Shout Outs

Ruminations for the Month of August and Beyond

So, we’re mid way though the month of August and we thought we’d share some insights we’ve gleaned over the past few weeks even if some of the news may not be what you wanted to hear. Remember, don’t kill the messenger as he passes along the latest messages.

Eaglemoss

To begin with, we are expecting a shipment of new Eaglemoss products by the end of the month. Our distributor should have a list of what’s in store by the end of this week, barring any unforeseen issues. Its been several months since anything has arrived, so the list could be quite long and varied, but we will know more as soon as its passed along to us. Its not up to us to say why its taken so long for the latest cache to hit the high seas. Some things will forever remain under wraps despite the clamor for concrete information, so suffice it to say that we’re happy that the shipments are resuming and in full gear.

JC Wings

We’ve dropped the two JC Wings aircraft originally earmarked for availability this summer. We are not at liberty to discuss the reason for the decision other than to say that we have learned that they are no longer in the pipeline from our sole source provider. It is possible that we will carry the line at some point so we have left our options open for the moment.

Wings of the Great War

Wings of the Great War has been delayed again, this time until the end of September. Production issues at the factory are being cited, although that could cover anything from labor issues to leaky faucets. Again, we can only go by what we’re being told, so we ask for your further patience until the kinks are worked out and the product hits the supply channel.

Forces of Valor

I know a great many of you are wondering why its taking so long for Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, to pump out all of the products they claimed were in the offing for a 2018 release. The short and long of it, as far as we can tell, is that they are sticklers for details, a carry over from their bathroom-related business which has helped to pay for the FOV acquisition, new warehouse, labor and tooling, Their intent is to bring the FOV line back to its glory days of 2003-2007, a time when the brand really took off and few could criticize the lengths towards which they were headed to make the very best in diecast military subjects. We all know that many of the former products were hit and miss, particularly in their aircraft line, so redeveloping the tooling to address all of the inaccuracies takes time, research, and most of all, money.

As with their warships line, they are redeveloping the 1:32 scale military vehicle range, adding more metal where necessary to give them more heft and modifying the tooling so each vehicle can boast a removable engine rather than including mundane accessories few cared about. Their goal is to make a top notch range of military themed product and, quite frankly, in an era filled with cheaply made partworks series, we feel they are moving in the right direction. Yes, its frustrating to tell people to hang on a bit longer until product finally makes it to market. Yes, we have loads of unfilled orders that have been languishing on the back burners for months on end. But, the finish line is now within sight, so I think I can speak confidently for the owners and myself that the proof will be in the pudding once you get to see the finished products.

Calibre Wings

As many of you may have guessed, Calibre Wings is being spurred on by a passion we’ve rarely witnessed over the course of our eighteen-year tenure. Noel Lee, its owner, has set about creating a line par excellence, which some times means they run into hiccups along the way, spanning everything from getting the right hue for their upcoming Su-24 Fencers, to making sure every rocket, missile and bomb is included and slung under the right hard point. As a result, they too have run into production issues, moving items backwards and forwards in their release schedule and spending the time to get everything right in spite of demands to hit their release dates like tossing a smart bomb through an office window. Give them some breathing room as they look to carve out their own place in the market and support them with orders because there’s lots more to crow about in 2019.

Modelcollect

Modelcollect continues to churn out an ever staggering array of finished diecast military subjects, spanning everything from “what if” World War II era vehicles to apocalyptic missile launchers. Generally, we receive new items every two months or so based upon our past track record with our supplier so a number of new products are starting to appear that are aimed for a holiday release. Their Fist of War category continues to gather momentum, even if it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. At the end of the day, you certainly have to give them credit for thinking outside the box and offering products no other manufacturer has dared to touch.

Hobby Master

There’s a bit of speculation going on right now regarding Hobby Master, the 800-pound gorilla in the room. As far as aircraft goes, the Company will continue to make 1:72 scale aircraft, but perhaps not in the numbers or subjects that some might feel will do the market justice. Truth is, their 1:72 scale jets far outsell their propeller-driven planes, a fact that has not escaped them, their distributors and, of course, their retailer network. It’s hard to justify making more prop-driven plans when the jets sell out so quickly and rather routinely. Occasionally we shoot the powers that be a message indicating they need to make more F-16s, F-35s, F-22s, etc. simply because we are out of them, while staring at some of the prop-driven shelf warmers for months on end. Frankly, if this was your business, you have to ask yourself where the priorities should lie given stellar sales in one category and lackluster movement in another. So, do expect to see more 1:48 scale prop-driven aircraft going forward, as these are priced right and moving at a clip that far outstrips their 1:72 scale cousins. In fact, the category is doing so well, we wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you start to see more 1:48 scale jet aircraft, picking up where the Armour Collection line once reigned supreme.

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Hobby Master’s Ship-to-Shore Bombardment

Hobby Master’s 1:700 scale US Navy Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser – USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)

Hobby Master’s July cache of new products may be one of the most significant in months, containing a number of eagerly awaited items that depict everything from warships to helicopters. The Company’s first-ever warship is slated to come ashore, a 1:700 scale replica of the USS Ticonderoga (HSP1001).

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Army Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter – 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment “Flying Tigers”

At treetop level, expect to see their inaugural look at the venerable AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, a piece of hardware that has stood the Army well for the past several decades (HH1201).

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US M35 2-1/2-Ton Cargo Truck with M60 Machine Gun (1:72 Scale)

On the ground, new versions of the M35 cargo truck are expected. And lest we forget their aerial contingent, which includes a new look at the F-117 stealth fighter (HA5803), several multi-national F-15 Eagles, and a flock of other notable warbirds.

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – 88-0842, 8th Fighter Squadron “The Black Sheep”, Holloman AFB, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003

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Forces of Valor Provides an Early Summer Update

We recognize that information coming out of the Forces of Valor camp has been a little sparse of late, so we’d like to share some news with you concerning the Company’s progress to date. Presently, they are putting the final touches on six different versions of the 1:72 scale CH-47 Chinook helicopter and have almost completed work on the packaging phase (front shown here). All six are expected to finish production by August with the SD version of the helicopter slated to be completed by September.

According to our contact, several 1:32 scale vehicles should be leaving Asia by September and will likely arrive in North America by October, barring any trade-related issues. These include the 88mm FLaK gun, the Sherman Firefly Vc medium tank, the Jagdpanther tank destroyer, Jagdtiger tank destroyer and finally the Elefant tank destroyer. Waltersons has indicated that they have developed a new method of weathering that gives each vehicle a more realistic appearance in line with many of the enthusiast edition vehicles released between 2003-2009. The balance of 2018 will see work continue on a number of other previously announced 1:32 scale projects as well as a bevy of 1:72 scale aircraft. Its not clear which items will be shown at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February since the Company has already gone on record as having a wide array of products in the pipeline. 

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The US Supreme Court Rules in Favor of an Online Sales Tax

Earlier today, the US Supreme Court narrowly ruled in favor of allowing states to collect taxes from online sellers, even if the seller may not be physically located within their jurisdiction. Up til now, a seller was required to collect taxes only from customers purchasing product that were located within the same state as their business. Essentially, it is now up to Congress to determine how the ruling will be handled, since there are more than 12,000 local tax jurisdictions, making the task of collecting taxes onerous at best. Moreover, many smaller online resellers may not have the resources to handle the new tax impositions, which could require loads of paperwork to complete and an inordinate amount of time to fully address. A simple solution would be to impose a flat tax across the entire union, perhaps somewhere in the neighborhood of 4%, which might be low enough to dissuade customers from shopping elsewhere. For more information on the ruling and what it could mean visit USA Today.

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Forces of Valor Shakes it Up at Shizuoka

Many of the repurposed 1:32 scale military vehicles now come with a removable engine instead of redundant and much maligned accessories.

Admittedly, its been a little difficult trying to locate images of the Forces of Valor booth at the recently concluded Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan. We’ve scoured YouTube, Facebook and the Internet, looking for anything that could help whet everyone’s appetite. That said, we did finally manage to unearth some photos, thanks to the good folks at Amiami.

As you can see, most of the product on display are still works in progress, bereft of any painting and background data. Moreover, it appears as if the bulk of the items on display have to do with their 1:72 scale military vehicle line, with a smattering of aircraft thrown in for good measure. Still, its nice to see that progress is being made across several different categories, and that the upcoming holiday season will feature a good deal more Forces of Valor products than in year’s past.

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Forces of Valor Opens Up About its Future

Forces of Valor looks to add the Russian Navy Kuznetsov Class Aircraft Carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, to its growing fleet of naval replicas

At long last, Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has shed light on its production schedule for the balance of 2018. You can see firsthand which items are in the pipeline as well as their anticipated release dates by visiting their Facebook page. Frankly, we are going to add sixty days to the dates listed, thereby giving them a fair bit of leeway as they look to get each item into the marketplace given the sheer number of items they are looking to undertake, as well as the logistical issues they will likely face in the summer and autumn months.

