Product Announcements – Page 63 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master Strikes Hard this October

In what could well be the worst held secret in the diecast military community, Hobby Master confirmed today that they are working on a 1:72 scale replica of the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle. Designed to waylay the countryside in October, their first ever “Mud Hen” is patterned after a bird that flew with the 391st Fighter Squadron, then deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, during 2012 (HA4501). Priced at $103.99, the F-15E is substantially higher in price than some of its recent releases, and could signal further price hikes are in the works for newly tooled aircraft.

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The Viggen Gets Reinvigorated

Strange as it may sound, Aviation 72’s inaugural 1:72 scale replica of the Swedish Saab Viggen is already sold out at both the distributor and manufacturer level. Thankfully, a second version is already taking wing and should be in stores later this summer. On a like minded note, the Aviation 72 Saab Draken is also sold out at our distributor, although we still have a few pieces left to fill any late comer orders. Reviews have been very positive so you may want to think long and hard about these scale replicas before passing up either one of them.

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Panzerstahl Bulks Up with the Conqueror

Power lifting has never been a problem for German-based Panzerstahl, so it should come as no surprise that they plan on adding more weight to their bar bell in the form of the British Conqueror heavy tank (#PS89009). Slated to step on to the mat in the September/October time frame, the FV 214 Conqueror heavy tank was intended to stand toe-to-toe with some of the beefy Soviet tank designs that were fielded after WWII. Mounting a fearsome 1200mm main gun, the Conqueror never saw service due to lengthy design delays and other remedies offered by the British War Ministry.

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Air Force 1 Sets a New Speed Record

Just days after Century Wings announced a new SR-71A Blackbird was in the making comes news that this high-flier will soon have some unexpected company. Air Force 1 claims to have their own rendition of the SR-71A in the works, boasting all of the fine workmanship, casting and detail the CW mold has touted for some time. Slated for an October ship, their first look at the super-sleek, super fast reconnaissance plane is based upon the craft that set several speed records in the 1990s.

An interesting turn of events…

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Air Force 1 Rolls Out the Peoples Liberation Army

Hot on the heels of their 1:72 scale V-22 Osprey offering comes news that Air Force 1 will also be tempting us with a slew of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army favorites, both on the ground and in the air. A pair of 1:35 scale main battle tanks will be released this year, each boasting wooden display plinths and a wealth of detail.

Also expected are two 1:48 scale attack helicopters as well as a 1:72 scale representation of the Chengdu J-10 fighter. Previously, each of the items was released as part of the Donart brand, which never made it over to the North American market place in significant numbers. Donning a brand new manufacturer’s logo and stocked by one of the most reliable distributors here on our shores, each of these interesting subjects will finally make it into diecast collections the world over.

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Century Wings Goes Swashbluckling

Century Wings is one of those model makers that defy explanation. Rather than branching out and offering new molds, they seem to prefer producing only a handful of aircraft types painted in virtually every conceivable skin. Their latest introduction showcases a SR-71A in “Skull and Crossbones” motif, always a war winner among the aviation crowd (#CW001607).

Currently, their newest Blackbird is penciled in for an August fly-by, and commands a king’s ransom of just $149.99.

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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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