Hobby Master's Premonition?

HA3817

With the Iranian nuclear crisis still in doubt, perhaps Hobby Master had a premonition of things to come when it announced plans to produce an Israeli F-16 that participated in the Raid on Osirak, in Iraq, some three decades ago. HA3817 portrays a “Netz” that was attached to 107 Squadron, responsible for putting out of action Saddam Hussein’s ambitions to become a nuclear power in 1981. Painted in a scintillating desert camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark insignia associated with the IDF, we anticipate brisk sales for this new entry as well as some of the other new weapons platforms just announced.

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Hobby Master’s Premonition?

HA3817

With the Iranian nuclear crisis still in doubt, perhaps Hobby Master had a premonition of things to come when it announced plans to produce an Israeli F-16 that participated in the Raid on Osirak, in Iraq, some three decades ago. HA3817 portrays a “Netz” that was attached to 107 Squadron, responsible for putting out of action Saddam Hussein’s ambitions to become a nuclear power in 1981. Painted in a scintillating desert camouflage scheme and bearing all of the hallmark insignia associated with the IDF, we anticipate brisk sales for this new entry as well as some of the other new weapons platforms just announced.

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Dragon Preps More Armor for its 2013 Assault

DRR60531

No one is more eager to see some of the promised Dragon Armor projects than we are, so its with mixed trepidation and heady anticipation that we unveil Dragon’s first German VK 45.02 (P)H Ausf. A Heavy Tank (DRR60531). Mounting the fearsome Type A turret towards the rear of the vehicle, much like a self-propelled gun, the German VK 45.02 (P)H Ausf. A heavy tank never actually saw military service, although it likely would have been employed to combat the growing array of heavy armor the Allies were throwing at The Third Reich towards the end of WWII. Ship dates are still open for debate, with other previously announced projects still awaiting their turn at bat on store shelves.

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Hobby Master Churns Up the Battlefield with the M48

HG5501

Despite being rumored to be on the drawing board for months on end, Hobby Master has finally announced plans to produce a 1:72 scale replica of the US-built M48 Patton tank. It’s not clear how many liveries or the extent to which they will model the entire family of M48 medium tanks, but at least their first replica looks like a winner: a Vietnam-era M48 A3 outfitted with a search light and upgunned commander’s cupola (HG5501). We hope to have this delightful little warfighter up on our web site later today, along with the rest of their May 2013 product announcements. Stay tuned…

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Corgi Provides a Sneek Peak at Their 2nd Half Aircraft

 

AA39915

Earlier today, Corgi posted details concerning their second half 2013 Aviation Archive releases. A couple of surprises were tossed in to the mix, including a 1:72 scale replica of an Avro Vulcan jet bomber and a set containing both a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress and Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 fighter. We hope to have the complete list of new introductions up on our site by later today. At that point the pre-order window will be open but keep in mind that many of their newest releases are not being made available for general sale so its important to review the list and place your orders early if you want to be guaranteed delivery.

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MotoGP Set to Taste Some Texas BBQ Next Week

Circuit

In what could become an important part of the MotoGP circuit, several riders are headed to Texas next week to test out The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Several key riders will be donning their racing gloves to check out the tracks including Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Dani Pedrosa. We anticipate Minichamps will be in attendance too, no doubt capitalizing on the venue to come out with several limited edition bikes some time down the road.

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New Line: AmerCom

AMER3024

We are pleased to announced that we will soon be stocking the AmerCom line of diecast military vehicles. Produced in the Czech Republic, and distributed throughout much of Europe, this is the first time the line will be imported in to North America. Thus far, it appears as if a dozen or so vehicles will comprise the first wave of releases, with no doubt more added to the portfolio as we move forward. It is not clear, at present, if their line of military helicopters and military aircraft will also become available at a future date. The models will not come with their accompanying magazines and packaging is similar to the DeAgostini line of military vehicles, which were originally designed to be mounted to the magazine. Still, for around $20 apiece, you can’t go wrong with these offerings, with many subjects not previously available from any other manufacturer.

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Unimax Begins its 2013 Barrage

UNI81013H

Barely a week after they attended the American International Toy Fair here in New York City, Unimax, the makers of the Forces of Valor series, has indicated that the first wave of 2013 products are now shipping. Of note is their 1:32 scale replica of a US 105mm field howitzer M2A1 with three crewmen (#UNI81013) and, of course, their first look at the F/A-18F Super Hornet, scaled at 1:72 (#UNI85064). A number of other important items are returning to stock after a brief hiatus, including their 1:72 scale take on the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter (#UNI85074).

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Dragon Fires Up the First Panzer III

DRA60578

If reports are true, collectors will soon be able to lay their mitts on the first Dragon Armor Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank — the mainstay of the German Panzerwaffe during the early to mid stages of WWII. According to Dragon’s latest shipment status report, their first vehicle (#DRA60578) is due to ship out shortly, no doubt followed by several of the other Panzer IIIs announced several months back and available in different configurations and patterns. Their inaugural vehicle is based upon an “L” variant, which was equipped with a 50mm gun to stand up to some of the more potent Russian armor they were facing on the eastern front. This particular vehicle was attached to Panzer Regiment 25, 7.Panzer Division, which, despite its mottled winter camouflage scheme, served in southern Russia in early 1943.

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Oxford Grouses, "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar"

AC039

As 2013 continues to grind forward, we’ve learned that Oxford Diecast will be expanding its line of 1:72 scale budget-priced aircraft this summer. Several repaints will be offered, but more importantly a number of new aircraft will join the fray, including a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 “Oscar” fighter (#OXFAC039). Also in development is a German Henschel Hs 123A dive-bomber, a biplane that saw service in WWII well beyond its intended service life (#OXFAC040). Although the pre-order window has now opened for these and other new entries, keep in mind they aren’t expected until June, at the earliest.

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