The Motor Pool – Blog – Page 176 – Pureveyors of Fine Diecast Collectibles

Air Force 1 Peers Into the Night

Aviation enthusiasts have been lamenting the fact that no die cast manufacturer has made a credible attempt at modeling the venerable P-61 Black Widow Night Interceptor. Apparently, their pleas haven’t fallen on deaf ears after all, now that Air Force 1 Model Company has confirmed plans to replicate the Northrop aircraft in 1:72 scale (#AF10013A and B). Two versions of Major Lee Kendall‘s “Lady in the Dark” are proposed, one featuring the pilot’s signature adorning the display stand. Both versions are now listed on our web site, which is expected some time in September.

On the night of August 14th, 1945, “Lady in the Dark” was reportedly the last Allied plane to down an enemy aircraft in WWII.

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The Race to Near Space

With the retirement of the SR-71 several years ago, and growing speculation regarding what has come to be known as Aurora soaring high over the American southwest, it was perhaps just a matter of time before the USAF finally lifted the veil of secrecy concerning their hugh-hush secret projects. Back In November, the Air Force confirmed that they were developing a new fleet of stealthy, high-speed reconnaissance aircraft that could fly at Mach 6 using Scramjet technology. Dubbed simply as the SR-72, the new midnight black aircraft may even field strike capabilities, utilizing Lockheed Martin’s High Speed Strike Weapon (HSSW), which is essentially a hypersonic missile concept.

From a collector’s standpoint, it seems logical that the SR-72 will become one of the next highly coveted replicas enthusiasts will be yearning for, perhaps one day supplanting the SR-71 as their centerpiece reconnaissance plane. For now, proof-of-concept images will have to be revealed first beyond the handful of artist’s renderings now being distributed.

For more information on the SR-72, please visit this site: http://www.airforce-technology.com/features/feature-lockheed-martin-unveils-sr-72-successor-sr-71-spy-plane/

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Exploring the Dora

Ordinarily, we tend to bypass the model kit category since most of our clientele would rather purchase a pre-assembled replica, ready-to-display right out of the box. However, when we received the sales literature concerning Merit International’s upcoming release, we had to sit up and take notice. Expected in September, this manufacturer plans to offer a 1:35 scale model kit of the legendary German Heavy railway gun, Dora (#MT35001). Huge by any measure, the 1:35 scale kit will cover 4-1/2 feet of desktop space, to say nothing of its height, weight or wow factor.

The manufacturer is offering drop shipping to the lower 48 contiguous states, so orders will be shipped out of their California warehouse once it arrives. Unfortunately, due to its overall dimensions, we cannot sell this item to overseas customers, so you’ll just have to make do with the images provided.

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The Hornet Gets Ready to Leave its Dry Dock

Imagery is finally starting to appear for Unimax upcoming rendition of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (#UNI86015). Slated to join the Forces of Valor fleet some time in September, the Hornet will feature Jimmy Doolittle’s squadron of B-25 bombers on its deck, just as it was configured prior to the Tokyo Raid of April 1942. The ship shown here is still devoid of its markings and insignia, as are the planes and display plinth.

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Hobby Master Strikes Hard this October

In what could well be the worst held secret in the diecast military community, Hobby Master confirmed today that they are working on a 1:72 scale replica of the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle. Designed to waylay the countryside in October, their first ever “Mud Hen” is patterned after a bird that flew with the 391st Fighter Squadron, then deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, during 2012 (HA4501). Priced at $103.99, the F-15E is substantially higher in price than some of its recent releases, and could signal further price hikes are in the works for newly tooled aircraft.

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The Viggen Gets Reinvigorated

Strange as it may sound, Aviation 72’s inaugural 1:72 scale replica of the Swedish Saab Viggen is already sold out at both the distributor and manufacturer level. Thankfully, a second version is already taking wing and should be in stores later this summer. On a like minded note, the Aviation 72 Saab Draken is also sold out at our distributor, although we still have a few pieces left to fill any late comer orders. Reviews have been very positive so you may want to think long and hard about these scale replicas before passing up either one of them.

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Panzerstahl Bulks Up with the Conqueror

Power lifting has never been a problem for German-based Panzerstahl, so it should come as no surprise that they plan on adding more weight to their bar bell in the form of the British Conqueror heavy tank (#PS89009). Slated to step on to the mat in the September/October time frame, the FV 214 Conqueror heavy tank was intended to stand toe-to-toe with some of the beefy Soviet tank designs that were fielded after WWII. Mounting a fearsome 1200mm main gun, the Conqueror never saw service due to lengthy design delays and other remedies offered by the British War Ministry.

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Air Force 1 Sets a New Speed Record

Just days after Century Wings announced a new SR-71A Blackbird was in the making comes news that this high-flier will soon have some unexpected company. Air Force 1 claims to have their own rendition of the SR-71A in the works, boasting all of the fine workmanship, casting and detail the CW mold has touted for some time. Slated for an October ship, their first look at the super-sleek, super fast reconnaissance plane is based upon the craft that set several speed records in the 1990s.

An interesting turn of events…

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Air Force 1 Rolls Out the Peoples Liberation Army

Hot on the heels of their 1:72 scale V-22 Osprey offering comes news that Air Force 1 will also be tempting us with a slew of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army favorites, both on the ground and in the air. A pair of 1:35 scale main battle tanks will be released this year, each boasting wooden display plinths and a wealth of detail.

Also expected are two 1:48 scale attack helicopters as well as a 1:72 scale representation of the Chengdu J-10 fighter. Previously, each of the items was released as part of the Donart brand, which never made it over to the North American market place in significant numbers. Donning a brand new manufacturer’s logo and stocked by one of the most reliable distributors here on our shores, each of these interesting subjects will finally make it into diecast collections the world over.

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Century Wings Goes Swashbluckling

Century Wings is one of those model makers that defy explanation. Rather than branching out and offering new molds, they seem to prefer producing only a handful of aircraft types painted in virtually every conceivable skin. Their latest introduction showcases a SR-71A in “Skull and Crossbones” motif, always a war winner among the aviation crowd (#CW001607).

Currently, their newest Blackbird is penciled in for an August fly-by, and commands a king’s ransom of just $149.99.

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