According to Tabletop Wire, our industry could soon be affected by the proposed increase in tariffs with mainland China announced on Friday. After a series of failed trade negotiation meetings with the Chinese government, President Trump approved an increase in tariff fees to 25%. Moreover, he decided to place these fees on products already affected by the tariffs as well as a number of new product categories that our country imports from China. Under section 9503.00.00 of the proposed new tariff rules, diecast collectibles, which falls under the heading of toys, subheading reduced scale models, will be affected by the hike although hearings must first be held on June 17th to determine any issues with these proposed hikes. If passed, the tariff could go into effect as early as June 24th.
As an aside, some of the manufacturers we deal with are still located in China so these tariffs will obviously have an impact on the selling price of their goods going forward. Many will likely alter their production schedule should order reductions and/or cancellations ensue. Other manufacturers, in the wake of higher labor costs in recent years, have already moved their operations elsewhere, most notably to Bangladesh, Vietnam and other countries along the Pacific Rim, and will therefore not be affected by these proposed changes. We will keep everyone abreast should we have to increase the price of certain items/lines once these tariffs go into effect.
Keep in mind that the US and China are still negotiating a trade deal according to both United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, although the Chinese may decide to delay action until after the 2020 presidential election. Should a deal be concluded, however, then these hikes will likely be removed almost immediately. Bear in mind too that although our president continually claims that the Chinese are paying for these tariffs, the added costs are, in fact, born by US importers, who must then pass along these added hikes to everyone within the supply chain and ultimately to the consumer.
Even though it appears as if their ground offensive has stalled by several months, that hasn’t prevented Corgi from initiating their 2019 aerial attack on the world at-large. Four new aircraft are currently winging their way to us and should be ready for shipment to our clientele by the third week of May. In no particular order, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your aviation arsenal in just a couple of weeks:
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber with Fi 103 (Doodlebug) – A1+HK, 2./Kampfgeschwader 53 ‘Legion Condor’, Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit, Late 1944
When World War I ended, the German Air Force was disbanded under the Treaty of Versailles, which required the German government to abandon all military aviation by October 1st, 1919. However, by 1922, it was legal for Germany to design and manufacture commercial aircraft, and one of the first modern medium bombers to emerge from this process was the Heinkel He 111, the first prototype of which an enlarged, twin-engine version of the single-engine mail-liaison He 70, which set 8 world speed records in 1933 flew in February of 1935. The second prototype, the He 111 V2, had shorter wings and was the first civil transport prototype, capable of carrying 10 passengers and mail. The third prototype, He 111 V3 also had shorter wings and was the first true bomber prototype. Six He 111 C series airliners were derived from the fourth prototype, the He 111 V4, and went into service with Lufthansa in 1936, powered by a variety of engines, including BMW 132 radials. The first production models had the classic stepped windshield and an elliptical wing, which the designers, Siegfried and Walter Gunter, favored. That said, AA33716 is a German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber ferrying a Fi 103 (Doodlebug) under its fuselage. It was attached to 2./Kampfgeschwader 53 ‘Legion Condor’, an Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit operating during the latter half of 1944.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U2 Fighter – “White 16”, 1./Jagdgeschwader 301, July 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
Numerically the most abundant fighter produced by either side during WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 formed the backbone of the Jagdwaffe on both the eastern and western fronts, as well as in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Of the eight distinct sub-types within the huge Bf 109 family, the most populous was the G-model, of which over 30,000 were built between 1941-45. Despite its production run, only a handful of genuine German Bf 109s have survived into the 1990s, and with the serious damaging of the RAFs G-2 at Duxford in October 1997, only the German-based MBB G-6 and Hans Ditte’s G-10 (both composites) are currently airworthy. AA27108 replicates a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U2 Fighter known as “White 16”, that was attached to 1./Jagdgeschwader 301 during July 1944. Note that it is part of Corgi’s 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion collection.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft – MN625/MR-B, No. 245 (Northern Rhodesian) Squadron, Homesley South Airfield, Hampshire, June 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
The Typhoon was a British single-seat strike fighter, produced by Hawker Aviation starting in 1941. Intended as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane in the interceptor role, it suffered from performance problems, but eventually evolved into one of World War II’s most successful ground attack aircraft. AA36512 depicts a RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft that was attached to No. 245 (Northern Rhodesian) Squadron, then deployed to Homesley South Airfield, Hampshire, England during June 1944. Note that it is part of Corgi’s 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion collection.
The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing. The Halifax was also operated by squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and Polish Air Force. AA37209 represents a RAF Handley Page Halifax B.III Heavy Bomber known as “Expensive Babe”, that was attached to No.51 Squadron, then deployed to Snaith, England, during March 1945.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – “332”, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654, Normandy, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL230 P30 Engine]
Spring seems to agree with Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor line, with two 1:32 scale vehicles now completed and under their belt and another pair scheduled to go into production the first week of May. According to the manufacturer, both the German Jagdpanther tank destroyer (#FOV801007A) and Russian T-34/85 medium tank (#FOV801013A) have been given the green light, and will likely make it to market towards the end of June or early July. This comes as good news to collectors, who will likely see the fruits of Walterson’s labors at the upcoming hobby show in Shizuoka, Japan, held on May 8th. Its entirely possibly other items, such as the Liaoning aircraft carrier (#FOV861010A), have moved past the prototyping stage with finished packaging and detailing now being shown for the first time.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Soviet T-34/85 Medium Tank – 55th Guards Tank Brigade, 7th Guards Tank Corps, Berlin, 1945 [Bonus Model V-2 Diesel-Fueled 12-Cylinder Engine]
While the Company is still lagging behind their original production schedule unveiled two years ago, its comforting to see that they are finally picking up speed and talking optimistically about the all-important fourth quarter. In other news, it would appear as if their radio controlled 1:16 scale T-72 main battle tank is moving along nicely, if you don’t mind the feeble pun, so we may re-open the pre-order window shortly once we feel more confident it has entered the production phase. Three different versions are reportedly in the works, each aimed at catering to three segments of the marketplace: the casual hobbyist, hard core user, and the extreme enthusiast.
In order to make room for lots of new products earmarked for a second half release, we have decided to phase out a number of older ranges. In many instances, we are unable to procure said items from our suppliers, so it becomes pointless to continue to hold out hope that restocks may occur. In no particular order, the following lines will no longer be carried and their inventories exhausted:
DeAgostini Japanese military aircraft series
DeAgostini Russian military aircraft series
DeAgostini warship series
Fabbri diecast military vehicles series
Eaglemoss diecast military vehicles series
Leo Models diecast military aircraft series
Arsenal Tanks of the World military vehicles series
We wanted to wish everyone a happy Easter as well as a happy Passover. While we’ll be here to accept and process orders, please make sure to spend time with your families during these important religious celebrations.
According to film stars Jake Busey and Casper van Diem it looks as if the duo will be reprising their respective roles from the movie, Starship Troopers, this time around in a televised series. The pair will be returning as Ace Levy and Juan “Johnny” Rico, although much further along in their military careers — perhaps as drill instructors or commanders of mobile infantry platoons — since the original film appeared way back in 1997.
Ed Neumeier, the film’s screenwriter, is being asked to develop the series and other notable actors from the original film could be back as well, although its not clear who are being asked to return and whether or not they have agreed to reboot their former roles. A remake of the classic film is also expected later this year, albeit with a different cast and screenwriter. If the film and television series take off, you can bet certain model makers will be giving the franchise the once over to see if it can be brought to sci-fi enthusiasts the world over.
For the handful of people not familiar with the franchise, Starship Troopers stands as sci-fi writer’s Robert Heinlein’s seminal work in which humanity is pitted against an alien race of over-sized insects called the Arachnids. Seen through the eyes of the so-called Mobile Infantry, Heinlein mixes a good bit of political drama and off-beat wit within a taut yarn that describes what its like to first train as a mobile infantryman of the future and then take on the Arachnids in all its gore and glory. Do you want to learn more?
If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones — and let’s face it, who isn’t? — and happen to live in northeast Queens, New York, where we call home, then you’ll be tickled pink to learn that the last of the six thrones used to help hype the series as part of a worldwide scavenger hunt was set up here within the confines of Fort Totten. Fort Totten is a Civil War era fortress designed to protect northern Queens from a potential attack from the sea. While it was never used nor did it ever fire a shot in anger — the guns have long since been removed — it now plays host to the final Iron Throne made famous in the Game of Thrones fantasy series. Presently, there is a six hour or so wait to take a selfie on the throne and the producers have said the prop will be removed from our home-sweet-home set at 7PM on Monday then promptly returned to the world of Westeros.
Self-promotion aside, don’t forget the final season of Game of Thrones premieres on April 14th. You know where I’ll be when the curtain rises and the dragons take wing!
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber with Fi 103 (Doodlebug) – A1+HK, 2./Kampfgeschwader 53, Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit, Late 1944
As we have alluded to previously, 2019 marks the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. It therefore comes as no surprise that Corgi — in an effort to take advantage of the hype — has decided to tinker with its lineup so they can release as many commemorative aircraft as possible around the pivotal time frame. While many models have been moved up well ahead of original forecasts, others have been moved back. In the case of their USMC Sikorsky SH-3A Helicopter (AA33422), the chopper has now been delayed until early 2020, no doubt to get out as many heavies in time for the holidays as possible, even at the expense of other models.
It doesn’t appear as if their 1:50 scale WWII military vehicles has been affected by the production shift, with several expected around the June time frame and others still slated for later in the year to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge.
Waltersons updated 1:72 scale Tiger I heavy tank model kit
Just like its predecessor, Unimax, Waltersons will apparently test out the model kit market with its soon-to-be-released Model Kit 999 Series. Twelve 1:72 scale kits are set to hit the streets, most based on World War II era machines of war. At first blush, these look to be the same 12 kits that Unimax produced roughly ten years ago. Interestingly, the Forces of Valor logo does not appear on the updated packaging. Its not clear, at present, if our distributor will stock the series or remain focused on the pre-assembled range of vehicles and aircraft that make up the Forces of Valor line up.
Unimax’ 1:72 scale Tiger I heavy tank model kit bearing the Forces of Valor logo
Speaking of Forces of Valor, the manufacturer intends to use the upcoming Shizuoka Hobby Show held in Japan this April to display much of their wares and hopefully provide everyone with a production schedule for the balance of the year. Despite falling behind schedule we are still hoping for some good things to appear in 2019 that will rekindle our passion for the line.
Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale German E-50 Super Heavy 38cm Assault Mortar
After several false starts and a snow storm to boot, we received confirmation today that our Modelcollect shipment is now en route to us and should arrive by the weekend, Monday the latest. Lots of goodies are included in this month’s covered chuck wagon, spanning everything from rail cars to missile launchers. Its going to take us a couple of days to review our outstanding orders and ship out everything already allocated so please bear with us during this time frame. If you haven’t already checked out the cache, we recommend you do so and submit any orders to us before stocks run out.
