Tales of Transparency: Memorial Day Snippets

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Navy Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Dive-Bomber – Lt. Richard Best, VB-6, USS Enterprise (CV-6), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway”

As we head into the all-important Memorial Day weekend, I thought we’d share some items with you that, while undeserving of their own separate news story, still needs a short mention nonetheless.

For openers, we’re still awaiting delivery of several Neo Dragon Armor items. These were originally scheduled to arrive this week but have been held up in customs for routine inspection. Dragon has been good about keeping us informed whenever this happens and will no doubt let us know when they have been finally cleared for shipment. I guess good things come to those that wait.

We’ve received a number of new items as we head into the weekend, including the May shipment of Hobby Master aircraft and another cache of DeAgostini Kriegsschiffe warships. There isn’t much more we anticipate coming in this month unless, of course, we stumble upon a surprise announcement that throws us into a tizzy.

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 186 Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer with Porsche Suspension – “314”, 3.Kompanie / schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 653, Germany, March 1945 [Bonus Maybach V-12 HL 230 P30 Engine]

While not completely worthy of a full FOV update, Waltersons, nevertheless, posted an image for their upcoming Jagdtiger with Porsche suspension. This is the second 1:32 scale Jagdtiger to be released; the first being a tank destroyer mounted atop the more common Henschel suspension. Other FOV updates included information concerning their mid-production Tiger I tanks. We’ve posted preliminary images on our web site based upon some research we conducted. Obviously, product photos will be added once they are uploaded to the FOV web site.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, things are finally settling down here in New York. We’re based in the borough of Queens, the hardest hit county in the entire nation. For a time, all we heard were ambulance sirens wailing up and down the thoroughfare where we are based, even late at night when sirens are typically muted to let everyone sleep. It was a tad disheartening, knowing that many of our neighbors were likely being transported to nearby hospitals sorely in need of medical attention. In any event, many retail establishments are scheduled to re-open shortly, which will help to mitigate the collateral effects caused by the pandemic. We’ve been through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy and now the opening salvo of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could come back to haunt us later this year unless measures are put in place to roll back its effect.

That’s it for now. As always, have a happy and healthy weekend and most of all, stay safe. Oh, and don’t forget that Father’s Day is just around the corner.

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Hobby Master Jump Starts our May Arrivals

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 2005

Like a dead car battery waiting for a boost from a passerby, we’ve been lollygagging around our diecast garage for the past several weeks waiting for anything new to arrive. Well, I can happily report that the May shipment of Hobby Master products are now on their way to us, which includes, among other things, an F-16 painted in an adversarial “ghost scheme” designed to mimic some of the latest aircraft rolling off the Russian assembly line. Unfortunately, all of the “ghost scheme” F-16s have already been spoken for so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that Hobby Master gets around to releasing a second version of this popular scheme sometime in the not-too-distant future. Here now the list of aircraft expected to arrive by the end of this week:

HA0173 – US Navy Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Dive-Bomber – Lt. Richard Best, VB-6, USS Enterprise (CV-6), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

HA0174 – US Navy Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless Dive-Bomber – Lieutenant Commander C. Wade McClusky, USS Enterprise (CV-6) Air Group Commander, June 4th 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

HA4210 – USAAF Douglas A-20G Havoc Medium Bomber – “Little Joe”, 389th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force, Early 1945 (1:72 Scale)

HA1328 – USAF Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II Ground Attack Aircraft – 66th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, April 2005 (1:72 Scale)

HA4519 – USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – “Billy the Kid”, 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Bold Tigers”, April 2019 “Operation Inherent Resolve” (1:72 Scale)

HA6104 – Russian Sukhoi Su-25SM “Frogfoot” Ground Attack Aircraft – “Red 25”, Latakia AB, Syria, November 2015 (1:72 Scale)

HA6105 – Russian Sukhoi Su-25SM “Frogfoot” Ground Attack Aircraft – “Red 06”, Ramenskoye (Zhukovsky), Russia, August 2012 (1:72 Scale)

HA4611 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169164, VMFA-121 “Green Knights”, Iwakuni, Japan, 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

Still no word as to when HA5008, a 1:72 scale US Navy Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – 160432, VMAQ-2 “Death Jesters”, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, is expected to arrive since its reportedly making the trek to our distributor via air mail as opposed to surface transport. Could be May or it could be delayed til June.

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Panzerkampf Begins its Summer Offensive

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German Kampfpanzer Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tank – Mixed European Camouflage

We’ve been watching Panzerkampf’s web site for several months running and were growing concerned because there seemed to be no movement one way or the other. The site seemed unfinished with lots of products we had never seen shown in different configurations. Earlier this week, we noticed that the site was finally updated, which included pictures of some of their upcoming projects. Other items were removed or quite possibly hidden from view, meaning they are likely due out later in the year once things settle down and they have a better feel for what they can get out within the calendar year.

So, we invite you to take a look at our revamped Panzerkampf military vehicle section. We’re currently awaiting word as to when several of the items marked as pre-ordered will actually come to fruition, no doubt pushed back because of the pandemic. Right now, we are forecasting a summer release although this could change once more solid information has been passed along by our distributor.

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The Return of Corgi’s Showcase Series

Corgi’s “Fit-to-Box” Top Gun Maverick 2020 – Maverick’s F/A-18 Hornet and P-51D Mustang

When we first started out twenty years ago, Corgi offered a line of affordable “fit-to-box” replicas which, for all intents and purposes, were aimed at first-time collectors, young adults and history buffs with a passing interest in diecast collectibles. While they weren’t built to any set scale, hence the “fit-to-box” moniker, they were, nevertheless, quite successful at retail and went a long way towards bringing new blood into the hobby that might not otherwise give it a second thought.

Earlier this week, we decided to bring back the series thanks, in part, to the upcoming feature film Top Gun Maverick of which two sets are based. Priced at just $19.99 per set and due out this autumn, each of these two-ship packs are ideal stocking stuffers that both rekindle a passion for the hobby as well as helping to renew interest in historic aviation. Five sets are being offered and the pre-order window for each is now open.

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DeAgostini Sorties Six More Warships to Join Their Growing Fleet

DeAgostini’s 1:1250 scale German Kriegsmarine Bismarck Class Battleship – DKM Tirpitz

Yesterday we learned that six more 1:1250 scale warships will join DeAgostini’s ever-expanding Kriegssschiffe warships series. For those of you unfamiliar with the series, it’s primary focus are the German warships that saw service throughout the twentieth century, from King Wilhlem II’s Kaiserlichte Marine up to the present day Bundesmarine. A handful of warships from other nations are also included in the mix although the series is heavily skewed towards German surface ships. Most of the warships come bundled with a German language magazine chock full of full-color photos and other pertinent data aimed at describing each ship in greater detail.

So, without further ado, here are the six warships expected to make port some time in May:

DAKS12 – German Kriegsmarine Bismarck Class Battleship – DKM Tirpitz (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS31 – German Kaiserliche Marine Moltke Class Batttlecruiser – SMS Moltke (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS37 – German Kaiserliche Marine Konig Class Batttleship – SMS Markgraf (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS46 – German Kaiserliche Marine Helgoland Class Batttleship – SMS Helgoland (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS56 – German Kriegsmarine Type 1934A Destroyer – Z5 Paul Jacobi (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS59 – German Bundesmarine Lutjens Class Destroyer – Lutjens (1:1250 Scale)

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Tales of Transparency: Line Discontinuance

Wings of the Great War’s 1:72 scale Royal Flying Corps Nieuport 17 Fighter – Lt. William “Billy” Bishop, 60 Squadron, Filescamp, France, March 1917

Until we have evidence to the contrary, we are now presuming that AF-X, Luft-X and Wings of the Great War are no longer being made and have therefore been discontinued by our distributor. Any orders that have been submitted to us thus far for the pair of pre-ordered Wings of the Great War aircraft (WW19002 and WW11004) we were expecting along with any items marked as back ordered will now be cancelled. If our distributor has concrete proof that these lines will be continued then we will re-open the ordering window again and update our site accordingly.

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Product Spotlight: Wild Weasels

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron “Wild Weasel”, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 1972

Though it had been flying the Republic F-105 Thunderchief since February 1964, it took a further eight years of training and base changes before the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron’s traded in its illustrious fighter-bomber for the more robust two-seat variant known as the F-105G Wild Weasel.

In April 1972, the squadron established Detachment 1 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and flew combat Wild Weasel missions. The detachment was discontinued in September, but crews and planes of the squadron continued to fly missions until late January 1973. The squadron was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” Device and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm for this period. A plane from the 561st was the last F-105 shot down in the Vietnam War. It was hit by a surface-to-air-missile on November 16th, 1972; the crew was rescued. One of the surviving aircraft from the squadron is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force with the 561st Squadron’s markings.

