Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank– NATO Woodlands Camouflage
Now that we are fully stocked with all of Panzkerkampf’s Abrams tanks, it makes sense that Dragon would select it as their next Neo Dragon Armor subject. [sic] Be that as it may, Dragon announced a pair of M1A2 SEP Abrams are in development, both of which are likely due out before the end of this year.
In 1998, a program was launched by the US Army to increase upgrade protection of its M1A2 Abrams tanks. The System Enhancement Package (SEP) added improved armor protection, improved system components, improved computer components, and some other improvements. The first M1A2 SEP tank was delivered to the US Army in 1999. A total of 240 M1A2 SEP tanks were newly built. Another 300 M1A2 tanks were upgraded to M1A2 SEP standard from previous versions. Notably 400 oldest M1A1 tanks were upgraded to M1A2 SEP standard. Also unknown number of the basic refurbished M1 tanks were upgraded to this standard. So the US military operated at least 900 M1A2 SEP main battle tanks. These formed the backbone of the US military armored forces. This tank has not been exported in its original form.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank– Desert Camouflage
Like the rest of the Neo Dragon Armor line, the Abrams will be made of plastic instead of metal, which typically affords finer detailing since its far easier to work with plastic over metal, especially at this scale. Both are up on our web site and ready for pre-order.
Whether you’re a modeler, collector or avid historian, the name Wittmann resonates like none other in the annals of armored warfare. Praised by the German Propaganda machine and held in high regard by both his comrades as well as his adversaries, Michael Wittmann became a highly decorated tank ace on both the eastern and western fronts, a feat few tankers from World War II could ever hope to match.
That said, Dragon today announced plans to replicate one of his most famous mounts: “007”, which represented his last Tiger tank he would ever ride into battle. Also shown for the first time is “112” — an equally famous tank that was commanded by SS-Oberscharfuhrer Heinrich Ernst, who saw extensive action in the fields of Normandy during that fateful summer of 1944. Both vehicles feature Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste slathered along the hull and turret as well as historically accurate camouflage schemes painted along their exteriors.
The pair are now up for pre-order and we hope to have them in hand for the holiday season.
Militaria Diecast’s 1:43 scale US 1/4 Ton Willys Jeep with Bantam T3 Trailer – Top Down
Looking to build upon the success of their Armored Fighting Vehicles of World War II line, the owner of the range has decided to expand the series to now include soft-skinned vehicles. Six new WWII-era 1:43 scale vehicles were shown on their site, covering everything from DUKW amphibious trucks to M16 motor carriages. Interestingly, all six vehicles are based upon vehicles drawn from the US inventory. It is hoped that as the series expands, vehicles from other user-nations will be added. We’ve listed all of the vehicles on our web site and expect them to storm our shores some time this summer.
The packaging for this new series is very reminiscent of the type used for the AFV’s of WWII line. Like the AFVs series, each vehicle in the Militaria range sits atop an etched based and is nestled within a handsome heavy acrylic display case. Eventually, as product sells out within the AFVs line and more product is called for, the new packaging will bear the Militaria Diecast logo rather than the AFV moniker all in an effort to maintain a consistent look and appearance across all of their sub brands.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Pair of Weathered Metal Tiger Tank Tracks [Early Production]
We’ve learned that the June/July shipment of Forces of Valor products will contain the oft-requested early production Tiger I metal track set. We were laboring under the impression that the initial batch of tracks were sold out and that we might have to wait for the manufacturer to produce a second batch, which could take months if not years to happen based upon prior experience. So, when we heard that more were on the way we jumped on them (figuratively, not literally), and should have them in hand and ready for shipment some time in July. Frankly, when you consider how many more Tiger tanks are in the pipeline we thought it made sense to have an ample supply on hand to keep the Tigerwaffe rolling along for the foreseeable future.
In other news, Waltersons has completed in principal their acquisition of Greenlight Collectibles. Based in Indiana, Greenlight has carved out a respectable business amongst many of the big box retailers, selling all sorts of budget-minded toys from fire-fighting equipment to, you guessed it, smaller 1:64 scale military vehicles under their Battalion 64 sub brand. Indeed, some of the vehicles were recently on display at the Waltersons booth at the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan. Greenlight’s 1:64 scale tanks will no doubt serve as the basis for Forces of Valor’s newest line of military collectibles, although these will likely be weathered or outwardly reworked to make them dovetail within their entire spectrum of Forces of Valor military vehicle ranges.
Look familiar? Greenlight’s rendition of “Cobra King” is no doubt off the mark, sporting an M4A3 configuration rather than the correct M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo model recently released by Waltersons. While a model such as this might appeal to the inexperienced eye, collectors will no doubt take up arms if an unaltered Battalion 64 model makes its way into the Forces of Valor lineup.
Greenlight will also serve as the central warehouse for all things Forces of Valor, which had been operating in concert with American Diorama on the west coast since the beginning of 2023. We bring this up because it will no doubt make our job of acquiring Forces of Valor merchandise far easier and similarly cut down on the turn-around time it takes to first place an order with them then get our order delivered to our own warehouse in Florida. It also means that we will at last have a salesperson in North America that we can reach within a matter of minutes rather than have to speak to someone in eastern Asia, which, because of the time difference, typically took a half day to get a response.
We had hoped that their 1:700 scale take on the Royal Navy’s HMS Invincible would complete its sea trails and be made available last year in time for the 40th anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands. Maybe “Forty Plus One”?
We expect Forces of Valor to make a number of product announcements shortly now that they have begun handling their own distribution within North America. Some items, such as their first King Tiger tank, F-16 Viper, HMS Invincible aircraft carrier and V-22 Osprey, have been hinted at on Facebook for several months running, although nothing concrete has turned up in their sales solicitations. With their logistical network now having been worked out, we anticipate a steady stream of new product announcements to follow shortly.
Now, if they could update their web site in a more timely fashion we would be supremely grateful…
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Army MH-60L Black Hawk Medium Lift Helicopter – “Gunslinger”, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment “Night Stalkers”, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Panzerkampf has come clean concerning their second chopper in their medium-lift helicopter series. The MH-60L Black Hawk is a Special operations modification used by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (“Night Stalkers”), and based on the UH-60L with T700-701C engines. It was developed as an interim version in the late 1980s pending fielding of the MH-60K. Equipped with many of the systems used on the MH-60K, including FLIR, color weather map, auxiliary fuel system, and laser rangefinder/designator. A total of 37 MH-60Ls were built and some 10 had received an in-flight refueling probe by 2003.
Panzerkampf’s rendition of the MH-60L bears the name “Gunslinger” atop its fuselage. It also comes with sliding side-mounted access doors, a detailed cockpit and other hallmark features you’ve come to expect from this high-flying nap-of-the-earth modelmaker. Presently, it looks like this helicopter will make its formal appearance on the diecast battlefield sometime in the third quarter of 2023.
Neo Dragon Armor 1:72 scale Soviet Late Production T-34/85 Medium Tank with Bedspring Armor – Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front, 1945
Apparently, we have to think twice about when we are planning our next vacation. Over the weekend, Dragon debuted eleven new 1:72 scale subjects as part of their ever-expanding line of Neo Dragon Armor military vehicles. Most of the new introductions were either German Panther medium tanks or Ferdinand tank destroyers, but one new piece caught our eye – a Russian T-34-85 medium tank with bedspring armor and clad in a winter white camouflage scheme. We’re guessing that most of these new pieces won’t be available until the latter half of the year. That said, we’ve posted them to our June Additions section, completed their addition to our product portfolio and are now entertaining pre-orders.
While Waltersons has been mum of late concerning their Facebook posts, and have become lax updating their own web site, it took a major hobby show to get them to share what they’ve been up to for the last several months. At the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan, the manufacturer displayed a number of new projects that are presumably in the works and slated for an early autumn release. In point of fact, if we could compare their rollout to a feast, the banquet was quite impressive covering everything from re-launched aircraft appetizers to their bread-and-butter 1:32 scale entrees.
On the ground, several new 1:32 scale tanks were shown for the first time, among them a Soviet KV-2 heavy tank, a US M4A3(76)W Sherman medium tank, their oft-hinted at Ferdnand tank destroyer (to be included in their Inside Out series), and a British Firefly Ic medium tank. Its likely a KV-1 tank is in the offing and their long awaited King Tiger heavy tank could join the entourage in the not-too-distant future. A number of vehicles scheduled for shipment in the June/July time frame were also laid out for all to see, including two Chaffee light tanks, a pair of Open Blitz 3-ton ambulances, and a US 2-1/2 ton cargo truck. It would appear as if the second 1:32 scale model kit is also nearing completion – a prototype of the Sturmtiger assault mortar
In the air, the manufacturer pulled back the curtains on their re-tooled MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, a troop transport that was originally a part of the Unimax range. Two versions of their 1:72 scale AH-64D Apache gunship, and updated renditions of a F-16 Viper were also on the “tarmac” and its a good bet that other Unimax-built aircraft will eventually join the aerial armada. Interestingly, we’ve seen several outlets re-listing their long sold out MH-47 helicopter as being re-released, so we’ve opened up the ordering window for this highly successful helicopter. Waltersons has previously stated that certain items, such as their upcoming 88mm FLaK gun will be made again, so its a fair bet that the MH-47 has undergone a similar vote of confidence.