Of note, the Company has announced plans to reproduce the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetnov, and their 1:16 scale Tiger I tank is still slated for a late 2018 release. Beginning with their 1:32 scale Sturmtiger, they also plan to offer model kits for much of their 1:32 scale line, so modellers can build, mod and paint them up any way they see fit. Several of their modern era 1:72 scale aircraft have been postponed, according to Waltersons, in order to add more metal content where needed and make other refinements to bring them up to current standards. In their place, the Company has resurrected several 1:72 scale twin-engine bombers, a number of 1:48 scale helicopters and even a few of their long out-of-stock 1:32 scale WWII era fighters, hopefully making some changes to each mold to address some of the shortcomings collectors have pointed out over the years. It would appear as if the Company plans to delve ever deeper into the model making business, by relaunching their 1:72 scale model kit line and, as pointed out earlier, creating a parallel business model whereby their 1:32 scale vehicles will be offered as pre-assembled replicas and un-built and unpainted models.

Over the next few days, we plan to digest and review the information just announced and make the necessary changes to our web site where applicable. The Japanese Shizuoka Hobby Show is just a week or so away, so we’re confident Waltersons will be making further product announcements and uploading imagery for many of their upcoming projects. Note: We are also updating our semi-regular newsletter to reflect those items expected in 2018, including any new additions gleaned from their recent update. Please do not get overly concerned if you do not see some items listed. They were likely pushed back into 2019 and therefore may wrongfully give our customers the impression that they are due out shortly.

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Hobby Master Passes the Ammunition for April

Among the many new items filling our warehouse shelves this April is this 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2B “Zero” Fighter that was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Shigeru Itaya, then deployed aboard the IJN Akagi during December 1941

Its been a busy week as far as Hobby Master is concerned, first announcing a spate of new items for a September release, then posting imagery for a number of new items and finally shipping nearly twenty vehicles and aircraft to their dealer network. Slated to arrive later this week are a pair of 1:72 scale M35 trucks, their first ever space shuttle, and their inaugural 1:48 scale Mitusbishi Zero fighter. Lots of other sharp looking aircraft are swooping in, all of which can be currently viewed in our Products in Transit section.

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Star Wars: Solo or Duo, We Can’t Decide

Mattel’s 1:18 scale Star Wars VI Return of the Jedi – Millennium Falcon

Just in time for the premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story comes word that we are to expect the first pairing of 1:18 scale Star Wars ships from Mattel’s Star Wars Elite series. Slated to arrive before the weekend is the Millennium Falcon (HWCMC93), the ship of lore that made the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs, and piloted by none other than Han Solo and his hairy, oversized side kick, Chewbacca.

Mattel’s 1:18 scale Star Wars V The Empire Strikes Back – TIE Fighter

Also up for your consideration is an insidious TIE Fighter as seen in the series’ second feature film, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (HWCMC92). Both are packed in handsome black boxes reminiscent of some of the older Kenner packaging used to promote the toys seen in several of the earlier Star Wars films.

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End of the Line for the Eaglemoss Warships

Eaglemoss’ 1:1100 scale US Navy New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser – USS Minneapolis (CA-36) [With Collector Magazine]
Our distributor informs us that many of the remaining out-of-stock Eaglemoss warships will only be available in the clam shell packaging, bereft of any cardboard packaging and without the accompanying full-color magazine. Frankly, without these items — which tends to make the entire product more palatable to the consumer as well as the vendor — we are of the opinion that the range has reached the end of the line, capping off a four-year run that has proven to be one of our most successful categories ever. So, we strongly recommend that if you are still interested in any of the warships noted as being in stock on our web site that you consider placing your order as soon as possible, before we remove them from inventory and bid them a fond farewell.

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Oxford Penetrates our Air Space this April

Oxford’s 1:72 German Junkers Ju-87B Stuka Dive-Bomber – T6+DP 6, Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, Libya, 1941

Three new 1:72 scale aircraft are inbound from Oxford Diecast as part of their ever-expanding budget line. The trio include a US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcat that was piloted by Lt. Ray Hawkins, who was attached to VF-31, then embarked upon the USS Cabot (CVL-28) during 1944, a German Messerschmitt Me 163B-0 Komet that was attached to Jagdgeschwader 400, then deployed to Niemcy, Germany, during early 1945, and a German Junkers Ju-87B Stuka dive-bomber that was operated by Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, then deployed to Libya during 1941.

Oxford’s 1:72 US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcat Fighter – Lt. Ray Hawkins, VF-31, USS Cabot (CVL-28), 1944

We expect them to arrive the first week of April, honest, no joke!

Oxford’s 1:72 German Messerschmitt Me 163B-0 Komet Rocket-Powered Fighter – White 54-14, Jagdgeschwader 400, Niemcy, Germany, 1945

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