Product Announcements – Page 57 – The Motor Pool

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Air Force 1 Scales Up

While some model makers seem to be content to scale down their range, Air Force 1 seems to be hitting the gym and pumping up. A few months back, they released a bevy of 1:72 scale J-35 Joint Strike Fighters, one for each of the three different variants being produced for the military. Now, they’re infusing some steroids into their air frame, making the same aircraft in a much larger 1:48 scale. Amazingly, the first replica is expected momentarily, and is based upon the US Air Force’s “A” variant (#AF100031). Priced at just $109.99, and bearing all of the hallmark detail you’ve come to expect from Air Force 1, we know this replica will surely become a hit with collectors big and small.

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No June Swoon for Eaglemoss

While the Chicago Cubs typically take a nose dive in June, Eaglemoss Collections has other plans this coming summer. Nine new 1:43 scale military vehicles are scheduled to arrive, with another platoon of battle-hardened war wagons not-too-far-behind. Pre-order now to be assured of an early delivery.

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Hobby Master Puts to Sea with the US Navy

Had they been announced just a scant 24 hours earlier, we might have concluded that Hobby Master’s latest products announcements were simply an April Fool’s joke. Despite the timing, Hobby Master doesn’t seem to be pulling a fast one with their two newest toolings – a Lockheed S-3 Viking Anti-Submarine aircraft and a Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft (HA4901 and HA5001 respectively).

Keep in mind that thus far only line art drawings have been posted, so product shots of both aircraft are likely still months away. Nevertheless, its encouraging to see that Hobby Master is investing the time, energy and resources into producing new toolings instead of sitting on their laurels and pumping out repaint after repaint. We applaud their efforts and recognize that without them, this niche hobby wouldn’t be where it currently is today.

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