Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAAF English Electric Canberra Mk.20 Light Bomber – No.2 Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1969
In an effort to become more current and reduce the time it takes to get product to market and into the hands of would-be collectors, Corgi announced last week that all upcoming products will be announced to the public as well as the trade one week before they are actually released. This represents the third time Corgi has decided to change their product announcement plans, moving from a yearly showing, to a quadmester and now virtually a day-and-date release schedule.
While we applaud their decision to maintain marketing momentum from product announcement to its actual release, the problem is that the trade isn’t quite as nimble as the manufacturer, oftentimes taking days or even weeks to formally list a new item to their web site. This becomes even more acute when the announcement occurs in conjunction with major showing events such as International Toy Fairs. Moreover, Corgi has, in the past, oftentimes taken weeks to post images for a new product. In the case of their RAAF English Electric Canberra Mk.20 Light Bomber – No.2 Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1969, the item was first debuted back in July yet product photos didn’t surface until mid September. As a result, its difficult for a dealer to forecast their pre-order needs when they cannot so much as show what the item will look like to their clientele.
So, for this strategy to work, Corgi has to ensure that product and marketing materials are available at the time an announcement is made, and, more importantly, give the trade a bit more time to get new items up and listed properly. A better formula might be a one-month window, which allows dealers, marketers and other entities a bit more time to work out the logistical issues that inevitably crop up each time a new item pops up on the radar.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian Pantsir-S1 Self-Propelled Air Defense System – Russian Arctic Defense Forces, Winter Camouflage
Russia has been quietly investing in Arctic military and industrial infrastructure for the last decade. Russia’s expanded Arctic presence is part of President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to elevate Russia’s position on the world stage. The current age has seen relatively low-tension in the region, but this may be coming to an end. Russia has reopened Soviet military bases and expanded the navy’s Northern Fleet. Russia seeks to increase its military power in the Arctic to enhance homeland defense and secure Russia’s economic future by attracting international investment.
Melting sea ice intensifies competition in the Arctic. Climate change is increasing accessibility to the Northern Sea Route. Increased Arctic traffic heightens the potential for competition around physical access and resources. Moscow views securitizing the region through military activity as a prerequisite for controlling its interests in the rapidly changing Arctic. Russia has encouraged energy companies to increase exploration activities in the Arctic to reap the economic benefits of reserves being uncovered by melting Arctic ice.
Russia sees its assertive military posture as a response to NATO’s presence in the region, as several NATO members hold territory in the Arctic. Former NATO commander Adm. James Stavridis acknowledges that the Arctic is a “zone of competition” that has the potential to devolve into a “zone of conflict.” Russia’s militarization of the Arctic has pushed Arctic and NATO countries to call for the preservation of the Arctic as a ‘low tension’ area. Growing tensions with the West risks miscommunication that could lead to conflict or an even more assertive Russian military posture in the Arctic.
53% of the Arctic coastline belongs to Russia. Its Arctic military bases are concentrated mostly around Murmansk Oblast, but in recent years Russia has expanded capabilities in the High North. Russia has taken full advantage of its arctic territory. Wrangel Island, Cape Schmidt, and Kotelny Island developments are right across the Bering Strait from Alaska. Visualizing Russia’s Arctic presence shows the density of Russia’s military infrastructure in the region. (Courtesy: ASP)
Looking to defend their strategic interests, the Pantsir (Russian: “Carapace”) missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 (NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound) as the first version, it is produced by KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia.
Great emblem of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Armed ForcesGreat emblem of the Russian Space Forces
The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian Pantsir-S1 Self-Propelled Air Defense System – Russian Aerospace Defense Forces, Woodlands Camouflage
Panzerkampf’s latest iteration of the Pantsir-S1 self-propelled air defense system, along with a tr-colored camouflaged version, to trundle up to the North Pole this September.
Having seen the introduction of advanced monoplane fighter designs in both the German and Japanese air forces, America was only too aware that their own Air Force was in need of upgrade as a matter of urgency. To this end, an official requirement was issued in February 1937 for the production of a new pursuit fighter, an aircraft which would have to possess performance which had never previously been seen, not only on an American aircraft, but anywhere else in the world. The Lockheed Aircraft Company were one of six companies determined to satisfy this demanding requirement and entrusted the design of this radical new aircraft to talented designer Clarence ‘Kelly’ Johnson, who was basically given a free rein during its development. Almost immediately, he determined that a single engined aircraft could not satisfy these demanding specifications and started work on a twin engined design, one which featured twin booms to house the engines and superchargers, with a centrally positioned nacelle for the cockpit and the fighter’s heavy armament.
The new aircraft looked incredible and was a radical departure from any fighter aircraft design that had gone before it, with Lockheed being awarded a contract to produce a prototype example. The XP38 was a thing of beauty and after just a short 38 minute maiden flight, everyone at Lockheed knew they had a winner on their hands. In fact, officials were so impressed with the aircraft’s performance that they immediately decided to make an attempt on the US Transcontinental speed record to highlight its potential, an attempt which saw the XP38 shatter the existing record by an impressive 23 minutes. Unfortunately, it appears that officials at the destination airport were not expecting the arrival of the strange new fighter and kept it holding so long that it actually ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing on a local golf course. Nevertheless, the aircraft had shown its potential and the US Army Air Force ordered sixty-six aircraft and America had their first 400 mph fighter.
The introduction of the P-38 Lightning was not without its problems, however, this was not surprising bearing in mind its performance and configuration were so radically different to anything which had gone before it. Almost constant development would see the Lightning develop into a devastatingly effective high altitude interceptor and with engines which both drove outwardly rotating propellors, also eventually proved to be an incredibly stable aircraft. Possessing impressive range and firepower, the Lightning would eventually be used to avenge the Pearl Harbor attack, when sixteen P-38s of the 339th Fighter Squadron intercepted a bomber carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the mastermind of that infamous raid, and shot it down. The P-38 Lightning would go on to serve with distinction in both the Pacific and European theatres, one of the most capable and distinctive aircraft of the Second World War.
For US fighter pilot Charles Henry ‘Mac’ MacDonald, the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 left him with a determination to do his duty in ensuring this disastrous day for America would only result in their eventual victory. Joining the USAAF and gaining his wings in May 1939, he would first be assigned to the 55th Pursuit Group and then on to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii in early 1941 and was still there at the time of the Japanese surprize attack, arguably the darkest day in American military history. His continued service would see him gaining ever more responsibility and new postings, first back home in the US to train new pilots, then on to the savage fighting of the Pacific War. By October 1943, he had attained the rank of Major and was posted as the Executive Officer of the 475th Fighter Group’s ‘Satan’s Angels’, flying P-38 Lightnings out of Dobodura, New Guinea, where his reputation as a fighter ace and effective leader of men would soon be forged. Often asking his men to fly dangerous long range missions in their Lightnings over vast expanses of ocean, MacDonald, would often be the first aircraft into the air, leading from the from and inspiring his pilots to make their mark on the war.
Eventually attaining the rank of Colonel, MacDonald became the Commanding Officer of the 475th Fighter Group and during this time, would welcome the arrival of a rather famous civilian advisor to the unit, long range aviator and US national hero Charles Lindbergh, who was cleared to fly with the unit. During his time in the Pacific, Lindbergh would help the 475th unlock the awesome potential of the P-38, using his knowledge of long range engine management to alter the power and fuel settings of their aircraft, modifications which extended the range of the Lightning by an incredible 100%. Now, ‘Colonel Mac’ and the pilots of the 475th could provide fighter cover for bombers attacking the Japanese oil refineries at Balikpapan in Borneo, with flight times of between twelve and fourteen hours needing to be flown. This raid was pivotal in turning the tide of the Pacific War and preparing American forces for the final push towards the Japanese home islands.
Colonel ‘Mac’ Macdonald would end the war with 27 aerial victories, with several others either damaged or probably destroyed, making him the third most successful fighter ace in the Pacific Theatre. All victories were scored using the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and whilst he would use several different machines, they were all named ‘PUTT… PUTT… MARU’. It is not known for sure what this name refers to, but it is thought that it could be a reference to the Japanese supply barges the unit were often sent to destroy, vessels which were referred to as Marus, with their rather agricultural engines making a putt putt chugging sound. Whatever the case, if they were in the sights of a 475th Fighter Group P-38 Lightning, they were on borrowed time.
