With just a week to go before the debut of Top Gun: Maverick in North American theaters, reports are surfacing from a variety of sources that the film is set to wow moviegoers this summer. Many are already claiming it will break box office records now and well into the foreseeable future an amazing feat considering the first film hit the silver screen way back in 1986. In fact, several days ago, GQ Magazine claimed “Top Gun: Maverick is the greatest blockbuster of the decade,” and, at the recently concluded Cannes Film Festival, the movie supposedly received a five minute standing ovation from the select devotees granted an early viewing.
That said, its still difficult to understand why none of the major diecast modelmakers have taken steps to offer replicas of those aircraft portrayed in the film. Granted, Paramount Pictures, who owns the rights to the film, is asking a hefty licensing fee to produce a collector quality set of replicas, and Tom Cruise, the star of the film, is likely standing in the way of permitting his likenesses from being overlaid onto any pilot figure. Nevertheless, I would have thought that a workaround could have been devised by now whereby collectors could have their cake and eat it too even if they have to pay a premium for a model based on the latest Top Gun feature film. While a day and date release would have no doubt sold into the tens of thousands, we know from firsthand experience gleaned from Top Gun that replicas for the original film were still selling extremely well over thirty years after it was first shown. Time will tell if a diecast modelmaker will reevaluate their stance, pony up the necessary cash, and eventually churn out what can only be described as the best selling model of the decade, if the GQ boast can be applied here as well.
So, we returned from our semi-regular trip to see one of our daughters for Mother’s Day. While, it was great to see her and her family, it also gives us a breather from the daily chores associated with running an online business that serves the needs of customers worldwide. We pushed out all of the orders we received during our hiatus, addressed several lingering issues that always seem to pop up while we are away, and have started to get back to updating our web site with any news that might have arisen during our time away.
Earlier today, we posted three new Corgi aircraft models expected later this year, which were part of Corgi’s second product announcement made on May 9th. Of note is a new 1:72 scale B-17 Flying Fortress, which always sell well despite their prices rising with each new release. Currently, all three new aircraft are slated for a September fly-in, although this could likely slip or even get moved up depending upon events with the global supply chain, manufacturer-related delays and other factors that seem to regularly occur despite everyone’s best efforts. We also had to increase our pre-order for their upcoming Short Stirling bomber, which has now eclipsed our original forecasts by a substantial margin. While some pundits seem to enjoy taking Corgi to task for any number of reasons, both their twin- and four-engine bombers routinely sell well and with the holidays just around the corner, will likely be in limited supply through the fourth quarter.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 43-37756, “Milk Wagon”, 708th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, RAF Rattlesden, England, 1945. While the price has once again increased, their B-17s regularly sell out
In other news, the latest spate of DeAgostini 1:43 scale tanks are en route and should be in stock by week’s end. Designed originally as part of a partworks series for Russian consumption, these vehicles do not come with a traditional hard back exterior package, although for the price, they sell well and represent great value. We had also hoped that more of the 1:72 scale World War II aircraft would be returning to stock but alas they seem to have been relegated for a later release. Likewise, their 1:1250 scale Warships series should receive reinforcements some time this summer barring any unforeseen delays.
DeAgostini’s 1:43 British Valentine Mk. III Infantry Tank – “Harry I,” 8th Royal Tank Regiment, Libya, 1941. While it isn’t a Russian tank, per se, the Valentine and other British-built tanks were shipped to the Soviet Union to bolster the Red Army’s own tank production
We are still awaiting news from another distributor to determine if the desert version of the M1070 heavy equipment transporter is still on track for a late May arrival. If it does show up on time, it will likely be accompanied by other Panzerkampf products we’ve had listed in the pre-order section for several months running but have had no updates. Bear in mind that the global supply chain still hasn’t been fully fixed at either the shipping or receiving end, no doubt exacerbated by the current COVID-related lockdown in Shanghai. I know a number of you are getting impatient and awaiting several highly anticipated items to arrive but we have no hand in when they actually hit our shores. And with trans-oceanic shipping costs still well above where they were just two years ago, several distributors are trying to get the greatest bang for the buck possible, by consolidating shipments and using every square inch available in each shipping container before it gets hog tied and placed on a cargo ship.
