Oxford’s British BL 14-inch Railway Howitzer and Rod 2330 0-6-0 Locomotive with Coal Tender Set – “Boche Buster”
Over the weekend, we learned that Oxford Diecast is bringing back two favorites that have long been sold out. The first is a 1:76 scale British BL 14-inch Railway Howitzer that was dubbed “Boche Buster” while the second is a more upscale version that includes the rail gun, Rod 2330 0-6-0 Locomotive and coal tender. In the past, both sold well at retail and we had been agitating for their return to the fold over the years. Apparently someone is listening and we are now taking pre-orders for both sets. Presently, we do not have a release date for either set, so we are presuming they’ll be rolled out in the latter half of 2024.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy North American RA-5C Vigilante Strike Bomber – 150834/604, RVAH-13 “Bats”, USS Kitty Hawk (CVN-63), 1966 [Experimental SEA Camouflage Scheme]
In Greek mythology, Ganymede is a divine hero whose homeland was Troy. Homer describes Ganymede as the most beautiful of mortals and tells the story of how he was abducted by the gods to serve as Zeus’s cup bearer in Olympus.
Like Ganymede, the North American RA-5C Vigilante strike bomber was one of the most beautiful aircraft to ever serve in the US Navy’s arsenal, swept up from its original purpose to serve in a completely different role.
Despite being designated by the US Navy as a “heavy”, the A-5 was surprisingly agile for such a large aircraft. Without the drag of bombs or missiles, even escorting fighters found that the clean airframe and powerful engines made the Vigilante very fast at high and low altitudes. However, its high approach speed and high angle of attack in the landing configuration made returning to the aircraft carrier a challenge for inexperienced or unwary pilots.
Given its original design as a carrier-based, supersonic, nuclear heavy attack aircraft, the Vigilante’s main armament was carried in a novel “linear bomb bay” between the engines in the rear fuselage, which provided for positive separation of the bomb from the aircraft at supersonic speeds. The single nuclear weapon, commonly the Mk 28 bomb, was attached to two disposable fuel tanks in the cylindrical bay in an assembly known as the “stores train”. A set of extendable fins was attached to the aft end of the most rearward fuel tank. These fuel tanks were to be emptied during the flight to the target and then jettisoned with the bomb by an explosive drogue gun. The stores train was propelled rearward at about 50 feet per second (30 knots) relative to the aircraft. It thereafter followed a typical ballistic path.
In practice, the system was not reliable and no live weapons were ever carried in the linear bomb bay. In the RA-5C configuration, the bay was used solely for fuel. On three occasions, the shock of the catapult launch caused the fuel cans to eject onto the deck resulting in one aircraft loss.
Hobby Master’s first set of Vigilantes has been out-of-stock for some time, neglected, some say, in favor of other more popular aircraft. Nevertheless, December marks the return of the Vigilante and a fitting tribute to any aviation enthusiast’s pantheon of diecast warplanes.
The Mikoyan MiG-35 (NATO reporting name: Fulcrum-F) is a Russian multirole fighter that is designed by Mikoyan, a division of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Marketed as a 4++ generation jet fighter, it is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB fighters. According to a Russian defense industry source, the Mikoyan MiG-35 is essentially an upgraded variant of the MiG-29KR. Many consider MiG-35 a new name given by Mikoyan for marketing. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as a MiG-29M2 model demonstrator given temporary name MiG-35 but a later prototype was a different model with different equipment that served as the base for the MiG-35 as is known today. Mikoyan first officially presented the MiG-35 internationally during the 2017 Moscow air show; the first two serial production aircraft entered service in 2019.
The single-seat version is designated MiG-35S and the two-seat version MiG-35UB. The fighter has vastly improved avionics and weapon systems compared to early variants of MiG-29, notably new precision-guided targeting capability and the uniquely designed optical locator system, which relieves the aircraft from relying on ground-controlled interception systems and enables it to conduct independent multirole missions. Serial production aircraft use a PESA radar and there is also an option available for AESA radar. The serial production aircraft does not have thrust vectoring control as previously planned.
Given their penchant for modeling all sorts of modern military aircraft, its a good bet that Hobby Master will likely tap the MiG-35 as one of its next subjects for multiple modelmaking. While it pales in comparison to the stealthy 5th and soon-to-be-fielded 6th generation fighter aircraft currently in development, the MiG-35 nevertheless fills a void on the modern battlefield, replacing older aircraft types that have proven to be obsolete, ineffective or simply worn out from constant usage.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Gustav” Fighter – “Christl”, Gerhard Barkhorn, II./Jagdgeschwader 52, Ukraine, September 1943
Per Hobby Master’s MAP guidelines, we will be removing any price restrictions on all of the April 2023 Hobby Master arrivals. The price for each item has been reduced to their regular selling price and you may now apply any discounts we offer towards the purchase of these items. This process will recur on the first of every month in compliance with their updated MAP pricing program. You can tell if an item is no longer MAP protected if the blue MAP seal that appears alongside its image and just below its price has been removed. In effect, a retailer is no longer bound by the 6-month introductory MAP restriction policy and can sell the item for whatever price they deem appropriate.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian Mil Mi-24V Hind Attack Helicopter – “Yellow 05”, 262nd Separate Helicopter Squadron, Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 1988
When they released a trio of CH-53 helicopters several years ago, rotary-wing collectors immediately sat up in their cockpits, wondering if Panzerkampf could go one step further by producing a Russian-built Mil Mi-24 Hind. Bristling with all manner of rockets, missiles and gun pods, the Hind is one of those iconic helicopters of the Cold War that came to symbolize the power the Red Army was attempting to project over their adversaries in the West, a sword of Damocles, if you will, that was never quite brought down upon their NATO foes. Looking back, the Hind was to the Soviet Union what the Apache was to the United States – a nap-of-the-earth tank killer that was capable of dealing out death and destruction at a moment’s notice, only to slip behind a tree or building to avoid being detected and destroyed itself. Heavier than the Apache and capable of ferrying troops to the forward edge of the battlefield, it was viewed by many as a flying tank, able to withstand all manner of ground fire while serving up a crescendo of firepower all its own.
