Whispers

Calibre Wings Lets Its Pictures Do the Talking

Calibre Wings US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – E212, VF-142 “Ghostriders”, USS America (CV-66), 1976

If you had any doubts or reservations that newcomer Calibre Wings had the chops to do the F-14 Tomcat justice, then you may want to think again. The Company posted images for their second pairing of Tomcats, which are tentatively due out this coming August. The next duo include a US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense fighter that was attached to VF-142 “Ghostriders”, then embarked upon the USS America (CV-66) during 1976 (CA721404).

Calibre Wings US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – AJ200, VF-14 “Tophatters”, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Last Cruise 2001

The second Grumman US Fleet Defense Fighter is also an “A” variant, this time around attached to VF-14 “Tophatters”, then embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), during its last cruise in 2001 (CA721403). Both products show some of the craftsmanship that have gone into the F-14, which includes variable geometry swing wings, opening canopies, adjustable engine exhaust nozzles detailed crewmen, a full suite of ordnance and more, plus a novel display stand. More images for both aircraft can be seen on our web site. Pre-orders for both aircraft are moving briskly.

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Luft-X Returns to Do Battle

Luft-X’ German Messerschmitt Me 329 Fighter will be landing shortly

Some time has passed since Luft-X returned to do battle, determined to address some quality concern issues that sidetracked its business for almost two years. We’re now happy to report that they are back in the saddle, re-releasing its Horten Ho 229 fighter-bomber (LUFT004) this past week and now prepping for release some new items that were announced eons ago. Due out sometime this month is their German Messerschmitt Me 329 fighter (LUFT005), a twin pusher prop design that was intended to be a successor to the Messerschmitt Me 410. Also on the docket is their German Haunebu 1 Flying Saucer (LUFT010), which truly needs no explanation as its oddly-shaped design says it all, although we have learned that it is now likely to lift off in June..

Look for a German Blohm und Voss P.209.02 Fighter to take wing this June

Two more aircraft are set to fly in this June, including a German Blohm und Voss P.209.02 fighter (LUFT006) along with a German Focke-Wulf Ta 283 interceptor (LUFT007). Since the Haunebu has been assigned a LUFT010 SKU product identifier, we are also assuming that two new SKUS, which fall between LUFT007 and LUFT010, will also be announced very shortly.

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Why Use PayPal?

The grand daddy of online payment systems, PayPal has become the de facto method of purchasing items online, and can even be used to transmit funds from person to another. The accompanying video demonstrates how it works and why you may wish to use it as your principal means of online payment instead of a debit/credit card.

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Entering the Third Dimension

Shortly, Microsoft plans on releasing Windows 10 Creators Update, which looks to take the operating system to the next level. One feature heavily touted is Paint 3-D, which enables users to merge 3-D content with stylized 2-D images. After we gain some familiarity with this app, we plan to gradually migrate all of our new product images to this new standard, which will hopefully give customers a better understanding and appreciation of each item. Stay tuned for further details.

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Manufacturer Interview: Forces of Valor

Every so often I get the bug to write about something, particularly if it happens to apply to a facet of the diecast industry at-large, or a specific company that we deal with. Recently, we conducted an interview with Noel Lee, the owner and operator of Calibre Wings, who gave us valuable insight into his operation. We’ve also been in contact with several other manufacturers, one being Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand. They have graciously agreed to sit down with us as well, which, in-and-of-itself, is important since the Forces of Valor brand means a lot of things to a lot of people. So, keep your eyes peeled for our next interview, which should appear some where around the end of this month and just prior to the release of their first static models.

