Product Announcements – Page 59 – The Motor Pool

Air Force 1 Enlists in the 8th Air Force

With its eyes set on the skies, Air Force 1 Model Company announced plans to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the war-winning Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber. Their first effort will be a USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber, nicknamed “A Bit O’ Lace”, which flew with the 447th Bombardment Group, and was deployed to Rattlesden, Norfolk, England, during 1945 (#AF10110). Priced at just $99.99, this is quite a steal, considering the workmanship. detail, amount of diecast metal and price of other similar 1:72 scale aircraft. It even comes with a heavy metal display stand. Look for “A Bit O’ Lace” to take to the skies this August.

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Star Wars

Its no secret that this Christmas, Star Wars will be all the rage. With the new movie set to debut on December 18th, and several toy manufacturers already in high gear getting ready for the event, more and more product are starting to become available to the retail trade.

In the case of DeAgostini, they’ve steadily made a diverse range of starships and vehicles for several years running. We’ve quietly watched the range grow, which now encompasses several dozen releases, spanning the first six feature-film releases. Happily, we’ve now learned that one of our distributors will be carrying the range, and they expect to take delivery of the bulk of the line in late March/ early April. Priced at only $23.98, each item is attractively packaged and highly detailed, and already commanding higher-than-release prices in the after market. We hope to have the entire series listed on our site by tomorrow, the 11th, and will keep our eyes open this weekend at Toy Fair to see if the manufacturer has more on display.

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The First Star Wars Replicas Surface

Just days before the start of the American International Toy Fair, we’ve uncovered four products in Mattel’s all-new Elite series that are scheduled to ship later this year and into 2016.

All are six inches in length and include a X-Wing Starfighter, TIE Fighter, Millenium Falcon and a new ship from the upcoming film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Pre-orders are now being accepted and we expect these to go quick once word circulates about their availability.

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Yat Ming: Back In Business and Back in Stock Under a New Name

Some product lines seem to have nine lives. In the case of Yat Ming, several times we’ve counted them down and out, only to watch them rise from the ashes like a newborn Phoenix. That said, two of their highly prized 1:24 scale Presidential limousines are being offered again, and we should have them in stock and ready for sale by the end of the first week in February.

The pair includes this 1972 Lincoln limousine used to ferry President Ronald Reagan around Washington DC and other destinations, along with John F. Kennedy’s open-top 1963 Lincoln X-100 limousine, used, in rather sad fashion on the fateful day in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. Best of all, both vehicles still carry a retail price of just $69.99, no change from where they stood a year ago. Please note that these products are now being produced under the Lucky Die Cast banner.

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Air Force 1 Toasts the Memory of the Doolittle Raiders

Air Force 1 Model Company intends to honor the memory of the April 1942 Doolittle Raid over Tokyo with a 1:72 scale replica of General Jimmy Doolittle’s North American B-25B bomber. What makes this announcement even more poignant is the fact that some will come with a nameplate signed by his co-pilot, Lt. Richard E. “Dick” Cole, one of the last surviving members of the low-level bombing raid designed to lift morale back at home. The replica is expected in May, which is almost 73 years to the day when they took off from the deck of the USS Hornet and flew into history. A commemorative such as this comes along very infrequently, so even if you have a passing interest in WWII aviation, you may want to consider putting this one on your wish list.

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Oxford Schools ‘Em on the Ground

As promised, Oxford plans on introducing several new vehicles later this year. The posse includes a Bedford MWD Truck (MWD006), Bedford QLB Bofors Gun Tractor (QLB001), AEC “Dorchester” Armoured Command Vehicle (DOR001, and Austin Tilly Bomb Disposal Truck (TIL009). Enjoy!

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And Oxford Educates ’em in the Air

As the British Toy Fair draws to a close, word from Oxford is that we can expect four new diecast military aircraft later this year. Up for your consideration is a Gloster Gladiator Mk.II Biplane (AC056), Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 fighter (AC057), Boulton Paul Defiant Mk.I night fighter (AC058), and Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk.I fighter (AC059). All are competitively priced, are feature-rich, and model subjects that have always been popular amongst the collecting community.

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Dragon Surges with the Panther D

First announced over two years ago, the very first 1:72 scale Panther Ausf. D medium tank is finally en route to us and expected shortly. We expect them to sell out quickly since this is a key introduction many collectors have been waiting eons to drive into battle.

No longer content to sit on their laurels, the manufacturer is also showing the fourth iteration of this popular warhorse on their site, which is pegged with a March release date. While its refreshing to see so many versions to choose from, we can’t help but wonder if this is a sound strategy since it floods the market with a wide array of choices in a short period of time. (Shown from left to right: #DRR60645, DRR60683 and DRR60684)

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Air Commander Resurrected

It has been awhile since we saw any stirrings out of the Air Commander camp, but just as we were beginning to give up hope comes an all-new Phantom II for 2015. Based upon a warbird that flew with the 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing, this southeast Asian painted beauty is known as the “Supersonic Gun Kill“, so named because it was one of the fastest recorded shoot downs ever claimed, and piloted by Major Phil “Hands” Handley who was flying east of Hanoi in June 1972.

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Atlas Editions Orders a Crash Dive in 2015

As the holidays rapidly approach, we were pleasantly surprised to see a new line of 1:350 scale warships taking to the sea in early 2015. Atlas Editions will be releasing the first five 1:350 scale submarines in January, with lots more expected to get underway as the year progresses. Priced at just $34.99, these warships look first-rate, serving as great complements to some of the other warship ranges already sailing on the diecast high seas.

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