Forty years after they first appeared in the Soviet’s inventory, only Easy Model has, to date, offered a Hind in fully assembled form. Nice to ogle, the Easy Model rendition was made of plastic and, as a result, never quite able to demonstrate the heft that came with a fully laden Hind. So getting a modelmaker — any modelmaker — to create one in diecast form became a clarion call from legions of rotor heads, who, as it turned out, waited patiently for a response from Panzkerkampf to see if they could answer the call to battle.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Czech Air Force Mil Mi-24V Hind Attack Helicopter – “White 0815”,221st Helicopter Squadron, 22nd Wing, Namest, Czech Republic [Tiger Meet Scheme]
Fortunately, Panzerkampf picked up the gauntlet a year or so ago and decided they could not only build the monstrosity but offer it in multiple liveries. In fact, two Hinds are expected this January — one, quite naturally clad in a Soviet scheme indicative of its deployment against the Mujahideen in Afghanistan in the late 1980s. The second portrays a Czech-operated Hind, a former ally of the Soviet Union that still had them in their inventory when the Cold War ended in the early 90s. The Czech version was an interesting choice for Panzerkampf and portrays a chopper that took part in NATO’s regularly held Tiger Meet competition that has been drawn from different NATO nations for the better part of several decades.
As it stands right now, both versions are slated for a January take off. The pre-order window is now open and we expect both versions to sell extremely well at retail now that Panzerkampf has confirmed their imminent release.
Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale USMC Bell AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopter – Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 “Vengeance”, Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California
Apparently vertical integration has different meanings to different entities. In the case of Waltersons, their acquisition of Greenlight Collectibles earlier this year has allowed them to become both a manufacturer and distributor, not to mention a peddler of their line of products through their own proprietary web site. It also appears as if they’re trotting out more of their older molds from cold storage to maintain momentum, improving them when ever and where ever possible to bring them up to today’s standards. Case in point their 1:72 scale vertical take off AH-1Z “Zulu” attack helicopter, a chopper originally produced by Unimax that has quietly been added to the burgeoning Walterson’s catalogue.
Waltersons’ Chinese web site now has the updated AH-1Z added to their helicopter section, which is bundled together with their hallmark helipad as well as a standard display stand. This new attack helicopter bears the markings of Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 “Vengeance” (HMLA-469), which was retired in 2022 at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California. We’re not going to stick out our necks and offer a release date since there’s a great many other products that were supposed to come out well before this helicopter was being tapped for re-introduction. As a guess, it will likely support small scale Marine operations sometime in early 2024, perhaps as part of a larger 1st quarter product roll out. So, in the meantime, keep planning your forcible entry options by savoring each of these close-up photos.
Historic Aviation, owner of both the Wings of the Great War and Luft-X lines of resin military aircraft and our principal distributor, announced today that three new models are joining their rapidly expanding resin aerodrome. In the Luft-X range, look for a Heinkel P.1078 interceptor painted in a curious-looking blue, green and white camouflage scheme. Although never greenlighted by the Waffenamt, the P.1078 was created as part of a program to develop a high altitude interceptor capable of dealing with some of the new pressurized bombers believed to take to the skies over the Third Reich, most notably the Boeing B-29 Superfortress.
Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale German Fokker D.VII Fighter – Franz Buchner, Jagdstaffel 13, 1917
In the Wings of the Great War series, two WWI-era aircraft were given the nod, among them a Fokker D.VII fighter that was piloted by Franz Buchner along with a Junkers D.1 Fighter that was deployed to the Western Front during Autumn 1918. According to the marketing hand out, all three aircraft are being vectored for a February landing.
Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale German Junkers D.1 Fighter – Western Front, Autumn 1918
Over the last year or so, we suspended shipments to both Australia and New Zealand. There were several reasons for this decision — most notably the cost of shipping, particularly for larger items where the shipping fees could and were eclipsing the cost of the item itself. Together with VAT or customs fees, we were beginning to wonder why anyone would choose to use us to place their orders instead of sourcing product from an Australian or East Asian dealer.
