Shout Outs – Page 50 – The Motor Pool

Hobby Master Avoids Any FAA Entanglements

Sidestepping the government-enforced furloughs currently affecting the FAA, Hobby Master has managed to land several new aircraft as part of their April release schedule. Two sharp-looking 1:72 scale jets taxied up to The Motor Pool’s arrivals gate, including a USAF Republic F-105D Thunderchief, nicknamed “The Polish Glider” (HA2510), which was attached to the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, then deployed to Takhli, Thailand, during 1970, and a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18B Hornet strike fighter (HA3531), attached to the Aussie’s 3 Squadron, then deployed to RAAF Base Williamtown, during 2006.

Also disembarking its passengers is a 1:48 scale rendition of a USMC Chance-Vought F4U-1A Corsair Fighter that was attached to VMF-111 “Devil Dogs,” then deployed to the Gilbert Islands during 1944. More new warbirds are expected later this month.

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The April Forces of Valor Cache is on the Way!

Unimax, the makers of the wildly popular Forces of Valor line, has confirmed reports that their April batch of diecast goodies are headed our way. Several important show stoppers are part of the shipment, including a 1:72 scale look at “Duke” Cunningham’s “Showtime 100” F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber (#UNI85021), a 1:700 scale representation of the HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier — complete with twenty-four (24) aircraft — (#UNI86007), and a 1:32 scale examination of famed ace, Otto Carius, and his Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyer (#UNI80078).

Lots of other products are joining the military parade and we expect to take delivery early next week.

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Disney: New Star Wars Movie Each and Every Summer

According to a recent press release put out by Disney, plans call for the filmmaker to release a new full-length, feature film that takes place within the Star Wars universe each summer beginning in 2015. The plan is to create a trio of sequel films to be released every other year that serve as a continuation of the space opera as we know it. Interspersed every other year within this scheme will be a new generation of one-off films that will remain true to the original Star Wars universe but take place at differing periods and perhaps introduce a bevy of new characters that fit within the tale.

Seeing as how there will likely be an avalanche of new Star Wars related memorabilia due out to coincide with the movies releases, our intent is to carry the more adult-themed collectibles, such as limited edition diecast ships and ground vehicles, or the occasional figure, rather than the burgeoning toy line likely to be made available to the big box stores. We hope to have more concrete information available when the lineup of manufacturers and their plans becomes more certain.

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Corgi Harkens Back to World War I

There was a time when Corgi was pumping out scale WWI aircraft faster than you could shake a stick at. That was then and this is now. For 2013, it looks like only one WWI-era biplane is on the docket – a German Fokker D VII Fighter that was piloted by Oblt Erich Lowenhardt, then deployed to Puisieux-Ferme, during August 1918 (#AA38905). A squadron of these beauties are on their way to us, which will likely get snapped up the moment they land. If you were thinking about purchasing one of these ageless beauties, now would be as good a time as any to lock in your order.

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MotoGP Gets Off to a Scorching Start in 2013

With the first race of the season now entered in to the record books, the 2013 MotoGP season has gotten off to a quick start with many of the usual suspects rising to the top of the leader board. Its no surprise that perennial favorite, Jorge Lorenzo, sits atop the rankings as the pack heads into Texas this weekend for the Circuit of the Americas race, however, what is unusual is seeing some of the old guard – particularly Valentino Rossi – breathing down his neck in second position. Other notables at the top include Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden, with several newcomers sprinkled in amidst the top, middle and bottom of the rankings.

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Hobby Master Rolls Out the Thunderbolt

If you collect 1:48 scale military aircraft, then you’ll be happy to learn that photos have finally been released for Hobby Master’s upcoming P-47 Thunderbolt (#HA8401). Replicating a “D” model, complete with the perspex bubble canopy, their first Thunderbolt could likely become their most sought after, largely because of who it belongs to – legendary ace, Francis Gabreski. A member of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, Gabreski destroyed 34.5 aircraft in aerial combat over the ETO and was one of only seven U.S. pilots to become an ace in two wars (World War II and the Korean Conflict). Gabreski’s mount is due to take to the skies some time in June.

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Hobby Master Goes Thru its Pre-Flight Check List

It’s been a while since there was anything to crow about in the 1:72 scale, piston-engine regime, so it’s with great fanfare and a good deal of excitement that we make room for Hobby Master’s first-ever Douglas A-20G Havoc light attack bomber. The Havoc is one of those aircraft that everyone is familiar with but unable to lay their mitts on since they typically take a back seat to some of the more well-known bombers of WWII. That said, Hobby Master’s first A-20 (HA4201) portrays a “G” model that was attached to the 668th Bombardment Squadron, 416th Bombardment Group, and bears the D-Day striped invasion markings on its wings and rear fuselage over a green camouflage scheme. The black-and-white stripes were added to all Allied aircraft just prior to the D-Day invasion to help distinguish them from Axis aircraft and hopefully cut down on fratricide, which became an acute problem during Operation Husky – the invasion of Sicily in mid 1943.

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Dragon Makes a Stunning Return

When stalwarts such as Dragon mysteriously disappear from the scene, you have to wonder if something nefarious is going on without your knowledge. For several months running, this company was announcing an ever growing array of new 1:72 scale armor, all of which never seemed to materialize. Fortunately, this may be changing, with two new pieces due to make their debut later this month. The first up for your consideration is an M10 Ersatz tank destroyer (DRR60529), which was used with great success by German commandos during the Battle of the Bulge winter counteroffensive.

Also expected is their first ever German VK 45.02 (P)V Ausf. A heavy tank (DRR60530), which mounts a curved Porsche turret atop the forward deck of a King Tiger chassis. Other variants are expected in May, all designed to round out some of the so-called ‘Paper Panzers’ that were contemplated but never actually deployed en masse against the Western powers. Both vehicles are part of their newly introduced Ultimate Armor collection, with other oddities due out later this year.

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Like Taigen, Minichamps Adds a Tiger to its Tank

At long last, Minichamps 1939 Triumph Tiger 100 (#MIN122133800) is in stock and headed out to everyone that pre-ordered one. Replicated in 1:12 scale and bearing all of the minute detail and engineering skills Minichamps is known for, the Triumph Tiger is a true classic in every sense of the word, and noteworthy companion to their previously released 1939 Triumph Speed Twin. We anticipate brisk sales and, if past records are any indicator, will likely sell out fast once word spreads that it’s finally in stock.

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MotoGP Set to Taste Some Texas BBQ Next Week

In what could become an important part of the MotoGP circuit, several riders are headed to Texas next week to test out The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Several key riders will be donning their racing gloves to check out the tracks including Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Dani Pedrosa. We anticipate Minichamps will be in attendance too, no doubt capitalizing on the venue to come out with several limited edition bikes some time down the road.

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