Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale USMC Bell AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter – Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 “Vengeance”, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California
Apparently vertical integration has different meanings to different entities. In the case of Waltersons, their acquisition of Greenlight Collectibles earlier this year has allowed them to become both a manufacturer and distributor, not to mention a peddler of their line of products through their own proprietary web site. It also appears as if they’re trotting out more of their older molds from cold storage to maintain momentum, improving them when ever and where ever possible to bring them up to today’s standards. Case in point their 1:72 scale vertical take off AH-1Z “Zulu” attack helicopter, a chopper originally produced by Unimax that has quietly been added to the burgeoning Walterson’s catalogue.
Waltersons’ Chinese web site now has the updated AH-1Z added to their helicopter section, which is bundled together with their hallmark helipad as well as a standard display stand. This new attack helicopter bears the markings of Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 “Vengeance” (HMLA-469), which was retired in 2022 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California. We’re not going to stick out our necks and offer a release date since there’s a great many other products that were supposed to come out well before this helicopter was being tapped for re-introduction. As a guess, it will likely support small scale Marine operations sometime in early 2024, perhaps as part of a larger 1st quarter product roll out. So, in the meantime, keep planning your forcible entry options by savoring each of these close-up photos.
Historic Aviation, owner of both the Wings of the Great War and Luft-X lines of resin military aircraft and our principal distributor, announced today that three new models are joining their rapidly expanding resin aerodrome. In the Luft-X range, look for a Heinkel P.1078 interceptor painted in a curious-looking blue, green and white camouflage scheme. Although never greenlighted by the Waffenamt, the P.1078 was created as part of a program to develop a high altitude interceptor capable of dealing with some of the new pressurized bombers believed to take to the skies over the Third Reich, most notably the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale German Fokker D.VII Fighter – Franz Buchner, Jagdstaffel 13, 1917
In the Wings of the Great War series, two WWI-era aircraft were given the nod, among them a Fokker D.VII fighter that was piloted by Franz Buchner along with a Junkers D.1 Fighter that was deployed to the Western Front during Autumn 1918. According to the marketing hand out, all three aircraft are being vectored for a February landing.
Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale German Junkers D.1 Fighter – Western Front, Autumn 1918
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor Air Dominance Fighter – 04-4070, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53d Test and Evaluation Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 2022 [Symbiote Reflective Coating]
With other modelmakers continuing to struggle to pump out new product, Hobby Master proved why they have become the dominant manufacturer of diecast military aircraft. Their latest leaflet shows a dozen new warbirds are being added to the mix, all supposedly slated for a June 2024 release. Interestingly, most of these new introductions are based upon US-built aircraft, most notably their second look at the experimental F-22 Raptor currently undergoing testing at Nellis AFB in Nevada.
Unlike the first “Chrome” scheme that appeared on a previous F-22, this so-called “symbiote” scheme is far less reflective yet intended to attain the same effects – i.e. reduce the radar cross section of the F-22, which, as many experts claim, is already the size of a small bird on most radar apparatus. According to the Aviationist, “it features smaller, mirror-like tiles applied on the nose section, weapons bay doors, fuselage and also inner and outer face of the twin tails.” Apparently, these new schemes are also being tested on the US Navy’s F-35C Joint Strike Fighter as well as the USAF F-117A stealth fighter, meaning these aircraft will likely be around for far longer than was originally intended, even as the upcoming Next Generation Air Dominance fighter (NGAD) approaches its initial production run date. Moreover, its a good bet Hobby Master will eventually get around to releasing “chrome” versions of these aircraft types.
A “Chrome”-plated F-35C Joint Strike FighterEven the F-117A Nighthawk who many believed was headed for the retirement home, seems to have escaped the boneyard and is conducting “cladding” RCS tests at Nellis AFB
Feel free to visit our October 2023 introductions to review all of the other new replicas due out alongside their newest F-22. Incidentally, the accompanying video does an excellent job of explaining the current thinking behind the F-22’s new super-secretive stealthy cladding and its potential implications for both air combat as well as the forthcoming NGAD program, which is rapidly reaching the selection process in 2024.
In other news, we’ve received word that Hobby Master will be including a pair of interchangeable air intakes with each F-15 Eagle multi-role fighter – one version is canted at a downward angle while the other is angled horizontally. The air intakes on an F-15 jet are pointed slightly downward to prevent the ingestion of foreign object debris (FOD) while the aircraft is on the ground. This is known as a “ground bump” and is designed to keep debris out of the engine while the aircraft is taxiing or parked. Additionally, the angle of the air intake also helps to reduce drag and improve the aircraft’s overall aerodynamic performance.
