Product Announcements

Calibre Wings Takes its Cue from Hobbyists

An F-14 “Monacat”, the inaugural offering in Calibre Wings’ all-new Imaginarium series

At this year’s Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan, Calibre Wings touted a new line of model aircraft called their Imaginarium Series. According to their Facebook post, it appears as if this sub category is inspired by several accomplished model builders, all of whom have gone to great lengths to make their creations look as realistic as possible. The first warplane in the series has been dubbed a Monacat, which is a JASDF warplane clad in a dark/light blue paint scheme layered atop much of the upper surfaces of the aircraft. No word as to how many models will be offered in the series, and whether special packaging will be used to make them stand out from their standard aircraft series. Calibre Wings did indicate that pricing will not be affected by the usage of master modelers to create some of their more imaginative projects. Meanwhile, they have also created another new umbrella line called Soviet Stars, which, as the name infers, focuses on aircraft produced for the Soviet and Russian Air Forces

Calibre Wings 1:72 rendition of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, complete with removable engine, engine dolly and open/closed exhaust nozzle

In other news, Calibre Wings drew back the curtain on prototypes of their F-16C/D Block 50/52 Fighting Falcon in 1:72 scale, one carrying twin conformal fuel tanks attached to the upper surface of the aircraft running along its center line, and the other boasting an updated sensor suite fixed atop its dorsal spine. The F-16 will feature a removable engine and engine dolly, so it can be displayed in a landed position with its engine removed and seemingly undergoing overhaul by its ground crew. An interchangeable nose cone and crew access ladder are also included. Again, no word as to pricing, dates of availability or which livery they plan to replicate first.

Calibre WIngs’ 2nd F-16 prototype boasts twin conformal fuel tanks running alongside the center line of the aircraft
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Battlestar Galactica: Under a Pagan Sun

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Basestar – 1978 Series [With Collector Magazine]
Two more products have emerged from the Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica group, both having to do with Cylon Basestars drawn from both the 1978 as well as the reimagined 2004 series. Obviously, neither is created to scale since they would each dwarf some of the smaller ships portrayed in the series. Still, both are designed to give collectors an idea as to their respective detail and painstaking research going into every ship in the series.

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Basestar – 2004 Series [With Collector Magazine]
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Air Force 1 Returns to the Fold this Summer

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird Reconnaissance Aircraft – 61-7962, “R.I.P. Detachment 1”

Most collectors need no introduction to the SR-71 Blackbird. During the Cold War, the US Air Force’s fleet of super-sleek, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft gave the Soviets fits, as the planes routinely rocketed high above the USSR’s air defense network to keep a careful eye on their adversary. As better and more efficient satellites came online, however, the SR-71s were eventually retired, turned out to pasture to become the stuff of legend no one seems willing to forget.

From a collectible stand point, the SR-71 is also one of the most popular warbirds we’ve ever stocked, regularly snapped up by aviation buffs no matter who seems to make them and at what price. Air Force 1 has been out of this iconic plane for several months now, although they are finally bringing it back and at a MAP slightly lower than past releases (AF10088C). Scheduled for a June over flight, we highly recommend including this stalwart member of aviation history to your collection before it too becomes the stuff of legend.

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale US Army Sikorsky MH-60 Night Hawk Helicopter – HSC-2 “Fleet Angels”, NAS Norfolk, VA, 2008

Two other models were also announced as part of Air Force 1’s summer roll out. Another USMC F-35B Joint Strike Fighter will be added to the AF1 foot locker (AF100009B), along with a Sikorsky MH-60 Night Hawk, clad in the markings of HSC-2 “Fleet Angels”, who are based out of NAS Norfolk in Virginia (AF10099A).

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Calibre Does the F-16 Justice But will others Follow Suit?

Calibre Wings adds the F-16 to its ever-expanding line up of 1:72 scale aircraft. Look for several of the more advanced F-16s to be modeled first ahead of the legacy aircraft

Never one to sit on their laurels, Calibre Wings has officially gone on record to indicate plans for modelling the venerable F-16 Falcon. As you can see from the accompanying CAD diagram, plans initially call for modelling several of the more advanced F-16s, beginning with the Block 50/52 Plus which features bulbous Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) attached to the center line of the aircraft. CFTs are external, pod-like fuel reservoirs that are attached to the upper surface of the F-16’s fuselage, with the tank’s lower surface conforming to the aircraft’s shape. Further, the Block 50/52 sports a dorsal spine compartment for electronics, the APG-68(V9) radar, an On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), and a JHMCS helmet.

