Anatomy of War: Flight of the Griffin

General Dynamic’s Griffin III Infantry Fighting Vehicle Demonstrator

And then there was one. According to Defense News, the Army has disqualified Rheinmetall’s KF 41 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle from its open competition to seek a replacement for the aging Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. This means the Griffin III remains as the only viable contender left in the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle competition, which will undoubtedly run into the billions of dollars to procure once Congress has agreed to fund the program. Produced by General Dynamics, the Griffin III is an interesting choice to serve along side the M1 Abrams main battle tank because it can only carry six men into battle as opposed to a full squad of 9 men the Lynx could reportedly ferry. That said, the Griffin weighs in at only 40-tons compared with the 50-ton Lynx, making it far quicker on the open battlefield and more transportable in the event of hostilities breaking out far from home.

The Griffin will be armed with a 50mm main cannon capable of elevating 85 degrees and depressing 20 degrees. The vehicle can carry an operating crew of 2 or 3 men depending upon its multiple configurations, is clad in a hexagonal-shaped Infrared heat signature management camouflage system designed to reduce its detectable footprint on the battlefield, and sports the Israeli-created “Iron Fist” integrated active protection system that is aimed at defending against incoming rockets and missiles without causing injury to dismounted infantry.

Rheinmetall’s KF 41 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Curiously, the overall profile of the Griffin III is still rather bulky for an Infantry Fighting Vehicle, making it just slightly smaller than the high-profile Bradley IFV. Since the ammunition used is larger than a standard 25mm round, the turret must be larger to accommodate the beefier rounds. And, in order for the gun to elevate 85 degrees, thereby making it capable of engaging and defending against multiple airborne threats that run the gamut from aircraft and helicopters to weaponized UAVs – the designers needed to increase the vehicle’s overall size. It is possible that an even newer iteration, heretofore dubbed the Griffin IV IFV, could be in the works in the not-too-distant future based upon what the Army concludes from testing the Griffin III and whether it currently meets or exceeds all of the Army’s requirements for a next-generation IFV.

The idea of cladding a vehicle in an Infrared heat signature management camouflage system is relatively new and remains an unproven technology on the battlefield of the 21st century. Instead of defeating a warhead as it strikes the vehicle by studding the vehicle’s exterior with a layer of explosive reactive armor cells – as is common with most of today’s armored fighting vehicles – the system has been created to make the vehicle appear more stealthy, similar conceptually to the employment of radar defeating materials used on several fifth generation aircraft. If a vehicle cannot be seen by the enemy, it is reasoned, then the need for up-armoring the vehicle is obviated.

In 2010, the Israeli company Eltics created an early prototype of a system of tiles for infrared camouflage of vehicles. In 2011, BAE Systems announced their Adaptiv infrared camouflage technology. It uses about 1000 hexagonal Peltier panels to cover the sides of a tank. The panels are rapidly heated and cooled to match either the temperature of the vehicle’s surroundings, or one of the objects in the thermal cloaking system’s “library” such as a truck, car or large rock.

Share This:

Minichamps: What’s Old is New Again

Minichamps’ 1:12 scale 1939 Triumph Speed Twin Motorcycle

Way back when, we did a fair business in the scale motorcycle category and, in particular, sold our fair share of Minichamps bikes. Several years ago, all of that changed when the manufacturer raised their prices substantially, cancelled a number of eagerly-awaited bikes, and generally took a wait-and-see attitude with the whole category that didn’t sit well with a number of folks. As a result, we decided to sell off what we had in inventory, cancel our orders, remove those listings that were no longer pertinent and focused on what we do best — sell diecast military products.

That said, Minichamps claims to be back in the motorcycle category and are looking to start up sales by reintroducing two of their previously sold out classics – a 1939 Triumph Speed Twin and a 1932 Brough Superior SS100 that was ridden by none other than “Lawrence of Arabia.” We’ve listed both bikes on our web site and have begun to accept pre-orders for each of them despite our reservations.

Minichamps’ 1:12 scale 1932 Brough Superior SS 100 Motorcycle – T. E. Lawrence “Lawrence of Arabia”

Now, anyone that knows Minichamps can immediately understand the predicament this course change put us in. While they make a terrific product that oftentimes appreciates in value once they are no longer available, they also do a less than stellar job of forecasting when their products will actually hit the market. Months have a habit of stretching into years, which means we have to constantly reassure our clientele that eventually they are going to happen. Presently, both bikes are slated for a fourth quarter 2019 release based upon information found on their own web site. The reality is that we do not know for sure if this is a pie-in-the-sky best guesstimate on their part or one that we can actually hang our hat on. So, if you’re willing to wait, sometimes years instead of months, and fully understand how this sometimes shakes out, then we are more than willing to accept your pre-order for either or both bikes and will do everything in our power to fill your orders in a timely fashion. Again, the ball is in Minichamps’ court — all we can do is wait for them to arrive on center court and serve the ball.

Share This:

The Forces of Valor Update: Chinese National Day and the Liaoning

Forces of Valor’s 1:700 scale People’s Liberation Army Navy Surface Force Liaoning Class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier – Liaoning (CV-16), Hong Kong Visit, 2017

With National Day of the People’s Republic of China 2019 serving as a back drop, Waltersons took the opportunity today to formally introduce their 1:700 scale replica of the PLAAN Liaoning (CV-16) to the public. First announced more than two years ago, the manufacturer decided to delay its release so that they could update their original plans for the aircraft carrier. Much like their 1:32 scale vehicle series, the Liaoning will come in two flavors: the first (FOV861010A) represents the warship’s configuration as it sailed into Hong Kong harbor in 2017. A second portrayal (FOV861010B) shows the ship as it embarked upon its maiden ocean-going voyage in 2016.

According to the manufacturer, the model encompasses some 240 plastic and alloy parts as compared with 150 used in the construction of their model of the USS Enterprise. Furthermore, 80 pad printed decals have been used throughout, covering everything from identification tags to deck markings. Interestingly, the ship comes with a clear removable display arm attached to the bow and aft of the warship which can then be affixed with a 1:700 scale aircraft. A vertical display stand can be used to show a helicopter as it lifts off or lands. Best of all, a slew of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft also come with the warship, all meticulously researched based upon the latest declassified data and photographs available to the public.

As is customary with the Waltersons line of Forces of Valor warships, the Liaoning can be displayed in two manners. Collectors can sit the warship atop a pair of golden pillars that are attached to a simulated wooden display plinth finished with an etched metallic name plate. Conversely, collectors can detach the ship from its base and display the ship within a blue ocean-inspired shell, giving it a more realistic appearance.

Look for the first version of the Liaoning to make its maiden voyage into the retailer network this holiday season.

Share This:

Eaglemoss Drops Out of Hyperspace for NY Comic Con

Never one to disappoint, Eaglemoss today revealed a convention exclusive Star Trek starship that has to be seen to be believed. Available at the upcoming New York Comic Con, which is scheduled to run from October 3rd to the 6th, the “Cloaked Defiant” bears a somewhat crystalline look that attempts to portray the starship as if its was evading detection.

Its not clear if the convention exclusive will be made available to retailers as oftentimes has happened in the past or if it can only be purchased direct from the Show. That said, we’ll take a wait-and-see attitude by holding off listing the ship on our web site until we know for sure.

Share This:

Altaya Soldiers On with a New Line of Military Vehicles

As we await the formal conclusion to their 1:43 scale armored fighting vehicle range — which is tentatively set for early 2020 — it appears as if Altaya is launching yet another partworks line, this time around focused on an assortment of cars pressed into military service. According to their web site, this new 1:43 scale range will encompass some of the staff cars, off-road trucks and other vehicles that served both the Axis and Allied powers during WWII. Each will come with a magazine (written in french) discussing the vehicle at length. Moreover the line touts the usual bonus vehicles and accessories a subscriber can obtain once they have reached a predetermined number of orders . For now, the line is available in Europe but we have high hopes that it will eventually reach our shores once it too has formally reached its end and Altaya has moved on to something else collectors might covet.

Share This:

Hobby Master Closes Out the Month of September in Stealthy Fashion

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – “Vega 31”, 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin Demons”, “Operation Allied Force”, Kosovo War, 1999

True-to-form, the September cache of Hobby Master products have arrived at our distributor and are now headed our way, come what may. Without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your diecast arsenal in just a few days time:

On the Ground…:

#HG3812 – US M8 Light Armored Car – “C-30”, Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#HG3813 – US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale)

…And in the Air:

#HA0195 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21SMT “Fishbed-K” Fighter – “Blue 22”, Krasnodar Higher Aviation Training Facility, Soviet Union, 1980 (1:72 Scale)

#HA0196 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21SMT “Fishbed-K” Fighter – “Blue 60”, 296 IAP, Soviet Union, 1980 (1:72 Scale)

#HA1222 – USN Grumman TBF-1C Avenger Torpedo-Bomber – “White 93”, VT-15, USS Essex (CV 9), November 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#HH1206 – Taiwanese Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter (1:72 Scale)

#HH1207 – Republic of Korea Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack Helicopter (1:72 Scale)

#HA5309 – Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MLD “Flogger-K” Fighter – “White 55”, 120 IAP, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, 1989 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5805 – USAF Lockheed F-117A Stealth Fighter-Bomber – “Vega 31”, 7th Fighter Squadron “Screamin Demons”, “Operation Allied Force”, Kosovo War, 1999 (1:72 Scale)

#HA3022 – USAF General Dynamics EF-111A Raven Electronics Warfare Aircraft – ECS/48th TFW(P), Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Early 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6402 – Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark Air Superiority Fighter – Aircraft Carrier Liaoning, 2017 (1:72 Scale)

Share This:

Six New Warships Join the DeAgostini Fleet

DeAgostini’s 1:1250 scale US Navy Essex Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Essex (CV-9) [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

Six more warships are joining the DeAgostini Kriegsschiffe fleet next month, adding more muscle and mass to an already growing naval armada. Here’s what you can add to your diecast flotilla the first week of October:

DAKS03 – German Kriegsmarine Deutschland Class Heavy Cruiser – DKM Admiral Graf Spee [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS13 – German Kaiserliche Marine Derfflinger Class Battlecruiser – SMS Derfflinger [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS18 – German Kaiserliche Marine Koenig Class Battleship – SMS Koenig [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS19 – German Kaiserliche Marine Blucher Class Armored Cruiser – SMS Blucher [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS24 – German Kriegsmarine Auxiliary Cruiser – Atlantis [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

DAKS06 – US Navy Essex Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Essex (CV-9) [With Collector Magazine] (1:1250 Scale)

Share This:

History on Display

Its been rather quiet of late with little in the way of product news to share with our valued readership. On the upside, we’ve been contacted by Mr. Axel Hernborg who would like to share his thoughts and opinions on several important museums and historical sites that would likely be of interest to our viewership. So, if you like to get out every once in a while, and would take great pleasure in seeing actual weapons of war as opposed to scale models, we strongly recommend you pay a visit to his website and review his article.

Share This:

Hobby Master Pokes its Head Out of its Burrow for Groundhog’s Day

Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War

While we were basking in the warm summer sun, Hobby Master took the opportunity drench us with a cold wake up call by announcing a bevy of new products expected this February. The vehicles and aircraft cut across virtually every category, scale and era, so without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your collection early in 2020:

For the Ground Pounders:

#HG1704 – German Sd. Kfz. 2 NSU Kettenkrad Light Tractor – 20.Panzer Division, Russia, 1944 (1:48 Scale)

#HG3814 – US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – 1st Platoon, B Company, 807th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Germany, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#HG5611 – Republic of China (Taiwanese) M60A3 Patton Medium Tank – Taiwanese Marine Corps (1:72 Scale)

For the aviation enthusiasts:

#HA5906 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1956 (1:72 Scale)

#HA5907 – Peoples Liberation Army Air Force Shenyang J-5 “Fresco C” Fighter – 1960s (1:72 Scale)

#HA6502 – Polish Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – “100th Anniversary” (1:72 Scale)

#HA6503 – German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum’ Fighter – Jagdgeschwader 73 “Steinhoff”, 1994 (1:72 Scale)

#HA4610 – RAF Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – ZM151, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6203 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “Pole Test Scheme”, 2012 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6204 – USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – “ED-104”, Edwards AFB, California, 2016 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA2550 – USAF Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel Aircraft – 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Vietnam War (1:72 Scale)

#HA5152 – RAAF Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft – No. 6 Squadron, “100th Anniversary”, 2018 (1:72 Scale)

Share This:

Introducing The Ultimate Tank Collection from Atlas Editions

Atlas Editions’ 1:72 scale German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Heavy Tank – Michael Wittmannn ‘S04’, 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte ‘LSSAH’, 1943

Even though parent company, De Agostini, shuttered Atlas Editions late last year, that doesn’t seem to prevent them from living on, at least for the time being. While we were away on vacation, we received word that their 1:72 scale Ultimate Tank Collection will finally be brought over to our shores, with six tanks expected by the end of this month. We’ve listed the first wave of vehicles on our web site and, based upon the promotional literature that accompanied the announcement, it would appear as if a great many more vehicles can be expected over the course of the next few months. Priced at just $19.99, these vehicles offer great value for the money and, in certain instances, include vehicles not previously made available to the military collector in any other series.

#ATL4660101 – German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Heavy Tank – Michael Wittmannn ‘S04’, 1.SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte ‘LSSAH’, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660102 – British M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – Regiment HQ, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660103 – Soviet T-34/76 Medium Tank – Unidentified Unit, Kursk, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660104 – German Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI King Tiger Ausf. B Heavy Tank – schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660105 – British Churchill Mk. VII Infantry Tank – 34th Armoured Brigade, Italy, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#ATL4660106 – German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – schwere Panzer Abteilung 654, France, 1944 (1:72 Scale)


Share This: