Forces of Valor’s 1:24 scale radio controlled US Pershing heavy tank and US M1A2 Abrams main battle tank
According to recent reports, it would appear as if Waltersons is resuming its radio controlled business in a big way for 2019. First off, it looks as though they will be bringing back several of their sold out 1:24 scale models (Tiger I, Sherman and Panzer IV) and hopefully have them ready for the all-important fourth quarter. To bolster their lineup, they also plan to re-introduce their long sold out M26 Pershing heavy tank and ressurect their Abrams mold, this time around making it an updated M1A2 variant and painting it in a tri-color camouflage scheme. At some point, it would be nice if they offered a T-72 or T-80 main battle tank, thereby giving it something to fight against in a head-to-head competition.
Their long-awaited 1:16 scale T-72A tank is finally in the works, with no fewer than three versions headed our way. The first introduction in their newly-acquired line of VS Tanks
And speaking of T-72s, Waltersons is finally showing off its long-discussed 1:16 scale main battle tank, which will reportedly come in three versions, each aimed at three different market segments. Pricing and actual dates of release should be revealed shortly, so keep an eye out for further announcements as they, well, roll in. Sorry…
Even though it appears as if their ground offensive has stalled by several months, that hasn’t prevented Corgi from initiating their 2019 aerial attack on the world at-large. Four new aircraft are currently winging their way to us and should be ready for shipment to our clientele by the third week of May. In no particular order, here’s what you can look forward to adding to your aviation arsenal in just a couple of weeks:
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber with Fi 103 (Doodlebug) – A1+HK, 2./Kampfgeschwader 53 ‘Legion Condor’, Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit, Late 1944
When World War I ended, the German Air Force was disbanded under the Treaty of Versailles, which required the German government to abandon all military aviation by October 1st, 1919. However, by 1922, it was legal for Germany to design and manufacture commercial aircraft, and one of the first modern medium bombers to emerge from this process was the Heinkel He 111, the first prototype of which an enlarged, twin-engine version of the single-engine mail-liaison He 70, which set 8 world speed records in 1933 flew in February of 1935. The second prototype, the He 111 V2, had shorter wings and was the first civil transport prototype, capable of carrying 10 passengers and mail. The third prototype, He 111 V3 also had shorter wings and was the first true bomber prototype. Six He 111 C series airliners were derived from the fourth prototype, the He 111 V4, and went into service with Lufthansa in 1936, powered by a variety of engines, including BMW 132 radials. The first production models had the classic stepped windshield and an elliptical wing, which the designers, Siegfried and Walter Gunter, favored. That said, AA33716 is a German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber ferrying a Fi 103 (Doodlebug) under its fuselage. It was attached to 2./Kampfgeschwader 53 ‘Legion Condor’, an Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit operating during the latter half of 1944.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U2 Fighter – “White 16”, 1./Jagdgeschwader 301, July 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
Numerically the most abundant fighter produced by either side during WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 formed the backbone of the Jagdwaffe on both the eastern and western fronts, as well as in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Of the eight distinct sub-types within the huge Bf 109 family, the most populous was the G-model, of which over 30,000 were built between 1941-45. Despite its production run, only a handful of genuine German Bf 109s have survived into the 1990s, and with the serious damaging of the RAFs G-2 at Duxford in October 1997, only the German-based MBB G-6 and Hans Ditte’s G-10 (both composites) are currently airworthy. AA27108 replicates a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U2 Fighter known as “White 16”, that was attached to 1./Jagdgeschwader 301 during July 1944. Note that it is part of Corgi’s 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion collection.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft – MN625/MR-B, No. 245 (Northern Rhodesian) Squadron, Homesley South Airfield, Hampshire, June 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
The Typhoon was a British single-seat strike fighter, produced by Hawker Aviation starting in 1941. Intended as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane in the interceptor role, it suffered from performance problems, but eventually evolved into one of World War II’s most successful ground attack aircraft. AA36512 depicts a RAF Hawker Typhoon Mk. Ib Ground Attack Aircraft that was attached to No. 245 (Northern Rhodesian) Squadron, then deployed to Homesley South Airfield, Hampshire, England during June 1944. Note that it is part of Corgi’s 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion collection.
The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. A contemporary of the famous Avro Lancaster, the Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing. The Halifax was also operated by squadrons of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and Polish Air Force. AA37209 represents a RAF Handley Page Halifax B.III Heavy Bomber known as “Expensive Babe”, that was attached to No.51 Squadron, then deployed to Snaith, England, during March 1945.
DeAgostini’s 1:1250 scale German Kriegsmarine Graf Zeppelin Class Aircraft Carrier – DKM Graf Zeppelin
When you get used to banging out base hits time and again, you really can’t fault a batter when he suddenly stands at the plate instead of running the bases, watching as his latest swing of the bat clears the center field wall. Such is the case with DeAgostini and their long awaited Kriegsschiffe series of 1:1250 scale warships, a home run if ever there was one and certainly a series that needs to be admired.
We’ve been waiting for this unique line to make it to American shores for what seems like an eternity and now we can happily report that the first wave of World War II era warships is finally making port. While there is a smattering of Allied warships included in the range, the vast majority of the warships are of German lineage since it was designed, by and large, to cater to the German audience and traces the evolution of the German navy through the twentieth century. Each scale warship is composed of both diecast metal with some plastic parts and comes with its own display base. Best of all, each comes bundled with a German language magazine explaining the ship in greater detail.
According to our distributor they have received their initial shipment of 26 different warships and will be filling retailer orders the first week of May. Several warships are in short supply, so if you’re interested in obtaining some of these naval vessels, run don’t walk to your computer and place your order as soon as possible.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – “332”, schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654, Normandy, 1944 [Bonus Maybach HL230 P30 Engine]
Spring seems to agree with Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor line, with two 1:32 scale vehicles now completed and under their belt and another pair scheduled to go into production the first week of May. According to the manufacturer, both the German Jagdpanther tank destroyer (#FOV801007A) and Russian T-34/85 medium tank (#FOV801013A) have been given the green light, and will likely make it to market towards the end of June or early July. This comes as good news to collectors, who will likely see the fruits of Walterson’s labors at the upcoming hobby show in Shizuoka, Japan, held on May 8th. Its entirely possibly other items, such as the Liaoning aircraft carrier (#FOV861010A), have moved past the prototyping stage with finished packaging and detailing now being shown for the first time.
Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale Soviet T-34/85 Medium Tank – 55th Guards Tank Brigade, 7th Guards Tank Corps, Berlin, 1945 [Bonus Model V-2 Diesel-Fueled 12-Cylinder Engine]
While the Company is still lagging behind their original production schedule unveiled two years ago, its comforting to see that they are finally picking up speed and talking optimistically about the all-important fourth quarter. In other news, it would appear as if their radio controlled 1:16 scale T-72 main battle tank is moving along nicely, if you don’t mind the feeble pun, so we may re-open the pre-order window shortly once we feel more confident it has entered the production phase. Three different versions are reportedly in the works, each aimed at catering to three segments of the marketplace: the casual hobbyist, hard core user, and the extreme enthusiast.
Every so often, a handful of curious collectors take it upon themselves to ask the manufacturers directly about the possibility of offering a particular subject in replica form. Earlier this week, a member of the Model Hanger 3 board did just that, taking it upon himself to ask Hobby Master if they planned to replicate the B-58 Hustler in 1:72 scale. The B-58 is an iconic aircraft of the Cold War period, and, naturally enough, an oft-requested aircraft that seems to have eluded hobbyists and collectors alike. While no formal commitments were offered in the near-term by Hobby Master, the manufacturer did indicate that three more aircraft will be modeled in the not-too-distant future: a F-105G Wild Weasel Thunderchief, a Saab Draken fighter and finally a Eurofighter Typhoon. Its not clear when each of these aircraft will see the light of day, but based upon snippets of conversation posted to the forum it would appear as if all three will take wing within the coming year.
Most people tend to associate the Vietnam War as a conflict waged between US and ARVN forces against the North Vietnamese Army and its Viet Cong allies. In actuality, there were several other nations attempting to defend South Vietnam from communist aggression, most notably troops sent under the auspices of the ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand) banner.