Also scheduled for inclusion will be interchangeable speed brakes. This updated packaging will begin with the upcoming HA4536 and continue with each version of the F-15 (A through EX). No word if this modification will affect the price of each unit.
Panzerkampf’s 1:64 scale US HMMWV M1046 Humvee with TOW Missile Launcher – KFOR
In a curious development, Panzerkampf announced over the weekend that they would soon be building out their product portfolio by adding 1:64 scale military vehicles to the mix. Two Humvees were shown on their Facebook account, both featuring four-wheel steering, opening engine bonnets and a detailed undercarriage. Its unclear if the doors and rear compartment will swing open as well. Earlier, we reported that Forces of Valor was planning on re-developing its own line of 1:64 scale military vehicles largely due to their take over of Greenlight Collectibles earlier this year.
Panzerkampf’s 1:64 scale US HMMWV M1046 Humvee with TOW Missile Launcher – Desert
No word was provided on the cost of the items, dates of availability and other products scheduled for inclusion in this new line. We are presuming that these vehicles will be marketed under their Panzerkampf label as opposed to their entry-level Legion Models line.
The Humvee’s four-wheel drive as exemplified by its’ two axles angled at opposing directions
Hinted at some time ago when their family of Kurganets infantry fighting vehicles was first shown, Panzerkampf is now following up by beefing up their Russian arsenal with a gaggle of Russian-built VPK-7829 Bumerang APCs/IFVs. Two releases are based upon the K16 amphibious armored personnel carrier variant and a second pairing are based upon the K17 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. Europe is well known for its litany of major and minor rivers that run in a north-south direction, so having a troop carrier on hand is important should they ever consider amphibious operations where bridges have either been blown or are nowhere to be found.
Since they are wheeled vehicles instead of being fully tracked, its not likely that the Bumerang will be of much service to the nation’s Arctic Defense Forces that are used to seeing snow ad infinitum in the northern reaches of Russia. As a result, the Bumerang will eventually replace older BTR-60s and BMPs that have been in service with the Russian armed forces since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
As expected, Corgi unveiled its final set of aircraft introductions for 2023. The range cuts across a number of fronts in World War II, from early war night fighters to late war jet fighter-bombers. The manufacturer even put together this accompanying video, which does a terrific job of explaining each model in greater detail. We invite you to take a look and place your pre-orders as soon as possible.
Corgi’s Fit-to-Box Star Trek Federation Galaxy Class Starship – USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Besides military aircraft, Corgi officially kicked off the start to their all-new Star Trek series. Models are designed to fit within a uniform sized box, so there is no set scale for each of the models. Two replicas of the USS Enterprise will initially make the cut: one based upon the original TV series and the second upon the Next Generation franchise. No word if non-Federation-based ships will be added to the range, nor the rate at which new models will be added, given the demise of the Eaglemoss Star Trek line of ships and affiliated merchandise.
In a rather startling development, Dragon announced today plans to move into the 1:35 scale pre-assembled market with no less than three different versions of the world-famous SAS desert raiders jeep. Each is a slight variation on the other, with the twin Vickers machine gun positioned towards the front of the vehicle in two examples and aft in the passenger compartment in the third. Jerry cans are abundant throughout as are spare tires and other paraphernalia that were utilized in the harsh desert sands of North Africa during WWII. Each vehicle is being sold separately, although no word as yet if figures will eventually be offered. Thus far, pricing and release dates are up for grabs. Its unclear if other 1:35 scale pre-built soft-skinned replicas are in the offing, such as Kubelwagens or Dodge light trucks, and whether or not the series will eventually encompass larger vehicles including heavier trucks, half-tracks and tanks, although a Jagdtiger was hinted at previously.
Forces of Valor’s 1:64 scale US M4A3E8(76)W Sherman Medium Tank – “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Germany, 194
When they acquired Greenlight Collectibles earlier this year, Waltersons also inherited a new range of armored fighting vehicles in the form of their 1:64 scale “Battalion 64” sub brand. With so many different ranges already in their vast product portfolio, however, it wasn’t clear what they planned on doing with this new brand and how it fit within their overall lineup. When taken in conjunction with their own extensive line of 1:72 scale vehicles, a line originally produced by Unimax and dormant for several years running, it wasn’t certain if this new range had a place in their strategy going forward. Well, we now have an answer.
