No stranger to Russian armament, Panzerkampf recently announced plans to offer an additional three VPK-7829 Bumerang K17 Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicles to their growing arsenal of 1:72 scale military vehicles. Intriguingly, all three feature dust-covered road wheels thereby giving them a more weathered appearance. Its not clear if this will become a trend for this prolific manufacturer or simply a test to see if collectors prefer the look to the more traditional factory fresh motif. No release dates were listed so we are assuming they’ll be out-and-about for the holiday shopping season.
Previously the Company had released a standard fare woodlands scheme K17 earlier this year and we were awaiting word on the release of their Moscow Victory Day parade version that we thought would roll off the assembly line at the same time. So, in effect, we are now awaiting four K17s to hit the market, bringing the combined K16/K17 total to seven. That’s pretty impressive even though we doubt the vehicle has actually been embroiled in a conflict as yet.
Earlier today at the Royal International Air Tattoo held in England, Corgi announced plans to both bring back an old favorite and, by doing so, enter an all-new regime that may not be familiar to them or their collectors. Long sold out for several years, the TSR-2 is a cancelled Cold War strike and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The TSR-2 was designed around both conventional and nuclear weapons delivery: it was to penetrate well-defended front line areas at low altitudes and very high speeds, and then attack high-value targets in rear areas. Another intended combat role was to provide high-altitude, high-speed stand-off, side-looking radar and photographic imagery and signals intelligence aerial reconnaissance. Only one air frame flew and test flights and weight-rise during design indicated that the aircraft would be unable to meet its original stringent design specifications. The design specifications were reduced as the result of flight testing.
The original test aircraft was painted in an all-while scheme indicative of its undergoing evaluation testing and was neither deployed nor given the go-ahead to enter mass production. Interestingly, this new Corgi release is painted in an operational scheme, meaning Corgi is making a departure of sorts by offering up its first “notional” or “what-if” model had the TSR-2 been given the green light and actually produced for front line service with the RAF.
Judging by the pictures provided, the model and accompanying artwork seem to be fairly far along so we are assuming it will be available for purchase and delivery during the second half of 2024. As a guess, other versions will likely get made should this particular model do well at retail. Moreover, Corgi will be looking at sales figures quite closely and perhaps offer “notional” schemes for other aircraft and military vehicles further down-the-road, much like Hobby Master’s recently released look at a Ukrainian F-16 Viper or Egyptian Su-35. Frankly, we think its an excellent way to bring back an old favorite that may be languishing on the back burner for whatever reason and generate new interest in subjects that may have run their course given the lack of new historical information available to them. For instance, could a colorful Manfred von Richthofen Fokker D. VII or D. VIII be in the cards? Maybe…
No sooner than we post information concerning their latest product announcements comes an important addendum – the roll out of the YF-23. Built by the Northrop/McDonnell Douglas consortium in the 1980s and flown in a run off against the YF-22 in 1990, the YF-23 is an American single-seat, twin-engine, supersonic stealth fighter aircraft technology demonstrator designed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The design team was a finalist in the USAF’s Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) demonstration/validation competition, battling the YF-22 team for full-scale development and production. Two YF-23 prototypes were built.
While we applaud the decision to tackle the YF-23, it does come with a measure of moribund curiosity given Hobby Master’s penchant for choosing subjects that has “legs” — meaning several liveries or operators are available to justify the exorbitant cost of producing the mold. With only two demonstrators ever being built, and the aircraft never seeing service with either the USAF or any other user nation, we wonder what spurred them to give the YF-23 the green light.
Frankly, given the number of collectors who would give their right arm for a fully built-up replica of the YF-23, we think it’s a good choice, and hope this signals that Hobby Master is willing to bet on other short-run aircraft that haven’t been addressed by other model makers. While no price point has been established as yet, the YF-23 will likely fetch somewhere on the order of $150 US; possibly more as they await the initial reaction to the announcement. Production forecasts could be “up-in-the-air” too, perhaps numbering several thousand examples in an effort to earn back the costs of making and researching the mold. So, while we will list the model on our web site and continue to follow-up on the announcement, we’ll hold off on listing a price for now, at least until we hear back from either the manufacturer or distributor.
Update: After speaking privately with William Liu at Hobby Master he indicated that no one museum, distributor or entity commissioned a YF-23 replica and that it was undertaken purely at the behest of Hobby Master. Some collectors have speculated that it must have been an outsider, such as either the National Museum of the United States Air Force or the Western Museum of Flight — where the YF-23s are on display — who saw an opportunity in promoting and selling a replica of the YF-23. While a joint venture would surely have made sense given the economies of scale and risk spreading a collaborative undertaking would have created, Hobby Master saw an opportunity, likely based upon collector interest, and went for it. No doubt these models will likely be shown and offered to both Museum’s gift shops but for now, the YF-23 venture is being funded and hawked solely by Hobby Master.
