Happy Mother’s Day to all those fabulous moms out there that continue to do their utmost to make our lives wonderful! Wish we could celebrate them year round!
Whispers
Forces of Valor: O’ Captain My Captain
Earlier today we learned that we won’t have on-hand any of the new Forces of Valor warships for Father’s Day. Bummer, right? On the positive side, all eight warships reworked by the Walterson’s crew, which were expected this summer, are being “shipped” together, no doubt to save on “shipping” costs, and should be available for general sale in early July, barring any other unforeseen issues. Puns aside, we apologize for the delay but still believe that all those lucky recipients slated to receive these fine new replicas will be just as thrilled even if they have to wait a few more weeks to add them to their desktop fleet.
In related news, we are also going to tack on another 30 days to the anticipated release of their first grouping of 1:32 scale military vehicles, meaning they will likely start to appear some time in August. We recognize that the manufacturer has a lot of irons in the fire, so-to-speak, and think that our original forecast for a July release may have been a bit too optimistic. If anything further changes, we will update our site accordingly.
Calibre Wings Lets Its Pictures Do the Talking
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).
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.
Luft-X Returns to Do Battle
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..
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.
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.
Why Use Amazon Pay?
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.
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.
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
Chinese Naval Ambitions Get Another Shot in the Arm with Their Newest Carrier
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