Product Announcements – Page 54 – The Motor Pool

Atlas Puts its Wolf Pack Tactics to Work

In WWII, German Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz developed what he called “Rudeltaktik” (Wolf Pack Naval Tactics) as a means of gathering up his scant undersea assets to hunt down and sink the Allied convoys bound for Great Britain. Atlas Editions is using much the same strategy for its growing fleet of submarine replicas, pulling together seven submarines for a September slugfest.

The list of submarines is quite varied, ranging from a French cruising submarine to a gigantic Imperial Japanese Navy I-401 aircraft carrying boat. The I-401 even has two stowed and one fully deployed float plane on its deck. Several German U-Boats, British subs and the first US Balao-class hunter killer are also coming into range, all designed to silently prey upon the military-themed, diecast collecting community. Dive, dive!

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Century Wings Fleet of SR-71s Continues to Grow

Yes, Virginia, from time-to-time we do publish blog posts related to actual replicas. In the case of Century Wings, the Company has revealed photos of its upcoming Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird (CW001616). This version represents SSN #1-7958 “Ichi Ban”, which was attached to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, then deployed out of Beale AFB, CA, during 1990.

Originally slated for an October touchdown, we’ve heard that it has now been delayed until November, and will feature slightly revised packaging than in the past. These aircraft typically sell out as soon as they arrive, particularly when they are expected during the height of the holiday season.

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Merit Opts to Drive Into Harm’s Way

It’s been an especially long time since we were able to announce a new super-sized, pre-assembled vehicle to our collecting community but happily one seems to have surfaced. Merit International informs us that they plan to release a 1:16 scale Oshkosh M-ATV Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) this fall, fully built, fully painted and fully ready to take on any Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) their customers might have ready for them (MIL68605). The MRAP is one of those vehicles that came out of the Army’s need for a vehicle that could withstand the blast from a roadside explosive device after a number of Humvees and other lighter, less protected vehicles were destroyed during Operation Enduring Freedom. Its also a vehicle many collectors have been after for some time, in any scale, so its especially welcome news that Merit plans on doing it right and in a big way. Priced at just $159.99, this beefy vehicle is expected some time this fall. Due to its size, it does not qualify for our free shipping discount. We will post actual photos of the replica once they are provided to us.

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Hobby Master has a Remedy for the Winter Doldrums

Earlier this week, Hobby Master disclosed what they have in store for January 2016. Several intriguing new liveries are being worked on, including this commemorative 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain scheme adorning a Canadian Cf-18 Hornet (HA3526).

Other notable entrants include two Israeli warplanes – one based upon a F-15 Baz flown by the “Knights of the Twin Tail” squadron (HA4505) and an E-2C Hawkeye flown by a reconnaissance squadron (HA4805). All of the new replicas have been listed on our web site and are now available for pre-sale.

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Eaglemoss Orders General Quarters for the HMS Hermes

At the outset of the War in the Pacific in 1941, the Allies were woefully unprepared to take on the Imperial Japanese Navy operating in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific waters. One of the victims of the Japanese centrifugal offensive was the British aircraft carrier, HMS Hermes (95), which was sunk by Japanese dive-bombers on April 9th, 1942, after setting sail without its complement of aircraft on board.

Happily, Eaglemoss rendition of this venerable warship will feature some of its warplanes deployed on its flight deck, with the ship resplendent in a tropical tri-color camouflage pattern. Look for their newest entry in the Warships of the World Collection some time later this year.

On a related nautical note, four warships are expected to drop anchor at our port in early August. The list includes IJN battleship Musashi (EMGC04), IJN heavy cruiser Furutaka (EMGC27), IJN destroyer Fubuki (EMGC39), and the Marine Nationale battleship Dunkerque (EMGC43), the first French warship in the series.

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Corgi Gets Swept Away by a Typhoon

Long asked for but never truly addressed, Corgi finally has a pair of Eurofighter Typhoons scheduled to attack the diecast community.

Two versions of the multirole fighter are expected later this year – one paying tribute to a warbird that participated in “Operation Ellamy” to bring down the Lybian regime in 2011 (AA36406) and the other paying homage to the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain (AA36407). Both look quite handsome and make great additions to anyone’s aviation collection.

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PMA Gets Comfortable in Its Own Skin

Long serving as the manufacturing arm for Blitz 72, PMA has stepped out of the shadows and is now producing its own line of 1:72 scale military hardware. Expected in September is this Sd. Kfz. 8 DB9 prime mover which mounts a FlaK 18 88mm anti-aircraft gun on the rear bed. Painted in a whitewashed camouflage scheme and bearing loads of incredible detail, this main stay of the Wehrmacht fills a niche long neglected by the other model makers.

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Fight’s On: Hobby Master Puts On its Boxing Gloves

With 15 years in this business, we ordinarily take any news we come across with a grain of salt, particularly when new products are announced, since they sometimes end up as no more than pipe dreams or chest-beating rants by boastful manufacturers. However, when Hobby Master announced their intent to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the Grumman F-14 Fleet Defense Fighter, we sat up and took notice. Hobby Master has been one of the most reliable model makers in business today, while one of their rivals, Century Wings, is equally well-respected, largely confining its efforts towards producing a narrow gaggle of aircraft. The F-14 has always been one of Century Wings most passionate projects, with something on the order of 35 different aircraft released to date. Some command a small fortune in the after market, prized for their accuracy and limited runs.

Hobby Master’s first effort will be based upon a bird that was used by the commanding officer of VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates”, which was embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during 2004 (#HA5201). Moreover, the model will feature variable-geometry wings, thereby permitting them to be displayed in launch or in-flight configuration. Barring any licensing issues, a good subject for replication might be the F-14s depicted in the feature film, Top Gun, seeing as how the movie’s sequel is about to enter production.

Anyway, we thought it a bid odd that Hobby Master would devote precious resources towards producing a model that has become the bastion for another model maker, when loads of other untouched subjects could have made better choices. We wish them well in their endeavors and hope there’s enough market to go around for both companies to remain satisfied.

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SkyMax Models Returns From the Dead

Long thought to have been laid to rest, it looks as if SkyMax Models has risen from the dead and is giving us an encore performance. According to HobbyMaster Collector, the Company plans to reintroduce us to the Douglas Devastator this fall, by offering us a plane that was attached VS-42, then embarked upon the USS Ranger (CV-4), just prior to the start of hostilities in the Pacific during May 1941 (#SM8006). While its refreshing to see them make a come back, it would be nice to hear it from the manufacturer by providing its collectors and merchants a web site they can visit. Welcome back SkyMax!

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Air Force 1 “Raises Hell” with its First B-29

Even though replicas of the legendary “Enola Gay” and “Bockscar” B-29 Superfortresses aren’t due out until November, Air Force 1 has managed to scramble at least one bomber amongst the trio to mark the 70th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb over Japan. “Raz’n Hell” (#AF10112A) is set to take off this August, and pays homage to a Superfortress that saw action at the tail end of WWII as well as the outset of the Korean Conflict. Offered up in 1:144 scale and heavy in the hand, this beauty comes with accurate nose art, not to mention its customary highly polished metal exterior, we’ve come to expect from this war winner.

Unlike their “Enola Gay” and “Bockscar” replicas, “Raz’n Hell” will not come bundled with a scaled down representation of the atomic bomb, hence the somewhat lower selling price as compared with its contemporaries.

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