So now that I’ve finished my rant in our previous post, there is a bit of good news to report in regards to Forces of Valor. We’ve switched to a new distributor, who is offering us much lower price points for all of the new and existing Forces of Valor products. For example, the new Jagdtiger with the Porsche suspension previously carried a MAP of $89.99. We’re happy to say that we can now sell this very same vehicle for only $74.99, a $15 savings for all you tread heads. Other vehicles have witnessed a similar cut and we’re hoping that all of their upcoming products, particularly their deep range of Tiger I tanks, will see a cut as well.
According to our new distributor, they will be shipping out the new Jagdtiger along with several back ordered items the first week of September. Many of the warships will be returning to stock as well along with a pair of new CH-47 Chinooks, this time around wearing Canadian markings.
The manufacturer, perhaps in response to our scathing critique earlier this month, decided to post a short video of their upcoming Sturmtiger, demonstrating its smooth rolling capabilities (see above) even clad in metal tracks. The optional metal tracks will be offered at some point after the Sturmtiger is released, which will undoubtedly be offered for their Tiger I tanks. Its unclear if the previously released Jagdtigers, Jagdpanther and British Sherman Firefly will also gain new tracks. No word concerning pricing nor how they will be sold, either as add-ons or included with the vehicles as a more deluxe offering.
Forces of Valor broke its silence and finally posted a bunch of new work-in-progress photos for their three upcoming 1:32 scale Sturmtiger assault mortars. According to the posts, final imagery are still weeks away, which means product won’t likely be built and shipped to our shores until October, at the earliest. The photos show the vehicle in three different configurations — initial, early and late stage variants — and provide up-close looks at some of the detail found both inside and outside the finished product. Previously, FOV posted preliminary photos of some of the figures that will accompany each vehicle, including Adolf Hitler and Albert Speer observing the vehicle during its initial presentation phase. Other figures being sculpted include loaders, drivers, gunners and vehicle commanders.
Unfortunately, the lack of final photos for the Sturmtiger typically means that work on all of their upcoming Tiger I (13) and Sherman tanks (8) haven’t moved all that far along beyond the CAD stage, and that product may not make it out for the holiday season. We’re still hopeful that some of the vehicles may make it under the tree this year but want to remind everyone that we aren’t making guarantees based upon the rate of progress we have seen thus far. We wish we had more hopeful news to offer, but want to remain realistic since the holiday season is fast approaching.
In other news, the Company is moving forward with their line of 1:72 scale prop-driven WWII-era fighters which the manufacturer claims will be out by the close of the year. They have also indicated that they have begun work on their 1:72 scale jet fighter series and have signed a licensing agreement with Bell to re-release their 1:48 scale AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters that were formerly produced by Unimax. A UH-1N Twin Huey is apparently also in the offing as is a AH-1Z Cobra helicopter. We will likely see all of their 1:48 scale rotary wing aircraft produced in 1:72 scale, although these are probably a ways off considering all of the previous product announcements.
Finally, while we do not have confirmation just yet from our R/C distributor, it would appear as if their 1:24 scale line of radio controlled tanks will be re-released this fall, which will likely be augmented with their M26 Pershing and M1 Abrams tanks. Still no word concerning VS Tanks, a separate line of radio controlled tanks which was acquired four years ago. And, while images of a 1:16 scale T-72 they have been working on for several years were posted on Facebook several weeks ago, no pricing or date of release has yet been set.
Update: Earlier today, Waltersons acknowledged that nineteen (19) different Tiger I tanks are in the hopper and was kind enough to provide line art imagery for each of the proposed projects (no actual product photos were shown). Two models are listed as 2020 releases, although its not clear if that’s when they are scheduled to be produced or actually going to be released to the public. So, we’re going to assume that none of the Tiger I tanks will make it out by Christmas and that 2021 will be a bumper year as far as Tiger tanks are concerned. The same is likely true for all of the Sherman tanks expected as well as the Elefant tank destroyer. Incredibly, a separate line of “Tank Aces” was also hinted at in a recent Facebook post, thereby increasing the Tiger I count by several more vehicles. While collectors will certainly have a field day choosing from all of the different Tiger I tanks being proposed, it remains to be seen how distributors and retailers alike will be able to inventory and sell so many different versions of what is essentially one vehicle type and how this massed shotgun strategy will likely affect other models still waiting in the wings such as the Panzer IV, Panther and Sherman medium tanks, many of which have their own subset of vehicle types. I guess its time to build a new warehouse.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Douglas A-1H Skyraider Attack Aircraft – “The Good Buddha”, 1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, 1968
Its been quite awhile since we last received a shipment of Hobby Master products and with good reason: the COVID-19 pandemic created a logjam for several months running that affected a number of successive Hobby Master shipments. This logjam created a ripple effect for the balance of 2020, delaying the arrival of other new products heretofore not received by at least two months.
