Wings of the Great War Takes Wing Again

We’ll be the first to admit that its been awhile since we received a shipment of models from Wings of the Great War. But as they say, patience is a virtue and we’re happy to report the impending arrival of three previously released 1:72 scale World War I era military aircraft. The list includes a U.S. Air Service Spad XIII Biplane Fighter piloted by famed ace 1st Lt. Eddie Rickenbacker ((WW15001), a German Fokker Dr.I Triplane Fighter commanded by the “Red Baron” himself, Manfred von Richthofen and a 1:700 German Imperial Navy LZ 41 Zeppelin (WW19901), .

While its certainly wonderful to receive some re-stocks, the Company that oversees the production of these models claims that newer aircraft are currently in the works. We’re not certain when some new items will be announced but typically this occurs after a known batch of products, such as the one soon-to-arrive, is finally made available.

Luft-X’s 1:72 scale German Horten Ho 229 Fighter Bomber – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum

Since the Luft-X line is made in the same factory as Wings of the Great War, we are also eagerly awaiting a shipment of their latest warbirds, which includes two versions of the Horten Ho 229 fighter-bomber — a super-sleek fighter-bomber that currently hangs in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, at the National Air and Space Museum.

Look for all of these warbirds to soar over the diecast battlefield next week.

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Dragon Revs up the Abrams

Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank – NATO Woodlands Camouflage

Now that we are fully stocked with all of Panzkerkampf’s Abrams tanks, it makes sense that Dragon would select it as their next Neo Dragon Armor subject. [sic] Be that as it may, Dragon announced a pair of M1A2 SEP Abrams are in development, both of which are likely due out before the end of this year.

In 1998, a program was launched by the US Army to increase upgrade protection of its M1A2 Abrams tanks. The System Enhancement Package (SEP) added improved armor protection, improved system components, improved computer components, and some other improvements. The first M1A2 SEP tank was delivered to the US Army in 1999. A total of 240 M1A2 SEP tanks were newly built. Another 300 M1A2 tanks were upgraded to M1A2 SEP standard from previous versions. Notably 400 oldest M1A1 tanks were upgraded to M1A2 SEP standard. Also unknown number of the basic refurbished M1 tanks were upgraded to this standard. So the US military operated at least 900 M1A2 SEP main battle tanks. These formed the backbone of the US military armored forces. This tank has not been exported in its original form.

Neo Dragon Armor’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank – Desert Camouflage

Like the rest of the Neo Dragon Armor line, the Abrams will be made of plastic instead of metal, which typically affords finer detailing since its far easier to work with plastic over metal, especially at this scale. Both are up on our web site and ready for pre-order.

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Legion Continues its Advance

Legion Models 1:72 scale Soviet Ilyushin IL-2M Shturmovik Ground Attack Aircraft – Nelson Stepanyan, 57 ShAP, 1944

Several new models are rolling in later this month from Legion Models, the budget-branded arm of Panzerkampf. Expected are several 1:72 scale Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft as are a column of KamAZ 4310 cargo trucks. While their packaging is a bit spartan relative to other makes, the products themselves are being well-received, priced with affordability in mind given the continual rise in cost of similar lines.

Legion Models 1:72 scale Captured Russian KamAZ 4310 Cargo Truck

Also due are several key re-stocks, among them both 1:1000 scale aircraft carriers and a handful of the F4U Corsairs that have rapidly been snapped up by collectors world over.

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Dragon Claims, “Wittmann Rides Again”`

Whether you’re a modeler, collector or avid historian, the name Wittmann resonates like none other in the annals of armored warfare. Praised by the German Propaganda machine and held in high regard by both his comrades as well as his adversaries, Michael Wittmann became a highly decorated tank ace on both the eastern and western fronts, a feat few tankers from World War II could ever hope to match.

That said, Dragon today announced plans to replicate one of his most famous mounts: “007”, which represented his last Tiger tank he would ever ride into battle. Also shown for the first time is “112” — an equally famous tank that was commanded by SS-Oberscharfuhrer Heinrich Ernst, who saw extensive action in the fields of Normandy during that fateful summer of 1944. Both vehicles feature Zimmerit anti-magnetic mine paste slathered along the hull and turret as well as historically accurate camouflage schemes painted along their exteriors.

The pair are now up for pre-order and we hope to have them in hand for the holiday season.

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Anatomy of War: Germany’s Secret Army

The Schnez-Truppe or Schnez Organization was an illegal clandestine paramilitary organization formed in West Germany in 1949 by veterans of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS under the leadership of Albert Schnez, that intended to fight against the Soviet Union in the event of an invasion. It has been reported as having been founded with a membership of some 2,000 former officers; later obtaining a total strength of up to 40,000 members.