We’re still waiting on this one. Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Desert Scheme
We’ve received the April Hobby Master shipment albeit without two F/A-18 Hornets (HA3560 and HA3561) that have apparently been delayed and rescheduled to arrive with the May shipment. Several key items were included in the mix among them a pair of 1:72 scale Stuka dive-bombers as well as the latest iteration of their A-10 Warthog, this time around painted in a scintillating blackened veneer. Currently, our distributor does not have a firm idea as to when the May shipment is supposed to show, no doubt affected by the slowdown occurring in China. Frankly speaking, if China does not arrest the problem soon with their so-called “Zero COVID Strategy”, then we are likely looking at a repeat global shipping dilemma where goods are unable to arrive in time for the holiday season.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale German Junkers Ju-87D-3 Stuka Dive-Bomber – T6+EK, Friedrich Reissner, II./Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, Eastern Front. Break up those tank attacks with their latest dive-bomber
The next Forces of Valor shipment has been pushed back until July. While it contains several back ordered items, such as their inaugural Tiger I tank and second issue Sturmtiger, it will also include a handful of new items, chief among them their second Sherman tank as well as their latest Tiger I. While its not clear if their first ever 1:32 scale model kit will make the cut, the manufacturer did post a video on it to Facebook, hyping its components and relative quality to one of their fully completed vehicles released earlier this year.
According to one of our distributor’s who handles Precision Model Art (PMA), the company’s latest shipment is on track to arrive during May, although you’d never know it by the manufacturer’s web site. For the better part of 2022, the site has displayed next to nothing in the way of useful information, a rather sad state of affairs for a company looking to maintain momentum and keep collectors informed as to what’s going on from their standpoint. Be that as it may, it would appear as if their US 155mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 will likely come in this month (fingers crossed) and hopefully several items that have been languishing on back order status since the beginning of the year.
PMA’s 1:72 scale US 155mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 Self-Propelled Gun – “Big Bruiser”, B Battery, 937th Field Artillery Battalion “Arkansas Long Toms”, Korea, 1953. The “Duck and Cover” public service announcements of the 50s and 60s come to mind
The second batch of Armored Fighting Vehicles of World War II has been pushed back a month and is now pegged for a June arrival. The vehicles are finished, packed up and loaded onto a container — the problem, as we have already discussed, is the slowdown in China which has affected virtually every outbound shipment headed to America and parts unknown. While the third batch of vehicles is currently being worked on, they too will likely be shunted to the back burner if the current COVID crisis isn’t put in check. As difficult as this news is to hear, the fact remains that we are likely going to be addressing the spread of the Corona virus and its ugly variants well into 2023, which, of course, plays havoc with the release of every type of diecast collectible.
Armored Fighting Vehicles of WWII’s 1:43 scale US M24 Chaffee Light Tank – 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Armored Division, Germany, April 1945. Like the opening of the second front in Europe during WWII, time waits for no man, particularly if they are awaiting the arrival of these fine replicas
That’s about it for now but if anything else comes to mind over the next day or so, I’ll update this blog post and do my best to keep everyone informed as to what’s happening. Peace out.
Oh yeah, the photo. With our upcoming move to Florida, I asked my son-in-law, who is a world class pistol shooter having fired a gun competitively for well over thirty years, to take me to a gun store in Dallas so I could determine which hand gun might suit my needs for home defense. He ended up taking me to Plano, about a thirty minute ride from Dallas proper, which is where RifleGear has now set up shot. Frankly, I was amazed by the selection of hand guns and long guns they had on display, running the gamut from the “Pink Lady” snub nose revolver to $10k Ruger sniper rifles. Even better, they have an indoor shooting range, where you can rent and test out which ever gun you may be interested in purchasing or do an ammo dump with a fully loaded AR-15 assault rifle set to automatic. So, he attached the silhouetted target to the overhead target carrier system, dimmed the lights using the booth’s side-mounted lighting and atmospheric controller, punched in a ten-yard range setting and let me have at it, after first showing me how to handle a firearm. Well, yours truly blasted away for the next fifteen minutes, emptying three clips into the target, and imagining, if you will, an intruder breaking into our newly-built home at one in the morning. My son-in-law was flabbergasted at the results, muttering to himself he better take care of my eldest daughter or else his father-in-law might pay him an unexpected visit in the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, just call me Dead Eye…
May is a rather intriguing month for both film goers and diecast collectors since it represents the debut of Top Gun: Maverick, the long awaited feature film that marks the return of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell to the silver screen. According to some overnight articles, the initial reaction to the film was quite favorable, and will no doubt serve as an ideal recruitment driver for both the US Navy and Air Force, particularly in the wake of the current Russo-Ukrainian Conflict.