In any event, no need to despair because there is some good news to report: a new Hobby Master shipment is en route to us and expected to land at our facility early next week. Here now the rundown of new products we anticipate receiving:
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – schwere SS Panzerabteilung 103, Zwolle, Netherlands, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 Engine]
A number of you have pre-ordered some of the upcoming 1:32 scale Tiger I heavy tanks from Forces of Valor. Please be advised that the manufacturer has made several changes to the names and descriptions for each of the vehicles over the past week or so, and could be making further changes as we get closer to their actual release date. In fact, according to a recent blog post on Facebook, the manufacturer plans on offering as many as 20 different Tiger I tanks at some point in time, which means several haven’t even been announced just yet and others seem to be in a state of flux as to which vehicle and unit they plan to represent. Obviously we will post images for each vehicle once they are passed along to us but for now, we would appreciate it if you review each vehicle as they now stand and notify us of any changes you wish to make for pre-orders already submitted. Panzer Vorwärts!
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 2005
Like a dead car battery waiting for a boost from a passerby, we’ve been lollygagging around our diecast garage for the past several weeks waiting for anything new to arrive. Well, I can happily report that the May shipment of Hobby Master products are now on their way to us, which includes, among other things, an F-16 painted in an adversarial “ghost scheme” designed to mimic some of the latest aircraft rolling off the Russian assembly line. Unfortunately, all of the “ghost scheme” F-16s have already been spoken for so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that Hobby Master gets around to releasing a second version of this popular scheme sometime in the not-too-distant future. Here now the list of aircraft expected to arrive by the end of this week:
Still no word as to when HA5008, a 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 160432, VMAQ-2 “Death Jesters”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, is expected to arrive since its reportedly making the trek to our distributor via air mail as opposed to surface transport. Could be May or it could be delayed til June.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German Kampfpanzer Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tank – Mixed European Camouflage
We’ve been watching Panzerkampf’s web site for several months running and were growing concerned because there seemed to be no movement one way or the other. The site seemed unfinished with lots of products we had never seen shown in different configurations. Earlier this week, we noticed that the site was finally updated, which included pictures of some of their upcoming projects. Other items were removed or quite possibly hidden from view, meaning they are likely due out later in the year once things settle down and they have a better feel for what they can get out within the calendar year.
So, we invite you to take a look at our revamped Panzerkampf military vehicle section. We’re currently awaiting word as to when several of the items marked as pre-ordered will actually come to fruition, no doubt pushed back because of the pandemic. Right now, we are forecasting a summer release although this could change once more solid information has been passed along by our distributor.
Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale Royal Flying Corps Nieuport 17 Fighter – Lt. William “Billy” Bishop, 60 Squadron, Filescamp, France, March 1917
Until we have evidence to the contrary, we are now presuming that AF-X, Luft-X and Wings of the Great War are no longer being made and have therefore been discontinued by our distributor. Any orders that have been submitted to us thus far for the pair of pre-ordered Wings of the Great War aircraft (WW19002 and WW11004) we were expecting along with any items marked as back ordered will now be cancelled. If our distributor has concrete proof that these lines will be continued then we will re-open the ordering window again and update our site accordingly.
With most modelmakers struggling to get product out the door in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hobby Master saw an opportunity to up the ante and add yet another weapon to its aerial armada. According to Hobbymastercollector.com, the Company plans on offering a model of the Boeing F/A-18XT Advanced Super Hornet Strike Fighter, an aircraft that, for all intents and purposes, is still in the nascent stage of development that hasn’t gone into full production or been pegged to join any front line squadron.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman self-funded a prototype of the Advanced Super Hornet in the early 2010s. The prototype features a 50% reduction in frontal radar cross-section (RCS), conformal fuel tanks (CFT), and an enclosed weapons pod. Features could also be integrated onto the EA-18G Growler; using CFTs on the EA-18 fleet was speculated as useful to releasing underwing space and drag margin for the Next Generation Jammer. Flight tests of the Advanced Super Hornet began on August 5th, 2013, and continued for three weeks, testing the performance of CFTs, the enclosed weapons pod (EWP), and signature enhancements. The U.S. Navy was reportedly pleased with the Advanced Super Hornet’s flight test results, and hopes it will provide future procurement options.
