A trio of new warbirds are slated to join the Calibre Wings air armada, including the vaunted Sukhoi Su-25 “Frogfoot” ground attack aircraft
Some times it doesn’t take much to cause a stir online. Early last night, Calibre Wings posted new pix on their Facebook account, suggesting, in rather subliminal form, that three more warbirds will be added to their foot locker in 2018. The three images include a French Dassault Rafale multirole fighter, Russian Sukhoi SU-25 “Frogfoot” ground attack aircraft and Russian MiG 35 multirole fighter. Earlier in the week, as part of the run-up to the upcoming San Diego Comic Con convention, the Company also indicated plans to offer Robotech merchandise, although this range will be offered to a new distributor that caters to a significantly different market. On the surface, it would appear as if this relatively new manufacturer plans on ramping up in a big way, competing with the likes of Hobby Master, Century Wings and Air Force 1 for their own stake in the modern military space.
Modelcollect’s upcoming 1:72 scale German Flak40 128mm Zwillingsflak Anti-Aircraft Gun
As part of their burgeoning World War II era collection, Modelcollect has added a number of new 1:72 scale products in recent weeks, many of which have never been produced by any other publisher. Take, for instance, this handsome German Flak40 128mm Zwillingsflak Anti-Aircraft Gun (AS72071), routinely founded guarding sensitive areas in the Reich and atop several of the immense Flak Towers located in the heart of Germany and Austria. The Company is already offering a kit-based model of the FLak Tower still in existence in Hamburg, so its anyone’s guess if they will also produce it in pre-assembled form and potentially with crew-served figures.
Modelcollect’s German Jagdpanzer E-100 “Salamander” Heavy Tank Destroyer
Also up for review is this monstrous Jagdpanzer E-100 “Salamander” super heavy tank destroyer (AS72070), something of a conjectural “paper panzer” that never made it off the drawing board yet could have just as easily seen battle had the war dragged on into 1946. Part of the Entwicklung series of standardized panzers the German war planners were working on, the “Salamander” could have easily fended off some of the heavy tanks and destroyers the Allies were fielding at the start of 1945. Goes perfectly with some of the other “paper panzers” that have formed the backbone of their World War II era series.
Just when you thought you had things figured out comes word that one of our newest manufacturers seems to be headed down an unexpected road. Earlier today, Calibre Wings posted a titillating teaser on their Facebook page which indicated, in rather unabashed form, that they will soon be offering Robotech-related merchandise.
Robotech is a science fiction franchise that began with an 85-episode science fiction anime television series cartoon adaptation produced by Harmony Gold USA in association with Tatsunoko Production and first released in the United States in 1985. It was adapted from three original and unrelated – though visually similar – Japanese anime television series (Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber Mospeada) to make a series suitable for syndication.
In the series, Robotechnology refers to the scientific advances discovered in an alien starship that crashed on a South Pacific island. With this technology, Earth developed robotic technologies, such as transformable mecha, to fight three successive extraterrestrial invasions. (courtesy Wikipedia)
Presently, we have no idea as to what they plan to offer, although the image does hint that more information is forthcoming at the soon-to-debut Comic Con Convention being held in San Diego from July 20th-23rd.
Unveiled at the San Diego Comic Con on July 21st, Calibre Wings’ first pair of Robotech F-14s are shown here.
Hobby Master’s second Sukhoi Su-35S “Flanker-E” multirole fighter was “blooded in battle” over the skies of war-ravaged Syria
We’ve been waiting for more versions of their soon-to-be-released Sukhoi Su-35S multirole fighter to be added to Hobby Master’s inventory, and now we finally have one. The second “Flanker-E” scheduled to hit the market is based upon one of four aircraft dispatched by Russia to Syria to help bolster the Assad regime in 2016. Formerly attached to the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment, 303rd Guards Composite Air Division, 11th Army Air Force, “Red 6” represents a warplane that operated out of the Russian-built Khmeimim Air Base, near Latakia, Syria, during 2016 (HA5702). Painted in a sky-blue camouflage scheme and wearing Russian markings and insignia, we anticipate their latest Su-35S to do quite well at retail, since it is one of the first Flankers to be “blooded” in battle, and thereupon analyzed by Western intelligence agencies to see how it would stack up against current fourth- and fifth generation aircraft in service with NATO forces.
Note: A second version of HA5702 has been announced, hereupon referred to as HA5702, which will come with a set of decals so collectors can portray any of the Russian Su-35 Flankers currently seeing action in Syria.