According to research, “Poland took delivery of its first F-16C Block 52+ aircraft on September 15th, 2006. The “Poland Peace Sky program” includes 36 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds. All 48 aircraft were delivered in 2008. The Hellenic Air Force took delivery of its first F-16C Block 52+ aircraft on May 2nd, 2003. The Hellenic Air Force is the first Air Force in the world to operate this F-16 type. The total Greek order was 60 F-16C/D. The Israeli F-16I and its Singapore equivalent variant are based on the block 52+ aircraft. In March 2010, it was announced that the Egyptian Air Force would purchase 20 Block 52 aircraft (16 F-16Cs and 4 F-16Ds), the first of which arrived for testing in April 2012.” Therefore, its not clear which livery will be covered first and how many other variants will be included in their ambitious modelling program.

The Lockheed Martin F-16V configuration provides relevant combat capabilities in a scalable and affordable package. The core of the F-16V configuration is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a modern commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based avionics subsystem, a large-format, high-resolution display; and a high-volume, high-speed data bus.

What makes this development so coincidental is that, according to The National Interest, earlier this month “the Slovak Republic has requested the sale of 14 advanced Lockheed Martin F-16V Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon fighters to replace its increasingly obsolete fleet of Soviet-built Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrums. The new jets would give the Slovak air force a huge boost in capability with the addition of advanced new sensors such as an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and other capabilities that are not found onboard the Cold War-era Fulcrums.”

“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Slovakia of F-16 Block 70/72 V configuration aircraft for an estimated cost of $2.91 billion,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 3, 2018.”

Of all of the operators of the F-16 — and there are indeed many — it would be interesting if this tiny, former East Block nation would be the first to add this advanced aircraft to their inventory and do so at a time when many nations are looking towards obtaining low observable stealth aircraft as a means of guaranteeing their safety should an air war erupt.

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Calibre Wings Catches a Wave

Never one to shy away from the more intimidating projects, Calibre Wings unveiled their first-ever purpose-built display base designed to accommodate any of their F-14 Tomcats.The diorama is aimed at giving the model a sea-skimming appearance, kicking up a pair of waves as it rockets to its destination. According to the manufacturer, the twin supports shown in these photos will actually come in a transparent acrylic, which preserves the illusion of near-the-deck flying. No word on pricing or a release date just yet so keep your eyes peeled for further announcements if you’re interested in nabbing this cool-looking accessory. Ordering information should be passed along towards the end of April.

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Eaglemoss Adds Six New Exclusives to their Star Trek Stable

Six new Eaglemoss exclusives were announced on Facebook, meaning you’ll need a bigger curio cabinet to hold them all, and a fatter wallet.

In a rather surprising move, Eaglemoss is priming the pumps by coming out with six more exclusive ships in their rapidly expanding standard-sized Star Trek starships series. The six new bonus (chase) exclusives include:

– Rick Sternbach’s Federation USS Voyager Concept

– Klingon Bird-of-Prey configured in a landing position

– Federation Odyssey Class Starship – USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F

– Federation Bonaventure Class Starship – USS Bonaventure (10281NCC)

– Doug Drexler’s Federation Voyager Concept – USS Altair

– Federation Assimilated USS Voyager

We’re of the opinion that they will most likely get released in staggered fashion over the course of the summer and fall, thereby giving people enough time to recharge their wallets if they are looking to collect all six ships. Naturally, each will come with a full-color collector magazine and will likely be sought after by Trekies world over.

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Hobby Master: April Showers Brings September Flowers

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Air Force Douglas B-26K Counter Invader Attack Aircraft – 609th Special Operations Squadron “Nimrods”, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhom Phanom, Thailand, 1969

Like clockwork, Hobby Master debuted their monthly introductions, this one scheduled for a September release. The range includes a second look at the B-26K Counter Invader (HA3225), the first having sold out nearly as quickly as it was first introduced. A number of handsomely painted aircraft are also being touted, including a digital cam Ukranian Su-25 Frogfoot (HA6105), a red hot Czech MiG-23 (HA5307) and D-Day Commemorative A-10 Warthog (HA1326).

The 1:48 scale line up reintroduces the Kettenkrad tractor

Also, of note, are a pair of 1:48 scale Kettenkrad tractors, which bodes well for both their military vehicle line up as well as their larger 1:48 scale grouping. We are still fine tuning the new additions but in the mean time, you can begin to pre-order any of the new products from our web site.

