Product Announcements – Page 71 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master Churns Up the Battlefield with the M48

Despite being rumored to be on the drawing board for months on end, Hobby Master has finally announced plans to produce a 1:72 scale replica of the US-built M48 Patton tank. It’s not clear how many liveries or the extent to which they will model the entire family of M48 medium tanks, but at least their first replica looks like a winner: a Vietnam-era M48 A3 outfitted with a search light and upgunned commander’s cupola (HG5501). We hope to have this delightful little warfighter up on our web site later today, along with the rest of their May 2013 product announcements. Stay tuned…

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Corgi Provides a Sneek Peak at Their 2nd Half Aircraft

Earlier today, Corgi posted details concerning their second half 2013 Aviation Archive releases. A couple of surprises were tossed in to the mix, including a 1:72 scale replica of an Avro Vulcan jet bomber and a set containing both a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress and Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 fighter. We hope to have the complete list of new introductions up on our site by later today. At that point the pre-order window will be open but keep in mind that many of their newest releases are not being made available for general sale so its important to review the list and place your orders early if you want to be guaranteed delivery.

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Oxford Grouses, "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar"

As 2013 continues to grind forward, we’ve learned that Oxford Diecast will be expanding its line of 1:72 scale budget-priced aircraft this summer. Several repaints will be offered, but more importantly a number of new aircraft will join the fray, including a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 “Oscar” fighter (#OXFAC039). Also in development is a German Henschel Hs 123A dive-bomber, a biplane that saw service in WWII well beyond its intended service life (#OXFAC040). Although the pre-order window has now opened for these and other new entries, keep in mind they aren’t expected until June, at the earliest.

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Oxford Grouses, “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar”

As 2013 continues to grind forward, we’ve learned that Oxford Diecast will be expanding its line of 1:72 scale budget-priced aircraft this summer. Several repaints will be offered, but more importantly a number of new aircraft will join the fray, including a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 “Oscar” fighter (#OXFAC039). Also in development is a German Henschel Hs 123A dive-bomber, a biplane that saw service in WWII well beyond its intended service life (#OXFAC040). Although the pre-order window has now opened for these and other new entries, keep in mind they aren’t expected until June, at the earliest.

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Hobby Master Spreads its Wings with the Jug

Dubbed the Thunderbolt but surreptitiously known as the “Jug” by its pilots, the Republic P-47 formed the backbone of the USAAF in Europe during WWII, serving in both the fighter and fighter-bomber roles. Now, Hobby Master plans to honor the Jug with its first 1:48 scale replica due out this spring. The lead plane in the formation will be none other than Francis Gabreski’s P-47D, when he served with the 56th Fighter Group in June 1944 (#HA8401).

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Forces of Valor Pushes the Envelope in 2013

While collectors can look forward to the usual assortment of repaints and repackaging for 2013, Forces of Valor also intends to offer a number of new toolings for the year ahead, cutting across a wide range of scales, weapons platforms and theatres of operation. Of particular note is their upcoming 1:72 scale renditions of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter, 1:72 take on the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, 1:32 scale look at the Krupp truck with towed anti-tank gun, and 1:72 scale modeling of the Russian T-34/76 medium tank. All of the new introductions, excerpted from their 2013 brochure, have been listed in our February 2013 section, and we hope to have better imagery and a clearer idea of when to expect each new product in the days ahead. Enjoy!

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Dragon Radios for Assistance

With the Nuremberg Toy Fair serving as a backdrop, Dragon today announced plans to model the German Sd. Kfz. 260 kleiner panzerfunkwagen as part of its 2013 range (DRA60605). Modeled with all the attendant detail and realism collectors have come to expect from the Dragon Armor range, this new vehicle will likely be released in the spring with no doubt other liveries right behind it.

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Minichamps Paints Up a Storm at Nuremberg

To kick off the festivities at this year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair, Minichamps announced a spate of repaints for its award-winning line up of 1:12 scale motor bikes. Several reintroductions were also debuted, including Ray Petty’s 1960 Norton Manx and their highly coveted 1932 Brough Superior, both of which were sold out for quite some time. The complete list of new introductions has been posted in the February 2013 New Additions section, and it looks like several aren’t too far off from being ready to hit the open road.

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Dragon Embarks Upon a Space Shot

Looking to pierce the heavens and tear a page out of our space faring play book, Dragon today announced a 1:400 scale replica of the Space Shuttle “Discovery” which comes complete with its Crawler Transporter (DRW56391). According to Dragon’s own marketing literature:

the entire assembly of the Shuttle Discovery (with attached External Tank and two Solid Rocket Boosters) plus the MLP and Tractor-Crawler are produced in minute detail. Fine details such as the track links on the four tractors are all perfectly replicated. Even areas that are hidden (e.g. the inside surface of the MLP) are all fully furnished and painted. Discovery had the honor of conducting more flights than any other Shuttle – 39 missions spread over 27 years – and this astonishing Space Collection model from Dragon Wings is the perfect way to commemorate its accomplishments.

Currently, this all-new set is scheduled for a March lift off, and carries into orbit a very affordable price of just $89.99. Godspeed Discovery!

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Falcon Models Goes Supersonic

In a surprise announcement, Falcon Models plans to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the Grumman F-11 Tiger (#FA728001). Seeing service for only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and its J65 engine proved unreliable, this carrier-borne aircraft was nevertheless an important fleet defense fighter, since it was the US Navy’s first supersonic fighter jet. Likely follow-on candidates for replication will be a US Navy Blue Angels aerobatic aircraft, as well as a F-11F-1 Super Tiger, which were fitted with a more robust pair of engines.

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