Hobby Maser’s 1:72 scale USMC Boeing F/A-18D Hornet Strike Fighter – 165685, VMFA(AW)-242 “Bats”, Yokota AB, Tokyo, Japan, 2020
Thus far, we haven’t heard of any of the major diecast makers offering a replica of Maverick’s Hornet, nor any of the other aircraft portrayed in the film. While Corgi has produced a fit-to-box pairing of his F/A-18 and a P-51 Mustang, we thought that by now someone would’ve stepped forward with a model aimed at capturing the spirit of the sequel and potentially gain market share both in the short- as well as long term. No doubt the fee for Paramount’s highly coveted Top Gun license isn’t cheap, however, even if it hovers around 6%, I think it still make sense for a company such as Hobby Master to explore whether or not they may be passing up a golden opportunity to produce what will certainly become one of the most sought after pre-assembed models in recent years.
In the meantime, Hobby Master released a bunch of final images for the balance of their May releases. According to our distributor, the next Hobby Master shipment is expected mid May, unless of course something occurs along the way to hamper its arrival. While you can now see the entire collection in our Upcoming May release section, we thought you might like to ogle some of the most recent images Hobby Master was gracious enough to provide.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – VMFA-314 “Black Knights”, June 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4H-1 Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 148390f, VF-74 “Bedevilers”, USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1962Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy McDonnell F-4H Phantom II Fighter-Bomber – 148423h, Test Pilot CDR John Watts Young, Project High Jump, April 1962
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “Alwin”, “121”, schwere Panzerabteilung 501, Deutsches Afrika Korps, Tunisia, 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]. Things are possibly pointing to a June/July release here in North America
Its never easy to report disappointing news but it now appears as if the latest Forces of Valor shipment we were expecting to arrive in May has been postponed until late June, perhaps July depending upon a number of factors. No official reason was given for the latest delay although its clear the manufacturer, despite reassurances to the contrary, is still experiencing issues getting product completed and out-the-door on a regular basis. Its not apparent if the latest postponement is due to COVID, which is now ravaging the port city of Shanghai and elsewhere, an overly optimistic production schedule, or the need to ship a full container of assorted goods rather than taking them piecemeal as they come off the line to lessen transport costs. Bear in mind that it is still very expensive to ship product overseas as compared with years past, so a combination of factors could very well be leading to the latest delay. When it does finally arrive, the shipment is expected to include several recently released products that include their second issue Sturmtiger, initial release Tiger I, and its metal tracks, three items that are out-of-stock at our distributor as well as through us. And with demand still outstripping supply, it could be a case where the follow-on shipment gets snapped up almost immediately, meaning little if anything is available for the upcoming holiday season.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – Training Vehicle, C Company, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, New York, 1943 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]
The good news, if we can call it that, is that it now seems likely that this shipment will contain their second issue Tiger I tank (shown above), second issue M4 Sherman tank, and quite possibly a trio of 1:72 scale Spitfires that appear on the manufacturer’s web site but are not yet available in the marketplace, although this could still be speculation since the manufacturer is claiming near-term availability. Moreover, a handful of back ordered items are supposed to be included, such as their 1:700 scale USS Missouri battleship and USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, that haven’t been available for an extended period of time due to re-tooling. We had hoped that Forces of Valor would be in more plentiful supply in 2022. While they are working in earnest to alleviate delays, it now appears as if product will still be trickling in for the duration of the year.
Update: Earlier today, we received a news blast from Waltersons indicating they are now accepting orders for the three 1:72 scale Spitfires we alluded to in this blog post. Additional images for each of the Spitfires were uploaded to their web site, many of which can now be viewed on our own site, so we can only presume that they are far enough along as to be included in the late June/early July shipment bound for our distributor. We too are accepting pre-orders for these aircraft. Like the previous releases in this series, each features a poseable display stand, simulated section of runway, detailed engine and seated pilot figure.
As part of their revised strategy to announce new product at varying intervals during the year, Corgi indicated that their next roll out will occur on May 9th. The second of three product roll outs will encompass those items expected to ship between May and August. A third and final roll out will likely occur later in the year, possibly as early as August after most vacation goers have returned home. Frankly we applaud this change in marketing strategy, since it helps them to keep their line fresher and more up-to-date while lessening the likelihood that some customers may have to wait an entire year or more for pre-orders to be filled. Keep in mind that although these items are earmarked for a May-August release, delays can and most likely will still occur based upon issues still plaguing the global supply chain, exacerbated by what is currently occurring in China.
We’ll be on vacation from May 4th-10th, so we will formally post this new range upon our return, just as soon as we have addressed any and all orders we may have received while we are away. So hang in there, take note of any new videos or still images Corgi may debut on Facebook or YouTube, and get ready for some of their newest and finest introductions expected mid year.