Eight WWII-era vehicles — complete with updated images and various cosmetic and physical improvements — were recently posted to their new and improved Chinese-based Forces of Valor web site, although pricing was omitted along with release dates. All are based upon US made vehicles, from jeeps to ambulances, tanks to half-tracks. If they are looking for the brand to succeed, we are assuming the manufacturer will eventually create an adversarial range composed of Axis vehicles, and possibly other vehicles to further flesh out the brand.
At this point, we do not know what the new packaging will look like. The original series, developed for several big box retailers, featured J-hook packaging so that it could be displayed alongside other peggable merchandise. However, its not clear if Waltersons will attempt to re-invent the brand by introducing standard-sized boxed packaging that is more in line with their other proprietary ranges.
Interestingly, no word as yet concerning their own range of 1:72 scale combat vehicles, and information concerning their other brands and lines were scanty at best.
No longer content to offer up a handful of new items at a time, Dragon uploaded a collage of new products that are purportedly in the pipeline, demonstrating once and for all that they’re back in the pre-assembled game. Initially, we thought these were model kits languishing on the drawing board but after taking a closer look realized these were some of the newest pre-assembled replicas intended to grace everyone’s curio cabinets over the course of the next year or so. Of particular note is a Patrol Boat, River, or PBR, which was the United States Navy designation for a small rigid-hulledpatrol boat used in the Vietnam War from March 1966 until 1975, and used with great effect across the Mekong Delta in the southern region of South Vietnam. No scale was listed, so we’re assuming it’ll be headed downstream in 1:35 scale since Tamiya, their principal competitor, already makes a kit of the PBR in that size.
We’re not certain if this new branch will retain the Neo Dragon Armor moniker or be christened with a more naval sounding sub brand in line with what they are modeling. If they decide to bring back their Dragon Warbirds or Space ranges, the same can be said for these categories.
Getting back to their armor subjects, two Calliope rocket-launching tanks were shown, along with a vast array of modern era armored fighting vehicles too numerous to list here, many of which have seen action on the field of battle in the Russo-Ukrainian War. For now, we’ll hold off posting each new vehicle to our site since no pricing nor other pertinent information was alluded to in the image. Bear in mind that each vehicle type shown in the accompanying collage typically means that Dragon is developing two-four models, all in differing schemes, variants and other markings. That said, 2024 is looking like a strong year for armored fans, many of whom have been picking and choosing from amongst a handful of new releases for the last several years.
It would appear as if Dragon will once again be selling fully assembled 1:35 scale models. Unfortunately, pricing hasn’t been established, so we’re probably looking in the neighborhood of $200 a pop for a new vehicle, if pricing for their 1:72 scale vehicles can serve as the basis for conjecture
In another related development, it would appear as if Dragon will be starting up a new range of pre-assembled models, this time around in 1:35 scale. A few days ago, Dragon posted this image of a 1:35 scale model sitting alongside a 1:72 scale replica to their Facebook account. Initially, it wasn’t clear if the larger replica was simply a model kit used for size comparison purposes. However, Dragon typically uses a four-digit SKU code for their kit range and a five-digit code for its pre-assembled vehicles. If true, this would certainly come as welcome news, since its been some years since Dragon offered up their larger scale models in fully assembled form. While not exactly the same size as Forces of Valor’s slightly larger 1:32 scale vehicles, they are close enough to be used in dioramas and military-themed vignettes.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Israeli Dassault-Breuget Mirage III Fighter – Yoram Agmom, 101 Squadron, Hatzor Air Base, Israel, July 1966
Like clockwork, Hobby Master announced its latest gaggle of warbirds, all of which are scheduled to fly-in between March and May of 2024. Its an eclectic lineup, with lots to choose from and all sorts of models depicted for the discriminating collector
Of note is their first ever Dassault Mirage III fighter, which is cloaked in Israeli markings and drawn from a 1966 engagement between Israeli pilot, Yoram Agmom, and several Syrian fighters. Agmom would go on to become the first Mirage III pilot to earn a kill in his delta-winged fighter. A number of re-hashed aircraft are also in the mix, as well as several proven favorites, such as their latest F-22 Raptor, F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, and everyone’s perennial hero, a Grumman F-14F Tomcat, this time bearing the markings of VF-31 “Tomcatters”. Enjoy!
