Shout Outs – Page 51 – The Motor Pool

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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New Line: AmerCom

We are pleased to announced that we will soon be stocking the AmerCom line of diecast military vehicles. Produced in the Czech Republic, and distributed throughout much of Europe, this is the first time the line will be imported in to North America. Thus far, it appears as if a dozen or so vehicles will comprise the first wave of releases, with no doubt more added to the portfolio as we move forward. It is not clear, at present, if their line of military helicopters and military aircraft will also become available at a future date. The models will not come with their accompanying magazines and packaging is similar to the DeAgostini line of military vehicles, which were originally designed to be mounted to the magazine. Still, for around $20 apiece, you can’t go wrong with these offerings, with many subjects not previously available from any other manufacturer.

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Unimax Begins its 2013 Barrage

Barely a week after they attended the American International Toy Fair here in New York City, Unimax, the makers of the Forces of Valor series, has indicated that the first wave of 2013 products are now shipping. Of note is their 1:32 scale replica of a US 105mm field howitzer M2A1 with three crewmen (#UNI81013) and, of course, their first look at the F/A-18F Super Hornet, scaled at 1:72 (#UNI85064). A number of other important items are returning to stock after a brief hiatus, including their 1:72 scale take on the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter (#UNI85074).

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Dragon Fires Up the First Panzer III

If reports are true, collectors will soon be able to lay their mitts on the first Dragon Armor Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank — the mainstay of the German Panzerwaffe during the early to mid stages of WWII. According to Dragon’s latest shipment status report, their first vehicle (#DRA60578) is due to ship out shortly, no doubt followed by several of the other Panzer IIIs announced several months back and available in different configurations and patterns. Their inaugural vehicle is based upon an “L” variant, which was equipped with a 50mm gun to stand up to some of the more potent Russian armor they were facing on the eastern front. This particular vehicle was attached to Panzer Regiment 25, 7.Panzer Division, which, despite its mottled winter camouflage scheme, served in southern Russia in early 1943.

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Forces of Valor's Next Salvo

The February shipment of Forces of Valor products are expected to leave our distributor’s facility on the 20th. Several key introductions are slated for release, including their first 1:72 scale look at the F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter (UNI85064), as well as the initial gaggle of Smithsonian Wings-2-Wheels 1:72 scale aircraft.

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