Recognizing the need to differentiate themselves from all of the other makers of 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings has finally provided information concerning a pair of fleet defense fighters due out this fall. The list of features is rather long and includes a number of robust additions others have thus far sidestepped including:
Diecast construction
Martin Baker GRU-7 ejection seats
Realistic pilot and RIO figures
Canopy in open or closed position
Working glove vanes
Positional airbrakes
Movable sweep wings & horizontal stablizers
Interchangeable engine nozzles in open or closed positions
Landing gears extended or stored
Jet intake covers
Wheel chocks
Rubber tires
Operational pay load ordnance
Deluxe display stand
Limited edition serialized metal plate
Collector’s box
Two warbirds are thus far being readied: one portraying VF-1 Wolf Pack” (CA721402) and the second VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” (CA721401) on their last flight. Both models have been listed on our web site and we hope to have photos of them some time soon.
Summer viewing or winter, large screen or small, it appears as if the makers of Star Trek have got everyone covered for the foreseeable future, that is, if they like all things Star Trek. The new trailer for the feature-length film, Star Trek Beyond, is out as is the first look at the upcoming TV series set to air on CBC and CBS On Demand.
Ever wonder how they make some of those cool 3-D animations you see on such series as Dogfight or Enterprise 360? A German firm, Mackevision, showed how they made a similar short subject, employing a program called Vray to render the 3-D aircraft models seen in the accompanying film, and making use of several older Luftwaffe F-104 Starfighters to create the two-minute story. Enjoy!
In a bid to become the preeminent maker of 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings took the wraps off of its inaugural Fleet Defender at the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Tokyo, Japan, which is aimed at depicting the last flight of the F-14B. Unpainted and not yet fully assembled, the image, nevertheless, shows the warbird with two seated crewmen, a large array of ordnance, and several bits and pieces yet to be attached including the exhaust nozzles. With so many manufacturers now building their own version of the venerable F-14 (Century Wings, Hobby Master and True Scale Models), it will be interesting to see how market share shakes out going forward and if so many choices will eventually lead to lowered retail prices to clear out inventory.
The first image has surfaced of Air Force 1’s upcoming 1:72 scale B-17G Flying Fortress bomber. Based upon a four-engine heavy bomber that flew with the 709th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, then deployed to Rattlesden, Norfolk, England in early 1945, the upgunned G version features the insidious chin turret which was designed to help ward off enemy fighters from making a head-on attack.
Likewise, the replica boasts all of the other armament that helped give the plane its dubious moniker, from its top- and ball turret battlements to its twin waist and rear defensive guns. And not a Chinese crewman in sight! Look for this beauty to begin its bomb run some time in June.
In a bid to breathe new life into a tired-but-true weapons system, Raytheon has pitched the US government, as well as several client nations that operate the venerable M60A3 battle tank, with a revitalization program that could conceivably bring the tank up to today’s standards – but at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a modern battle tank. According to The National Interest, “theRaytheon M60A3 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), the upgrade is being offered for export to nations that need the performance to take on threats like aRussian-built T-90S, but can’t afford a top-of-the-line machine like theM1A2 SEP(v)3 Abrams orLeopard 2A7.
At the core of the upgrade is a new 950-horsepower diesel engine—which replaces the original 750-horsepower unit. As part of the deal, the engine would be reconditioned to a zero hour condition. Meanwhile, the old turret hydraulic controls would be replaced with new electrical systems, which are faster, more responsive and quieter than their predecessors.
Offensive firepower is exponentially improved by swapping out the old 105mm M68 rifled gun in favor of the Abrams’German-made L44 120mm smoothbore cannon. The addition of the new weapon would give the M60A3 the ability to engage enemy tanks as advanced as the T-90MS on a near equal footing. In fact, with the upgrade, the M60 probably outperforms older M1A1 variants.
That’s because in addition to the new cannon, the M60 would receive completely new digital fire-control and targeting systems—including day and thermal sights. The system is comparable to the U.S. Army’sM1A1D standard. Indeed, the fire-control software was developed for the U.S. Army. While Raytheon does not specifically mention networking—it’s reasonable to assume the modernized tank would be compatible with the U.S. Army’s networks.”
Its conceivable that the vehicle could be fitted with an active protection system, which typically includes some sort of anti-projectile firing system to defeat incoming threats. Typically, the US and several western nations have been loathe to incorporating this system onto many of the current land battlefield systems because it could cause collateral damage to other units operating near the platform, particularly to dismounted troops.
Hobby Master is continuing to push forward its “jet-centric” approach by announcing a litany of modern era diecast military aircraft this fall. While several aircraft were previously announced, the new warbirds include two takes on the soon-to-be-released MiG 23 Flogger – one flown by the Lybian Air Force during the 1989 Gulf of Sidra Incident (HA5302) and a second in Russian livery but flown by the USAF’s 4477th Test Squadron at Tonopah, Nevada (HA5303) to determine its flight characteristics.
Also up for consideration is one of the F-14s that tangled with the Lybian MiGs during the same crisis (HA5206), another look at the F-22 Raptor (HA2815), a third take on the S-3 Viking Anti-Submarine Aircraft (HA4903), and a 1:48 scale model of Adolf Galland’s Messerschmitt Bf-109E3 fighter. These and other new introductions have now been added to our May 2016 New Additions section.
If you missed Hobby Master’s Steve Richie 1:72 scale F-4 Phantom on its first high-speed pass several years ago then you may want to sit up and take notice of this second sortie. Hobby Master just announced that an all-new F-4D version of his Vietnam era warbird is expected this summer, this time bearing all five MiG kills (“red stars”) on the fuselage but more importantly, flashing Ritchie’s signature on the display base.
Naturally enough, this extremely sought after replica will set you back a few dollars more than when his first mount was released, but when you consider what his autograph brings to the table and the relatively low number of models being produced (only 800), we believe that HA1973 is going to be snapped up in a heartbeat. Keep your eye on this one!
Some times a company pivots when you least expect it. With their eagerly awaited 1:72 scale Boeing B-17 bomber just a month away, and little else on the docket for the forseeable future, Air Force 1 Model Company announced their intent to create a brand new series of military miniatures in conjunction with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Dubbed simply as their Smithsonian Series, plans call for an initial batch of five aircraft to be produced, all in differing scales and, naturally enough, based upon aircraft they’ve previously researched and produced in much larger, standard formats.
The five aircraft include a B-25 Mitchell bomber, B-29 Superfortress, SR-71 Blackbird, P-61 Black Widow and a MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Look for the quintet to arrive some time in July.
At long last, images have finally surfaced for Hobby Master’s upcoming 1:72 scale MiG 23 Flogger fighter. The variable-geometry swing wings are clearly in evidence, as is the opening canopy, weapons loadout and seated pilot figure.
Expected in July, with more schemes and variants no doubt waiting in the wings, ahem, it looks like another war winner has sauntered into the Hobby Master stable.
