Product Announcements

Hobby Master Shows Off Several New Toolings for 2018

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker-B Multirole Fighter – “Red 36”, 941st IAP, Barents Sea, 1987

While we are still awaiting pricing and some ancillary information, Hobby Master announced today three new toolings for 2018. In the air, the Company unveiled their first ever Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker-B multirole aircraft (HA6001), something we kind of suspected was in the wings after they announced a Su-35 earlier in the year.

Two versions of the M35 2-1.2-ton truck are expected: one in an olive green and a second in a sand scheme

On the ground, two versions of the US M35 2-1/2-ton truck were shown for the first time (HG5701 and HG5702), the successor to the ubiquitous 2-1/2-ton truck first seeing action in World War II. And finally, in a surprise move, the Company displayed their first-ever NASA Orbiter (Space Shuttle), which depicts the Atlantis in 1:200 scale (HL1401). Other new items were also made known, and we hope to have them all listed on our web site by Tuesday, October 17th, once we get the ordering information finalized.

Hobby Master launches itself into space with a 1:200 Orbiter, named after the space shuttle Atlantis
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Eaglemoss Grapples with the Cylons

Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Mark II Fighter [With Collector Magazine]
If you’re a fan of the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi series — and let’s face it, who isn’t — then you’ll be thrilled to learn that Eaglemoss Collections is launching a brand new sci-fi range that focuses on many of the ships depicted in the series. Debuted at this week’s Comic-Con convention here in New York City, the Eaglemoss replicas will likely be larger in size than some of the Star Trek standard-sized starships, and will therefore likely carry a price tag in the $50+ range. We will wait for the manufacturer to roll out their latest web-based showcase before posting SKUs and additional product information, although we are willing to be that each ship will come bundled with a collector magazine like their Star Trek brethren models. Look for the first ships to take on humanity some time in early 2018.

Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica Cylon Raider Ship [With Collector Magazine]
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Dragon Armor: A Return to its Heyday?

A 1:72 scale M4A3(76) W VVSS Sherman Medium Tank is slated for a December roll out

Typically, Dragon Models announces the availability of new 1:72 scale model kits as a prelude to releasing new pre-assembled replicas a few months later. Earlier today, two intriguing kits were unveiled by the manufacturer: one portraying a WWII-era US M4A3(76) Sherman tank with a VVSS suspension and the other a German early production Tiger I command tank used by famed panzer ace, Michael Wittmann.

Anyone remember these guys? It was vehicles like this that helped set the hobby on fire over a dozen years ago and now it looks like they may be making a return engagement.

If you recall, these pre-assembled vehicles sold out eons ago, snapped up by collectors for their use in wargaming, dioramas and curio cabinets largely for their historical significance. With other vehicles already in the queue, and likely even more bringing up the rear, this comes as welcome news for the hobby, perhaps harkening back to the glory days of collecting Dragon Armor pieces.

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War Master’s Elves are Hammering Out the Latest Ware for Solido

Solido’s 1:72 scale German Sd. Kfz. 9 Famo Prime Mover and towed 88mm FLak Gun

Produced for french manufacturer Solido, War Master has been busy cobbling together a new sack of diecast goodness, many of which are ideal gifts for the holidays. Here’s what you can expect to nestle under the Christmas tree this December:

SOL7200506 – USMC LAV-25 Piranha Light Armored Vehicle (1:72 Scale)

SOL7200507 – German Flakpanzer IV Wirbelwind Anti-Aircraft Gun – Unidentified Unit, Belgium, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

SOL7200508 – British Cruiser Tank, A27M Cromwell Mk. IV Tank – 7th Armored Division “Desert Rats”, Netherlands, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

SOL7200202 – German Sd. Kfz. 9 Famo Prime Mover and 88mm FLak Gun (1:72 Scale)

SOL7200003 – RAF De Havilland Mosquito FB VI Fighter – Unidentified Unit, India, April 1945 (1:72 Scale)

SOL7200004 – RAF Grumman FM-1 Martlet V Fighter – Operation Torch, North Africa, November 1942 (1:72 Scale)

Aviation buffs will go bats over this RAF De Havilland Mosquito FB VI Fighter – Unidentified Unit, India, April 1945

 

 

 

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Wings of the Great War: Amiens or Bust

Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale British Mk. A “Whippet” Light Tank then attached to B Company, 3rd Tank Brigade, Amiens, France, August 17th, 1918

The Battle of Amiens, France, fought in August 1918 near the tail end of the Great War, has always held special significance for my family since a German regiment, taking its name from a distant relative, was virtually destroyed by advancing Allied armor, specifically two Mark V tanks. So, when Wings of the Great War announced plans to offer a British Whippet light tank that saw action at the same battle, we obviously sat up and took notice.

Whippet’s were first employed in 1917, designed to operate in conjunction with some of their heavier counterparts.

Expected some time in October, the British Mk. A “Whippet” light tank (WW10209) shown here, known as “Firefly”, was attached to the British Army’s B Company, 3rd Tank Brigade, and is now on display at  the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium, still showing the damage it took on August 17th, 2018. The Whippet actually saw service for the first time a year prior, when a light tank called the Mark A was ready to be used on the Western Front. Nicknamed the Whippet, it was faster than previous tanks, particularly the ponderous Mark IV, but was still unreliable and vulnerable to artillery fire. Weighing in at 18 tons, it could traverse ground at nearly double the speed of its heavier counterpart, clocking in at a blistering 6 mph.