No price point was discussed so we are awaiting word from our distributor to determine its ultimate cost. The “Black Widow”, or all-black version of the prototype YF-23 will almost certainly follow up on the “Gray Ghost” although no details were discussed. We also brought to their attention that a naval version of the YF-23 was considered at the time so its conceivable that a notional take on a navalized version of the YF=23 could one day see the light of day.
Interestingly, there is a possibility that Hobby Master will produce a Japanese version of the YF-23. According to sources, the Japanese have long sought to build an advanced next generation aircraft that can compete against several adversarial aircraft, particularly the PRC’s fifth generation Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” fighter. Several options have been looked at over the years including an upgraded version of the YF-23. As the National Interest points out, the Japanese have had a continued interest in resurrecting the YF-23, perhaps adding thrust vectoring to the aircraft to make it a more agile dogfighter. While this would make the aircraft heavier and likely less speedy, newer and more capable engines could offset the weight increase.
In other news, Hobby Master indicated that other new toolings were in the works although we are not at liberty to discuss them as yet. This marks a departure for the company, who had relied upon some older toolings to see them through in recent years. So expect some other product announcements shortly, many of which will come as welcome news to collectors.
Over the weekend, Hobby Master announced a bevy of new products slated for a Winter 2025 release. While no new toolings were shown in their latest promotional leaflet, several important additions to their lineup were made, including an F-22 currently undergoing testing at Edwards AFB that is fitted with a pair of “stealth pods”, or as the military likes to call them, Low Drag Tank and Pylon (LDTP) pods. The LDTP pods could be used on the upcoming NGAD platform, as a means of increasing its range and maintaining a stealthy profile capable of defeating the latest IRST efforts being put forward by Russia and China. Each of their F-22s routinely sell well as soon as they are introduced, so the latest Raptor will no doubt help to build momentum and spur sales even after the holidays have come and gone.
Our principal distributor confirmed today that Dragon is once again hard at work developing plans for a line of 1:35 scale pre-assembled military vehicles. The Company first released a series of 1:35 scale tanks and self-propelled artillery some 15 years ago, which primarily catered to collectors interested in larger sized military models they could display straight out of the box. Back then, the range primarily consisted of WWII-era German tanks, most notably King Tigers, Tigers, Panthers and Elefants, along with several versions of the Karl Gerat self-propelled mortar. Most of the vehicles sold for between $80-$100, so its a good bet this new range — possibly consisting of the same batch of vehicles — will command much higher prices at retail. Composed of plastic rather than diecast metal, the original group of vehicles was well received and were even supplemented by a Cyber Hobby Tiger I heavy tank that commanded an even higher premium.
From what we understand, the first vehicles slated for release will come out in 2025 and may include tanks from other nations and possibly subjects from other military eras. In effect, what you see in their 1:72 scale subjects will likely get the nod to be included in their all-new 1:35 scale line. Given their penchant for Abrams tanks, for instance, its a safe bet that the vehicle — which has undergone numerous upgrades over the last fifteen years — will get tapped at some point to join the 1:35 scale military parade.
Dragon’s upcoming 1:35 scale range will certainly come as excellent news to those collectors who have been abandoned by Minichamps long forgotten 1:35 scale all-metal series as well as Forces of Valor collectors who have been stymied by Waltersons’ seemingly hush-hush short- and long term plans. Whether or not a $200 price tag for each new product is acceptable is anyone’s guess.
Looking to add more allied fighters to its growing aircraft inventory, Legion announced that they will soon be releasing no less than five different North American P-51B Mustang fighters. Expected later this summer, all five of the models are based upon celebrated aces, running the gamut from Don Gentile to James Howard.
Each model features optional position landing gear, a spinning propeller, historically accurate markings and insignia and a display stand. The quintet of new aircraft have been listed on our website and we are now accepting pre-orders.
Cyber Hobby German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 161 PzKpfw IV Ausf. H Medium Tank with Schurzen Side Skirts – “Red 624” [Snowy Exterior]
Years ago, when Dragon Armor was at the height of its popularity, we imported a sister line of 1:72 scale armor dubbed Cyber Hobby. Said line featured upscale packaging, limited edition collector cards and oftentimes was based upon vehicles tied to famous tank commanders such as Michael Wittmann and Otto Carius.