Putt Putt Maru is expected to land later in September.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Type 21 Fighter – PO Testsuzo Iwamoto, IJN Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 1941
The “Winds Code“ is a confused military intelligence episode relating to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, especially the advance knowledge debate claiming that the attack was expected.
The Winds Code was an instruction from Tokyo to Japanese legations worldwide that diplomatic relations were in danger of being ruptured. While the code was set up, the problem is whether the code was ever transmitted or not. Amid all the other indicators of approaching conflict, it seems likely that the message was never sent, or at least never recorded at a high level in the US command structure.
In any case a code message in a news or weather programs was not needed, as ordinary commercial communication facilities were available to Japan right up to the December 7th attack. Pearl Harbor historians Gordon Prange and Roberta Wholstetter sidestep the issue by saying that the intercepted codes-destruct messages of December 2nd were a more accurate indication of war breaking out. Both Henry Clausen and John Costello see the Winds Code controversy as a red herring and coming close to disinformation (Clausen) or only as an alert to legations (Costello).
The code was set up, so that in case of an emergency leading to the interruption of regular communication channels, a coded message would be inserted into the daily Japanese international news broadcast. Concealed within the meteorological reports, and repeated twice, would be “East wind rain” (“Higashi no kaze ame“), “West wind clear” (“Nishi no kaze hare“) or “North wind cloudy” (“Kitano kaze kumori“), the first indicating an imminent major breach with the United States, the second a break with the British (including the invasion of Thailand); the third indicating a break with the Soviet Union. Presumably if sent both the first and second messages would have been sent, the third referring to the Soviet Union would not have been applicable in 1941.
The signal setting up the code was intercepted and broken by USN cryptographer Commander Laurance Safford at OP-20-G in Washington. Consequently, a close monitoring of the Japanese daily shortwave broadcasts was instituted for the codes, dubbed the Winds Code by the Americans.
USN Chief Warrant Officer Ralph T. Briggs, an operator at Station M, the Navy’s East Coast intercept installation at Cheltenham in Maryland, stated he logged “Higashi no kaze ame” (“East wind rain”) on the morning of December 4; this was transmitted to the Fleet Intelligence Office at Pearl through the secure TWX line. Briggs was subsequently given a four-day pass as a reward (and was away in Cleveland on the 7th). At the FIO, Commander Laurance Safford states he reported this message to his superiors in Washington. At this point there is no further record of the message. Some eight other Army and Navy officers testified that they, too, had seen a winds execute message. But two of the men completely reversed their original testimony and the others turned out to have only vague recollections.
None of the official inquiries took Safford’s statement as fact; the most generous reporting that he was “misled” and that his memory was faulty. His case was not helped by his uncertainty over the date, although Lt Alwin Kramer also agreed in 1944 that he had seen Safford’s yellow teletype sheet.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M2 “Zero” Type 21 Fighter – PO First Class Tsugio Matsuyama, IJN Aircraft Carrier Hiryu, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 1941
It has been claimed that in the week after the attack there was significant document ‘loss’ at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington. In 2008 historians from the National Security Agency went back and analyzed all American and foreign intelligence sources and decrypted cables. They came to the conclusion that “winds execute” message never reached Washington. If there was a message then the blame would fall on the military for not passing it on.
Following the end of the war, Japanese officials advised General MacArthur that no Winds signal was ever sent relating to the United States. This is supported by the testimony of Commander Joseph Rochefort (based in Naval HQ in Pearl Harbor). However an American intelligence team in Japan led by Colonel Abraham Sinkov of Central Bureau in September and October 1945 found they were told “half-truths or outright lies” by Japanese intelligence specialists, partly as there were rumors that the Americans would execute those involved in intelligence. The team was not allowed to reveal American intelligence successes. However some Japanese (Arisue and Nishimura) were more forthcoming when they saw that the Americans were interested in Japanese help against the Soviets.
The coded Winds message was reported from Hong Kong, late on Sunday, December 7th, local time. The signal was “higashi no kaze, ame; nishi no kaze, hare” (“Easterly wind, rain; Westerly wind, fine”); meaning that Japan was about to declare war on Britain and America (and attacked British Malaya before Hawaii). A skeleton staff had been left behind in Hong Kong when the British Far East Combined Bureau (FECB) moved to Singapore in August 1939.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale take on the illustrious Mitsubishi Zero is one of their best selling models to date, time and again selling out within weeks of their release. Two new Zeros are scheduled to take to the skies this October, and will no doubt sell out just as quickly as their predecessors. Make sure to pre-order one or both today!
