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.
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)
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.
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.
Just when we were again giving up hope that we would ever see their long-promised Panther D medium tank comes news that a second version is already in the hopper. While the first version replicated an early model Type D Panther (DRA60596), their latest announcement depicts a later version (DRR60683), complete with its letterbox hatch opening for the glacis machine gun, pistol ports on the turret sides and a drum cupola.
Both are listed as February roll outs, and you can bet your bottom dollar that other schemes and liveries are no doubt in the works. Keep your fingers crossed they don’t run into any partisans, thereby delaying them any further.
Images are figuratively as well as literally surfacing concerning Corgi’s all-new 1:72 scale Short Sunderland flying boat. Expected some time in 2015, this beast of an aircraft looks to carry on the tradition left in the wake of their recently released 1:72 Avro Vulcan strategic bomber, perhaps taking on the role of signature centerpiece for the new year.
Surprisingly, their inaugural Sunderland will not be based upon the flying boat recently raised from the ocean depths off the coast of England but will instead depict a craft attached to the RAAF’s No. 461 Squadron.
We’ve just learned that we will soon be receiving several new Star Trek spaceships just before the holidays, and, perhaps more importantly, the first special edition release in the series – the Deep Space 9 Space Station. Long coveted by Trekkies world over, we thought that we might not be able to obtain this item, since it seemed to be sold out from other sources and going for a premium at other retail sites.
Other ships expected by year’s end are a Federation Runabout (ST0032), Cardassian Hideki Class Fighter (ST0033) and a Vulcan Surok Class starship (ST0034). Live long and prosper.
With their recently released “Santa Cat” being checked off from every aircraft collectors holiday wish list, Century Wings is turning the clock forward by a couple of months with their latest release – an operational scheme F-14B that saw action over Afghanistan in 2001. Based upon a bird that flew with VF-102 “Diamondbacks”, their latest deployment of the Tomcat will be strengthened to a release run of 1,500 pieces, up several hundred pieces from their most recent Fleet Defender replicas, and perhaps a sign that demand is once again outstripping present supply levels.
With collectors still pondering their holiday gifts, Air Force 1 announced plans to offer several new weapons platforms for a February release. In the air, look for another take on the General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon fighter (AF10007B).
While the fixed wing replicas have become an industry staple, their passion for modelmaking has extended into the rotary wing arena, with three new modern era helos on the brink of attack. Look for two different versions of the AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter (AF10100 and AF10100A), and, just as importantly, a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter (AF10099). All of the above mentioned introductions are being created in 1:72 scale.
Ordinarily that tag line might be a tad offensive but in the case of Air Force 1, it hits the nail right on the head since they just announced their latest take on the P-61B Black Widow night fighter (AF10090B). Crewed by Lt. Stan Logan and Radio Operator Lt. George Kamajian, this all new look at the coveted Black Widow will come unsigned, and therefore retail for only $89.99.
One of the eight squadrons flying over the islands of the South Pacific, the 418th Night Fighter Squadron also has the distinction of being the top scoring unit against the Japanese and also had the only nightfighter ace in the Pacific/CBI theater. Logan’s plane “Black Panther” didn’t achieve any kills but it is a nice example of a P-61B flown by the 418th. The name and the panther outline are yellow, with white and red details on the panther. Due in January, this likely won’t be the last time we see the P-61 piercing the night.