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Modelcollect Answers the Call for April

Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Fist of War German WWII E-75 Heavy Panzer – 1946 (1:72 Scale)

April is notorious for being a dry month as far as new products go simply because of the effects of Chinese New Year, and its overall impact on the supply chain. That said, Modelcollect seems to have filled the hole nicely, with nine new vehicles expected to arrive mid month. The grouping includes:

AS72086 – T-80U Main Battle Tank – Russian Army, Biathlon, 2013

AS72087 – 128mm FLaK 40 with Kreuzlafette Mount – Germany, 1944, Grey

AS72088 – Set of Two Rheintochter Mobile Surface-to-Air Missiles – Germany, 1946

AS72089 – T-72AV Main Battle Tank – Soviet Army, 1980s

AS72090 – “Fist of War” German E-75 Ausf.Vierfuessler Heavy Panzer

AS72091 – BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle – Russian Army, Victory Day Parade, Moscow, 2010

AS72092 – T-90A Main Battle Tank – 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division “Tamanskaya,” Russian Army, Victory Day Parade, Moscow, 2010

AS72093 – E-100 Super Heavy Tank with Krupp Turret – German Army, 1946, Three-Tone Camouflage

AS72094 – T-80UK Main Battle Tank – 4th Guards “Kantemirovskaya” Tank Division, Russian Army, Open Day, 2017

Modelcollect’s German E-100 Heavy Tank with Krupp Turret and 128mm Gun – Ambush Camouflage, 1946

Of note is the first item in the Company’s Fist of War series, a pseudo-scientific proprietary range that seems to meld off-the-shelf military technology with strange futuristic applications. As usual, the cache also contains more derivatives of the T-72/T-80/T-90 main battle tanks, a category that seems to remain at the heart of Modelcollect’s model building passion. And, rounding out the cache are three more WWII-era items: an E-100 super heavy tank, a German 128mm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft gun and finally a pair of Rheintochter Mobile Surface-to-Air Missiles. Great value at great prices!

Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank – 2nd Guards “Tamanskaya” Division, Victory Day Parade Red Square in Moscow, May 9th, 2010

 

 

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Hobby Master: One Frogfoot Hopscotches Another

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Soviet Sukhoi Su-25 “Frogfoot” Ground Attack Aircraft – “Red 59”, 378. OShAP, VVS, 40th Army, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, 1986

A few months back, Hobby Master announced their intent to offer a 1:72 scale build of the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot (HA6101), a ground attack aircraft designed along the sames lines as the US A-10 Warthog. However, late yesterday, we learned that a different version will ship first this June (HA6103) and that the original model has been pushed back all the way until February 2019. As one forum member pointed out when HA6101 was announced, “it would have been nice to have included that big red star on the tail of the aircraft, to give it that menacing look we’ve all associated with Soviet aircraft.” We’re betting this is the principal reason for the line-up change and that other Frogfoots will more than likely come clad with the same star.

Hobby Master’s 1:700 scale US Navy Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser – USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)

In other news, Hobby Master revealed images for their forthcoming USS Ticonderoga (HSP1001), a 1:700 scale guided missile cruiser that will form the nucleus of the new Hobby Master navy. Finely detailed and designed to work in conjunction with other 1:700 scale naval forces, it looks as if Hobby Master is in the warship game for the long haul, with other meaningful releases not-too-far down the road. 

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Hobby Master Revisits the Cactus Air Force

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USMC Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighter – “White 2”, VMF-223 “Bulldogs”, Guadalcanal, September 1942

Its no secret that Hobby Master has witnessed great success in the 1:48 scale aviation market, taking the hobby by storm with each new subject they put forward. So, it came as no surprise that their next 1:48 scale warbird would look to up the score, by turning back the hands of time to the earliest days of World War II when the conflict in the PTO was still very much in doubt. Scheduled for an August roll out, their latest aircraft is based upon the venerable Grumman F-4F Wildcat, a fighter that was outmatched by the Japanese Zero in virtually every category. Their inaugural aircraft pays tribute to the Cactus Air Force, a conglomeration of US military aircraft tasked with defending Guadalcanal and its newly conquered airfield dubbed Henderson Field (HA8901). Obviously, more versions are in the works, but we thought this particular warbird could be their most noteworthy of the bunch.

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