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Drive, Shoot, Kill

Women may live by the creed, “eat, pray, love”, made famous by the bestselling novel and film which advocates adopting a spiritual existence, but guys think a bit differently in today’s day and age, particularly after a hard day at the office. Drivetanks,com, a Texas-based firm, offers would-be Brad Pitt tank commanders, not only the chance to drive a WWII-era tank across a predetermined course, but also the opportunity to fire its guns. The drive over private property requires you to meander up and down hills, ford shallow streams and negotiate brush-filled terrain all the while as an “enemy” takes aim and attempts to lay waste to your tank with mock shells and bullets. For an added cost, you can fire back at them, using any of the tank’s machine guns or even its main gun, making the ranch the only place on earth where a civilian can take out his or her wrath with real heavy duty ordnance. As this CNN reporter found out, you can also experience other forms of combat, including barbecuing a wooden target with a flame thrower, or trashing a wave of enemy soldiers with a bipod mounted machine gun. http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/travel/driving-tanks-for-fun/index.html?sr=fbCNN030217driving-tanks-for-fun0139PMVODtopLink&linkId=35044073

For more inforamtion or sign up, visit this web site: DriveTanks

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Chinese Naval Ambitions Get Another Shot in the Arm with Their Newest Carrier

China’s Type 001A aircraft carrier nears completion and will begin its testing phase shortly.

While many naval experts still ponder the role of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, a rebuilt carrier sold to them by Russia and originally laid down as the Admiral Kuznetsov-class multirole aircraft carrier, Riga, for the Soviet Navy, Globalsecurity.org reports that the PRC’s first home-built carrier, the Type 001A, is nearing completion and will likely undergo testing shortly, a process that typically takes upwards of two years to finish. Like the Liaoning, the as yet unnamed Type 001A will boast a ski-jump forward as its principal means of launching aircraft. Several years ago, China had purchased four different types of catapult launch systems from Russia for evaluation and further testing on its mainland proving grounds, but it appears as if none of these systems are being integrated into the new carrier. Nonetheless, reports have surfaced that indicate their second home-built carrier, the Type 002, which is already underway, will feature an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) that is similar to the type employed on the soon-to-be-ready USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier (CVN-78). Both designs are larger than the Liaoning, and through some clever workarounds, are intended to carry more aircraft, thereby improving their sortie rate. For more information on the Type 001A, click on this link: http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/china/2017/china-170221-pdo01.htm?_m=3n%2e002a%2e1946%2efw0ao07oom%2e1sf9

 

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This Ain’t Your Father’s Radio Controlled Cessna!

Every so often, while perusing Facebook or the ‘net, I stare slack-jawed at some of the awesome radio controlled aircraft I see being demoed. As a wannabee R/C pilot that never took the plunge, I get goose bumps every time I see some of these creations take to the sky, particularly in the age of augmented and virtual reality, where grounded pilots can don specially designed goggles and actually see and experience what their aircraft are doing.

Earlier today, while scrolling through some recent threads, I came across this video, which portrays a scale model of  a US Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. Featuring a retractable undercarriage, fully-operating rear ramp and incredible detail, I was simply flabbergasted that someone scratch-built this model, even getting it to fly and operate like the real thing. This beast must have cost thousands to build, so it takes a stout heart and nerves of steel to want to take it out for a spin. Anyway, check out the video!

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Ukraine’s Dinosaurs Strikes Back

Perhaps hoping to one day retake land lost to the Russians in the 2014 invasion of the Crimea and other regions, Ukraine recently announced plans to refurbish a fleet of rusting T-64 main battle tanks with the intention of making them as battle worthy as the Russian T-14 Armata. On January 18th, the Ukranian government charged the Azov engineering group with the modernization of its antiquated fleet of T-64 tanks currently rotting in a depot and turning them into the newly dubbed Tirex (pronounced “T-Rex” like the dinosaur). The Company has also been tasked with the development of infantry fighting vehicles and the “Azovets” combat vehicle. According to reports, the Azovets is really a prototype, and aspects of the vehicle will be implemented in other projects including infantry fighting vehicles.

Little information has thus far been released concerning the surprise announcement, and it will be a dubious task indeed to turn an aging battle tank from the 60s into a fighting vehicle capable of standing toe-to-toe with a more robust, state-of-the-art battle tank in the form of the Armata that the Russians have already begun deploying in limited numbers.

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