Today we learned that some of the latest Cyber Hobby releases will soon be available in the North American market, although supplies will be extremely limited. So limited that we doubt we will be able to list them on several of the after market retail sites we typically use to help promote our product portfolio.
Four vehicles are supposedly going to be made available in this initial batch – two based upon the Panzer IV Ausf J medium tank and another pair based upon the Panzer Ausf. H. We’ve listed the quartet of vehicles under the Cyber Hobby sub section found within our Dragon Armor category. Again, these products will be sold on a first come, first served basis. We’re not certain if the newest Cyber Hobby products will be sold using the same marketing materials as in the past including the limited edition collector cards and metal tins we alluded to earlier. As a guess, they will probably be sold in the black cardboard packaging Dragon has been using for its Neo Dragon Armor line and the vehicles may require some minor assembly work to complete the build.
One final thought. We may have to allocate the Cyber Hobby products should pre-orders exceed our expectations, all in an effort to be fair to as many of our customers as possible. So please don’t get upset if we have to pare down your order once we get a handle as to how many we will need to complete our orders. Also, just because we will be getting these four vehicles does not necessarily mean we will be receiving and selling the entire series henceforth since availability is largely determined by both the manufacturer and our distributor.
Hinted at a few years ago, Forces of Valor has finally unveiled details concerning their upcoming 1:32 scale Ferdinand tank destroyer. Like their Sturmtiger rocket assault mortar, the Ferdinand will feature a removable superstructure so that collectors can peer inside the vehicle and even monkey around with the vehicle’s ammunition, its stowage racks and other pertinent details they ordinarily wouldn’t get to see had the superstructure remained in a fixed position. According to their literature, the Ferdinand will come with two crewmen although neither figure was shown in the preview pictures. It also appears as if the vehicle will not come with removable engines that we assumed would come inside the package and have become a hallmark of the series. As a guess, they were omitted to keep the final cost of the item down to below a manageable price point.
On the downside, it seems as though the Ferdinand will come with a hefty price tag – $189.99, well above either of their previously released Sturmtigers or any of their other 1:32 scale armored fighting vehicles. Interestingly, only a couple of hundred vehicles are being built for each major market and, if their information proves correct, is pegged for a late summer release, perhaps in conjunction with several other new products.
At the recently concluded China Hobby Show, the Company also showed off the next Tiger I heavy tank, which we believe will hit the diecast battlefield as early as this summer. We haven’t listed it for pre-sale just yet as we are awaiting details concerning which unit it severed with and if the retail price has gone through a similar uptick in cost. So, for now, we’ve opened the pre-order window for the Ferdinand and will unveil their newest Tiger I as soon as information is passed along to us.
On a completely separate topic, a collector posted an image of a 1:32 scale US M60A1 Patton tank in what we are calling older Unimax packaging that carries the Green Light Collectibles logo on its front exterior facing.
We are assuming that Green Light is bringing back some of the old Unimax favorites as a means of bolstering their line up and will, presumably, offer these vehicles at a lower cost than their traditional Forces of Valor series. We’ve asked the manufacturer for clarification and hope to get an answer back after we return from vacation towards the second week of May.
Earlier today, Corgi revealed their May through August 2024 new aircraft introductions, the bulk of which have something to do with the D-Day landings of June 1944. We’ve listed most of the latest models discussed in the accompanying video and have opened the pre-order window accordingly. Bear in mind product photos have yet to be provided by the manufacturer so we are guessing that they are still a few months out from hitting the streets. Enjoy!
Dragon’s 1:72 scale German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 161 PzKpfw IV Ausf. H Medium Tank with Schurzen Side Skirts – “Red 624”, 3.Panzer Division, Ukraine, Summer 1943
No longer content to rest on their laurels, Dragon announced that they were expanding their line of Neo Dragon Armor subjects by adding several new armored fighting vehicles that haven’t been covered prior. Two vehicles were based upon the ubiquitous British M4 Sherman Firefly medium tank while a second pairing took up the late war German PzKpfw IV Ausf. H medium tanks. No firm release dates were listed on the Dragon web site, so we are presuming they’ll hit the streets in late spring or early summer.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale British Sherman Firefly Mk. VC Medium Tank – “Red 71”, 13th/18th Royal Hussars, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy, 1944
As is common with Dragon, there’s a good bet that additional vehicles in both ranges will eventually be unveiled, giving the modelmaker the opportunity to extend the viability of the molds so they can make them even more profitable.
