Our distributor reports that their shipment of DeAgostini Star Wars products are about to arrive at their warehouse, which means we should have them next week. Keep in mind that these are legacy-based vehicles and ships, tied to the first six movies in the series. Moreover, there is no set scale to these highly detailed products, but if you’re a Star Wars fanatic like us, then you’ll still relish collecting these movie favorites.
Just when you thought it was safe to dip your toe again in the diecast waters comes news that a further eight 1:72 scale military vehicles are being released this month by Fabbri (and distributed through Eaglemoss). The latest grouping includes a Su-100 tank destroyer (#EMR0026), BTR-60 armored personnel carrier (#EMR0027), 2S9-S Nona amphibious tank (#EMR0059), GAZ 2330 infantry mobility vehicle (#EMR0060), British-built Matilda Mk. II infantry tank in Rusian livery (#EMR0061), US-built M3 Lee medium tank in Russian livery (#EMR0062), T-34/85 medium tank in winter camouflage (#EMR0063) and finally a PT-76 amphibious light tank (#EMR0069). All eight vehicles are reportedly available now at our distributor so we should have them in stock in a few days.
When you think of the Polish armed forces, most equate it with either their collapse at the outset of World War II or its membership in the Warsaw Pact alliance following the end of the Second World War. However, ever since the end of the Cold War in the early nineties, Poland has allied itself with the West, going so far as to become a member state of NATO in March 1999. Since that time, Poland has quietly developed its own military-industrial complex, and has even begun the arduous task of creating its own next generation main battle tank.
The PL-01 is a Polish armoured fighting vehicle created by OBRUM with support from BAE Systems. The concept vehicle project was first unveiled at the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce on September 2nd, 2013. A full prototype is estimated to be completed in 2016, and should the project be finalized and approved following evaluation, mass production is scheduled to begin in 2018. Looking very much like a futuristic take on David Darke’s “Hammers Slammers,” the layout of the PL-01, nevertheless, is similar to that of modern standard main battle tanks, with the driver located at the front of the vehicle and an unmanned turret mounted in the rear. Within the hull are the commander and gunner, and the rear part of the fuselage can carry four soldiers. The vehicle chassis is based on that of the Combat Vehicle 90.
The vehicle armour has a modular ceramic-aramid shell, which is designed to provide protection compatible with NATO standard STANAG 4569 Annex A at level 5+ within the front portion of the hull and turret. Additional armour panels are mounted on the turret and hull, and are designed to provide full protection against projectiles. The hull of the vehicle provides protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines in accordance with appendix B parts 4a and 4b of the STANAG 4569 standard. The entire vehicle will be covered with radio wave absorbent material.
The PL-01 is to be equipped with a 940 horsepower (700 kW)+ diesel engine coupled to a torque converter, automatic gearbox and driving assistance mechanism. The suspension is based on seven wheels, with the drive shafts having active damping of torsion bars mounted on the first and last two pairs. The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) on paved roads and 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) in rough terrain with a maximum range of 500 kilometres (310 mi). It can overcome an inclination of 30 degrees, ditches and trenches to a width of 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in), and cross water obstacles with a depth of up to 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) without preparation, and up to 5 metres (16 ft) deep with preparation.
With no clear cut successor to the Abrams in sight, it would be interesting if the US DoD decided to test and procure the PL-01 for the US Army once the Abrams reaches retirement age.
Russia has been causing quite a stir amongst the military comunity of late, as it continues to modernize its air force with aircraft that span the gamut of combat missions. In April, The Russian Air Force added two dozen upgraded multi-role MiG-31BM fighters to its fleet and more than 100 others are expected in coming years, according to UPI.
The first 24 aircraft, which NATO calls the Foxhound, were modernized by the Rostec Corporation, which is inducting about a dozen earlier variants of the MiG-31 for upgrade each year.
In December, Russia finished a $103 million upgrade to its fleet of supersonic “Blackjack” bombers, bringing what was already considered the world’s fastest nuclear bomber into the 21st century with new electronic systems that could give the 33-year-old Soviet-era planes an edge in the skies over the United States B1 “Lancer” bomber.
When the Tu-160, known to American military experts as “Blackjack,” was introduced in 1981, the bomber was the crown jewel of the Soviet Union’s Air Force. Following the collapse of the communist empire a decade later, many of the Blackjack bombers were destroyed as part of nuclear disarmament deals with the West.
Looking forward, plans are already underway to produce several variants of the Pak FA stealth fighter, in conjunction with the Indian Air Force. A family of Su-50 derivatives are planned, although no word as yet when any of these proposed systems will enter service.
While its easy for Russia to parade new ground-based weapons systems past the Kremlin in Moscow, or use the venue as a fly-over for the latest aircraft, its a far different scenario for the ships that plum the ocean’s depths. According to Defense News, “Four different kinds of submarines are under construction and more are coming. The country expects to lay down five new nuclear submarines in 2015.
The Navy is accepting Borey-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Yasen-class nuclear attack submarines, and Kilo- and Lada-class diesel electric attack submarines. Six Kilos are being built for Vietnam and more are offered for export.
This rate of construction is beginning to look more like Cold War days rather than the lethargic shipbuilding rates prevalent since the 1990s.
By comparison, the US only recently returned to building two nuclear attack submarines per year, and industry is gearing up to begin construction of a new class of ballistic submarines in 2021 — a three-subs-per-year construction rate not seen since the Reagan era.”
