Tales of Transparency: Supply and Demand 2022

If you thought last year was a bear to get through, then you may want to fast forward to 2023. Even as the logjam that has affected our ports for the past year seems to be waning, signs are already pointing to another troubling year for the upcoming holiday season. That’s because China is experiencing a new wave of COVID-related cases, which is particularly bad in the port city of Shanghai. Currently, 25,000,000 people, or roughly three times the city of New York, are in complete lock down, unable to mill about on the streets, go to work or even obtain groceries at their local markets. The government claims it is doing its best to control the virus but thus far things do not seem to be improving with cases on the rise and its inhabitants literally on the verge of revolt. Keep in mind that Shanghai is one of China’s principal export centers, so when their vast manufacturing sector and trans-oceanic ships end up sitting idle, this has a dramatic effect on the rest of the world, all desperate to get goods and other finished products for the holidays. Stories are already being written about how this is all coming at an inopportune time, as the rest of the world struggles in the wake of their own pandemic relapses. While goods seem to be flowing again for the first half of this year, we expect that the tap will be turned off for the latter half of 2022, with many items likely slipping into early 2023 or later. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but unless COVID isn’t struck down soon, its going to be another tough year for retail, as inflation continues to push up the consumer price index and the pandemic, now in its third year, will slow the rate at which products make it into the global market place.

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Product Spotlight: Hellcats of the Pacific

Hobby Master’s 1:32 scale USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Fighter – “Paper Doll”, VF-27 “Kangaroos”, USS Princeton (CVL-23), October 1944

Established at NAS Norfolk,VA in April 1942 flying the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, VGF-27 became one of the most traveled Navy squadrons of the war. Following Operation Torch against French Morocco in November 1942, the squadron remained aboard the USS Suwannee as part of CVEG-27 through most of the next eight months. Upon re-designation as VF-27 in March 1943, the squadron operated their Wildcats ashore at Guadalcanal until July, except for a brief period at sea, again aboard the USS Suwannee, in June. Among the 12 victories credited during April through July, were the first for future standouts Cecil Harris, and Sam Silber.

After refitting with the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat in the U.S. in early 1944, and intense training in Hawaii during March, and April 1944, VF-27 embarked aboard the USS Princeton CVL-23. This would prove to be one of the most spectacular Light Carrier cruises of the war. Under Lt. Cdr. Ernest Wood, the “Cat Mouthed” Hellcats flew warm-up missions against Saipan, and Tinian, on June 11th and 12th of 1944. Within a week the squadron participated in the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”, on June 19th. The Hellcats of VF-27 claimed 30 kills against Japanese aircraft attempting to strike Task Force 58. Squadron commander Lt. Cdr Wood was lost on this day however, his replacement was Lt. Cdr. Fred Bardshar. Future aces Bill Lamb, Dick Stambook, and Gordon Stanley splashed four enemy aircraft apiece during the operation. Lt. Cdr. Bardshar led VF-27 on a fighter sweep over Manila on Sept 21st, with VF-27 claiming 38 victories over IJN, and IJAAF aircraft. The days bag included 4.5 kills for Lt. John Rodgers, and 4 kills for Lt. Jim “Red” Shirley.

After strikes against Formosa in mid- October, the Princeton was back in the Leyte Gulf as part of Task Force 38.3 on October 24th. Near Pollilo Island in the eastern part of the gulf VF-27 wrecked havoc on the Japanese, destroying 36 enemy fighters that day. Four pilots emerged as “Aces in a Day” in this engagement. They were Lt’s Carl Brown, and Jim Shirley, plus Lt. (jg) Gene Townsend, and Ensign Tom Conroy.

However upon return to the fleet, “Sweet P”, the USS Princeton was found afire and sinking. At 9:38 that morning a lone Judy dive-bomber appeared suddenly out of thick clouds and dropped a single bomb on the Princeton’s flight deck. The bomb exploded amidst fueled and armed Grumman TBF Avengers on the hanger deck. The ship was rocked by multiple explosions, seven hours later gutted by fire the Princeton was scuttled by American torpedoes. VF-27’s 5 month war cruise was over. Of the 136 victories credited during the deployment, a staggering 104 occurred on three days. A record unbeaten by any other CVL fighter squadron during the war. Lcdr. Bardshar reformed the squadron in time to return to the Western Pacific aboard the carrier USS Independance. One more victory was scored before the war ended. VF-27 officially disbanded Nov 26th, 1945.

Like its counterpart “Minisi II”, Paper Doll is now available for immediate shipment.

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Product Spotlight: “The Fabled Fifteen”

Hobby Master’s 1:32 scale USN Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat Fighter – CDR. David McCampbell, “Minsi II,” Commander Air Group 15, USS Essex (CV-9), 1944

Captain David McCampbell (January 16th, 1910 – June 30th, 1996) was an American aviator, who became the US Navy’s all-time leading ace with 34 aerial victories during World War II.

Following service aboard a cruiser, 1935-37, McCampbell applied for flight training and was accepted. He received his “wings of gold” in 1938 and was assigned to Fighting Squadron Four on the East Coast. Subsequently he became a landing signal officer and survived the sinking of USS Wasp (CV-7) off Guadalcanal in September 1942.

From September 1943 to September 1944, McCampbell was commander of Air Group 15, in charge of fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. From April to November 1944, his group saw six months of continuous combat and participated in two major air-sea battles, the First and Second Battles of the Philippine Sea. During the more than 20,000 hours of air combat operations before it returned to the United States for a rest period, Air Group 15 destroyed more enemy planes (315 airborne and 348 on the ground) and sank more enemy shipping than any other Air Group in the Pacific War. Air Group 15’s attacks on the Japanese in the Marianas and at Iwo Jima, Taiwan, and Okinawa were key to the success of the ‘island hopping’ campaign.

In addition to his duties as commander of the ‘Fabled Fifteen,’ then Commander McCampbell became the Navy’s ‘Ace of Aces’ during the missions he flew in 1944. In October 1944, he and his wing man attacked a Japanese force of 60 aircraft. During the mission, Captain McCampbell shot down nine enemy planes, setting a single mission aerial combat record. When he landed his Grumman F6F Hellcat, his six machine guns had two rounds remaining and the plane had only enough fuel to keep it aloft for 10 more minutes. Captain McCampbell received the Medal of Honor for that action, becoming the only fast carrier task force pilot to do so. During a similarly courageous mission in June 1944, Air Group 15’s planes routed a large enemy force and McCampbell earned seven kills.

For his brilliant record in command of Air Group 15, McCampbell was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat ‘V’, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars in lieu of the second and third awards, and the Air Medal.

McCampbell’s legendary F6F Hellcat, produced in a mega sized 1:32 scale, is now in stock and ready for immediate shipment.

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The Forces of Valor Update: Airpower

Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe Fighter – MK 210, Gustav Lundquist, “Tolly Hello”, USAAF Test Section, Long Range Experimental, Wright Field, Ohio, 1944

Slowly, ever so slowly, Waltersons, the new caretakers of the Forces of Valor brand, has been shedding light on their 2022 line up. To date, images and information have largely centered around their 1:32 scale military vehicles, which many consider their bread-and-butter range, then, now and likely well into the future. Earlier today, however, they finally peeled back the curtain on several of their upcoming 1:72 scale aircraft, another category that has seen success since its re-invigoration late last year.

Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale RCAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe Fighter – MK 392, Wing Commander “Johnnie” Johnson, No.144 (Canadian) Wing, Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Lashenden, England, 1944

Three images were posted to their web site, all based upon the next WWII-era aircraft to see the light of day: the legendary Supermarine Spitfire. While only two images were uploaded for each model, it appears as if the trio are pretty far along and will likely get the green light to fly into collector cabinets this summer. Like its predecessors, these new introductions will come with simulated slivers of landing bases and a pose-able display stand that has set it apart from the competition. You can also expect a highly detailed engine, seated pilot figure, and opening cockpit. The Spitfire will likely be followed up by the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, another iconic WWII-era aircraft that severed several user nations well throughout the conflict.

Forces of Valor’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXe Fighter – EN315/ZX-6, Squadron Leader Stanislaw Skalski, No.145 Squadron, Polish Fighting Team, La Fouconnerie, Tunisia, April 1943

We’ve opened the pre-order window for the Spitfires but bear in mind it may be several more months before they arrive and are ready for shipping. In the meantime, enjoy their latest creations.

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Product Spotlight: In this Island Fortress

Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Bristol Beaufort Mk.1 Torpedo Bomber – N1016 (OA-X), Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, No.22 Squadron, RAF Cornwall, England, 1941

The Bristol Beaufort (manufacturer designation Type 152) is a British twin-engined torpedo bomber designed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, and developed from experience gained designing and building the earlier Blenheim light bomber. At least 1,180 Beauforts were built by Bristol and other British manufacturers.

Beauforts first saw service with Royal Air Force Coastal Command and then the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm from 1940. They were used as torpedo bombers, conventional bombers and mine-layers until 1942, when they were removed from active service and were then used as trainer aircraft until being declared obsolete in 1945. Beauforts also saw considerable action in the Mediterranean; Beaufort squadrons based in Egypt and on Malta helped interdict Axis shipping supplying Rommel’s Afrika Korps in North Africa.

As an Island nation, the protection of Britain’s sea lanes during the Second World War was a crucial battle which had to be won. Throughout the first few months of conflict, the German capital ship Gneisenau and her sister vessel Scharnhorst were posing a serious raiding threat and on receiving news that the ships had entered Brest harbor to undergo repairs in late March 1941, the RAF immediately planned raids intended to destroy, or at least damage the ships. On Sunday April 6th, 1941, Bristol Beaufort Mk.I N1016 (OA-X) took off from RAF St. Eval in Cornwall and headed for a rallying point off the coast of France, close to the entrance to the harbor. Even though the weather was poor, they were surprised to find that they were the only aircraft to make it and with radio silence crucial to the success of the mission, the crew faced the decision whether to press on with their attack alone, or return to base. Although the odds were seriously stacked against them, they turned towards the heavily defended harbor and began their attack run, descending to almost wave top height. Pilot Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, expertly lined up his Beaufort for the optimum attack angle, passing so close to enemy shore batteries that they could hardly fail to hit their target, but only releasing the single torpedo when he was sure it would strike the warship.

Almost hitting the mast of the ship as the aircraft pulled away in a violent, banking turn, the Beaufort exposed its under surfaces to the anti-aircraft gunners, who raked it with everything they had. Having sustained heavy damage during its attack run against Gneisenau, Bristol Beaufort N1016 crashed into the harbor almost immediately, tragically claiming the lives of all souls on board. Unbeknown to them, their attack had successful and the torpedo had blown a huge hole under the waterline of Gneisenau, causing it to return to the dry dock from where it had only just emerged, in need of further repairs. It would be out of commission for almost six months following the attack and it is impossible to gauge how many lives were saved and how much vital cargo reached its destination as a result of the heroic actions of this single Beaufort crew. Launching their attack alone, the selfless actions of Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell and his crew would have probably gone unheralded had it not been for the intervention of the French resistance. Sending a report on the condition of the German battleship back to British authorities, they also described the actions of this brave Beaufort crew and how they had paid the ultimate price whilst heroically performing their duty. For displaying valor in the face of extreme peril and without regard for his own safety, Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for valor in the presence of the enemy, an honor he would surely have gladly shared with the rest of his crew.

Corgi’s first Bristol Beaufort is currently en route to us and will be available for immediate dispatch by the middle of April.

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Corgi Up…On the Way!

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAC Consolidated Catalina PBY5A Flying Boat – 14-P-5, Patrol Squadron 14 (VP-14), Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, December 7th, 1941 [80th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack]

Now that Hornby has completed its annual inventory, we’ve learned that a sizeable gaggle of diecast warbirds are headed our way. Several are key introductions, such as their first ever Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and a heavily requested Consolidated PBY Catalina in USAAC markings. We’ve moved the models that are packed up and winging their way to us to our Product en Route section, so make sure you eye them over and select which models you want to pre-order before they arrive towards the end of next week. Some may not get put up for general sale so be forewarned!

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Dragon Keeps its Turret, er, Head in the Game

To my knowledge, Dragon still has no official distribution arm in North America after they closed up their self-titled shop back in 2021. Candidly, its hard to imagine that a large model maker such as Dragon, who was once the undisputed king of the 1:72 scale pre-assembled market, has pulled out of what has to be their most lucrative market but there you have it folks. Stranger things have happened. Its entirely possible they could be looking to re-establish themselves by forming a partnership with another modelmaking entity but until that time, retailers such as ourselves, are being asked to order direct from their Chinese factory, which, I might add, is too costly and time consuming to undertake.

Happily, they do seem intent to keep their toe in the diecast water by churning out several new vehicles under their Neo Armor banner. While it remains to be seen if these vehicles will ever make it to our shores within a reasonable time frame, we’re holding out hope that someone will eventually step forward and pick up the gauntlet, making these and anything else they plan to produce once again available to the Noth American collector. Anyway, here’s a quick pictorial update as to what’s purportedly being made for 2022.

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Panzerkampf Tosses its Modelmaking Prowess into the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

While war continues to rage in Ukraine, modelmakers have seized the day, so-to-speak, by replicating – in scale form – many of the combat systems continuously being shown to them on late night TV. We’ve already discussed the litany of aircraft expected by such stalwarts as Hobby Master and JC Wings, but now comes word that Panzerkampf plans to throw its hat into the ring with several interesting ground vehicles. The first vehicle expected to see the light of day is the Russian-built Pantsir (“Carapace”) air defense system, a state-of-the-art family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems that has seen limited use in Ukraine largely because of the relative size of the Ukrainian Air Force vis a vis the Russian Air Force. The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.

After seeing the size of this model on Facebook, we’ve temporarily taken it down for pre-order purposes until we get a more realistic idea as to its final cost. We hope to re-list it, along with photos for each of the six iterations planned, in the weeks ahead.

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JC Wings Jumps on the Ukrainian Band Wagon

JC Wings 1:72 scale Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 “Flanker” – 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade, 2016

In a move that comes as no surprise to anyone, be it wily collectors or the eager trade, JC Wings has decided to offer yet another model based upon an aircraft that has taken part in the current Russo-Ukrainian Conflict. Previously they had offered a MiG 29 in a digitized winter camouflage scheme, which was released just prior to the start of the invasion. Naturally, these sold out almost immediately and we’re certain another version will soon make its way onto their release schedule. In the mean time, they have just unveiled a Su-27 in a scintillating horizon blue paint scheme, which will no doubt become another heavily sought after model upon release. The balance of their latest military hardware has now been posted to our site.

JC Wings 1:72 scale German Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-4 Fighter – Major Siegfried Schnell, Jagdgeschwader 2, France, 194
JC Wings 1:72 scale Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero Fighter – Warrant Officer Tetsuzo Iwamoto, 253rd Kokutai, 1944
JC Wings 1:72 scale USMC Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – Electronic Attack Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2) “Death Jesters”, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, North Carolina, 2019
JC Wings 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics F-16C Viper Fighter – 182nd Fighter Squadron, 149th Fighter Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, “70th Anniversary”, 2017 [Anniversary Scheme]
JC Wings 1:72 scale US Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter – VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers,” USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), 2016
JC Wings 1:72 scale US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – VF-11 “Red Rippers”, USS George Washington (CVN-73), 2005
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Creighton Abrams Would be Proud

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK II Survival Kit – 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Baghdad, Iraq, July 2008 [Clean Version]

While everything in the world seems to be going up in price, we’re happy to report that at least one item has successfully downshifted. We learned today that the upcoming fleet of M1 Abrams tanks from Panzerkampf will now be priced at $49.99 apiece, a 20% reduction off of its original price of $59.99. A couple of vehicles are expected to return to stock some time this May and, if luck be a lady, the balance should be in stock by the end of this summer, sooner if the logistical logjam plaguing our ports finally get straightened out. Also expected this May is the desert version of the M1070 heavy equipment transporter, which will go nicely with any of the vehicles shown on our site.

Incidentally, if you were fortunate enough to pre-order any of the upcoming Abrams tanks at the incredible price of just $39.99 when we first trotted them out, then we will honor this price. Enjoy!

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