For more information on the Battle of Amiens, feel free to click on the following link:

https://books.google.com/books?id=B_KBBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT786&lpg=PT786&dq=Composite+Regiment+Dultz&source=bl&ots=90U93uZz9A&sig=50uuBuK-C3q7ro7g6AdagJ80yKs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwib5N-xkLvWAhVHQSYKHUH6BDQQ6AEITjAJ#v=onepage&q=Composite%20Regiment%20Dultz&f=false

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ModelCollect Fires Up the Weapons Carriers

ModelCollect’s 1:72 scale German E-100 Panzer Weapons Carrier with Rheintochter 1 Surface-to-Air Missile

While its not clear if there was any true classification for a weapons carrier within the German Army’s framework, that hasn’t stopped ModelCollect from stoking the fires of imagination and offering their own spin on the late war panzers. Earlier today, two new vehicles were introduced into the ModelCollect lineup: the first a E-100 Panzer Weapons Carrier with 128mm Gun (AS72078) and the second a E-100 Panzer Weapons Carrier with a Rheintochter 1 Surface-to-Air Missile (AS72079). 

ModelCollect’s 1:72 scale Soviet T-64AV Main Battle Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor

Furthermore, two more Russian battle tanks were added to their arsenal: the former a Soviet T-64AV Main Battle Tank with ERA (AS72081) while the latter being a T-80UD Main Battle Tank (AS72080). We anticipate delivery some time in November, making them great stocking stuffers for the holiday season.

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Eaglemoss Puts the “Disc” in Discovery

USS Discovery NCC-1031, the star attraction in the forthcoming Star Trek Discovery series.

With the debut of the latest Star Trek series, Star Trek Discovery, just a few days away, Eaglemoss has begun showing off images of the series star attraction. The USS Discovery NCC-1301 features a distinctive disk in the forward section of the ship, which is circumnavigated by a second larger disk attached to several connectors. This unusual configuration is connected by its neck to a larger splayed fuselage which, in turn, is affixed to the traditional twin engine nacelles. Its a radical departure of sorts, since most of the Federation starships boast a single saucer where most of the ship’s activities take place. We can only assume there is a reason for this odd configuration that will likely be explained as the series commences.

We will be listing the Discovery ship on our site shortly, which will reportedly be followed by additional ships from the new series. No price has yet to be established, although rumor has it that this line will be more in line with their XL range of larger starships that come bundled with their own magazines.

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Air Force 1 Hops a Ride Aboard “Marine One”

Air Force 1’s 1:72 scale take on “Marine One” – a MV-22B used to ferry the President to and from local Andrews Air Force Base

It was perhaps a matter of time before Air Force 1 got around to modelling the US President’s short-hopper, “Marine One”. After all, the manufacturer has released four operational schemes to date, so a Presidential version was likely in the cards from day one.

“Marine One” bears the familiar United State Marine Corps stenciling running along the length of the fuselage

Based upon the MV-22B variant of the Osprey, Air Force 1’s depiction of “Marine One” bears the familiar green and white paint scheme associated with the President’s ride, as well as the tell tale “United States Marine Corps” stenciled across the length of the fuselage (AF10012B). Look for “Marine One” to lift off from the White House lawn this October.

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Hobby Master: “Its a Zero Sum Gain”

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2B “Zero” Fighter – LCDR Shigeru Itaya, IJN Akagi, December 1941

One of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War has finally joined the Hobby Master arsenal with news that the manufacturer will soon offer up a 1:48 scale Mitsubishi Zero fighter. The first effort is expected in February, and is based upon Lieutenant Commander Shigeru Itaya’s A6M2B Zero that was embarked upon the aircraft carrier Akagi as it participated in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. No doubt other variants, schemes and types will be added to the Zero fly-by, as the Company better gauges interest in its sales success.

Going for insane prices in the after market, Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale returns to the front lines. Seen here is a Polish Achilles IIC Tank Destroyer – 1st Anti-tank Regiment, Polish 1st Armoured Division, Netherlands, Autumn 1944

Hobby Master also announced a bunch of other new aircraft in its September newsletter, along with a pair of 1:72 scale Achilles tank destroyers, which have long since sold out at most retail venues. On the down side, their initial trio of M60A1 Patton tanks, originally due out this fall, have been pushed back until February, although now reason was provided for the delay.

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Eaglemoss Lowers the Boom on the Competition

Eaglemoss’ 1:43 scale 1939 Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen Typ 4 (G4) Limousine – Heer, Germany, 1939

And the hits just keep on coming. Late this afternoon, one of our distributors informed us that many of the previously sold out 1:43 scale Eaglemoss military vehicles are returning to the battlefield this October, many of which were either available in very limited numbers or not at all. According to the literature, this will likely be a “come as you are party” meaning they will likely get only one shipment and no restocks. We are currently in the process of changing the status on those items listed in our Eaglemoss section from “Sold Out” to “Back Order” so you may place your orders as soon as possible.

Eaglemoss’ 1:43 scale German Sd. Kfz. 141 PzKpfw III Ausf. N Medium Tank – schwere Panzer Abteilung 503, Bogoduchow, Ukraine, 1943

If you previously ordered any of these vehicle but not got your order filled, we strongly recommend you contact us immediately to see if you would still like these items or perhaps add to your order. We will be placing our order with the distributor tomorrow, so we advise taking a look at the Eaglemoss section and your backs orders as soon as possible before we transmit our order.

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