As several nations celebrate V-E Day, the victory of the Allied powers over Nazi Germany some 70 years ago, Russia quietly continues to develop its’ military for the 21st Century. Meet the PAK TA, Russia’s Special Purpose Heavy-Lift Aircraft, which is designed to ferry the Armata main battle tank, and its ammunition, to anywhere in the world.
According to sources, “the new design specification from the Military-Industrial Commission in Moscow, a transport aircraft, dubbed PAK TA, will fly at supersonic speeds (up to 2,000 km/h) and will boast an impressively high payload of up to 200 tons. It will also have a range of at least 7,000 kilometers.
The PAK TA program envisages 80 new cargo aircraft to be built by 2024. This means in a decade Russia’s Central Command will be able to place a battle-ready armored army anywhere, Expert Online reports, citing a source in the military who attended the closed meeting.”
Together with other new combat systems, such as the Kurganats-25 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Bumerang (Boomerang) 8×8 wheeled armored personnel carrier, and Borei class ballistic missile submarine, Russia seems to be spending vast quantities of its dwindling hard currency on advanced weapons systems, all designed to keep pace with recent platforms continually being shown by the West, China and other nations.
For this year’s Victory Day parade, which celebrates its triumph over Nazi Germany some 70 years ago, Russia took the wrap off of its latest armored fighting vehicle, the T-14 Armata tank. According to Army Times, “the new tank will weigh 48 tons and could hit speeds of more than 50 miles per hour, according to a spec sheet released by Russia’s TASS news agency and translated by the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office. The three-person tank will be able to fire up to 12 rounds per minute from a 125 mm main gun that can fire multiple types of munitions, including guided missiles, with a range topping out at 8,000 meters.
High-tech highlights include circular-view cameras, a heat sensor and the Afganit active protection complex, which reportedly uses radar to detect incoming threats and destroys them with a rocket.
The T-14’s chassis can support a frame more than 15 tons heavier than what it carries, according to the FMSO. The extra capacity would allow the system to support modified tanks, or serve as the basis of a fleet of vehicles, allowing for a smaller supply chain.
Variants of the Armata could include a 152 mm self-propelled howitzer, a bridge layer, a mine layer, various transport vehicles, even a “launch vehicle in system for heavy rocket propelled flame throwers,” according to the March issue of FMSO’s OE Watch magazine.
A Russian military official said the tank will enter service next year. Within 15 years, more than 2,300 Armatas are set to reach Russian troops.
Sales of the tank to other nations could begin in five years. No potential buyers have been discussed; India makes its own version of Russia’s current T-90 tank under a licensing agreement.”
Despite a slowing economy and drop in oil prices, its interesting that Russia still plans to increase its defense spending relative to its GDP and intends to purchase thousands of main battle tanks over the next few years. Who it perceives as a threat is still anyone’s guess and the west will likely see more saber rattling in the years ahead as it attempts to once again become a superpower. It was this type of strategy that bankrupted the Soviet Union in the late 80s and early 90’s, which led to its collapse and the end of the first Cold War. Accelerated defense spending, the invasion of Ukraine, and chilly international relations could usher in the start of a second Cold War, the expansion of NATO into additional former Warsaw Pact territories, and confrontations in the Arctic region as several nations lay claim to its vast underwater resources. (Composite image shows the T-14 tank on the left and its sister T-15 heavy infantry fighting vehicle on the right)
Its a strange business we’re in. Some lines seem to take months or even years on end for them to materialize, which, naturally enough, causes angst for both the customer and ourselves. On the other hand, there are occasions when we get a news blast indicating that a brand new range has just arrived, surprising both us and the collecting community in one fell swoop. In the case of Fabbri (which is distributed by Eaglemoss), our distributor put us on notice that nine new vehicles are now in circulation, meaning they should be hitting our command post in a week or so. While several vehicles have been done ad nauseum, others are new on the scene, meaning they will likely get snapped up the moment they roll in.
Apparently, Dragon’s on-again, off-again Space program has been taken off life support and will soon be offering two 1:48 scale dioramas. First announced way back in 2011, and now showing up again on the Dragon web site, the two upscaled dioramas feature the Apollo 11 “Eagle” Lunar Module (#DRW52501) as well as a matching Apollo 11 Command Service Module (CSM) (#DRW52503).
Unlike their previous 1:72 dioramas, the new and much larger 1:48 scale vignettes boast added-features and detail that could not be integrated into the smaller sets. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the new sets (along with a handful of previously released 1:72 scale sets now being reissued) will indeed be cleared for liftoff this July.
It looks as if we’re going to be doing the back stroke in new Eaglemoss 1:43 scale military vehicles this June. After returning from vacation, we learned that a further nine new vehicles are expected during the back half of June, heretofore dubbed “the second wave”. The nine beachcombers include a Pz Kpfw. 38 (t) medium tank (EM040), Dodge WC54 Ambulance (EM037), Sdkfz 251/1 Hanomag Half Track (EM038), French Peugeot DMA Light Truck (EM039), Ford M20 Armored Utility Car (EM041), Horch Kfz.15 Staff Vehicle (EM044), M3 75mm Gun Motor Carriage (EM047), and a Volkswagen Schwimmwagen (EM049). Get your pre-orders in early cause these are going to fly out!