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 71-0291, McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company, St. Louis, Missouri, 1980
The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E Strike Eagle is an American all-weather multirole strike fighter derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic-warfare aircraft. United States Air Force (USAF) F-15E Strike Eagles can be generally distinguished from other US Eagle variants by darker aircraft camouflage, conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) mounted along the engine intake ramps (although CFTs can also be mounted on earlier F-15 variants) and a tandem-seat cockpit.
The Strike Eagle has been deployed for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya, among others. During these operations, the strike fighter has carried out deep strikes against high-value targets and combat air patrols, and provided close air support for coalition troops. It has also been exported to several countries.
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle was introduced by the USAF to replace its fleet of McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs. Unlike the F-4, the F-15 was designed for the air superiority mission with little consideration for a ground-attack role; the F-15 Special Project Office opposed the idea of F-15s performing the interdiction mission, giving rise to the phrase “Not a pound for air to ground.” In service, the F-15 has been a successful fighter, scoring over 100 aerial combat victories and zero losses in air-to-air combat as of 2007.
Despite a lack of official interest, McDonnell Douglas quietly worked on an F-15-derived interdictor fighter. The company envisaged the aircraft as a replacement for the General Dynamics F-111 and the remaining F-4s, as well as to augment the existing F-15s. In 1978, the USAF initiated the Tactical All-Weather Requirement Study, which looked at McDonnell Douglas’s proposal and other options such as the purchase of further F-111Fs. The study recommended the F-15E as the USAF’s future strike platform, In 1979, McDonnell Douglas and Hughes began a close collaboration on the development of the F-15E’s air-to-ground capabilities.
To assist in the F-15E’s development, McDonnell Douglas modified the second TF-15A prototype, AF serial number71-0291, as a demonstrator. The aircraft, known as the Advanced Fighter Capability Demonstrator, first flew on 8 July 1980. It was previously used to test conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), initially designed for the F-15 under the designation “FAST Pack”, with FAST standing for “Fuel and Sensor, Tactical. It was subsequently fitted with a Pave Tack laser designator pod to allow the independent delivery of guided bombs. The demonstrator was displayed at the 1980 Farnborough Airshow.
Look for this particular F-15E Strike Eagle, decked out in a so-called “lizard camouflage” pattern conducive for low-level strike operations, to swoop in later this September.
As expected, Corgi unveiled its final set of aircraft introductions for 2023. The range cuts across a number of fronts in World War II, from early war night fighters to late war jet fighter-bombers. The manufacturer even put together this accompanying video, which does a terrific job of explaining each model in greater detail. We invite you to take a look and place your pre-orders as soon as possible.
Corgi’s Fit-to-Box Star Trek Federation Galaxy Class Starship – USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Besides military aircraft, Corgi officially kicked off the start to their all-new Star Trek series. Models are designed to fit within a uniform sized box, so there is no set scale for each of the models. Two replicas of the USS Enterprise will initially make the cut: one based upon the original TV series and the second upon the Next Generation franchise. No word if non-Federation-based ships will be added to the range, nor the rate at which new models will be added, given the demise of the Eaglemoss Star Trek line of ships and affiliated merchandise.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M24 Chaffee Light Tank – Company D, 36th Tank Battalion, 8th Armored Division, Rheinberg, Germany, March 1945
Our long-delayed Forces of Valor shipment is reportedly on its way to us and will likely arrive in a few days, most likely after Labor Day weekend. Bear in mind we still do not have a manifest for the shipment nor tracking information so this is passed along to us by word-of-mouth without supporting documentation. Nevertheless, I have a good vibe that the items marked as being en route to us will indeed show up next week. Sigh…
With that out-of-the-way, we should also be hearing news regarding all of the products marked as coming in for September. These items are supposedly in-house or expected to arrive around the Labor Day weekend, when last we heard about their disposition several weeks ago. So, we could be doing the back stroke in Forces of Valor merchandise in the not-too-distant future. Of course, should further news come in that affects this second shipment then we will pass it along to our clientele. Product listings are locked-and-loaded for our web site and eBay, and should be ready to go on Amazon once we have some additional information pertinent for their site.
