Shout Outs – Page 43 – The Motor Pool

Unimax’ Tribute to the USS Arizona

While we’ve had a photo of the upcoming USS Arizona on our web site for several weeks running, we’ve finally unearthed some detailed images of the ship’s superstructure and packaging.

The images reveal some of the workmanship that has gone into this iconic warship which was sunk at the outset of the Second World War at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7th, 1941. Among the important features is a floatplane attached to the rear of the warship, its catapult, the ship’s superstructure, and the multitude of guns bristling along the length of the deck. The Pennsylvania is scheduled to ship out some time in June.

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Dragon Skirts Disaster

As 2014 enters its summer months, its becoming increasingly clear that Dragon is starting to reinvigorate its once dormant Dragon Armor line. Their latest offering are a pair of PzKpfw III Ausf. M medium tank that comes equipped with schurzen side armor skirts and a turret girdle (#DRA60451 and DRA60663), which bears the insignia of 2.Panzer Division and 11.Panzer Division respectively.

Expected in June, this all-new vehicle further extends their commitment to its 1:72 scale range, despite facing a tidal wave of inexpensive partworks lines now coming to market.

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Unimax’ Osprey Sprouts Wings

Unimax, the maker of the wildly popular Forces of Valor brand, shared new imagery for their upcoming MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (#UNI85121). The new pix clearly show some of the features built into this stunning warbird, which include a pilot figure, drop down rear ramp, rotatable engine nacelles and more.

The MV-22 is slated for a June landing, and will no doubt be followed up with more new toolings, on the ground, at sea and in the air.

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Discontinuation of the Easy Model Line

Effective immediately, we are phasing out our entire range of Easy Model merchandise. Any remaining stock qualifies for a 25% discount off of the advertised price. Be advised that we will not be ordering any additional stock, so anything listed as Special Order does not qualify for this discount. Likewise, this is a first come first served sale, so it is entirely possibly that we could run out of select items quickly. To place an order for this line and qualify for this discount, please call us at (718) 465-3292 during normal business hours and we will review our in-stock position with you. Again, please do not ask us to order something that we no longer have available since this is a liquidation sale.

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Oxford to Resume Operations While Model Power Folds

Earlier this year, Oxford Diecast decided to set up its own distribution channel in North America, looking to gain more market share, improve margins and hopefully garner added relevance among the North American collector market. We’re happy to report that they now seem to be ready to resume operations, with many of their most sought after military vehicles and aircraft expected shortly.

On the other hand, long time model maker and train enthusiast, Model Power, posted on their web site that they are ceasing operations immediately, after being in business for nearly 50 years. For those of you unfamiliar with Model Power, they’ve been making their Postage Stamp series of military aircraft for several years running, offering up subjects no one else had the gumption to tackle. Its sad to see another manufacturer close up shop and particularly difficult when its a business “right down the road” from ours in Farmingdale, NY. We wish them the best and hope this isn’t the last we’ve heard from this three-generation operation.

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Amercom Inbound

The first of two Amercom shipments are now headed our way and should be arriving shortly. Because of the breadth and depth of the range, we decided to accept delivery of their helicopters first, and then their military vehicles second.

So, please bear with us as we take delivery of these two shipments. We will do our utmost to turn around any orders for these products as quickly as possible.

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Discontinuation of The Collectors Showcase Line

Effective immediately, we are phasing out our entire range of The Collectors Showcase merchandise. Any remaining stock qualifies for a 25% discount off of the advertised price. Be advised that we will not be ordering any additional stock, so anything listed as Special Order does not qualify for this discount. Likewise, this is a first come first served sale, so it is entirely possibly that we could run out of select items quickly. To place an order for this line and qualify for this discount, please call us at (718) 465-3292 during normal business hours and we will review our in-stock position with you. Again, please do not ask us to order something that we no longer have available since this is a liquidation sale.

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USPS International Tracking to Become a Reality

We’ve been in business for 14 years and it was always a daunting proposition to ship packages outside the US. Happily, all that may soon change. Our friends at the Post Office today informed us that they will soon be offering true tracking capabilities for 180 countries, much like they do for domestic shipments. So, both we and our customers will be able to follow the progress of a package from hand-off at the Post Office to the customer’s doorstep. We’ll post further information regarding this important update as soon as we learn more.

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Corgi Weighs In this April

According to the folks at Corgi, their latest 1:32 scale de Havilland Mosquito is scheduled to buzz our airfield in early April. Based on a Royal Australian Air Force Mk. VI fighter-bomber, #AA34606 was attached to 464 Squadron, which took part in support of the D-Day landings in June 1944. Wearing black-and-white Invasion Stripes, their latest behemoth measures 15-1/2 inches in length by 20-1/4 inches in width, and bears all of the hallmark detail and authenticity we’ve all come to expect from this longstanding model maker.

Pre-orders are still being accepted although we should hear soon if this item will be allocated like some of their previous heavies.

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In With the New, Out With the Old

With so many new lines emerging, several of which are very deep and broad, we’ve decided to phase out a few lines that have been under performing or seem to be no longer supported by the manufacturer. MRC’s Easy Model line will be drawn down, since a number of new items that have been listed in their catalogs for several years running show no sign of ever making it to market. Product replenishment has also been a recurring issue, with several key items never made available from any of our suppliers.

It also appears as if Dragon has taken an indefinite hiatus, sidestepping the production of many items that were announced years ago. While we would prefer not to phase out their lines of pre-assembled vehicles, figures and aircraft, it simply doesn’t make sense to continually hype something that never comes to fruition, particularly when other companies are clamoring for more shelf space. If anything changes for the positive in the near future we will certainly make note of it, but for now it doesn’t appear as if the wheels of progress are being greased.

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