On July 1st, 1973, the 561st moved to George Air Force Base and joined the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. At George, the squadron mission was primarily the training of Wild Weasel crews. The squadron continued to fly the F-105G until 1980, when it began transitioning into the McDonnell F-4G Phantom II advanced Wild Weasel, completing the transition the following year. In August 1990, the Wild Weasels deployed to Sheikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain and during Operation Desert Storm flew over 2,400 sorties logging more than 8,000 combat hours. After the war, the squadron was inactivated on June 30th, 1992.


The squadron was activated at Nellis Air Force Base as part of the 57th Operations Group on 1 February 1993. the 561st soon deployed to Incirlik Air Base in support of Operation Provide Comfort and returned to Southwest Asia at Dhahran Air Base in Saudi Arabia, supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Vigilant Warrior. The 561st was also employed as an “Aggressor” squadron during RED FLAG exercises. In 1994, the 561st became the largest fighter squadron in the United States Air Force. It maintained a continuous deployment to the Middle East until inactivating in October 1996.

Look for Hobby Master’s first rendition of the F-105G Wild Weasel to grace collector’s shelves some time in October.

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Hobby Master Tackles Another Subject

With most modelmakers struggling to get product out the door in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hobby Master saw an opportunity to up the ante and add yet another weapon to its aerial armada. According to Hobbymastercollector.com, the Company plans on offering a model of the Boeing F/A-18XT Advanced Super Hornet Strike Fighter, an aircraft that, for all intents and purposes, is still in the nascent stage of development that hasn’t gone into full production or been pegged to join any front line squadron.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman self-funded a prototype of the Advanced Super Hornet in the early 2010s. The prototype features a 50% reduction in frontal radar cross-section (RCS), conformal fuel tanks (CFT), and an enclosed weapons pod. Features could also be integrated onto the EA-18G Growler; using CFTs on the EA-18 fleet was speculated as useful to releasing underwing space and drag margin for the Next Generation Jammer. Flight tests of the Advanced Super Hornet began on August 5th, 2013, and continued for three weeks, testing the performance of CFTs, the enclosed weapons pod (EWP), and signature enhancements. The U.S. Navy was reportedly pleased with the Advanced Super Hornet’s flight test results, and hopes it will provide future procurement options.

In March 2013, the U.S. Navy was considering the widespread adoption of conformal fuel tanks, which would allow the Super Hornet to carry 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of additional fuel. Budgetary pressures from theF-35C Lightning II and Pacific region operations were cited as reasons supporting the use of CFTs. Flight testing demonstrated CFTs could slightly reduce drag while expanding the combat range by 260 nautical miles (300 mi; 480 km). The prototype CFT weighed 1,500 lb (680 kg), while production CFTs are expected to weigh 870 lb (390 kg). Boeing stated that the CFTs do not add any cruise drag but acknowledged a negative impact imposed on transonic acceleration due to increased wave drag. General Electric’s enhanced performance engine (EPE), increasing the F414-GE-400’s power output from 22,000 to 26,400 lbf (98 to 117 kN) of thrust per engine, was suggested as a mitigating measure. In 2009, development commenced on several engine improvements, including greater resistance to foreign object damage, reduced fuel burn rate, and potentially increased thrust of up to 20%.

In 2014, Boeing revealed a Super Hornet hybrid concept, equipped with the EA-18G Growler’s electronic signal detection capabilities to allow for targets engagement using the receiver; the concept did not include the ALQ-99 jamming pod. Growth capabilities could include the addition of a long-range infrared search and track sensor and new air-to-air tracking modes.

In September 2014, Boeing readied plans to close its St. Louis production lines for the Super Hornet and F-15 in 2017. Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, told the Wall Street Journal that, although “we’re still solidly behind them,” the company could have decided by April 2015 whether to shut down both assembly lines and close the factory, but chose to keep the Super Hornet line going. Due to various Pentagon contracts, Boeing had enough orders to keep things running into 2017 to give Boeing the opportunity to firm up more international orders.

Early on in the Trump administration, the President liked the idea of bolstering its air defense lineup with cheaper to build F/A-18 aircraft that, while no where near as stealthy as say the F-22 or F-35, could still hold its own against many of today’s front line aircraft. Furthermore, the F/A-18XT is far cheaper to build than the F-35, meaning more aircraft can be added to either the USMC or USN arsenal without breaking the bank.

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Product Spotlight: Crouching Tiger

PMA’s 1:72 scale German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf. E Heavy Tank – ‘111’, schwere Panzerabteilung 501, Orsha, Russia, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 Engine]

For the men of schwere Panzerabteilung 501, 1944 rapidly devolved into an exhausting year. Originally commanded by Major Erich Lowe, the unit had been reformed in late 1942 from remnants of the old battalion, including several wounded tank crewmen who had been evacuated to Europe for recuperation before the unit’s demise in Tunisia. Rebuilt and re-staffed, by November 12th it comprised some 45 Tiger I tanks (three companies of 14 tanks, plus three tanks for battalion command).

Between December 5th-12th, the battalion was transferred to the Vitebsk region in what is modern-day Belarus. On December 20th, the 501st attacked an enemy tank formation near Losovka, inflicting 21 enemy tanks destroyed and some 28 guns put out of action, all for the loss of two of its own tanks and all three company commanders wounded. Because infantry support was unable to follow up its success, the 501st was forced to withdraw. Three days later, Major Lowe, the battalion commander, went missing after he was forced to change tanks when his own was knocked out. Over the next five days, the battalion destroyed 81 enemy tanks. By the end of December, however, 16 Tigers were operational out of 39 available, two having fallen into Soviet hands.


Major von Legat took command in January 1944 and the battalion carried out missions in the Orsha region. On January 13th, a Tiger was destroyed by an artillery shell plunging through its turret roof. On February 13th, failed attacks led to the loss of a further nine Tigers. By March 1st, only 17 Tigers were available for action out of 29 that fell in for duty due to a lack of spare parts.


On March 12th, the battalion joined the 256.Infanterie division in a counterattack north of Nipinzy; by the next day, the enemy forces were surrounded and destroyed. By April 1st, spare parts had been delivered and 27 tanks were again operational.


In June, nine tanks were transferred to schwere Panzerabteilung 509, leaving 20 operational. On June 23rd, Operation Bagration was launched by the Red Army. Fighting at Orsha resulted in the battalion having to be dispersed, leading to several days of independent tank battles, some against IS-2s. Under the weight of a withdrawing Tiger, the Orsha bridge collapsed, and several others ran out of fuel. The rest retreated towards the Berezina River, where only six could be ferried across, the rest being blown up by their crews on July 1st.


By July 2nd-4th, ad-hoc defenses of dispersed Tigers fell back towards the Minsk area: despite the arrival of five replacement vehicles, which boosted operational forces to seven, two were lost, and another broke down. The next day, several Tigers ran out of fuel while withdrawing near Maladzyechna; another bogged down, and all three immobilized Tigers were blown up. Operational tank strength dropped to zero and the year was only half over.


PMA’s tribute to the men and machines of schwere Panzerabteilung 501 rolls in this April, provided the bridges can hold them and the Red Army falls back to lick their wounds.

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Dragon Catches Fire in May

Dragon’s 1:72 scale US M1124 Stryker ATGM Guided Missile Vehicle

With Chinese factories now open, and most workers having returned to their jobs, we were wondering what the status was with Dragon’s newly launched Neo Dragon Armor series. Several items were announced months ago and were already appearing in Asian stores, making it hard to understand why they weren’t available yet here in the North American market. According to our distributor, several items are scheduled to arrive in mid-May, including DRR63005, a US M1124 Stryker ATGM Guided Missile Vehicle. Interestingly, DRR63005 is already sold out at the factory and distributor level, so if you are looking to nab one of these replicas we strongly recommend you pre-order them now before they run out. We have a handful still left for pre-order and we doubt any will be listed for general sale once they do arrive.

Dragon’s 1:72 scale PLA ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle – Digital Camouflage, Parade Version

Also in the hopper is DRR63001, a Peoples Liberation Army ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The standard vehicle will come in a digitzed camouflage scheme with white wall tires, making it ideal for Chinese military parades. A special edition vehicle, available in limited quantities, will come with a PLA flag and the more traditional blackened tires. Finally, a limited edition vehicle will come in UN markings and is painted all-white, standard attire for a United Nations vehicle performing a peacekeeping mission. Only one piece in every 24-piece master carton contains the limited edition vehicle, hence the higher price.

Dragon’s 1:72 scale Limited Edition PLA ZBL-09 Snow Leopard Infantry Fighting Vehicle – United Nations Peacekeeping Force
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