Lets start things off on the right foot. Looks as though the USPS has resumed parcel shipments to both Australia and New Zealand. Previously they had suspended any shipments due to COVID, or at least that’s what they claimed on their web site. In any event, we are now accepting orders to both countries although I do want to make it abundantly clear that rates have once again increased, particularly for oversized parcels. Just this week, we had to cancel a U-2 order bound for Hawaii. The cheapest rate available was $95, so we can only presume shipping the very same item down under will cost quite a bit more. So, unless you have deep pockets, it might make more sense to source items like this from a local supplier rather than order from abroad. Just saying.
As we close out the month of April, we aren’t expecting anything of note, so we’ve updated our New Release section accordingly. However, I did want to make mention that Corgi is now providing outer corrugated boxes with all of its newest aircraft releases, something we were hoping more manufacturers would eventually employ if they are willing to go the extra mile towards selling their own products. The new boxes are designed to fit each aircraft model and its inner packaging to a T, thereby reducing the need to add cushioning material to prevent breakage in transit. We’d like to hear back from everyone that may have received these new parcels over the last week or so and hope to pass along any comments, good or bad, to the manufacturer.
New Corgi in a box. Well, not exactly….
When last we spoke to several distributors, each is expecting a major shipment in May, although when that might occur is still in a state of flux. We will be closed for business from May 4th-10th, so anything earmarked for that time period will be pushed back a week. Once we do have a firmer idea as to when the shipments are expected we will once again ask that everyone refrain from contacting us inquiring about their order. Frankly, answering queries slows us down considerably. If we need to contact you for any reason we will do so either by email or by phone. Again, if you do receive a text or call, we would appreciate it if you could respond as soon as possible so we can process your order in the most expeditious manner possible. That’s about it for now. Motor Pool out.
Update: We are continually looking at new and affordable ways to grow our business and potentially gaining new customers who may not be fully aware of the benefits and joy of collecting diecast military products. One such opportunity presented itself to me this past week in the form of TheMall. As its name implies, TheMall is designed from the ground up as an online shopping center much like a standard mall with a physical presence sans the food court, out-of-service escalators and baby changing stations. Unlike a standard mall, customers can shop online anywhere from around the globe and at any time of day or night, much like a standard web site. This mall, however, is being billed as having one hundred levels with 100 million square feet of online retail space, where retailers take out leases much like a standard store. With the Metaverse slowly gaining traction amongst younger consumers, TheMall looks to cater to those individuals who enjoy shopping but would rather do so from the comfort of their home without having to deal with parking, standing in line, rude salespeople, and no-good-niks who might frequent a mall for the wrong reasons.
What I like about a virtual mall such as this is that it allows us to create boutique shops within a shop, something I have been looking to do for a very long time. For instance, instead of setting up all of the Forces of Valor tanks on a single page, we can do so by theme, such as War in the European Theatre of Operations, then place those items that pertain to this theme within this particular boutique. We can dress up this boutique with marketing hype that might include pertinent artwork, period music, and an online salesperson or “avatar” dressed in a GI’s uniform who can answer a series of canned questions and help with the checkout process, all thoughtfully designed to further enhance the shopping experience. If, on the other hand, you’re interested in purchasing scale aircraft that are participating in the current Russo-Ukrainian Conflict, we could create a mini boutique that possibly discusses the war in greater detail and even include a fund raiser whereby your donation could be forwarded to Ukraine for humanitarian relief.
Anyway, we are taking a careful look at this type of selling outlet and will make a determination later this year if its the right fit for us. It will likely require us to take and upload rotoscoped images for every item we sell so that customers can get a better idea of how each item looks including its visual dimensions, an idea we have been toying with for some time. While all of this may seem interesting and intriguing, I’ll keep everyone in the loop should we decide to move forward with this or a similarly conceived project.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe Fighter – MK 210, Gustav Lundquist, “Tolly Hello”, USAAF Test Section, Long Range Experimental, Wright Field, Ohio, 1944
Slowly, ever so slowly, Waltersons, the new caretakers of the Forces of Valor brand, has been shedding light on their 2022 line up. To date, images and information have largely centered around their 1:32 scale military vehicles, which many consider their bread-and-butter range, then, now and likely well into the future. Earlier today, however, they finally peeled back the curtain on several of their upcoming 1:72 scale aircraft, another category that has seen success since its re-invigoration late last year.