In March 2013, the U.S. Navy was considering the widespread adoption of conformal fuel tanks, which would allow the Super Hornet to carry 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of additional fuel. Budgetary pressures from theF-35C Lightning II and Pacific region operations were cited as reasons supporting the use of CFTs. Flight testing demonstrated CFTs could slightly reduce drag while expanding the combat range by 260 nautical miles (300 mi; 480 km). The prototype CFT weighed 1,500 lb (680 kg), while production CFTs are expected to weigh 870 lb (390 kg). Boeing stated that the CFTs do not add any cruise drag but acknowledged a negative impact imposed on transonic acceleration due to increased wave drag. General Electric’s enhanced performance engine (EPE), increasing the F414-GE-400’s power output from 22,000 to 26,400 lbf (98 to 117 kN) of thrust per engine, was suggested as a mitigating measure. In 2009, development commenced on several engine improvements, including greater resistance to foreign object damage, reduced fuel burn rate, and potentially increased thrust of up to 20%.
In 2014, Boeing revealed a Super Hornet hybrid concept, equipped with the EA-18G Growler’s electronic signal detection capabilities to allow for targets engagement using the receiver; the concept did not include the ALQ-99 jamming pod. Growth capabilities could include the addition of a long-range infrared search and track sensor and new air-to-air tracking modes.
In September 2014, Boeing readied plans to close its St. Louis production lines for the Super Hornet and F-15 in 2017. Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, told the Wall Street Journal that, although “we’re still solidly behind them,” the company could have decided by April 2015 whether to shut down both assembly lines and close the factory, but chose to keep the Super Hornet line going. Due to various Pentagon contracts, Boeing had enough orders to keep things running into 2017 to give Boeing the opportunity to firm up more international orders.
Early on in the Trump administration, the President liked the idea of bolstering its air defense lineup with cheaper to build F/A-18 aircraft that, while no where near as stealthy as say the F-22 or F-35, could still hold its own against many of today’s front line aircraft. Furthermore, the F/A-18XT is far cheaper to build than the F-35, meaning more aircraft can be added to either the USMC or USN arsenal without breaking the bank.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale US M1124 Stryker ATGM Guided Missile Vehicle
With Chinese factories now open, and most workers having returned to their jobs, we were wondering what the status was with Dragon’s newly launched Neo Dragon Armor series. Several items were announced months ago and were already appearing in Asian stores, making it hard to understand why they weren’t available yet here in the North American market. According to our distributor, several items are scheduled to arrive in mid-May, including DRR63005, a US M1124 Stryker ATGM Guided Missile Vehicle. Interestingly, DRR63005 is already sold out at the factory and distributor level, so if you are looking to nab one of these replicas we strongly recommend you pre-order them now before they run out. We have a handful still left for pre-order and we doubt any will be listed for general sale once they do arrive.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale PLA ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle – Digital Camouflage, Parade Version
Also in the hopper is DRR63001, a Peoples Liberation Army ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The standard vehicle will come in a digitzed camouflage scheme with white wall tires, making it ideal for Chinese military parades. A special edition vehicle, available in limited quantities, will come with a PLA flag and the more traditional blackened tires. Finally, a limited edition vehicle will come in UN markings and is painted all-white, standard attire for a United Nations vehicle performing a peacekeeping mission. Only one piece in every 24-piece master carton contains the limited edition vehicle, hence the higher price.
Dragon’s 1:72 scale Limited Edition PLA ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle – United Nations Peacekeeping Force
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers”, 75th Anniversary Commemorative Scheme, USS Lincoln (CVN-72), 2017 [Anniversary Scheme]
Like clockwork, we’ve received the April shipment of Hobby Master products with just a few days to spare before May rolled in. It’s composed of a rather diverse set of collectibles, covering everything from ROC tanks to a sleek F/A-18F Super Hornet clad in a stunning anniversary scheme. Here’s the run down of what’s now in stock and ready for immediate departure:
