Low angle tropical plants with a welcome sign to hot weather
After motoring down the I-95 corridor for the better part of three days, then being instructed to take some back alley roads by Waze, we finally made it down to our new digs in Florida last week. Its taken us roughly a week to get everything sorted out including all of our inventory unpacked, racked out and ready for immediate picking. That said, we’re up-and-running and ready to resume business. All of the orders we received while we were on hiatus have been dropped off and should be meandering their way to their final destinations throughout the course of this week.
We’ve also instructed all of our principal vendors that they can resume shipping any orders they may have been holding for us over the last few weeks. We’re also getting updates on some of the delayed shipments that should be hitting the roadways this week, most notably the latest Forces of Valor releases as well as the recent spate of Hobby Master shipments. Barring any further issues, these should be arriving by the third week of January at which point we will make a herculean effort to get them turned around the moment they come in. That’s about it for now — we still have some things to address such as obtaining a replacement desk since the one I ordinarily use broke during the move so we’re temporarily using snack trays as stand-ins for sturdier office ware.We are also in dire need of some packing supplies since most were used for the move. All things being equal, we’re sort of glad the transition was made in early January rather than at any other time of the year since it gives us more time to ensure everything is done properly and on time. Thanks for bearing with us during this transition period.
Now that China has relaxed its Zero COVID policy and lifted both movement and lock down restrictions that led to protests around the nation, it appears as if the OMICRON variant is now running rampant through much of the country. While Chinese government officials acknowledge the death of only a handful of individuals due to COVID, western media outlets are reporting millions of respiratory-related deaths and a different form of angst – massed funerals. The problem is so bad that crematoriums are running round-the-clock in an effort to deal with the number of bodies being brought in day and night. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring the situation and, based upon their own data, and pointing to the inability of the Chinese to adequately deal with the pandemic, predicts that at least 1,000,000 people will likely die from COVID this winter unless the government can come up with a plan to deal with current conditions.
Needless to say, the economic situation is once again becoming tested, as people refuse to congregate or take mass transit to their jobs, further exacerbating the problem. Naturally, if people cannot report to work, they cannot produce the goods the world expects to be made, which, as you might imagine, includes toys and diecast merchandise. While we don’t want to raise the red flag just yet and get everyone in a tizzy, it doesn’t take a world renowned economist to sift through the data and announce that stalled assembly lines and fearful workers translates into fewer goods being produced. Sorry to sound so dire, particularly at this time of year when everyone is in a festive mood, but we envisage tough times ahead for both the diecast industry and other sectors of the economy for much of 2023.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Germany, 1945
Technically, 2023 marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit in Chinese mythology, however, with the deluge of Neo Dragon Armor subjects expected this February, we’re going to characterize it as the Year of the Dragon. According to a recent announcement made by our distributor, no fewer than 20 new products are expected in the second month of 2023, far outstripping our first shipment that arrived back in October. The list of upcoming releases is too numerous to list here, so we’re going to point everyone to our February Release section, which shows each item and, where applicable, each variation currently on the docket. We advise everyone to go through the section as soon as possible and pre-order those items you’d like to nab before some sell out.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “White 100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Mga, Russia, 1942
Going forward we will likely see more of these larger-than-normal shipments arriving every quarter or so. The reason for this is that ever since Dragon Models USA closed its doors well over a year ago, our distributor must bring in a container load of new product at a time to make it worth their while and lower the per unit trans-oceanic cost associated with importing goods from the Pacific Rim. That means the next shipment is probably pegged for this coming spring, and will likely include those items that are currently showing a “2023” estimated release date. Its also hoped that with shipping costs slowly decreasing as compared with the 2021-2022 period, that the retail price for many of their soon-to-be-released items will drop somewhat as well.
