Boeing F-18B Hornet Strike Fighter – A21-116, “Classic Hornet 1985-2019”, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA4518 – USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 97-0219, 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters”, “75th D-Day Anniversary Scheme”, 2019 (1:72 Scale)

HA5606 – Ukrainian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD “Foxbat-A” Interceptor – “Red 49”, 146th Fighter Aviation Regiment, Vasilkov Air Base, 1995 (1:72 Scale)

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Eaglemoss Extends its Reach into the Stars

Eaglemoss Star Trek Excelsior Class Starship – USS Excelsior NCC-2000 Nilo Rodis Concept III

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