Product Announcements

Eaglemoss Mutters, “In space no one can hear you scream!”

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.

Share This:

Dragon Armor Pits the East vs. the West

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).

Share This:

Modelcollect Fires Off a Salvo of Tempting FLaK Artillery

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.

Share This:

DeAgostini Exclaims, “Never Say Never Again”

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.

Share This:

Modelcollect Hypothesizes A Strange War-Mongering Future

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.

Share This:

Eaglemoss Enters the Discovery Zone

Starting early in 2018, a new series of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY starships will launch, with a new ship out every month.

Its long been speculated that Eaglemoss, makers of the Star Trek Starship Series, would have a major role supporting CBS’s upcoming series Star Trek: Discovery. Earlier today it was revealed that Eaglemoss will be producing an entirely new range of starships based in the Discovery universe, all of which will be slightly larger than a standard-sized ship yet smaller than their Large Scale Series. For more information concerning the announcement, warp over to this link: http://herocollector.com/en-gb/Article/coming-soon-star-trek-discovery-starship-collection?utm_campaign=stss&utm_content=&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

For more information on CBS’s Star Trek: Discovery, set to air on September 24th, stroll over to this site: http://www.cbs.com/shows/star-trek-discovery/

Share This:

Atlas Explains, “Why its Cheaper by the Dozen.” Well, Almost…

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.
Share This:

Dragon Forms Up for the Inevitable Attack

Dragon’s 1:72 scale Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F1 “GD” Division, Eastern Front, 1942

Collectors of Dragon Armor know by now that when they see one piece of 1:72 scale armor, there’s eventually more falling in for review several steps behind. Late yesterday, Dragon announced two more pieces of their long out-of-stock PzKpfw IV Ausf. F1 medium tank, a vehicle first introduced into their lineup way back in 2009 and now making an encore appearance eight years later. The first new battle wagon represents a tank that fought with the Grossdeutschland Division on the eastern front (DRR60695), while the second portrays an armored fighting vehicle that was attached to the 1.SS Leibstandarte Regiment then placed in reserve in Germany (DRR60696).

Dragon’s 1:72 scale Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.F1 LAH Division, Germany, 1942

Both vehicles are earmarked for a September release, 75 years after they were first unleashed on the battlefield back in 1942.

Share This:

PMA Blasts Off this Fall

 

Judging by all of the “paper panzers” Modelcollect was producing over the past few months, and notably their soon-to-be-available V-1 flying bomb, we had erroneously concluded that they would be the first to market with a 1:72 scale replica of the V-2 rocket. Lo and behold, PMA may have beat them to the firing button, announcing, in short order, their plans to offer two different versions of the Vergeltungswaffe 2 this fall. According to their marketing materials, the PMA designed V-2 will come in two flavors: one in the familiar black and white checkerboard-like pattern we’ve seen in countless documentaries (P0321) and a second in a dark green (dunkelgrun) monotone scheme (P0322).

Both versions will come bundled with a field grey Brennstand as well as a Meillerwagen trailer that can be converted into a mobile rocket launcher, and, naturally enough, a tow hook so it can be attached to any of the recent artillery tractors PMA offers. As can be seen from the accompanying imagery, the lower portion of the rocket can also be opened to reveal a segment of the inner mechanism. Pricing for all this is just $49.99 apiece, meaning you get awesome quality, loads of detail and, best-of-all, a subject for your collection rarely examined or offered in pre-assembled form.

In other news, camouflaged versions of their recently released German Sd.Kfz.8 Schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12-Ton Heavy Prime Mover as well as their German Sd.Kfz.8 DB10 Gepanzerte (Armored) 12-Ton Prime Mover are in the works and will likely make it to market later this summer.

Share This:

Air Force 1 Spends Another Night at the Museum

Four more aircraft were added to the Air Force1 Smithsonian series late last week, representing something for everyone no matter the war nor epoch. The quartet includes a 1:72 scale P-51D Mustang (AF10149), 1:200 scale B-17G Flying Fortress heavy bomber (AF10147), 1:144 scale A-10 Warthog (AF10144) and 1:144 F-4C Phantom II (AF10148). Priced at just $24.99 apiece, each are great ways to introduce younger collectors to the hobby and make great stocking stuffers for the upcoming holiday season. Look for them to fly-in during the August-October tome frame.

Share This: