SkyMax Models’ USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 1942 “Battle of Midway”
We took a wait and see attitude with SkyMax Models over the past year, ever since they started raising their prices on some of their newest releases well above what we thought the market would bear. This strategy may have paid off for everyone concerned since two of their latest aircraft are now being offered at bargain basement pricing.
Cut almost in half from its original MAP pricing, the first aircraft up for your consideration is this Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo plane, which represents a warbird that took part in the Battle of Midway (SM8008) in June 1942.
SkyMax Models’ 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Aichi D3A1 Val Dive-Bomber – EII-235, Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku, “Battle of Coral Sea”
The second release is an Imperial Japanese Navy Aichi D3A1 Val dive-bomber, then embarked upon the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku, which took part in the Battle of Coral Sea in early 1942 (SM5008). Both models are now being offered at just $39.99, a far cry from their initial street price when they took to the skies earlier this year.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank – schwere Panzer Abteilung 501, Ardennes, 1944
If you weren’t lucky enough to score some of the Cyber-Hobby 1:72 scale tanks released well over a decade ago, then you may want to toss that Fidget aside and take notice. To help restart their Dragon Armor line, the Company plans to offer two new King Tiger Ausf. B heavy tanks that look eerily similar to some of the Cyber-Hobby versions that have skyrocketed in value over the years. While they won’t come in collector tins or come bundled with numbered certificates of authenticity like their expensive cousins, the first pairing of heavies will no doubt get scooped up by the handful once they hit the street in November.
Dragon’s German Sd. Kfz. 182 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank – schwere Panzer Abteilung 509, Hungary, 1945
We’ve listed both vehicles (DRR60399 and DRR60400) on our web site and have begun accepting pre-orders. Keep in mind both of these replicas are already being considered home runs in the collectible market, and will no doubt soar in value once they start to sell out. As far as we are concerned, these are considered “no-brainers” that signal the start of something big in Dragon’s armored stable.
An October treat: a 1:43 scale replica of an Italian Centauro Tank Destroyer
Looking to expand their foothold in the North American market, Atlas Editions will soon make available a quartet of new 1:43 scale military vehicles this October. On the land, expect to see a Willys jeep (ATL7123101), Italian Centauro Tank Destroyer (ATL7123112), USMC LAV-25 Piranha Light Armored Vehicle (ATL7123117), and Italian Fiat Iveco Oto Melara Type 6614 Armored Personnel Carrier (ATL7123117).
Germany’s most advanced submarine of WWII will surface this October. Clear the decks for a German Kriegsmarine Type XXI U-Boat – U-2540, Germany, 1945
By sea, two German U-Boats will surface soon: a German Kriegsmarine Type VIC U-Boat – U-552, Germany, 1941 (ATL7169103) and a German Kriegsmarine Type XXI U-Boat – U-2540, Germany, 1945 (ATL7169105). The latter is, perhaps, the most coveted warship in the Atlas submarine series, since it represents the most advanced submarine ever to set sail with the Kriegsmarine.
The U.S.C.S.S. Nostromo from the blockbuster sci-fi film Alien
Eaglemoss is no stranger to both the Alien and Predator sci-fi universe, having released a bevy of figures tied to each license over the last few years. However, when to comes to some of the ships portrayed in the feature films, the Company has thus far sidestepped the issue, perhaps looking to take the Star Trek starships series as far as it can go before tackling another ship-based line up.
That said, it appears as if Eaglemoss has finally begun to take the ships a bit more seriously, announcing their intent to offer a range of larger ships beginning later this year. The first ship in the brand new series is based upon the U.S.C.S.S. Nostromo.The Nostromo was a modified Lockmart CM-88B Bison M-Class starfreighter captained by Arthur Dallas, registered to the Weyland-Yutani Corporation out of Panama. The Nostromo operated as a tug, connecting to and pulling loads like a tractor truck rather than carrying those loads on board like a traditional freighter.
The ship was destroyed in 2122 when its reactor was set to self-destruct by Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley in an attempt to kill the lone Xenomorph that was loose aboard the vessel. The ship and its cargo were completely destroyed in the resulting explosion.
According to reports, the Eaglemoss rendition of the Nostromo will measure approximately eight inches in length and be composed of diecast metal and ABS. Its not clear presently if it will come bundled with a magazine as is customary with the Star Trek starship series nor the frequency of releases once the Nostromo hits the streets. Likewise, we do not have any indication if Eaglemoss plans to offer any subscription-based rewards for ordering directly from the manufacturer. We hope to have further details concerning the new series in the coming weeks. Rumor has it they may also introduce another series connected to the Battlestar Galactica sci-fi universe, although nothing has been announced thus far.