In 1966, a small unit of 108 ANZAC soldiers from the 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) found itself cut off and surrounded by over 2,500 North Vietnamese regulars and Viet Cong insurgents near the town of Long Tan, a rubber plantation in Phước Tuy Province, South Vietnam. 1 ATF began arriving between April and June 1966, constructing a base at Nui Dat, which was located astride a major communist transit and resupply route and was close to a VC base area. After two months it had moved beyond the initial requirements of establishing itself and securing its immediate approaches, beginning operations to open the province. Meanwhile, in response to the threat posed by 1 ATF, a force of between 1,500 and 2,500 men from the VC 275th Regiment, possibly reinforced by at least one PAVN battalion and the D445 Provincial Mobile Battalion, was ordered to move against Nui Dat.
For several weeks Australian signals intelligence (SIGINT) had tracked a radio transmitter from the headquarters of the 275th Regiment moving westwards to a position just north of Long Tan; however, extensive patrolling failed to find the unit. By August 16th, the communist force was positioned east of the Long Tan rubber plantation, just outside the range of the artillery at Nui Dat. On the night of 16/17 August, VC mortars, recoilless rifles (RCLs) and artillery heavily bombarded Nui Dat from a position 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the east, damaging the base and wounding 24 men, one of whom later died. The VC positions were then engaged by counter-battery fire and the mortaring ceased. The following morning, B Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), departed Nui Dat to locate the firing points and the direction of the VC withdrawal. A number of weapon pits were subsequently found, as were the positions of the mortars and RCLs. Thus began the Battle of Long Tan.
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, is an Australian film which documents the fierce engagement as seen through the eyes of Major Harry Smith and his dispersed company of 108 young and mostly inexperienced Australian and New Zealand soldiers. Fighting for their lives, they attempt to hold off an overwhelming enemy force of 2,500 battle hardened Main Force Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army soldiers. With their ammunition running out, their casualties mounting and the enemy massing for a final assault, each man begins to search for his own answer – and the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and courage. The Battle of Long Tan is one of the most savage and decisive engagements in ANZAC history, earning both the United States and South Vietnamese Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry along with many individual awards. But not before 18 Australians and more than 245 Vietnamese are killed in action.
No stranger to the mobile rocket launcher category, Modelcollect announced their intent to resurrect the ignominious SCUD rocket that was the scourge of Coalition forces during the first Gulf War. Carried on a Soviet 9P117 mobile launcher, several variations of the SCUD are purportedly on the drawing board, although only two pre-assembled versions were announced thus far. Pictures are still in the offing and we’ll likely see these “scoot and shoot” replicas some time this summer.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale USAF General Dynamics EF-111A Raven Electronics Warfare Aircraft – ECS/48th TFW(P), Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Early 1991 [Low-Vis Scheme]
While some companies struggle to get product to market on a regular schedule, Hobby Master does so like clockwork, pumping out loads of product for the discriminating collector. This coming September, they have another dozen or so items scheduled for release, spanning everything from helicopters to armored vehicles, piston driven aircraft to jet fighters. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when school returns from recess:
US M8 Light Armored Car – “C-30”, Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale) #HG3812
US M20 Greyhound Light Armored Car – Unidentified Unit, Ardennes Forest, December 1944 (1:72 Scale) #HG3813
In order to make room for lots of new products earmarked for a second half release, we have decided to phase out a number of older ranges. In many instances, we are unable to procure said items from our suppliers, so it becomes pointless to continue to hold out hope that restocks may occur. In no particular order, the following lines will no longer be carried and their inventories exhausted:
DeAgostini Japanese military aircraft series
DeAgostini Russian military aircraft series
DeAgostini warship series
Fabbri diecast military vehicles series
Eaglemoss diecast military vehicles series
Leo Models diecast military aircraft series
Arsenal Tanks of the World military vehicles series
We wanted to wish everyone a happy Easter as well as a happy Passover. While we’ll be here to accept and process orders, please make sure to spend time with your families during these important religious celebrations.
