Skymax Models 1:72 scale USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway”
No doubt the box office success of Midway this past year contributed to the decision for Skymax Models to return to the collecting community after all but vanishing from the aviation radar. Expected in June, the Company plans to kick things off by delivering a pair of Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes. Both models are based upon aircraft that served with VT-8, then embarked upon the USS Hornet (CV-8) during the pivotal battle of Midway in June 1942. Its not clear if the manufacturer plans to upgrade the packaging so that they resemble 5-panel Hobby Master packaging or retain the clear open box look they adopted when they first came into being well over a dozen years ago.
Still in the early stages of development, the announcement of a new scale model representation of Britain’s impressive new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers demonstrates continued new tooling investment in the Corgi range.
As an addendum, of sorts, to their list of 2020 product announcements made earlier this week, it appears as if Corgi intends to stick its toes in the diecast warship space with the release of two surface ships. According to the Corgi Developer Diaries found on Facebook, two 1:1250 scale aircraft carriers are in development, both looking to pay homage to the latest pair of capital ships now serving with the British fleet.
“Attempting to select highlights from any new Corgi model range can be something of a challenge, as each one will contain a great many new models, be they new tooling announcements, modified toolings, or one of the host of model livery changes which make up the bulk of any new range. With toy and collectable models falling into several sub categories, which as well as including the ranges already covered above, include gift products, Film and TV subjects, Best of British, Original Omnibus and Showcase collections, we really do try to include something for every occasion and every model collecting taste.
That being said, the subject which is always of most interest during range launch week is most definitely that of new model tooling announcements and we have even more news to bring you on that score. Staying with the theme of military related models, our design team have been working on producing a new 1/1250th scale representation of Britain’s impressive new aircraft carriers, the flagships of the nation and the most capable warships ever built for the Royal Navy. With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales scheduled to be produced, this pair of new models mark the service arrival of these huge ships and the culmination of years of planning and construction work. Endowing the Royal Navy with more striking power than they have ever possessed, these mighty warships are destined to stay in service for the next 50 years and will become a highly visible embodiment of Britain’s naval power.”
No dates of availability or pricing were announced so it remains to be seen when they are expected and their cost. We’re also assuming that both ships will come with a complement of embarked aircraft to give them a more robust look.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944
As we hinted at last week, Corgi revealed it’s latest line up of military aircraft and vehicles at the 2020 Hong Kong Toy Fair. Frankly, there weren’t any huge surprises in the mix, the only new tooling being a 1:48 scale Bristol F2B fighter of WWI renown. Anyway, we’ve listed all of their newest aircraft and military vehicles in their respective sections and are now accepting pre-orders. Most are expected towards the latter half of the year. Here’s the list of what’s on the horizon from the folks at Corgi:
One of our principal goals is to make the implements of war sexy. Its a somewhat strange conundrum we find ourselves in trying to talk up weapons of war that have contributed to the death of millions and the wholesale destruction of entire nations over countless generations, yet here we find ourselves in now undertaking our twentieth year of operation delivering scale military models to the masses. I’ve often wondered what makes the study of war so intoxicating to the average onlooker when they could just as easily set about pursuing other more peaceful pursuits and learn about the creation of civilizations instead of their obliteration. I’m not sure I’ll never know the answer to that vexing question, which has dogged us and others despite the Bible telling us that we should beat our swords into plowshares and study war no more.
That said, we have a tough road ahead of us for the next few months, as we attempt to discuss many of the newest scale models headed everyone’s way. Presently, we’re also laying out our strategic vision for year 21 and moving into our new digs at Shopify all in the next few weeks. Our dance card is certainly full even though we’ve done our best to accept new partners here and there when the music abruptly stops and we’ve had a quick run at the punch bowl. So sit back and relax as we take it to the next level and hopefully continue to provide the very best service we can muster. Panzers vorwarts.
In years past, the American International Toy Fair was the preeminent means of showcasing new releases for the calendar year. Over time, the Nuremberg Toy Fair supplanted the American venue, typically opening to the trade and public a few weeks earlier and oftentimes boasting a larger exhibitor list. Now it seems as if the Hong Kong Toy Fair is beginning to take center stage, not only because it comes even earlier than either the Nuremberg or American shows, but because more and more companies are based in China.
On Monday, January 6th, the Hong Kong show opens its doors to a worldwide audience eager to see what’s in store for the 2020 calendar year. While we won’t be in attendance, the power of the Internet and email enables us to learn about the new releases almost as quickly as if we were standing on line ogling the new products. And, with the power of online computing, we can post this new information within moments of receiving the news, thereby keeping our clientele informed and up-to-date like never before.
Two brands, Corgi (which is one of the flagship brands of Hornby) and Forces of Valor (now managed by Waltersons) will be showcasing some of their latest wares, providing information and imagery for their newest products and hopefully guidance as to when we can expect them. So, get to bed early on the night of the 5th, because we’re sure we have lots to share with you early the next morning.
PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Saddamizer”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
It was bound to happen. After playing for years in the World War II sandbox, Precision Model Art (PMA) has finally decided to turn the hands of time forward and move into the modern era. Well, almost. Yesterday we learned that the Company plans to model the US-built M60A1 Patton main battle tank in 1:72 scale, mainstay of the US Marine forces forces for several decades running. To kick things off, they chose three M60A1 tanks that took part in Operation Desert Storm, each one studded with explosive reactive armor (ERA) cells.
PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Beirut Payback”, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Kuwait, 1991
From the pictures posted, its not clear if the Pattons will feature removable turrets thereby enabling collectors to peer inside the vehicle. Likewise we do not know if other areas of the vehicle are removable particularly the engine block like it is in their Tiger I series of heavy tanks. Stowage gear has been affixed to the sides of the vehicles although we aren’t sure if these can be detached. Look for each of the three Pattons sometime in late winter.
PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “American Express”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
Altaya 1:43 scale German Sd. Kfz. 141 PzKpfw III Ausf. G Medium Tank – 13. Panzer Kompanie Mielke, Netherlands, September 1944
It appears as though we’re still a way’s off from receiving any of the Altaya 1:43 scale armored fighting vehicles. Apparently, the manufacturer is starting to re-use some of their existing molds to produce an array of follow-on vehicles, thereby amortizing the molds and giving the series fresh legs. The line now encompasses some 107 releases with no signs of abating. Some vehicles, such as their Panther tank, has been reincarnated three times so we’re going to assume that each vehicle that has already been made will be resurrected in one form or another.
We’re still hoping to get the ball rolling some time in 2020 once Altaya has completed the series and moved on to other projects. Its an important range that fills in a niche market at a very affordable price.
Even as we are just a scant two days away from Christmas, there is a large Eaglemoss shipment en route to us and likely arriving this week. Apparently, there is a lot of new items in the shipment, spanning everything from Star Trek-related goods to Battlestar Galactica. The list is too large to post here, so we will update our New Arrivals section once everything has been checked in and ready for outbound delivery. I don’t believe there is anything else expected before the New Year. Even if there was, the carriers are usually so busy trying to wind down for the holidays that we probably wouldn’t receive it until the beginning of the New Year.
News Update: So we’ve received the Eaglemoss shipment and updated our web site accordingly, indicating which back ordered items have now returned to stock along with all of the new items we were awaiting. We’re going to take a breather then upload all of these items to both Amazon and eBay, and resume shipments later this week. If you’ve been waiting for any of these items we’d appreciate it if you could hang on a bit longer and enjoy the holidays as we get back up to speed later this week.
Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has updated their Facebook page with more information regarding their 2020 range. According to their representative, any vehicle that was originally produced by Unimax and has undergone an upgrade that includes a removable engine will be part of their newly branded “Engine Plus” series. So, tanks such as the T-34/85, M4 Sherman, Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger and Tiger I fall under this heading. Newly tooled vehicles, such as the upcoming Sturmtiger, M10 tank destroyer and KV-2, will be part of their “Extreme Metal” series. These vehicles will feature fully detailed crew compartments and other interior detailing, as well as metal tracks, much like their larger 1:16 scale brethren. We haven’t decided yet if we will segregate all of the existing Forces of Valor vehicles into one category and the newly tooled vehicles into another since this may create some confusion for the collector. We’ll likely revisit this scenario once our web site has completed its migration to the Shopify e-commerce platform scheduled for January.
Interior detail of the Sturmtiger. The manufacturer claims that the rear panel of the vehicle can be removed so collectors can simulate the loading of the ammunition
In other news, eight different Sherman variants are currently being worked on by Waltersons, the first one likely being an M4 mounting a 105mm howitzer. The manufacturer claims that the entrenching tools typically attached to a vehicle’s exterior can be detached while other accessories, such as sand bags and logs, are being developed for added realism.
Lastly, the Company claims to be getting set to announce their aviation line up and will likely be showing some of their models at the upcoming Hong Kong Toy Fair which is scheduled to open on January 6th. We haven’t seen any images yet so it remains to be seen how they plan to re-work the aircraft to bring them up to today’s standards. Rumor has it that the engines can be removed much like the vehicles, although we haven’t seen any evidence to support this assertion.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale US Navy Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King Helicopter – HS-3 “Tridents”, USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60), Gemini X Spaceship Recovery, July 21st 1965
As part of the manned mission to the moon taken up by the US in the 1960s, NASA had to first perfect the art of rocketry and with it the ability to put men into orbit around the Earth. Just as importantly, NASA, with the help of the US Navy, was still looking to bring back each capsule and crew intact, which was oftentimes easier said than done given the difficulties associated with water landings.
Gemini X, as it was known, was designed to achieve rendezvous and docking with an Agena Target Vehicle (ATV), and EVA. It was also planned to dock with the ATV from the Gemini VIII mission. This Agena’s battery power had failed months earlier, and an approach and docking would demonstrate the ability to rendezvous with a passive object. It would be also the first mission to fire the Agena’s own rocket, allowing them to reach higher orbits.
Gemini X established that radiation at high altitude was not a problem. After docking with their Agena booster in low orbit, Young and Collins used it to climb temporarily to 412.4 nautical miles (763.8 km). After leaving the first Agena, they then rendezvoused with the derelict Agena left over from the aborted Gemini VIII flight — thus executing the program’s first double rendezvous. With no electricity on board the second Agena, the rendezvous was accomplished with eyes only — no radar.
After the rendezvous, Collins spacewalked over to the dormant Agena at the end of a 50-foot (15 m) tether, making him the first person to meet another spacecraft in orbit. Collins then retrieved a cosmic dust-collecting panel from the side of the Agena. As he was concentrating on keeping his tether clear of the Gemini and Agena, Collins’ Hasselblad camera worked itself free and drifted away, so he was unable to take photographs during the spacewalk.
The last day of the mission was short and retrofire came at 70 hours and 10 minutes into the mission. They landed only 3.0 nautical miles (5.6 km) away from the intended landing site and were recovered by the USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60).
To commemorate this important mission, Corgi has released a 1:72 scale replica of a US Navy Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King helicopter that was attached to HS-3 “Tridents”, then embarked upon the USS Guadalcanal. This particular helicopter was instrumental in the recovery of the Gemini X capsule and its two-man crew on July 21st, 1965.
