Product Announcements – Page 36 – The Motor Pool

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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Star Trek’s Reference Library Just Opened a New Annex

If you live, eat, and breathe Star Trek, then this story should come as welcome news. According to sources, Hero Collector, a division of Eaglemoss that helps to promote their latest products across all brands, will publish two new reference books towards the end of 2018, heretofore dubbed Star Trek: Shipyards. Designed along the same lines as the Jane’s Fighting Ships series of pictorial reference guides, the books are being co-authored by brand manager Ben Robinson and Marcus Riley, and will encompass all of the Federation ships portrayed in the Star Trek universe and Star Trek Discovery spin-off series. Word has it that each will contain a special collectible, although its not clear if this will be a memento, such as a pin, or perhaps one of the ships portrayed in Star Trek. No word concerning the length of each book, the depth and breadth of each ship discussed, nor price, although the first of the two reference books is expected this September. In the meantime, here’s some cover art to whet your appetite until we have something more substantial to feed you.

In other news, we’ve learned that Eaglemoss, in conjunction with Hero Collector, will be producing a fourth installment in their reference material series. The latest perfect-bound, hard cover book will cover over 30 different starships, all christened Enterprise, thereby providing a behind-the-scenes look into their creation, schematics and storied existence. Look for it to appear on book shelves later this year.

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Air Commander Signals Its Ready to Tackle the Jolly Rogers

Now working on its ninth iteration of the venerable McDonnell F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber, Air Commander announced it would take on the Jolly Rogers as its next subject. Pegged for a May release, the vaunted VF-84 will finally get a Phantom to call their own, this one commemorating a warbird that served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-62), then deployed off Vietnam during 1965 (AC1009). Its no secret that Air Commander offers the most detailed look at the Phantom, so this particular replica will likely go fast once it screams off the deck.

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Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica Series Gets Its First Shot in the Arm

Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica Space Battleship – 2004 Series

While we are still awaiting the release of their first Battlestar Galactica ship, Eaglemoss, through its Hero Collector subsidiary, announced the next pairing of ships drawn from the Galactica universe. The first is a replica of the Battlestar Galactica space battleship, as it was portrayed in the 2004 televised series (EMBGS03).

Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Mark I Fighter – 1978 Series

The second is a Colonial Mark I Viper fighter, as it was originally envisaged way back in 1978 (EMBGS04) in the original televised series. The manufacturer has gone on record to say that they will be shipping a new ship every couple of months, so don’t expect to take these beauties home for several more months.

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Welly Returns with the Willys

Welly’s 1:18 scale US Willys Jeep with its top up

I’m a big Jeep fan. There, I said it. In fact, I think I’m on my fifth Jeep Cherokee, having gotten one in every conceivable package and color except for olive drab. So, when I heard that Welly’s 1:18 scale World War II era Jeep was sold out late last year, I grew a little despondent. A Jeep support group was a phone call away when we learned yesterday that Welly brought back their venerable off-roader for an encore appearance, this time sporting a faux canvas top.

I think I need to top off the Freon, not!

Boasting an opening hood, detailed engine compartment and other goodies, their new Jeep is back in stock and carrying the same sticker price, thereby making it a perfect gift for any occasion.

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Modelcollect Pounds its Fist on the Table Again

While Modelcollect is hard at work developing all sorts of diecast military vehicles, they have also been diligently creating their own off-beat franchise known as Fist of War. Thus far, few details have emerged concerning the back story and its impact on the post WWII-themed world, although a a handful of vehicles have been shown to the public, which melds parts from their WWII range with spider-like leggings.

Earlier this week, the Company posted an interesting cache of blueprints which takes the series in a new direction, one which seems to tear a page out of the Mechwarrior universe as well as the “paper panzer” saga. Its not clear if all of the items published will be offered as pre-assembled replicas due to their size, complexity and likely higher cost vis a vis their traditional military range. Still, its nice to know that they are demonstrating their prowess as model builders and stoking the fires of ingenuity.

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TSM Model Wing: When the World Needed Heroes

TSM Model Wing’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed YF-12 Interceptor Aircraft – “60-6934”, 1964

Recently, at the now concluded Nuremberg Toy Fair, TSM Model Wing left the aviation collecting community a gasp when it revealed its intention to model both a Lockheed A-12 (TSMW720001) as well as a YF-12 aircraft (TSMW720002). While Century Wings modeled both aircraft some time ago, collectors have been after them to release follow-on replicas, something the Company seems loathe to do, for what ever reason. Enter TSM Model Wing, who seemed to have picked up the gauntlet and decided the time was right to expand their aircraft ensemble.

A 1:72 scale reproduction of a Lockheed A-12 Cygnus Reconnaissance Aircraft – “60-6924” Test Flight, 1962

Although pricing is still up in the air, collectors can get a better sense as to what these aircraft will look like when they speed off the runway later this year. Undoubtedly, other versions are in the wings, most notably an SR-71 as well as the M-21 carrier shouldering a D-21 drone. These will likely put in an appearance in 2019, once the manufacturer gets a better sense of the market and its own capacity to build these super-sleek models. Enjoy!

Devotees can purchase a separate accessory pack that includes two rolling ladders, a towing device that can be affixed to the nose wheel of either the A-12 or YF-12, and six figures, including two pilots

If you like ’em a wee bit smaller, TSM is offering a wide array of 1:200 scale replicas and accessories, including a faux MiG-28 fighter (TSMWTP009) and this spectacular rendition of Fightertown USA (TSMWAC009). Again, we do not have pricing for any of these new introductions, so we ask that you hold off before contacting us to place any pre-orders.

Miramar Naval Air Station a.k.a. Fightertown USA, soon-to-come for the 1:200 scale market

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Arsenal Puts Its Best Foot Forward in 2018

Recently we saw an uptick in sales in our limited line of Arsenal Tanks of the World. We weren’t sure why sales got rosier since its basically a budget-minded partworks range with but a few subjects available for us to offer. However, now we know why. Our distributor for the line informed us today of another dozen new vehicles expected this month, and likely much more as we head into Spring.

We’ve been extremely busy this week thus far, so we will hold off posting all of the new vehicles until next week. Frankly, some of the subjects have been done ad nauseum, and others have been offered previously from other model makers. There are, however, a few SKUs of keen interest, such as each of the British tanks as well as the Michael Wittman Tiger I tank that commands a handsome sum from the Dragon Armor series. So, if you’re looking to fill in some holes in your 1:72 scale collection, and cost has always been an issue, then you likely can’t go wrong with any of the tanks produced by this Russian concern.

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