Product Announcements – Page 63 – The Motor Pool

Eaglemoss Claims, “The Russians Are Coming!”

With their first batch of 1:43 scale military vehicles now rolling on to the diecast battlefield, it was just a matter of time before the Company launched a new offensive on the 1:72 scale front. According to our distributor, their first wave of Russian tanks are slated for a May appearance, and cover everything from pre-WWII designs to modern era main battle tanks.

Costing a measly $11.99 apiece, and offering subjects no one else has gotten around to replicate, their new line boasts tremendous workmanship at entry-level pricing.

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Bauer’s Bold New Bugatti

German model maker, Heinrich Bauer, has just announced their latest high-end replica, a 1:12 scale take on the 1934 Bugatti Atalante Type 57SC touring car. Expected later in the year, the Atalante marks a return to the world famous stable of cars that were produced by Italian car maker, Bugatti, back in the 1930s, and features all of the hallmark detail, appointments and workmanship that has become the cornerstone of their premium line.

Price at an eye-popping $2,200, the Atalante isn’t for the feint of heart, and like its brethren releases, is designed to appeal to the high-end collector.

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War Master Back on Track?

It appears as if War Master has selected a new distributor for its North American operation, which is why their most recent pair of scheduled shipments have been inexplicably delayed. At this point, its not clear if their supposed June cache, which is already available elsewhere in the world, will ever make it to our shores, given the lack of information currently available. What is known is that their new distributor has announced plans for an all-new platoon of armored vehicles to roll out this May, which will be supplemented by an IJN Aichi B7A2 Ryusei “Grace” attack aircraft.

All of the ground vehicles look especially pleasing this go round, covering a multitude of eras, nations and types of weapons employed. For WWII buffs, a German 88mm FLaK gun will be offered, this time still attached to its wheel assemblies. Moving forward in time, War Master has developed an Israeli M51 Isherman tank, an upgunned version of the original Sherman that was used in the Yom Kippur War. Also expected is a US M48 A3 Patton tank, which saw action in Vietnam, and a M163 A1 Vulcan Air Defense System, which saw yeoman service during the Panama Crisis of 1981. All five new products have been listed on our site, and we hope to have clearer imagery some time soon.

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DeAgostini Enlists in the Luftwaffe

Known for their wide range of entry-level lines, DeAgostini recently announced their intent to offer a new range of 1:72 scale German aircraft of World War II. Initially. the usual subjects will be covered, among them a Bf 109F-4, Fw 190A-6, and Bf 110E-1 fighter, as well as a Ju 87D-5 dive-bomber. Perhaps the most notable entrant will be a Me 210A-1 twin-engine fighter, an offshoot of the early war Bf 110 that was intended to be more effective in combat yet never quite overcame its design deficiencies. Priced at only $19.99 apiece, these low cost yet feature-rich warplanes are an ideal way to jump start a scale aircraft armada and fill in some holes in your collection with subjects that have never been replicated.

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Unimax Ships Out

While we were horrified to learn that Unimax’ 1:700 scale replica of the USS Enterprise has already sold out, we were, nevertheless, thrilled to discover that a new version is already undergoing sea trials. Their second version, #86017, will include a set of diminutive sailors standing on board the deck of the carrier in dress whites spelling out “E=mc2 x 40”, which signifies the 40th anniversary of the ship’s sailing in 2002. For those of you who’d rather not commemorate the “Big E’s” historic voyage, you can dismiss the troops and have them hidden away below deck out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Look for the new carrier some time in July.

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Eaglemoss Sails the Seven Seas

With Unimax’ shipbuilding program now in full swing, it made sense for other diecast makers to dip their toes in the water, so-to-speak. Partworks producer Eaglemoss has just christened its latest sequential range, which will cover many of the most legendary ships of WWI, WWII and even the present. First offered to a select audience in Japan, it makes sense that most of their early offerings are based upon the Imperial Japanese Navy, featuring some of the most iconic ships of the 20th century.

Replicated in 1:1100 scale, these intricately detailed full draught warships feature rotating turrets and elevating guns along with specially designed display plinths to hold them in place. The first combined fleet is expected in May, and each carries an affordable price tag of just $24.99.

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Dragon Upguns its Armor Range

Just when we were prepared to throw in the towel concerning the on-again, off-again Dragon Armor range, comes news that they plan to offer a brand new tank this May. (#DRR60664) is a German Berge-Panther mit Pz.Kpfw.IV Turm. Turret Medium Tank (that’s certainly a mouthful), which mates a standard Panther tank chassis with a Panzer IV turret protected by a turret girdle, thereby making it a speedy yet potent armored fighting vehicle on the battlefield. Pre-orders are now being accepted for this handsome beauty.

In related news, their first Sd. Kfz. 232 armored car is slated for an April roll out. What makes this vehicle so special is the bed frame aerial antenna mounted atop the roof of the chassis, making it one of the more noticeable vehicles in the Wehrmacht’s arsenal.

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Hobby Master Provides Proof of their Pedigree

As part of their July releases, Hobby Master intends to build a 1:48 scale replica of the US Army’s famed MUTT Military Utility Tactical Truck. Their first offering portrays a top-down vehicle used during the Vietnam War (#HG1901), and will likely be followed up with versions operated by other units. Variants will also be made, including towed versions and one equipped with the M121A2 TOW wire guided missile system.

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Century Wings Conjures Up the Original ‘Flying Tomato’

Snowboarder, Shaun White, eat your heart out. Century Wings will soon be offering its own rendition of the ‘Flying Tomato’ – a F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter (#CW01608) that was attached to VF-101 “Grim Reapers” way back in 1995. Even though their new Reaper Bird commands a price tag of almost double that of its first Reaper F-14, this diecast investment still seems sounds, with many older CW F-14s easily fetching double or even three times that price tag in the after market on eBay. Expect their newest blushing Tomcat some time in May.

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Italeri Continues to Build Out is Fleet

With the first batch of aircraft now in our possession comes news that a second aerial armada is slated for a May arrival. Nine new aircraft types are among the mix, including two new helicopters, a UCAV, multi-colored Pakistani fighter and several cutting edge weapons platforms.

All of the aircraft have now been added to our site and we expect brisk sales for these inexpensive favorites.

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