Product Announcements – Page 56 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master Super Sizes the Hornet

Ever since Hobby Master came out with their first F/A-18 Hornet, it was long speculated but never confirmed that they would eventually up the ante by producing its larger successor, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Earlier today, the Company finally fessed up by indicating that a Super Hornet is indeed in the works and expected some time in early 2016. Their first bird is a US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter that was attached to VFA-14 “Tophatters”, and bears their 90th Anniversary commemorative scheme (HA5101). Frankly, if you like modern US warbirds, then this is a no brainer, simply because its the inaugural release. While an operational scheme always seems to do better at retail, its going to be hard to pass this one up.

As an aside, we hope they also decide to produce the Advanced Super Hornet, which is designed to maintain fleet requirements well into the 2030s. More information can be found here

Share This:

Signature Goes on Parade

One of the reasons we love Signature Models is that they aren’t afraid to tackle a subject at any scale. Take, for example, their 1:18 scale 1938 Mercedes G4 limousine, which has been a hit amongst the largesse community for several years running. Now, miniaturize it down to 1:43 scale. and you’ve got the same crowd pleaser rumbling down the pre-WWII streets of Berlin for an entirely different audience. Priced at just $59.99, the G4 comes in three flavors: a white and black convertible, as well as a deep blue portrayal with its top up. Look for these in May.

Share This:

Hobby Master Spirits Us Away this October

As is customary for Hobby Master, the Company has just announced their lineup for the October time frame. There’s a smattering of aircraft and vehicles that cover virtually every epoch and conflict, which is cause for celebration for a great many folks. We’re still in the process of listing all of these goodies on our site and hope to have everything up for sale by the close of business today. Enjoy!

Share This:

Can Air Force 1 Drop the Bomb in Time?

To further flesh out their 1:144 scale catalog, Air Force 1 today announced plans to build a replica of “Enola Gay”, the B-29 Superfortress piloted by Paul Tibbets when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan (#AF10112). Thus far, only a line art drawing has been added to their corporate web site, even though they claim the model will be released at the end of May. Still, this comes as welcome news, since there are a great many post WWII-era bombers that could be integrated into their 1:144 scale range that collectors have been requesting for as long as we’ve been around.

Keep in mind that August 6th represents the seventieth anniversary of the dropping of the A-Bomb on Hiroshima, so it will be interesting to see if this manufacturer can get this bird up and flying in time for the event.

Share This:

Fabbri Loads ‘Em Up Again and Fires

Just when you thought it was safe to dip your toe again in the diecast waters comes news that a further eight 1:72 scale military vehicles are being released this month by Fabbri (and distributed through Eaglemoss). The latest grouping includes a Su-100 tank destroyer (#EMR0026), BTR-60 armored personnel carrier (#EMR0027), 2S9-S Nona amphibious tank (#EMR0059), GAZ 2330 infantry mobility vehicle (#EMR0060), British-built Matilda Mk. II infantry tank in Rusian livery (#EMR0061), US-built M3 Lee medium tank in Russian livery (#EMR0062), T-34/85 medium tank in winter camouflage (#EMR0063) and finally a PT-76 amphibious light tank (#EMR0069). All eight vehicles are reportedly available now at our distributor so we should have them in stock in a few days.

Share This:

Fabulous Fabbri

Its a strange business we’re in. Some lines seem to take months or even years on end for them to materialize, which, naturally enough, causes angst for both the customer and ourselves. On the other hand, there are occasions when we get a news blast indicating that a brand new range has just arrived, surprising both us and the collecting community in one fell swoop. In the case of Fabbri (which is distributed by Eaglemoss), our distributor put us on notice that nine new vehicles are now in circulation, meaning they should be hitting our command post in a week or so. While several vehicles have been done ad nauseum, others are new on the scene, meaning they will likely get snapped up the moment they roll in.

Share This:

Dragon Returns to Space in a Big Way

Apparently, Dragon’s on-again, off-again Space program has been taken off life support and will soon be offering two 1:48 scale dioramas. First announced way back in 2011, and now showing up again on the Dragon web site, the two upscaled dioramas feature the Apollo 11 “Eagle” Lunar Module (#DRW52501) as well as a matching Apollo 11 Command Service Module (CSM) (#DRW52503).

Unlike their previous 1:72 dioramas, the new and much larger 1:48 scale vignettes boast added-features and detail that could not be integrated into the smaller sets. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the new sets (along with a handful of previously released 1:72 scale sets now being reissued) will indeed be cleared for liftoff this July.

Share This:

Eaglemoss Turns Up the Heat this June

It looks as if we’re going to be doing the back stroke in new Eaglemoss 1:43 scale military vehicles this June. After returning from vacation, we learned that a further nine new vehicles are expected during the back half of June, heretofore dubbed “the second wave”. The nine beachcombers include a Pz Kpfw. 38 (t) medium tank (EM040), Dodge WC54 Ambulance (EM037), Sdkfz 251/1 Hanomag Half Track (EM038), French Peugeot DMA Light Truck (EM039), Ford M20 Armored Utility Car (EM041), Horch Kfz.15 Staff Vehicle (EM044), M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage (EM047), and a Volkswagen Schwimmwagen (EM049). Get your pre-orders in early cause these are going to fly out!

Share This:

Secret Projects Abound at Luft-X

Earlier this week, we were disappointed to learn that the next pair of Luft-X secret weapons aircraft were being delayed until July. Today, however, we learned that three more aircraft are winging their way off the drawing board and into collector’s homes around the September-October time frame. The trio include a German Messerschmitt Me 329 Fighter (#LUFT005), a German Blohm und Voss P.209.02 Fighter (LUFT006) and a German Focke-Wulf Ta 283 Interceptor (LUFT007). Priced at just $34.99, the Luft-X aircraft were an immediate hit with aviation buffs world wide and the introduction of three more secret weapons of the Luftwaffe will be welcome news to all.

Share This:

Eaglemoss Sails the Sea Lanes

On Wednesday, we expect to receive a large back order shipment of Eaglemoss warships which encompasses some 11 SKUs. Additionally, the next five warships are on track for an early May arrival, right after we get back from a week’s vacation. The latest squadron includes the following ships:

— IJN aircraft carrier Shokaku, 1942 (EMGC14)

— IJN light cruiser Nagara, 1936 (EMGC33)

— IJN heavy cruiser Takao, 1944 (EMGC36)

— IJN battleship Kirishima, 1942 (EMGC07)

— British Royal Navy battleship HMS Nelson, 1931 (EMGC34)

We anticipate running out of these warships in rapid fashion, so its important to submit your order for any or all of these ships as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and added waiting time.

Share This: