As the wife and I were fretting about the approaching storm, and hot on the heels of being picked for the annual Top 40 under Forty Surgeons List by the Association of Women Surgeons, comes news that our daughter, Linda, won the UT Southwestern Rising Star Award. Only two people are selected each year from over 2,000 faculty members. She is currently being interviewed by a Dallas newspaper and the official awards presentation is scheduled for November 10th. The amazing part is that I have seen her sitting on their couch, laptop on her knees, with two and sometimes three young kids hanging off her neck and arms, fully composed and acting as if nothing is wrong, all the while writing a paper or preparing a presentation. This girl is on fire!
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 Scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad, Russia, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine].
To borrow a catchphrase from HBO’s award-winning series, Game of Thrones, we finally received our opening allotment of Forces of Valor’s latest Tiger tank. Unfortunately, this new supplier could only send us a grand total of twelve pieces, which means we cannot even cover all of the pre-orders we’ve received to date, much less list the item for open sale in our store or any of our marketplace sites. We’ve placed a back up order with another distributor who will hopefully be able to fill our order for the holidays. If not, we will likely receive our next order after we have completed our relocation move to Florida. We apologize for not having more on hand but sometimes these issues are completely out of our control. On the plus side, we do have their 1:200 scale interlocking aircraft carrier set in stock, their inaugural 1:32 scale Tiger tank model kit, as well as a trio of 1:72 scale Spitfires. All have been listed as being available on both our site as well as on eBay. As I alluded to earlier, winter is coming, although it may be a tad late for their newest Tiger.
We’re still keeping our fingers crossed that both of their forthcoming Sherman tanks will be here for the holidays. Admittedly, it doesn’t help that we have to knock on the door of multiple distributors to see what news they can share about the Shermans’ fate. We’ve submitted our opening order with our more reliable source and await to news concerning when the ranks will show up.
Can the Waltersons Viper compete with so many rivals? Improvements in some areas and deficiencies in others means collectors will have to decide with their wallets.Engine and instrumentation covers are a nice touch but pronounced rivets have caused some to wonder if the FOV Viper is worth it.
Incoming items addressed, the manufacturer has started to hint at what’s ahead for 2023. Before they closed up shop several years ago, Unimax, the previous owner of the Forces of Valor brand, had been working on a 1:72 scale F-16 Viper. Waltersons picked up the gauntlet and has finished the mold, adding a few bells and whistles along the way to enable it to better compete with similar models produced by Hobby Master, Calibre Wings and JC Wings. For one the nose cone can be opened via a hinge, which exposes a fully fleshed out radar. Items such as a cockpit access ladder, differing engine nozzles, engine and instrumentation covers and a full complement of weaponry are apparently now standard, as is a section of paved runway. The maker claims that both a standard as well as deluxe version of the F-16 will be offered, although it isn’t clear what changes/additions will be made to the model to further enhance it.
While talk of a Japanese F-2 fighter has also begun — again designed to compete with an existing Hobby Master mold — so too has information slowly leaked out about an upcoming UH-60 Blackhawk, likely offered in multiple configurations, liveries and service markings. The Blackhawk should be a welcome addition to their stable of combat rotorcraft, although we’re not certain if its catering to the 1:72 or 1:48 scale markets.
While the virtual keel may have been laid way back in 2018, this is apparently as far as the manufacturer has gotten commissioning their latest aircraft carrier. Hang in there naval buffs. Salvation is waiting in the wings.
Finally, Waltersons has disclosed that three versions of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier are being worked on, one for each of the three distinct eras of the Cold War. Apart from some CAD drawings, no photos were provided, which leads us to believe they are still a way’s off and likely to be surged across a staggered schedule, most likely beginning with the 1960-1980 version, although the jury is out debating the release order. Obviously, each version will come with different types of embarked aircraft based upon when they saw service and in which operation the Kitty Hawk took part in.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 43-37756, “Milk Wagon”, 708th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, RAF Rattlesden, England, 1945 has been cleared to land in early October
Let’s face it. New product is the lifeblood of our industry. While re-stocks are fine and re-issues are dandy, most customers want to see what new product has arrived or, at the very least, what’s on the horizon when grandma’s birthday check turns up and you begin planning like a fiend on the best way to spend it.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Initial Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 502, Leningrad, Russia, February 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]
Turns out, we have a lot of new stuff showing up the first week of October, from brand-spanking new warbirds from the house of Corgi to several eagerly awaited tanks and an aircraft carrier mock-up from your friends at Forces of Valor. Together with the latest batch of warbirds from Hobby Master, there’s certainly loads to choose from as we slowly transition from the hot sunny days of summer to the dazzling color foliage of fall. So, we strongly recommend you check out both our New Arrivals and Product in Transit sections to get a better idea of what’s in store for the week ahead. We promise you won’t be sorry!
