![Hobby Master's 1:72 scale USAF McDonnell F-G Phantom II Wild Weasel Aircraft - "YGBSM", 561st Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Wing, 1996 [Low-Vis Scheme]](http://themotorpoolblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/ha19801.jpg?resize=400%2C260 "HA1980")
Unimax Launches Smithsonian Wheels 2 Wings Series
Always looking to build upon success, Unimax, the makers of the wildly popular Forces of Valor series, has announced the launch of a brand new range dubbed Smithsonian Wheels 2 Wings Heritage series. According to their hand out:
“Wheels-2-Wings is a new brand produced by Unimax, the makers of Forces of Valor. Wheels-2-Wings brings you highly detailed recreations of iconic machines found in world-class collections from around the world. Our first series features planes found in The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and space flight.”
The first products are expected in February with more military and non-military themed subjects in the pipeline for 2013.
New Line: DeAgostini Military Aircraft
We’re thrilled to announce the imminent arrival of DeAgostini 1:144 scale military aircraft. Much like the old IXO/Altaya range of military aircraft, the DeAgostini line is affordable yet chock full of features, making them wonderful stocking stuffers for the holiday season. Keep in mind that these planes are packaged in blister packs instead of the more traditional boxes, since they were originally designed to be bundled with a military-themed magazine based overseas. Nonetheless, for $20 a pop, you cant go wrong with any of these warbirds, in part because they replicate subjects no one else has done before. Get ’em while the getting is good!
Welly Serves up the War Winning Willys Jeep
Alliteration aside, we’re happy to report that Welly will soon release a 1:18 scale rendition of a WWII-era Willys jeep (#WE18036). Accurately modeled and finely detailed, we think this sharp looking replica will make a fantastic gift this holiday season, both affordable and sweet to behold. Compare this with the overpriced AutoArt rendition, and we feel this portrayal is an absolute bargain, even if it doesn’t come outfitted with cloth seats. We expect to take delivery later this month so make sure to check out this latest listing at your earliest opportunity.
Product Reviews: Why They're Important
After a customer receives an order from us, an automated email is generated and sent out to the recipient asking about the level of service they received, the quality of the product and other important pieces of information which are aimed at evaluating the shopping experience. So why is this important? For starters, we’re truly interested in hearing about a customer’s comments, be they good or bad, and strive to make improvements where ever and when ever possible. Moreover, each product is reviewed with stars which now appear as “rich snippets” when someone does a search on Google for the product in question. This enables other would-be customers the opportunity to see the item at-a-glance as well as gauge its overall quality and the customer’s shopping experience from that particular merchant. Essentially, the customer is helping the next person in line evaluate whether or not they should consider the item and from whom they should purchase it. Hope that makes sense and we hope everyone enjoys this new feature as we continue to move forward…
Product Reviews: Why They’re Important
After a customer receives an order from us, an automated email is generated and sent out to the recipient asking about the level of service they received, the quality of the product and other important pieces of information which are aimed at evaluating the shopping experience. So why is this important? For starters, we’re truly interested in hearing about a customer’s comments, be they good or bad, and strive to make improvements where ever and when ever possible. Moreover, each product is reviewed with stars which now appear as “rich snippets” when someone does a search on Google for the product in question. This enables other would-be customers the opportunity to see the item at-a-glance as well as gauge its overall quality and the customer’s shopping experience from that particular merchant. Essentially, the customer is helping the next person in line evaluate whether or not they should consider the item and from whom they should purchase it. Hope that makes sense and we hope everyone enjoys this new feature as we continue to move forward…
Forces of Valor Chases Down Fireflies
![Forces of Valor's 1:32 scale British M4 Sherman Firefly Medium Tank - Unidentified Unit, Normandy, 1944 [D-Day Commemorative Packaging]](http://themotorpoolblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/uni80064h1.jpg?resize=400%2C347 "UNI80064H")
Oxford Continues to Churn 'em Out!
Showing no signs of abatement, Oxford Diecast’s Oxford Aviation range is continuing to expand, offering more aircraft types, new paint schemes and more product for the aviation enthusiast. To open 2013, we’ve learned that they will be offering a US-built Brewster Buffalo and Italian G-55 Centauro, not to mention an S2 livery for its hot-selling de Havilland Mosquito. Furthermore, more new aircraft are in the pipeline for their upscale History of Flight category, including a 1:72 scale reproduction of a de Havilland Dragon Rapide Passenger Airliner that was piloted by Prince of Wales, King Edward VIII. Look for further product announcements and additional imagery to come out shortly…
Oxford Continues to Churn ’em Out!
Showing no signs of abatement, Oxford Diecast’s Oxford Aviation range is continuing to expand, offering more aircraft types, new paint schemes and more product for the aviation enthusiast. To open 2013, we’ve learned that they will be offering a US-built Brewster Buffalo and Italian G-55 Centauro, not to mention an S2 livery for its hot-selling de Havilland Mosquito. Furthermore, more new aircraft are in the pipeline for their upscale History of Flight category, including a 1:72 scale reproduction of a de Havilland Dragon Rapide Passenger Airliner that was piloted by Prince of Wales, King Edward VIII. Look for further product announcements and additional imagery to come out shortly…
Santa May be Arriving Late for the Holidays
From our vantage point, it looks as though Santa may be hustling down the chimney with some late tidings. According to one distributor, Panzerstahl’s eagerly awaited limited edition range will likely show up in December making them neat if tardy stocking stuffers hanging from the fireplace. Meanwhile, War Master’s next wave of diecast military vehicles and aircraft will probably roll in some time in late November. While not a disaster, you can surely bet collectors and gift givers will be snatching them up by the bucket load thanks to their affordable price, heft, sharp detail and subject matter.
If you’re a Minichamps fan-boy, then you know full well that their line is always catcher’s catch can, with several products announced eons ago hopefully finding their way onto Santa’s sled this holiday season. Otherwise, you can always hope for next year or pick up some of their recently-released products finally making it to market. And then there’s Corgi, who is still indicating that their 1:72 scale Avro Lancaster and Short Stirling bombers are circling Santa’s house awaiting clearance to land by his elves. Let’s hope both do show up since new renditions of each aircraft are supposedly coming in early 2013.