Three images were posted to their web site, all based upon the next WWII-era aircraft to see the light of day: the legendary Supermarine Spitfire. While only two images were uploaded for each model, it appears as if the trio are pretty far along and will likely get the green light to fly into collector cabinets this summer. Like its predecessors, these new introductions will come with simulated slivers of landing bases and a pose-able display stand that has set it apart from the competition. You can also expect a highly detailed engine, seated pilot figure, and opening cockpit. The Spitfire will likely be followed up by the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, another iconic WWII-era aircraft that severed several user nations well throughout the conflict.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe Fighter – EN315/ZX-6, Squadron Leader Stanislaw Skalski, No.145 Squadron, Polish Fighting Team, La Fouconnerie, Tunisia, April 1943
We’ve opened the pre-order window for the Spitfires but bear in mind it may be several more months before they arrive and are ready for shipping. In the meantime, enjoy their latest creations.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAC Consolidated Catalina PBY5A Flying Boat – 14-P-5, Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14), Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, December 7th, 1941 [80th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack]
Now that Hornby has completed its annual inventory, we’ve learned that a sizeable gaggle of diecast warbirds are headed our way. Several are key introductions, such as their first ever Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and a heavily requested Consolidated PBY Catalina in USAAC markings. We’ve moved the models that are packed up and winging their way to us to our Product en Route section, so make sure you eye them over and select which models you want to pre-order before they arrive towards the end of next week. Some may not get put up for general sale so be forewarned!
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK II Survival Kit – 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Baghdad, Iraq, July 2008 [Clean Version]
While everything in the world seems to be going up in price, we’re happy to report that at least one item has successfully downshifted. We learned today that the upcoming fleet of M1 Abrams tanks from Panzerkampf will now be priced at $49.99 apiece, a 20% reduction off of its original price of $59.99. A couple of vehicles are expected to return to stock some time this May and, if luck be a lady, the balance should be in stock by the end of this summer, sooner if the logistical logjam plaguing our ports finally get straightened out. Also expected this May is the desert version of the M1070 heavy equipment transporter, which will go nicely with any of the vehicles shown on our site.
Incidentally, if you were fortunate enough to pre-order any of the upcoming Abrams tanks at the incredible price of just $39.99 when we first trotted them out, then we will honor this price. Enjoy!
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Russia, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]
As stocks of their first Tiger I tank continue to draw down, and the release date for their second vehicle draws nigh, Forces of Valor decided to unveil images of its third Tiger iteration – an initial production tank that served with schwere Panzerabteilung 502, then deployed to Leningrad, Russia, during February 1943.
When the first production Tigers rolled out of the Henschel factory in late 1942, they were immediately sent to the training grounds at Fallingbostel to equip schwere Panzerabteilung 502 (502nd Heavy Tank Battalion). After just three days of training, the unit was sent to reinforce the German forces laying siege to Leningrad even though the tanks had teething problems and were still proving unreliable. Upon arrival at Mga, close to the front, they were ordered up to the front line where they would soon see combat.
These first nine Tigers had a unique appearance which differed markedly from later Tigers. To begin with, they had no fenders nor storage boxes on the hull sides. Further, their mudguards at the front and rear of the vehicle did not project beyond the hull side. They were also issued with “mirrored” tracks, i.e. the right and left tracks were different, unlike those of any other German tank. The crews disliked the inconvenience of this arrangement and eventually put just a single type of track on each Tiger. Finally, the initial production Tigers featured ammunition stowage racks conspicuously affixed to the sides of the turret, which would eventually be moved to the rear of the turret in later versions to reduce the vehicle’s profile and make them less of an obvious target to enemy gunners.
A total of nine Tigers were sent to this battalion, filling out its 1st company, before events in North Africa diverted additional Tiger production to the Mediterranean theater. The 502nd fought in forests and swamps south of Leningrad and achieved only limited success. Technical problems with the tanks caused as much trouble as the terrain, and so the more reliable Tigers were given the best components thus leaving the remaining vehicles in an even more precarious position.
On January 18th, 1943, a breakthrough by the Soviets cost the unit five Tigers, including numbers “121” and “100” (seen here), which were captured intact because they had bogged down in the swamps around Leningrad. Only two of the original nine Tigers remained serviceable by February, although their ranks were bolstered by three new vehicles still rolling off of the production line.
So why is this release so important if the vehicle turned out to be such a disappointment? Simply put, because it helps to trace the evolution of the Tiger tank series, from its earliest beginnings in the hands of inexperienced crews to its nightmarish engagements when commanded by tank aces such as Michael Wittmann. Unlike Unimax, who was content to simply repackage the same vehicle over and over again in different liveries and unit insignia, Waltersons is making a concerted effort to distinguish the differences of each variant, all of which helped to make each iteration unique in its own right. While it was feared by Allied warfighters throughout the latter half of World War II, its rushed production to regain momentum on the battlefield meant that the vehicle had to overcome a slew of mechanical obstacles before it could indeed live up to its fateful name and become a legendary war machine.
Look for the third vehicle in Forces of Valor’s Tiger I tank series to rear its head sometime this fall.