Forces of Valor’s 1:200 scale aircraft carrier set. Ideal as a holiday gift and/or introductory level product for upcoming collectors
Note: The latest FOV Tiger, shown above, has already gone to back order status. Originally, these were being sourced from our regular supplier, but we had to switch to FOV direct since it wasn’t clear when or if they were coming in from our usual source. With our upcoming move, we will likely get additional stock sometime in January after we have completed our relocation. So, its doubtful this vehicle will get listed on any of our marketplace sites until early 2023. Update: We’ve sold through our allocation of FOV’s newest Tiger tank. They claim another FOV shipment is expected in November, so we will check and see if more are headed our way before Thanksgiving rolls around.
Corgi’s Top Gun Maverick 2020 Maverick’s F/A-18 Hornet (Fit to Box)
Capitalizing on the success of their Showcase Series twin aircraft sets, Corgi unexpectedly announced the imminent arrival of a brand new SKU that focuses solely on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s F/A-18 as depicted in the feature film Top Gun: Maverick. Nothing new has been added or embellished to the model but for those collectors that would prefer to nab his aircraft all by its lonesome, now you can do so. Best of all, these should be in stock by the beginning of October making them an ideal stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season. Word of advice — better “feel the need for speed” sooner rather than later cause these collectibles are almost certain to sell out once word pf Maverick’s legendary exploits spreads.
Berlin or bust! FOV’s re-imagined 1:72 scale series will feature interlocking base plates and standardized appearances so that collectors can display an entire vignette as opposed to a single, solitary vehicle devoid of obstacles, flora or detriment of war
Waltersons, the new caretaker of the Forces of Valor brand, has decided to share some insight as to their plans moving forward. In an effort to increase its exposure in the North American market, they have elected to partner up with a west coast distributor to import the entire line from model kits to the huge 1:16 scale Extreme Metal series they alluded to in a recent Facebook post. To further its reach, they plan to open a second distribution center in the middle of the country in early 2023. This can only be viewed as good news for collectors who have been asking for a more reliable and steady stream of product that they can pick and choose from. It isn’t clear as yet if this move will help to decrease prices for many of their most recent works, several of which are pegged at $130 or more in the retail landscape. Its certainly a tall order to both increase market share and maintain margins in what many currently see as a country headed into recession but one they feel they can adequately address.
The manufacturer also has a few tricks up its sleeve for 2023, such as re-launching their 1:72 scale military vehicle line as well as christening a new range of AFVs catering to the 1:64 scale enthusiasts. Instead of offering a hodgepodge of vehicles that cut across all eras and theatres, their goal, this time around, is to build out an expandable diorama setting much like their recently released 1:200 scale aircraft carrier set, whereby the collector can create a stylized vignette such as the invasion of Normandy or the Battle of the Bulge. So, you might have a Sherman tank clad in olive drab attempting to pierce the Norman bocage countryside which can then sit alongside a group of heavily laden trucks trying to haul supplies up to the front lines or perhaps an artillery battery blasting away at the enemy’s defenses. An Ardennes Forest scenario might depict a King Tiger navigating along a treacherous dirt road while an accompanying set might show some of the smaller vehicles following behind, perhaps a knocked out Sherman sitting off to one side.
In other news, the manufacturer has finally realized that they have an almost inexhaustible supply of 1:32 scale vehicles that needn’t be overhauled quite as dramatically as say their Sherman and Tiger tanks to get them into the hands of collectors more quickly. Vehicles such as their Panther and Sturmgeschutz may only need a fresh coat of paint and a few minor upgrades to make them worthy introductions to tread heads world over, who are desperate to fill out their armored ranks with vehicles that are no longer to be found at affordable prices. Best of all, some of these “legacy” releases will carry sticker prices that are far more affordable to the average fan, in some cases fetching between $69-$100.
We’re hoping to get a list of which vehicles will be tapped for front line service very soon, and, if possible, open the pre-order window well ahead of their debut. Stay tuned.
While they haven’t signed off on it yet, it’s looking as if the next installment in the Extreme Metal series will be based upon this legendary vehicle. No telling what the final price will be but expect to cough up a pretty penny if you want to own this beast.
Lastly, while no final decision has been made as yet, it appears as if their upcoming 1:16 scale King Tiger heavy tank will bear the markings of SS-Oberscharfuhrer Kurt Sowa’s mount, which was attached to 2.Kompanie, schwere SS Panzerabteilung 501, Kampfgruppe Peiper, then deployed to the Ardennes Forest during December 1944. They enlisted the aid of several industry experts to come up with this choice, which will purportedly come with four riders from the 3.Fallschirmjager Division. Presently, its not clear what other features will be included, although they are making a concerted effort to reduce the pitting shown on the first two Unimax King Tigers as well as ensuring all of the parts fit as advertised without fear of breakage when being attached to the vehicle. It also looks as if the newest 1:16 entrant will fetch close to $1,000 and a smaller chunk of change to ship it within the lower 48 states. Better save up!
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Army Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter – 73117, 1st Air Cavalry, Fort Hood, Texas, 2018
Like clockwork, Hobby Master added another flock of warbirds to its growing arsenal of diecast military aircraft. While no new toolings were unveiled, several new models are almost certain to turn heads, many of which have been requested for some time by ardent collectors. Here now the latest additions due out in July 2023.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Northrop T-38C Talon Jet Trainer – 69-7079, 49th Fighter Training Squadron “Black Knights”, Moody AFB, Georgia, 2006 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Northrop T-38C Talon Jet Trainer – 70-1576, 50th Fighter Training Squadron “Strikin’ Snakes”, Columbus AFB, Mississippi, 2009 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Cuban Revolutionary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – 231st Fighter Squadron, San Julian Air Base, Cuba, 1997Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale RAAF General Dynamics F-111C “Aardvark” Strike Aircraft – “Pave Tack Prototype” A8-138, No. 1 Squadron, 1984-5Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Fighter-Bomber – 63-8336, 17th Wild Weasel Squadron, 388 Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAB, 1973Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Boeing F-15EX Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – 20-0002, 53rd Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 2022 [Low-Vis Scheme]Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale USAAF North American P-51D Mustang Fighter – “Daddy’s Girl”, Major Ray Wetmore, 370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, East Wretham, Norfolk, 1945
Recently, the Association of Women Surgeons celebrated forty doctors under the age of forty for their achievements in the field of surgery. My eldest daughter, Linda, was included in the list and, according to their statement, will be profiled in-depth shortly along with each of the other luminaries. Considering there are just shy of 14,000 women surgeons in the United States, I’d say that’s a tall accomplishment and one we’re very proud to acknowledge that takes into account all of the schooling, work and effort she put in to achieve this professional nod. Well done Linda!
Incidentally, Linda is an accredited trauma surgeon at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Three years ago, she was promoted to Medical Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). So, if this was November 22nd, 1963, well, just saying…
After talking about it for some time, it finally appears as if we have a date for our move to Florida – January 1st. Our new home will likely be completed by the end of November, but packing up and attempting to move 1,100 miles during the busiest time of year is simply not in the cards. It wasn’t planned to take this long so this is probably the best course of action we can take given the issues confronting us.
Our original plan was to run a clearance sale just before our move, which was supposed to occur last month. The delay isn’t anyone’s fault and is largely due to the inability of our builder to obtain certain finished materials from China in the wake of the PRC’s Zero COVID policy. Be that as it may, we will now run our clearance sale during the peak holiday shopping season, which will hopefully lessen the amount of “stuff” we have to transport. And with hopefully lower transportation costs, we won’t be confronted with a huge fuel surcharge on top of everything else.
So what does this mean to you? Beginning Thanksgiving we will be running a 25% off sale that will continue through the holiday season and end, more or less, right before Christmas. Said discount will only apply to in-stock merchandise and may not be applied to back ordered or pre-order merchandise. In light of the new MAP enforced policy for recently released Hobby Master products, we will have to adjust their prices accordingly.
When the sale ends, we will stop shipping out product and use the holiday lull to pack up our remaining stock in preparation for our move to Florida. I’m not certain when we will resume shipping. Depending upon the mover, it can take them up to three weeks to actually make it down the eastern corridor to our new digs then several more days before we are set up and ready to resume business. Obviously, we will delay any inbound shipments until such time as we can accept them. Of course, you may place new orders on our sites during this hiatus, however, it is with the understanding that they will not be reviewed or addressed until we are back up-and-running in January.
Please do not ask us to apply this clearance sale discount to any orders you are contemplating placing in the near term. For now, the prevailing discount of 15% will remain in place until Halloween. Also, we will not hold any merchandise until the clearance sale has begun. Keep in mind we sell limited edition collectibles so if an item or two sells out before the clearance sale, well, then you’re out of luck. Lastly, any orders that combine in-stock and pre-ordered merchandise will simply be cancelled outright. During the holidays we simply do not have the time to explain this to every customer and with the increased activity we anticipate this sale will generate there is no point in reiterating everything that has already been discussed. Sorry, but there’s only so much we can or are willing to do. Peace out!
Panzerkampf’s Pair of 1:72 scale M1083 Medium Tactical Vehicles
As the holiday season looms large, more and more new products are making the transition from simple line art drawings to actual photographed images. In the case of Panzerkampf, the manufacturer recently posted pictures of their upcoming M1083 medium tactical vehicle, an important workhorse of the US Army over the last few years that is often seen hauling troops and supplies to and from the front lines.
The Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) is based on an Austrian truck, the Steyr 12M18, but considerably re-engineered to be available as the 4×4 2.5-tone Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) and the 6×6 5-tone Medium Tactical Vehicle (MTV). Both models have over 90 percent of components in common such as the cab, engine, drive train, tires, wheels, front suspension, axles, etc, and involve many commercial components. There was also an 8×8 heavy tactical vehicle, however only a couple of its prototypes were built and it never reached mass production. The basic LMTV is the M1078 cargo carrier while the 6×6 baseline model is the M1083.
Thus far two versions have been shown to the public – one in the familiar NATO woodland camouflage and the other in the obligatory desert sand scheme. Two other releases, both sporting machine guns atop the passenger compartment (and one featuring a single rear axle) are likely due out later, perhaps nudged into early 2023 due to supply chain issues. Ironic, yes?
“Anything that just costs money is cheap.” ― John Steinbeck
Pursuant to their announcement of a new 1:16 scale King Tiger tank, Waltersons has since indicated in their Facebook posting that the tentative price for the upcoming King Tiger will be between $899.99-$949.99, although this could change based upon market conditions. We’re assuming that their newest vehicle will not ship with the heavy wooden crate that came with the Unimax version a couple of decades ago. As a result, the likely weight of the vehicle and its attendant accoutrements will probably be in the neighborhood of 35 pounds. Its anyone’s guess how that will translate into shipping cost since the rates for all the major carriers keep changing, but expect to fork out an additional $100 or more for domestic shipping within the Continental 48 states since this vehicle will not qualify for our free shipping discount. Having said all that, it looks like a sale will probably set you back close to $1,100 US if you feel you really must own their latest entrant in the Extreme Metal series. That’s a pretty price to pay for a diecast collectible that may or may not appreciate in value based upon all sorts of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, from sell through to global demand. Food for thought if you really want this upcoming vehicle but don’t mind raiding the piggy bank to do so.
So why do I bring all of this up now, when the vehicle may not be available for a year or more? Essentially, I’m a pro, having learned and practiced successful marketing techniques for well over four decades. In college, my major was industrial psychology, an offshoot of traditional psychology that attempts to quantify why people do what they do when they make purchasing decisions. Back in the day, a book entitled Future Shock came out in different softbound packaging, using different colors to help determine why a consumer might pick up say a red book jacket as opposed to an orange or even a green one. That’s my academic background.
I learned a lot of things back then, which includes the use of restive colors on our web site to help increase its so-called “stickiness” — the length of time a customer spends on a web site which could but does not necessarily increase the likelihood of making a purchase. The use of certain fonts, category landing pages, multiple exposures to a product all help to contribute to added sales and a healthier balance sheet.
Your point being? Its simple, really. An item such as the upcoming King Tiger is, for many, a major purchase that could set them back for several months or more before they are once again able to make a follow-on purchase. Moreover, many collectors are hoping to get in on the ground floor of the next “shooting star” – that one collectible everyone seems to be talking about that may or may not appreciate in value far in excess of its original selling price. Yes, some of the earliest entrants in this series have appreciated in value far above its original asking price. On the other hand, their Sherman tank has “tanked” — figuratively as well as literally — meaning you can probably pick one up nowadays for less than its initial selling price.
In a round about way what I am trying to say is that my tradecraft is in marketing and I will use this prowess to help sell this item once we have learned more about it. It is up to you, the consumer, to take everything we and others say about this item with a grain of salt, then determine why you are looking to purchase this item. If its to sit on a credenza for all the world to ogle then you have already made the decision to covet this item purely as a collectible. However, if you are looking to purchase this item in the hopes that it will radically appreciate in value and help fund your child’s education then I seriously suggest you look at this item purely from a speculative stance much like crypto currency. It could go up in value, it could remain the same or it could decrease in value. There is no barometer that will faithfully predict its value in two, three or ten years. Please make sure you understand that to its fullest if you are contemplating making a purchase. As I said in a previous post, caveat emptor.