When it comes to value, few services can compete with Amazon Prime – a be all, perk-filled solution that encompasses everything from free music and video streaming to low cost book buying. It now appears as if Prime wants to play a bigger role in merchant fulfilled sales by purportedly offering free shipping if you use AmazonPay and/or Prime enrollment as a means of paying for your orders. Here’s the message we received from Amazon earlier today that supports this claim:
“According to the Baymard Institute, 48% of shoppers abandon their carts because of additional shipping fees, and 22% of shoppers abandon carts because delivery is too slow
Why not add Prime shopping benefits like fast, free shipping to help reduce your cart abandonment rates. Merchants like you are offering customers a trusted, familiar checkout as well as the fast, free delivery experience they’ve come to expect.
Delight your customers — both new and returning — with 1-2 day shipping, free returns, and an easy checkout.”
Needless to say we are very interested in learning more about this upcoming program, particularly if it increases sales for us while simultaneously reducing– or even wiping out — shipping costs for our customers. We’ve already signed up to hear more about this new program and will certainly share the news with our clientele as soon as Amazon explains how the program will work and if the costs are in-line with the benefits. Stay tuned.
Corgi’s 1:12 scale 2020 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Matera Motorcycle – James Bond, “No Time to Die”
Based on the top spec Scrambler XE’s category-dominating performance and capability, the Bond Edition also benefits from class-leading state-of-the-art technology, specification and equipment, together with the addition of beautiful and unique higher-value details and finishes.
The ultra-rare Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition has been inspired by the magnificent Scrambler 1200 custom stunt bike featured in the new 2020 James Bond Film, and is limited to 250 models worldwide with only 30 in the United States
No Time to Die is a 2021 spy film and the twenty-fifth in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions, starring Daniel Craig in his fifth and final portrayal of fictional British MI6 agent, James Bond. It was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga from a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Rory Kinnear and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles from previous films, with Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, David Dencik and Dali Benssalah also starring. In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service with MI6 and is recruited by the CIA to find a kidnapped scientist, which leads to a showdown with a powerful adversary.
Development began in 2016. It is the first Bond film to be distributed by Universal Pictures, which acquired the international distribution rights following the expiration of Sony Pictures’ contract after the release of Spectre in 2015. United Artists Releasing holds the rights for North America, as well as worldwide digital and television rights; Universal also holds the worldwide rights for physical home media. Danny Boyle was originally attached to direct and co-write the screenplay with John Hodge. Both left in August 2018 due to creative differences, and Fukunaga was announced as Boyle’s replacement a month later. Most of the cast had signed by April 2019. Principal photography took place from April to October 2019. Billie Eilish performed the theme song.
No Time to Die premiered globally at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 28th, 2021, and was released in cinemas on September 30th, 2021, in the UK and on 8 October 2021 in the US after being delayed by Boyle’s departure and, later, by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received positive reviews and has grossed over $774 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2021, earning several other box-office record achievements, including becoming the third-highest-grossing film of all time in the UK. The film garnered several awards and nominations, including five nominations at the 75th British Academy Film Awards, winning one for Best Editing, and three nominations at the 94th Academy Awards, winning one for Best Original Song.
Look for Corgi’s James Bond 2020 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Matera motorcycle to be unleashed in January.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – Korea, 1950
After secretly crossing the Yalu River on October 19th, 1950, the Peoples Volunteer Army (PVA) 13th Army Group launched the First Phase Offensive on October 25th, attacking the advancing UN forces near the Sino-Korean border. This military decision made solely by China changed the attitude of the Soviet Union. Twelve days after PVA troops entered the war, Stalin allowed the Soviet Air Force to provide air cover and supported more aid to China. After inflicting heavy losses on the ROK II Corps at the Battle of Oniong, the first confrontation between Chinese and US military occurred on November 1st, 1950. Deep in North Korea, thousands of soldiers from the PVA 39th Army, encircled and attacked the US 8th Cavalry Regiment with three-prong assaults—from the north, northwest, and west—and overran the defensive position flanks in the Battle of Unsan. The surprise assault resulted in the UN forces retreating back to the Ch’ongch’on River, while the PVA unexpectedly disappeared into mountain hideouts following victory. It is unclear why the Chinese did not press the attack and follow up their victory.
The UN Command, however, were unconvinced that the Chinese had openly intervened because of the sudden PVA withdrawal. On 24 November, the Home-by-Christmas Offensive was launched with the US Eighth Army advancing in northwest Korea, while US X Corps attacked along the Korean east coast. But the PVA were waiting in ambush with their Second Phase Offensive, which they executed at two sectors: in the East at the Chosin Reservoir and in the Western sector at Ch’ongch’on River.
On November 13th, Mao appointed Zhou Enlai the overall commander and coordinator of the war effort, with Peng as field commander. On November 25th, on the Korean western front, the PVA 13th Army Group attacked and overran the ROK II Corps at the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, and then inflicted heavy losses on the US 2nd Infantry Division on the UN forces’ right flank. Believing that they could not hold against the PVA the Eighth Army began to retreat from North Korea crossing the 38th Parallel in mid-December. UN morale hit rock bottom when Lieutenant General Walton Walker, commander of the US Eighth Army, was killed on December 23rd, 1950, in an automobile accident.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 Medium Tank – “215”, Korea, 1950
In the east, on November 27th, the PVA 9th Army Group initiated the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Here the UN forces fared comparatively better: like the Eighth Army the surprise attack also forced X Corps to retreat from northeast Korea, but they were in the process able to break out from the attempted encirclement by the PVA and execute a successful tactical withdrawal. X Corps managed to establish a defensive perimeter at the port city of Hungnam on 11 December and were able to evacuate by 24 December in order to reinforce the badly depleted US Eighth Army to the south. During the evacuation, about 193 shiploads of UN forces and matériel (approximately 105,000 soldiers, 98,000 civilians, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies) were evacuated to Pusan. The SS Meredith Victory was noted for evacuating 14,000 refugees, the largest rescue operation by a single ship, even though it was designed to hold 12 passengers. Before escaping, the UN forces razed most of Hungnam city, with particular attention to the port facilities. The UN retreat from North Korea also saw the massive evacuation from the capital city of Pyongyang. In early December, UN forces, including the British Army’s 29th Infantry Brigade, evacuated Pyongyang, along with large numbers of refugees. Around 4.5 million North Koreans are estimated to have fled from North Korea to either the South or elsewhere abroad. On 16 December 1950, President Truman declared a national state of emergency with Presidential Proclamation No. 2914, 3 C.F.R. 99 (1953), which remained in force until 14 September 1978. The next day, 17 December 1950, Kim Il-sung was deprived of the right of command of KPA by China.
China justified its entry into the war as a response to “American aggression in the guise of the UN”. Later, the Chinese claimed that US bombers had violated PRC national airspace on three separate occasions and attacked Chinese targets before China intervened.
Dragon has announced their own plans for Chinese intervention with two versions of a People’s Volunteer Army T-34/85 medium tank, both of which are due out in early 2023.
Luft-X 1:72 scale German Horten Ho 229 Fighter Bomber – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum
We had thought that Luft-X was all but dead seeing as how nothing new has been announced from this resin model maker for the better part of five years. That said, it appears as if the creator of exotic German wunderwaffe aircraft is looking to make a comeback in 2023 with the release of not one but two versions of their highly sought after Ho 229 fighter-bomber. LUFT004 was released some time back and quickly sold out almost as soon as it made its maiden flight onto retailer’s shelves. A second version, dubbed LUFT004A, is based upon the aircraft currently on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annex of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Both are scheduled to touch down in April and will likely get snapped up as quickly as they did on the first go round.
There’s a good chance that LUFT-X may resurrect several of their other previous releases as we amble further down the road in 2023, and hopefully add some new subjects once they re-establish their identity in the marketplace and gain traction among military aircraft collectors.
And, in a related announcement, Wings of Glory is re-releasing several of their resin-crafted WWI-themed military aircraft, once again demonstrating that they are looking to play a major role in the aviation sector. Look for their LZ 41 Zeppelin, Manfred von Richthofen’s Fokker Dr.I Triplane fighter, and Eddie Rickenbacker’s Spad XIII biplane fighter to soar over Flanders trenches this coming April.
Fans of diecast military aircraft are waiting with baited breath for the upcoming reveal of Northrop-Grumman’s newest bomber, the B-21 Raider. While little is known regarding the US Air Force’s latest stealth bomber, the manufacturer tweeted out that their aircraft will face world wide scrutiny on December 2nd, and is slated to begin flight testing in 2023. For more information regarding the B-21 unveil, we strongly urge you to visit Defense News.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A3 (76mm) Sherman Medium Tank – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt IV”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 1944
Creighton Williams Abrams Jr. (September 15, 1914 – September 4, 1974) was a United States Army general who commanded military operations in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972, which saw United States troop strength in South Vietnam reduced from a peak of 543,000 to 49,000. He was then Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1972 until his death in 1974.
In 1980, the United States Army named its then new main battle tank, the M1 Abrams, after him. The IG Farben building in Germany was also named after Abrams from 1975 to 1995.
Abrams graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 1936 (ranked 185th of 276 in the class), and served with the 1st Cavalry Division from 1936 to 1940, being promoted to first lieutenant in 1939 and temporary captain in 1940.
Abrams became an armor officer early in the development of that branch and served as a tank company commander in the 1st Armored Division in 1940.
During World War II, Abrams served in the 4th Armored Division, initially as regimental adjutant (June 1941 – June 1942), battalion commander (July 1942 – March 1943), and regiment executive officer (March–September 1943) with the 37th Armor Regiment. In September 1943, a reorganization of the division redesignated the 37th Armor Regiment to the 37th Tank Battalion, which Abrams commanded; he also commanded Combat Command B of the division during the Battle of the Bulge.
During this time Abrams was promoted to the temporary ranks of major (February 1942), lieutenant colonel (September 1942), and colonel (April 1945). Abrams was promoted to lieutenant colonel eleven days before his 28th birthday.
During much of this time, the 4th Armored Division (led by the 37th Tank Battalion) was the spearhead for General George S. Patton’s Third Army, and he was consequently well known as an aggressive armor commander. By using his qualities as a leader and by consistently exploiting the relatively small advantages of speed and reliability of his vehicles, he managed to defeat German forces that had the advantage of superior armor and superior guns. He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism, on September 20 and December 26, 1944. General George Patton said of him: “I’m supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer – Abe Abrams. He’s the world champion.” Frequently the spearhead of the Third Army during World War II, Abrams was one of the leaders in the relief effort that broke up the German entrenchments entrenchments surrounding Bastogne and the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. In April 1945, he was promoted to (temporary) colonel but reverted to lieutenant colonel during the post-war demobilization. On April 23, 1945, Will Lang Jr. wrote a biography of Abrams called “Colonel Abe” for Life.
brams was promoted to general in 1964 and appointed Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, but not before being seriously considered as a candidate for chief of staff. Due to concerns about the conduct of the Vietnam War, he was appointed as deputy to his West Point classmate, General William Westmoreland, commander of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), in May 1967.
Abrams succeeded Westmoreland as COMUSMACV on June 10th, 1968, although his tenure of command was not marked by the public optimism of his predecessors, who were prone to press conferences and public statements.
It has been asserted by authors such as Lewis Sorley that in contrast to Westmoreland, Abrams implemented counterinsurgency tactics that focused on winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese rural population. A joint military-civilian organization named Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support under CIA official Willian Colby carried out the hearts and minds programs. According to a colonel cited in Men’s Journal, there was more continuity than change in Vietnam after Abrams succeeded Westmoreland. Newsweek magazine at the time of Abrams’ appointment observed that its sources within the Lyndon Johnson administration had spoken at length with Abrams in the past and had come away convinced that the general would make few changes. The magazine quoted an unidentified military analyst to the effect that, “All this talk of dropping search-and destroy operations in favor of clear-and-hold is just a lot of bull.” Indeed none of the strategy papers produced by Abrams on assuming command of MACV indicated the need for any change in U.S. strategy and U.S. forces continued large-scale operations to engage People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) main force units including the Battle of Hamburger Hill in May 1969.
Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M4A3E8 Sherman Medium Tank – Creighton Abrams’ “Thunderbolt VII”, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Germany, 1945
From 1969, the Vietnam War increasingly became a conventional war between the military forces of South Vietnam and North Vietnam. Following the election of President Richard Nixon, Abrams began implementing the Nixon Administration’s Vietnamization policy to decrease U.S. involvement in Vietnam. With this new goal, Abrams had decreased American troop strength from a peak of 543,000 in early 1969 to 49,000 in June 1972. The South Vietnamese forces with aerial support from the U.S. repelled the PAVN conventional Easter Offensive in 1972. The prolonged efforts and expense of the war had by then exhausted much of the American public and political support. Abrams disdained most of the politicians with whom he was forced to deal, in particular Robert McNamara and McGeorge Bundy, and had an even lower opinion of defense contractors, whom he accused of war profiteering.
Abrams was also in charge of the Cambodian Incursion in 1970. President Nixon seemed to hold Abrams in high regard, and often relied on his advice. In a tape-recorded conversation between Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger on December 9th, 1970, Nixon told Kissinger about Abrams’ thoughts on intervention in Cambodia that: “If Abrams strongly recommends it we will do it.” Troop levels in Vietnam eventually reached 25,000 in January 1973, at the time of the four power Paris Peace Accords . Although it occurred before he assumed total command, Abrams bore the brunt of fallout from the My Lai maasacre in March 1968.
Nixon grew increasingly dissatisfied with Abrams’ performance during Operation Lam Son 719 and had debated for some time whether to recall Abrams. On May 4, 1972 Nixon resolved to replace Abrams with his former deputy General Frederick Weyand, but the decision was not publicly announced until 20 June 1972.
To honor Creighton Abrams, Dragon has announced not one but two different versions of his celebrated WWII Sherman tank. The first, Thunderbolt IV is based on his M4A3 (76mm) Sherman medium tank, which he commanded as he led his unit in the relief effort of the besieged town of Bastogne.
A second tank, which was announced earlier this morning, pays homage to Thunderbolt VII, which was a M4A3E8 Sherman medium tank. This latest vehicle is expected in early 2023.
US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo Assault Tank with VVSS Suspension – “Cobra King”, C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, Bastogne, Belgium, December 26th, 1944 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]
Waltersons, the owners of the Forces of Valor brand, today indicated that a new shipment is leaving China in early December and, their words not ours, will hopefully arrive at their facility in late December. Frankly, we have our doubts that this shipment will make it to us before the holidays. We reach this decision based upon previous experience with this manufacturer together with logistical issues that will likely conspire to delay its arrival, perhaps into the New Year. We wish we had better news to pass along and, as you might imagine, we do not know if we will have to reroute this shipment so that it is sent to Florida instead of New York should further delays complicate things.
According to the manufacturer, the latest shipment will contain more of the initial Tiger I tank painted in a winter camouflage scheme along with their new Jumbo Sherman. Their Sherman with the Duplex Drive is not expected to be included in this shipment and instead will likely reach fruition in early 2023. This also applies to their soon-to-be-released trio of 1:72 scale P-40 fighters along with both the waterline and full draught versions of their Yamato battleship. I know this comes as disappointing news to a great many of you but here again we play no part in getting product made, shipped out of China or distributed here in North America. If you are looking to give any of these three items as a gift I would strongly suggest choosing a different product that is currently listed as being in stock. Keep in mind too that with our clearance sale kicking off on Monday, the 28th, our remaining stocks of Forces of Valor products will almost certainly sell out quickly.
Update: This email was received from the owner of Waltersons on December 3rd. “Our recent shipment has just been loaded on the vessel yesterday, and it was supposed to occur 5 days ago, however, our factory district got locked down for almost a week. Until 2 days ago, every lock down policy was dramatically lifted. With that said, I think the arrival date to the US will probably be after Xmas, so I think its better if we ship to the Florida facility.”
