Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Fighter – Erich “Bubi” Hartmann, 4./Jagdgeschwader 52, Hungary, 1944 (1:48 Scale)
Looking to maintain their lead as the most prolific maker of diecast military vehicles and aircraft, Hobby Master recently announced the latest group of products scheduled for an August showing. Of particular note is this Messerschmitt Bf-109G, the second variant produced by Hobby Master, and its pilot, top scoring ace Erich “Bubi” Hartmann. Here’s some of the other items on tap for the Dog Days of Summer:
Ever since they started rolling out late last year, I’ve wondered why the display bases for the revitalized 1:32 scale military vehicles seemed a tad unfinished along each of their edges. Well, now I know the reason. Yesterday, we learned that Waltersons has been planning several enhancements for each 1:32 scale set that are designed to give them a bit more polish and added flair. Beginning this summer, the manufacturer plans to release a series of wood-like frames that attach to each of the four display base sides with the forward facing edge mounting an etched metallic name plate. Three sizes will be offered (small, medium and large) as is three types of faux wood finishes: mahogany, black wood and walnut. Pricing hasn’t been set just yet and its not clear if each frame will include an assortment of name plates so that the collector can pick and choose which vignette they are looking to portray. Update: Waltersons informs us that three etched metallic name plates will be included in each set and that the retail price point will probably be fixed at $12.99.
While no images were offered, Waltersons did also indicate that they are planning to come out with an assortment of full-color back drops that can be mounted behind each vignette. Its possible that each back drop will be reversible giving the collector two options to choose from. Its not clear if the back drops will dramatize daytime/nighttime lighting conditions, as hinted at in their T-34/85 medium tank series, or simply provide different vistas and even 3-D pop outs such as buildings and fortifications. Look for these and possibly other enhancement sets later in the year.
On a different note, the Company is looking to branch out a bit by offering a new series of budget-minded interlocking sets that will feature a 4-inch aircraft along with a 1:200 scale section of an aircraft carrier deck. The first “panorama”, if you will, is designed to portray deck operations atop the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) just after its overhaul in 1982. Twelve individual sets make up the entire deck, five on the port side of the ship, five on the starboard side, and two forward over the bow. The embarked air wing will consist of several F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 Hornets, and an E-2C Hawkeye Early Warning Aircraft.
Pricing for each section will likely be pegged at around $20 per section, thus bringing the entire 12-section set in at just under $240. The entire series is expected to street some time this summer.
We will be closed for business from May 2nd until May 11th. During this period, you may freely place orders through our web site, although they will not be addressed until our return on May 12th. Moreover, any product inquiries or order updates will be responded to upon our return.
Our marketplace sites on Amazon and Walmart will be temporarily shuttered in compliance with their selling guidelines although our marketplace on eBay will be open and operational albeit with the understanding that any orders received will be shipped out upon our return, again in compliance with their venue-specific selling guidelines. As always, we thank you for your patronage and look forward to delivering the highest quality products and service possible. Enjoy the holidays!
As if to say “we’re back and in a big way”, Dragon recently posted an intriguing image to their Facebook account showing the latest crop of pre-assembled products that have been enlisted for their Neo Dragon Armor line. While we aren’t sure if a new Snow Leopard vehicle is in the offing, it would appear as if two additional vehicles are in the works: a US-built M1 Abrams main battle tank and an Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. Its not clear if chase vehicles will be included in each batch, thereby making them even more sought after by collectors in the know. In the past, this strategy has proven to be very successful among the collecting community, and helps to create additional buzz from a marketing perspective that spurs even greater interest.
The teaser image doesn’t indicate when these new vehicles are scheduled to appear, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, which has shuttered many Chinese factories for several weeks. Apparently, a Turkish Leopard 2A4 main battle tank is also in the offing, although it was not included in the image and could be released ahead of the Abrams and Bushmaster. For now, we’ll keep an eye out for these and other new entrants expected in the series and congratulate the manufacturer for reigniting interest in a once dominant if somewhat dormant category.
No stranger to the diecast market thanks to their longstanding Hot Wheels and Matchbox sub brands, Mattel unveiled the first look at their upcoming line of Top Gun merchandise at the American International Toy Fair. Based upon the upcoming film Top Gun: Maverick, CNN’s article showcases some of the product destined to come out under the Matchbox moniker, which includes, among other things, an aircraft carrier playset and a handful of aircraft. Presently, we do not believe that the expose represents the entire Top Gun lineup, since none of the higher end aircraft models alluded to previously were on display. As a result, we hope to have more information in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, stop on by the CNN web site to see what has been discussed.
Its beginning to look as if Eaglemoss wants to sew up the entire sci-fi category. At the American International Toy Fair held this week in New York City, Eaglemoss announced their intent to model many of the ships portrayed in the original sci-fi series, Space: 1999. Space: 1999 is a British and Italian science fiction television program that ran for two seasons from 1975 to 1977. Space: 1999 was the last production by the partnership of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and was the most expensive series produced for British television up to that time.
In February 2012, a new series, to be called Space: 2099, was announced as a reboot of the original series, Space: 1999, and was planned to be made by ITV Studio America in conjunction with HD Films. On August 15th, 2018, Brian Johnson, special effects director for the original series, announced that the reboot was on track for production in the UK, pending “confirmation of the deal.” We’re willing to bet that at some point the new series will be rolled into the line, thus expanding its depth and breadth and possibly bringing in new blood to the series and hobby.
We hope to have product information shortly for the Space: 1999 line as well as program information for the series reboot.
Even as other manufacturers struggle with the repercussions caused by the Coronavirus, Hobby Master remains undeterred seemingly intent upon sticking to their production schedule come hell or high water. Interestingly, Hobby Master intends to offer a 1:72 scale rendition of the Panaxia Tornado IDS fighter-bomber, another aircraft Corgi has already produced for several years running and has three examples coming out in 2020. Here’s what’s on tap when the fireworks go off:
On February 7th, eBay formally launched its eBay International Standard Delivery program. Billed as a more efficient means of getting product into the hands of the international customer it is also designed to save the seller some money, thereby making it a more economical choice than the standard means of delivery used in the past. Here’s what eBay had to say about its functionality:
“Beginning in February, eBay international standard delivery will be available to all sellers. This new program supports shipments to over 210 countries, offers better tracking visibility and includes late delivery protections for standards, service metrics, and feedback.
If you ship to international buyers directly (not using eBay’s Global Shipping Program), you can select the eBay international standard delivery option as an economical choice to deliver your product. eBay international standard delivery is a Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU) shipping solution—buyers won’t pay duties and tax at checkout on eBay, but may have to pay the carrier for duties and tax on delivery.
It’s easy for sellers to save an average of 9% using eBay international standard delivery, as there is no change to the current process.
This new option is available in the listing flow, under Shipping Details. You have the option of selecting Calculated or Flat international shipping cost listings. For either of these options, select “eBay international standard delivery” shipping service from the drop down menu.
After your item sells, select the “eBay international standard delivery” option when you print a shipping label with eBay Labels for buyers in destinations outside of the US. Drop off your package at any US post office or schedule a pick up. Tracking will be automatically uploaded on eBay and tracked to its final destination.
Each purchase of the eBay international standard delivery service includes a shipping protection plan to help in case of lost or damaged items. eBay will also protect you by removing negative and neutral feedback and defects when things happen that are outside your control (like late deliveries due to weather or carrier delays.)”
As a result, we have begun using this shipping program for most international deliveries. In some instances, it could be possible that this new service is more costly than the traditional method of handing off to the USPS. So, we will compare the rates offered, and choose which is the most economical for us while still ensuring our customers get the very best service possible.
On a different subject, we will soon be rolling out additional marketplace options on Amazon, beginning with the United Kingdom. Essentially, we will be able to sell our products on the Amazon.UK web site just as we do on the US Amazon site, although Amazon Prime will not come into play. More on this subject later as we get up to speed.
In case you haven’t been paying attention to the news, over 780 million Chinese people are now subject to lock down mandated by their government, which is roughly half of the Chinese population. As a result, many of the manufacturers that make diecast-related products are not expected to re-open for business within the foreseeable future until the virus has been contained and/or eradicated and the general population can once again go out in public.
Because of this, we are anticipating lengthy delays in the production pipeline and cannot predict when these manufacturers will be up and running again. Some companies, such as Hobby Master, moved their production facilities outside of China to southern Asia several years ago. That said, they oftentimes still maintain staff in China and are just as likely affected by the pandemic as those individuals living within the affected regions.
We will do our best to monitor the situation and update our release schedule as news is passed along to us. We hope you understand that this is an issue beyond our control and affects a great many industries in the manufacturing sector.
Looking to wrap up their standard-sized Star Strek starships line in the next few months, Eaglemoss announced plans to launch a new line of replicas based upon some of the starships found in the massively multiplayer game, Star Trek Online.
Due out some time this Spring, the first two ships were debuted to the public yesterday as part of a larger starship reveal. Kicking off the range is a Gagarin-Class Miracle Worker Battlecruiser (#EMSTO01) while the second entrant is based upon a Federation Chimera-Class Heavy Destroyer (#EMSTO02)Both ships have been listed to our web site and we have begun to accept pre-orders for them.
Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Online Federation Chimera-Class Heavy Destroyer [With Collector Magazine]