Its been an interesting 24 hours in the Dragon Armor camp. Yesterday came word that two more German PzKpfw IV Ausf. F2 (G) medium tanks are on the horizon, long overdue mainstays of the Wehrmacht throughout the prosecution of the Second World War. The first represents a vehicle that served with the 13.Panzer Division in the Northern Caucusus region of Russia during 1942 (DRR60697), while the latter portrays a tank attached to an unidentified unit during early 1943 (DRR60698). Both are slated for an October arrival.
Meanwhile, to keep the panzers at bay, Dragon has indicated that their first pairing of T-34-85 medium tanks have left the factory, ready to go toe-to-toe with these panzers. Expected next week are a Soviet T-34/85 Mod. 1944 Medium Tank that was supplied to the 1st Battalion, 63rd Guards Tank Brigade, then serving on the Eastern Front during 1944 (DRR60255) while the second represents a Soviet T-34/85 Mod. 1944 Medium Tank that was doled out to the 38th Independent Tank Regiment, on its march through Eastern Europe in early 1945 (DRR60256).
You should have no trouble warding off enemy aircraft with this German Flak40 128mm Zwillingsflak Anti-Aircraft Gun
Sure, Modelcollect has churned out enough T-72/T-80 main battle tanks to fill up an armored museum, but that doesn’t mean they’re leaving everyone high and dry on the WWII battlefield. Besides their German Flak40 128mm Zwillingsflak anti-aircraft gun (AS72071), which is designed to sit atop a FLaK tower, the Company has also announced plans to offer a German 12.8cm Flak40 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Kreuzlafette (AS72076), which is essentially a larger version of the famed 88mm FLaK gun affixed to a cruciform mount.
Modelcollect’s second artillery pieces portrays a German 12.8cm Flak40 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Kreuzlafette
The manufacturer claims it is already in stock, although only a line art drawing has been posted to their web site. Nevertheless, the new model demonstrates their eagerness to fill a void in the military space, which has thus far been served by only a handful of accurate replicas.
The USS Saratoga may have sunk beneath the waves over seventy years ago, but that doesn’t prevent it from serving in your navy today, provided you order it right away.
We often get asked if sold out items will ever return to stock. Typically we say no, since many items are made in single batches, although we have learned in recent years that some times treasure troves exist, if you turn over enough rocks. Earlier today, we were told that several sold out DeAgostini Warships of the Second World War will be returning to the high seas in November, among them the USS Saratoga, IJN Yamato, and HMS Vanguard, three of the quickest selling warships in the series. Quantities are limited, so if you are interested in procuring any of these favorites, we strongly recommend pre-ordering them now before they make port during the holiday season.
Chinese modelmaker, Modelcollect, has never been one to shy away from a risky project, churning out a steady diet of unique subjects that other companies seem to sidestep. That said, their latest venture has us a bit baffled, since it seems to stray far from the beaten trail into no-man’s land.
Recently, the company unveiled CAD pix for a new line dubbed Fists of War, which seems to combine familiar WWII-era weapons systems with science fiction. As you can see from the accompanying pictures, one item features what appears to be a King Tiger Ausf. B. Henschel turret and chassis with a multi-legged means of getting around. We aren’t sure if Fists of War is a home grown sci-fi system or one licensed from another company, since we haven’t been able to locate any information on it on the web.
Frankly, we aren’t sure how many of our customers are interested in this new range and how it fits within our present product portfolio, more rooted in historical fact than fiction. As more information is disseminated, we will likely list these items on our site as special order merchandise, meaning we will bring in product only to fill any orders we receive.
Eleven more 1:43 scale Atlas Editions vehicles are being added to our arsenal, all packaged handsomely with acrylic cases and stenciled terrain bases
Eleven more 1:43 scale military vehicles were added to the Atlas Editions juggernaut, all of whom are expected by mid August. While many vehicles have been seen before under different banners (EDG, Schuco, Eaglemoss, etc.), its nice to see they haven’t been permanently retired or left to languish in decaying green pastures. We’ve posted all of the newcomers to our Atlas Editions section and are now taking pre-orders ahead of their arrival next week.
While some vehicles have been offered previously, the Atlas alternatives include some nice gems, such as this Type 82 Kubelwagen in a desert scheme.