At the other end of the spectrum, some customers were routinely asking us to find cheaper methods of delivery. Simply put, the USPS offered and continues to offer the cheapest rates available, with FedEx and UPS coming in a distant second and third. Gone are the days of surface mail or inexpensive air mail where we could ship an item around the world at an acceptable rate. Today, the cost to ship to Australasia is vastly prohibitive, so trying to attract and retain customers from “down under” no longer made sense.
Additionally, there were some customers who would place larger pre-orders for all sorts of items due out at varying intervals in time. They would then expect us to bear the cost of shipping each and every item individually citing the initial shipping fee that appeared on their invoice as a means of covering the cost of shipping out each item separately. Simply put, that is untenable and we would, in fact, be losing money if we elected to accept those orders. The only way that would or could work for us was if the customer kept their credit card information on file with us and permit us to charge them as each item arrived. Again, an iffy proposition for everyone concerned.
As a temporary solution, we’ve decided to resume shipping to both Australia and New Zealand for in-stock items only. We will not accept pre-orders, back orders or anything else not available at the time the order is placed. Remember too that Australia and New Zealand are twelve hours ahead of us, so we are unable to review an overnight order until the next day.
We recognize that this isn’t a perfect solution, but one we can deal with so long as the customer is okay with it too. Going forward, any pre-orders or back orders we receive will be cancelled outright unless we know for certain that the merchandise is expected shortly, and by shortly we mean over the next 30-days so that the authorization code we receive from the bank at the time the order is placed is still active. Otherwise we will simply point the customer back to this blog post as our reason for cancelling their order. Sorry, but that’s the fairest system we can come up with…
“In the fight of his life, Royce Williams had accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight.”
– Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, author of Holding the Line
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale US Navy Grumman F9F-5 Panther Fighter – Captain Royce Williams, “Actions Speak Louder than Medals”, VF-781 “Pacemaker”, USS Oriskany (CV-34), November 1952
In 1952, then-Lieutenant Williams was serving with VF-781 aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) as part of Task Force 77. On November 18th, 1952, on his second mission of the day, while on combat air patrol near Hoeryong, North Korea, his group of four pilots spotted seven MiG-15s overhead. The other three pilots had to return to the carrier and the MiGs began to fire on Williams, putting him into a one-man dogfight with seven MiG-15s that lasted 35 minutes. It is believed to be the longest dogfight in U.S. Naval history. Commanders on his carrier ordered him away, but Williams had to tell them that he was already fighting for his life. He shot down four of the MiGs and likely hit two others. By the end of the 35-minute engagement, only one of the MiGs was still in the air with him, and he managed to escape back to his carrier, out of ammunition and having lost his hydraulics. He was uninjured, but 263 holes were counted in his Panther jet. He never saw the plane again; reportedly, it was pushed into the sea.
The US Navy’s record of the November 1952 incident said only that Williams had shot down one enemy (not listed as “Soviet”) plane and damaged another, for which he was awarded the Silver Star in 1953. However, the dogfight was recorded in Soviet archives which were released after the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. The Soviet records confirmed that of the seven MiGs, only one returned to its base. A 2014 Russian book, Red Devils over the Yalu: A Chronicle of Soviet Aerial Operations in the Korean War 1950-53, reported the battle and named Williams. The four MiGs were flown by Soviet Naval Aviation pilots, with Captains Belyakov and Vandalov, and Lieutenants Pakhomkin and Tarshinov being shot down. In his book Holding the Line about Task Force 77, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver described the fight, saying “On November 18th, 1952, Royce Williams became the top-scoring carrier-based naval aviator and the top-scoring naval aviator in a Navy jet of the ‘forgotten war’.” He added, “In the fight of his life, Royce Williams had accomplished what no other American fighter pilot would ever accomplish: shoot down four MiG-15s in one fight.”
Williams’ battle with the Soviet-piloted MiGs led to him being debriefed at the time by admirals, the Secretary of Defense, and a few weeks later by newly inaugurated President Dwight D. Eisenhower. These authorities made a decision to cover up the specifics of the battle, because at that time the Soviet Union was not officially a combatant in the Korean War and it was feared that publicity about the air battle would draw the Soviets further into the conflict. The dogfight was scrubbed from U.S. Navy and National Security Agency records, and Williams was sworn to secrecy about the incident – so much so that he never told anyone about it, not even his wife nor his pilot brother, until the Korean War records were declassified in 2002.
Two versions of Williams’ F9F-5 Panther fighter are scheduled to take to the skies in November.
Looking to juice sales ahead of the start to the holiday season, eBay announced today that they were offering a 20% off coupon, eligible for select categories. The Toys and Collectibles category was included in the deal meaning you can save a further 20% off of our already discounted prices for in-stock merchandise. Naturally, there are terms and conditions of sale. The first is that the sale ends on Sunday, October 22nd; the second is that there is a $500 rewards ceiling and the third appears to be a two times usage limit. So, if you want to maximize your savings, make sure to place as many items in your shopping cart at once before checking out to get the biggest bang for the buck.
Make sure to enter the coupon code HEADSTART at checkout. Lastly, this discount can only be used on the eBay selling platform.