The Company also took the opportunity to show off their next interlocking play set – a 1:72 scale look at a beach invasion scenario that pits several US- and German built vehicles against one another across a battle-scarred landscape. Its a rather large vignette and we haven’t heard how much the entire display will cost once its ready for prime time.
Lastly, the Company unveiled images of a brand new lineup. Apparently, when the Company took a majority stake in Greenlight Collectibles, they decided to re-purpose their 1:64 scale line so that it dovetailed within their overall Metal Proud product portfolio. Its not clear if the rechristened range will be geared towards big box retailers and mom-and-pop toy stores or redirected towards hobbyists.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Army UH-60 Black Hawk Medium Lift Helicopter
As we await pricing and other information concerning their soon-to-be-released Mi-24 Hind gunships, comes news that Panzerkampf will also be removing the chocks from their US-built Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk troop transports. Featuring sliding side-opening doors, hinged access panels to view the top-mounted engines, and side-mounted FFAR rocket pods, the Blackhawk fills an important void in the marketplace that seems to have been left vacant by Corgi et al over the last few years.
lAs is customary with Panzerkampf, the Company will likely offer the Blackhawk in multiple liveries and perhaps multiple configurations, from Dust Off medical ambulances to naval versions that may include the MH-60 Seahawk and Jayhawk. While the Blackhawk isn’t available just yet to pre-order, it would appear as if we should have information shortly based upon the progress the manufacturer has made to date.
Forces of Valor’s 1:700 scale German Kriegsmarine Bismarck Class Battleship – DKM Bismarck, Operation Rheinubung, Gotenhafen, Poland, May 1941 [Waterline Version]
Waltersons has a number of projects coming to fruition in June, all based upon previous builds and/or reinvigorated classics. Two versions of the battleships USS Missouri and Deutsches Kriegsmarine Bismarck are in the offing – one portraying the vessel in a full hull configuration while the other showcases the ship as a waterline model. Shown here is a picture of the waterline version of the Bismarck, which nestles the ship in a handsome “water-filled” base and framed accordingly. All four ships will carry a retail price of just $99.99 and signals how the manufacturer will likely tackle each new subject going forward.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale US Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter – 1-227 ATKHB, 11th Aviation Regiment (Attack), 1st Cavalry Division, Karbala, Iraq, March 2003
In the air, look forward to seeing 1:72 scale renditions of the US-built Apache helicopter gunship, one tied to the US while the other is based upon an attack helicopter flown by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. Both are available for pre-order as we speak.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M24 Chaffee Light Tank – Company D, 36th Tank Battalion, 8th Armored Division, Fheinberg, Germany March 1945
As we alluded to in a previous post, collectors will be able to wrap their arms around two versions of the US-built M24 Chaffee light tank, along with two dissimilar takes on the German Opel Blitz ambulance. The Chaffee is the first tank to be offered without a removable engine, no doubt in a bid to court collectors at the lower end of the price spectrum. Lastly, the manufacturer has elected to bring back one of their most popular subjects – the German 88mm FLaK gun. Two versions will be available – one in field grey while the other is in a desert sand motif. Priced at just $79.99 apiece, these will almost certainly be gobbled up as quickly as they arrive.
German 88mm Flak 36/37 Anti-Aircraft Gun with FLaK Rohr 18 Gun Barrel and Sd. 202 Towing Vehicle – Deutsches Afrika Korps, El Alamein, North Africa, 1942 [Comes with Seven Crewmen and Rommel]
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Chinese PLAN Shenyang J-11BHG “Flanker B+” Multirole Fighter – South China Sea, 2022
While many diecast modelmakers are still fleshing out their plans for 2023, Hobby Master is already turning its attention to early 2024. Several new warbirds were among their January roll out, including a number of aircraft that could potentially see action in the not-too-distant future if geo-political tensions fail to abate and an East-West Cold War turns hot.