The organization was active in the US occupation zone in southern Germany, and aimed to field up to four armored divisions in case of war. It was to become active in case of an attack by East Germany in a domestic German conflict similar to the Korean War, but without outside interference.

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USPS Ground Advantage

USPS will launch USPS Ground Advantage™ service, an affordable and reliable way for you to ship packages in 2–5 business days.

USPS Ground Advantage will combine USPS Retail Ground®, First-Class Package®, and Parcel Select Ground® services (as well as returns options such as First-Class Package Return® service and Ground Returns) into a single, streamlined ground shipping service.

USPS Ground Advantage is a perfect option for shippers of all sizes who want affordable domestic ground shipping to all 50 states, U.S. military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.

Features & Benefits

  • Packages delivered in 2–5 business days.
  • Best-priced service for items up to 15.999 oz, based on weight (rounded up to 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, and 15.999 oz) and zone (distance).
  • Packages greater than 15.999 oz are charged by the pound (rounded up).
  • Free Package Pickup service at your home or office.
  • Pay for postage using stamps, a self-service kiosk, Click-N-Ship® service, or at a Post Office™ location.
  • Tracking is included.
  • Business customers can use USPS Ground Advantage return service as a convenient option for customers who need to send items back.
  • $100 insurance is included (for both outbound and return shipments), and you can purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage against loss or damage for merchandise.

Currently, our web hosting solution has yet to implement the USPS Ground Advantage rates into our shipping settings. However, once they do it would appear as if this new rate will supplant our First Class and Parcel Post rate options, thereby making them non-viable options within the CONUS. We will update this post once the rates have been enabled. Pre-orders that have yet to be filled will then be shipped out under the Ground Advantage program. Moreover, according to our Marketplace sites (eBay, Amazon, et al.) Ground Advantage will go live on July 9th and again replace both First Class and Parcel Post shipping options. Priority Mail will be a separate option.

We have also updated our online calendar to reflect the revised cut off dates for USPS Ground Advantage during the holiday season. When you have a moment, we invite you to review all of our cut off dates for each type of domestic and international service.

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Militaria Diecast Opens a More Inclusive Tent

Militaria Diecast’s 1:43 scale US 1/4 Ton Willys Jeep with Bantam T3 Trailer – Top Down

Looking to build upon the success of their Armored Fighting Vehicles of World War II line, the owner of the range has decided to expand the series to now include soft-skinned vehicles. Six new WWII-era 1:43 scale vehicles were shown on their site, covering everything from DUKW amphibious trucks to M16 motor carriages. Interestingly, all six vehicles are based upon vehicles drawn from the US inventory. It is hoped that as the series expands, vehicles from other user-nations will be added. We’ve listed all of the vehicles on our web site and expect them to storm our shores some time this summer.

The packaging for this new series is very reminiscent of the type used for the AFV’s of WWII line. Like the AFVs series, each vehicle in the Militaria range sits atop an etched based and is nestled within a handsome heavy acrylic display case. Eventually, as product sells out within the AFVs line and more product is called for, the new packaging will bear the Militaria Diecast logo rather than the AFV moniker all in an effort to maintain a consistent look and appearance across all of their sub brands.

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Forces of Valor Keeps on Tracking

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Pair of Weathered Metal Tiger Tank Tracks [Early Production]

We’ve learned that the June/July shipment of Forces of Valor products will contain the oft-requested early production Tiger I metal track set. We were laboring under the impression that the initial batch of tracks were sold out and that we might have to wait for the manufacturer to produce a second batch, which could take months if not years to happen based upon prior experience. So, when we heard that more were on the way we jumped on them (figuratively, not literally), and should have them in hand and ready for shipment some time in July. Frankly, when you consider how many more Tiger tanks are in the pipeline we thought it made sense to have an ample supply on hand to keep the Tigerwaffe rolling along for the foreseeable future.

In other news, Waltersons has completed in principal their acquisition of Greenlight Collectibles. Based in Indiana, Greenlight has carved out a respectable business amongst many of the big box retailers, selling all sorts of budget-minded toys from fire-fighting equipment to, you guessed it, smaller 1:64 scale military vehicles under their Battalion 64 sub brand. Indeed, some of the vehicles were recently on display at the Waltersons booth at the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan. Greenlight’s 1:64 scale tanks will no doubt serve as the basis for Forces of Valor’s newest line of military collectibles, although these will likely be weathered or outwardly reworked to make them dovetail within their entire spectrum of Forces of Valor military vehicle ranges.

Look familiar? Greenlight’s rendition of “Cobra King” is no doubt off the mark, sporting an M4A3 configuration rather than the correct M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo model recently released by Waltersons. While a model such as this might appeal to the inexperienced eye, collectors will no doubt take up arms if an unaltered Battalion 64 model makes its way into the Forces of Valor lineup.

Greenlight will also serve as the central warehouse for all things Forces of Valor, which had been operating in concert with American Diorama on the west coast since the beginning of 2023. We bring this up because it will no doubt make our job of acquiring Forces of Valor merchandise far easier and similarly cut down on the turn-around time it takes to first place an order with them then get our order delivered to our own warehouse in Florida. It also means that we will at last have a salesperson in North America that we can reach within a matter of minutes rather than have to speak to someone in eastern Asia, which, because of the time difference, typically took a half day to get a response.

We had hoped that their 1:700 scale take on the Royal Navy’s HMS Invincible would complete its sea trails and be made available last year in time for the 40th anniversary of the Battle of the Falklands. Maybe “Forty Plus One”?

We expect Forces of Valor to make a number of product announcements shortly now that they have begun handling their own distribution within North America. Some items, such as their first King Tiger tank, F-16 Viper, HMS Invincible aircraft carrier and V-22 Osprey, have been hinted at on Facebook for several months running, although nothing concrete has turned up in their sales solicitations. With their logistical network now having been worked out, we anticipate a steady stream of new product announcements to follow shortly.

Now, if they could update their web site in a more timely fashion we would be supremely grateful…

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Product Spotlight: Pave Drag

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF General Dynamics F-111C “Aardvark” Strike Aircraft – “Pave Tack Prototype” A8-138, No.1 Squadron, 1984-5

The Ford Aerospace AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack is an electro-optical targeting pod for military attack aircraft. It uses a laser and a forward looking infrared to find and designate targets for laser-guided bombs and other precision-guided munitions. Pave Tack’s images are routed to a cockpit display, usually for the weapon systems officer.

Pave Tack was developed in the late 1970s and entered service in 1982, and was initially used by the USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and General Dynamics F-111C Aardvark strike aircraft. Its combat debut came in 1986 during Operation El Dorado Canyon’s air raid against Libya by F-111F aircraft stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England. F-111s used it to great effect in the Gulf War of 1991, both against fixed targets and against tanks.

F-4 crews called Pave Tack “Pave Drag” because it was carried externally. Pave Tack is a large installation, with the pod alone weighing some 1,385 lb (629 kg) and measuring 166 inches (4,220 mm) in length. On the F-4, the size of the pod meant that it had to be carried on the centerline station in place of the standard drop tank; it imposed a substantial aerodynamic drag penalty and was generally unpopular. The F-111C and F-111F carried the Pave Tack pod on a rotating carriage in its internal bomb bay, retracting it when not in use to reduce drag and protect the sensors from damage.

About 150 AVQ-26 pods were built, substantially less than originally planned. The last USAF Pave Tacks were withdrawn with the retirement of the F-111 in 1996.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) purchased ten Pave Tack pods in 1980 for its F-111 fleet. All 24 F-111Cs were wired for the pod, although there were not enough pods for all to be simultaneously equipped. Following the retirement of the USAF’s F-111F in 1996 the RAAF purchased surplus pods to equip each of its F-111Cs to carry its own.

The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) ordered an initial batch of eight pods in 1984 for delivery in 1987. It may have subsequently obtained additional pods from USAF surplus. The RoKAF uses the pods on its F-4 Phantoms.

Hobby Master’s upcoming RAAF General Dynamics F-111C “Aardvark” Strike Aircraft would eventually become the prototype platform for use with the Pave Tack pod, which was later phased out for better performing equipment and more updated platforms. Nevertheless, look for this rendition to fly in some time in July.

 

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Panzerkampf Swoops In Low with its Second Black Hawk

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Army MH-60L Black Hawk Medium Lift Helicopter – “Gunslinger”, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment “Night Stalkers”, Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Panzerkampf has come clean concerning their second chopper in their medium-lift helicopter series. The MH-60L Black Hawk is a Special operations modification used by the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (“Night Stalkers”), and based on the UH-60L with T700-701C engines. It was developed as an interim version in the late 1980s pending fielding of the MH-60K. Equipped with many of the systems used on the MH-60K, including FLIR, color weather map, auxiliary fuel system, and laser rangefinder/designator. A total of 37 MH-60Ls were built and some 10 had received an in-flight refueling probe by 2003.

Panzerkampf’s rendition of the MH-60L bears the name “Gunslinger” atop its fuselage. It also comes with sliding side-mounted access doors, a detailed cockpit and other hallmark features you’ve come to expect from this high-flying nap-of-the-earth modelmaker. Presently, it looks like this helicopter will make its formal appearance on the diecast battlefield sometime in the third quarter of 2023.

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