As an aside, and I rarely like to do this, its been like pulling teeth trying to get information about the latest happenings with Forces of Valor. Their Facebook account hasn’t been updated since December and what little information we do know trickles in after we ring the alarm bells. They have a new web site undergoing overhaul that is written in Chinese and their standard web site, intended for the US and European markets, hasn’t been updated for what seems like an eternity. Granted they went through an acquisition and warehouse relocation, but it would’ve been nice to have been kept in the loop regarding progress instead of having to repeatedly ask. I’ve been doing this in one capacity or another for a very long time (since the early 80s mind you) and there really is no reason for this woeful lack of communication. If they hope to succeed, they need to do a better job. Period.
Update: We’ve been informed that the products slated to arrive in September are now expected in October. Waltersons has a history of repeatedly missing their original forecast release dates so this news comes as no surprised to us. Based upon this information, we can only presume that this date will remain in effect unless anything else crops up that further delays this shipment. Nothing else in the way of new merchandise has been announced although the manufacturer claims that the teething issues associated with re-locating their warehouse to their Midwest facility has now been put to bed.
In an effort to juice sales, eBay announced that they are offering a 20% discount on eligible items being sold on their platform through the Labor Day weekend. We are assuming that diecast models are amongst the list of qualifying items eligible for the discount although we haven’t put this theory to the test. Here’s the marketing blurb straight from eBay:
How to redeem your Coupon:
1. Shop for eligible items from the specific event(s) as listed below.
2. Enter the Coupon code in the redemption code field: LABORDAYTWENTY
3. Pay for your item by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 4, 2023.
Terms & Conditions:
This Coupon is a 20% discount on purchases of eligible items in the specific event(s) listed below, valid from 5 AM Pacific Time on August 28, 2023, through 11:59 PM Pacific Time on September 4, 2023. No minimum purchase required. The Coupon discount is capped at a maximum value of $500. Discount applies to the purchase price (excluding shipping, handling, and taxes) of eligible items purchased on eBay.com.
Eligible items exclude warranties and protection plans, as well as items from the Coins & Paper Money, Gift Cards & Coupons, Vehicles in eBay Motors, and Real Estate categories. Coupon must be used within a single transaction (and can include multiple eligible items), while supplies last.
Max two redemptions per user. Only eBay users registered on ebay.com, ebay.ca, cafr.ebay.ca with an address located in the United States and Canada are eligible for the Coupon. Any unused difference between the discount amount, as shown on the Coupon, and the purchase price of an item(s) in a single transaction (or cart) will be forfeited.
eBay may cancel, amend, or revoke the Coupon at any time including in response to fraudulent activity. Use of automated devices or programs for Coupon redemption prohibited.
For Canadian eBay users: Coupon is subject to Canadian laws, void where prohibited, not redeemable for cash, has no face or cash value, and cannot be combined with any other Coupon.
For US eBay users: Coupon is subject to U.S laws, void where prohibited, not redeemable for cash, has no face value, and cannot be combined with any other Coupon, or when paying with PayPal Credit Easy Payments, escrow, or gift cards.
In a rather startling development, Dragon announced today plans to move into the 1:35 scale pre-assembled market with no less than three different versions of the world-famous SAS desert raiders jeep. Each is a slight variation on the other, with the twin Vickers machine gun positioned towards the front of the vehicle in two examples and aft in the passenger compartment in the third. Jerry cans are abundant throughout as are spare tires and other paraphernalia that were utilized in the harsh desert sands of North Africa during WWII. Each vehicle is being sold separately, although no word as yet if figures will eventually be offered. Thus far, pricing and release dates are up for grabs. Its unclear if other 1:35 scale pre-built soft-skinned replicas are in the offing, such as Kubelwagens or Dodge light trucks, and whether or not the series will eventually encompass larger vehicles including heavier trucks, half-tracks and tanks, although a Jagdtiger was hinted at previously.
Per Hobby Master’s MAP guidelines, we will be removing any price restrictions on all of the February 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.