Judging by a recent posting on their Facebook page, it would appear as if ModelCollect will soon be offering a litany of pre-painted and pre-posed military figures. Shown alongside a 1:72 scale tank, the first set of figures look to represent Russian infantry, complete with gear and weaponry. If so, this marks another departure for this Chinese model maker, who has steadily built an impressive array of pre-built as well as model kits cutting across a number of eras. No further information was posted on their site, so we are guessing actual SKUs, pricing and dates of availability will be disseminated shortly.
Announced way back in 2016, it would appear as if TSM Model Wings has finally put their stamp of approval on their long awaited range of 1:72 scale aircraft carrier deck, vehicles and launch team personnel that completes their Top Gun collection.
Needless to say, these very same products are designed to work in conjunction with any type of 1:72 scale US naval aircraft, making them versatile in their own right and an excellent means of displaying aircraft in their launch mode being prepped for takeoff. Based upon information supplied to us, we anticipate their availability towards the end of August.
Hobby Master’s first foray into the dark arts is this warplane known as “Fatal Attraction”, which was attached to the 415th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which participated in Operation Desert Storm
In a surprise announcement, Hobby Master has back tracked from its recent spate of Soviet warbirds in favor of offering a 1:72 scale version of a Lockheed F-117A Stealth aircraft (HA5801). As shown here, the model will feature an open bomb bay, so collectors can load out the aircraft any way they see fit. Slated to pop up on radar in November, the addition of the F-117 Nighthawk is an interesting move since there aren’t all that many liveries to choose from nor operators to cover. Still, adding the F-117 fills a niche in the marketplace, and helps to complete the entire pantheon of aircraft in the US arsenal for the better part of the 20th century.
An up-close look at the bomb bay door shows the “intricacy” of the artwork
Footnote: There seems to be some confusion over the price of Hobby Master’s first F-117A stealth aircraft. After bouncing around a bit, our distributor has set the final price at $104.99, a bit more than we originally thought, but a price that should help Hobby Master recoup its investment in the mold within a relatively short period of time.
The centerpiece of Corgi’s second half Aviation Archive releases is this Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Little Miss Mischief’, which was attached to the USAAF’s 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, and will likely be compared to the recent efforts by Air Force 1
Many ardent aviation enthusiasts weren’t holding out much hope for Corgi’s second half lineup, citing all manner-of-reason why the manufacturer was falling behind the competition. So, when word came that Corgi announced their second half releases, quite a few collectors did a double take, instantly praising the “pooch” for finally pumping out some eagerly asked for favorites. While we are still awaiting important information concerning the new introductions before posting them online, consider this: Corgi is finally offering a heavily requested Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as part of its back half mix, giving Air Force 1 a run for the money this fall and reestablishing themselves as the predominant maker of WWII-era fliers.
A few weeks ago, we laid out our case explaining why we believed Modelcollect has become the predominant player in the 1:72 scale military vehicle space, outpacing both Dragon and Hobby Master in terms of detail and subject matter. While we are still awaiting information concerning their upcoming P.1000 Ratte mega tank, we learned today that another project may have stolen its thunder, whetting the appetite of collectors until the Ratte takes center stage.
Modelcollect posted images on Facebook concerning their V-1 “Doodlebug” V-1 flying bomb (AS72068), which even come bundled with a scale launch ramp. It would appear as if the ramp will come in five sections, which, when placed end-to-end, should measure at least two feet in length. Despite not being professionally photographed, the accompanying images shows the “lengths” with which the Company is going to nose out the pack, and the range of subjects they plan to tackle to maintain their momentum.
Air Force 1’s US Army Bell UH-1H Huey Helicopter – Sp4 Joseph G. LaPointe, B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, June 2nd, 1969
It’s comforting to see a model company draw its inspiration from one of the most heroic deeds a soldier could make. Back in 1969, Specialist Fourth Class Joseph G. LaPointe, Jr., a member of the 2nd Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in Quang Tin Province on June 2nd, 1969.
SP4 LaPointe distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. SP4 LaPointe’s patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial burst of fire, two soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from one of the wounded, SP4 LaPointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to one man, shielding the other with his body. SP4 LaPointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all three men. SP4 LaPointe’s courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
To commemorate his valor, Air Force 1 will be offering a 1:48 scale UH-1H Huey helicopter on which he served (AF10151). Expected this August, this venerable chopper will come with the usual heavy display stand and detail everyone has come to expect from this up-and-coming model maker.
