PMA’s 1:72 scale German Mid Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf. E Heavy Tank – ‘311’, schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101, Normandy, France, 1944
It isn’t often that Precision Model Arts announces a new product but when they do they typically come with a bit of fanfare. Earlier today we learned that they plan to offer a 1:72 scale replica of a mid production German Tiger E heavy tank (P0330). Based upon a vehicle that served with the infamous schwere SS Panzer Abteilung 101, their first ever Tiger comes with a detachable turret and hull so you can see the interior of the vehicle.
As a bonus, the vehicle features an opening engine compartment as well as a removable Maybach HL 230 TRM P45 engine. No doubt recognizing the significance of the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the unit in question harkens back to the fighting in and around the bocage country of Normandy, France, during the fateful summer of 1944.
In addition to the Tiger tank, three new figure packs were unveiled. There’s a German engineer set (P0407), the perfect accompaniment to the German Tiger and useful for depicting a field repair depot overhauling a damaged vehicle. Also shown are a set of German Officers (P0408) as well as a group of German Wounded Soldiers (P0409). All of the sets will likely oppose the Allies’ invasion some time this summer.
As we near the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings which occurred on June 6th, 1944, several manufacturers have marked the date by releasing commemorative versions of some of their most popular subjects. Corgi, affectionately known by many as “the Pooch”, has certainly seized the day, if you don’t mind us capitalizing on a phrase, by offering a complete stand-alone collection of some of the most iconic aircraft to participate in the battle. In no particular order, here’s what you can expect from the boys at Corgi over the course of the next few months:
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Lockheed F-5E-2 Lightning Photo Recon Plane – 43-28619 “Rita/Ruth”, 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group, Eighth Air Force, Mount Farm Airfield, August 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
One of the most crucial elements of the D-Day air campaign was the gathering of detailed reconnaissance photographs of the entire intended invasion area, which included the assessment of previous bombing raid effectiveness and the identification of future targets. In lessons learned during the disastrous Dieppe raid of 1942, military planners knew they had to have the very latest intelligence information in order to prepare for invasion, disrupting enemy communications and destroying defensive strongholds overlooking the invasion beaches. One of the most effective aircraft in securing this information was the Lockheed F-5E-2 Lightning, the photographic reconnaissance version of the distinctive twin boom P-38J variant. Undergoing modification at squadron level, these aircraft featured enlarged camera windows for more effective information gathering, with this bigger window featuring a teardrop fairing to minimize the impact of addition drag. Lightning 43-28619 was unusual in that it made a feature of this enlarged eye in the sky by the artistic addition of sharks teeth, with the camera windows serving as eyes for the flying beast. Wearing its overall PRU blue color scheme, nose artwork and D-Day identification markings, this must have been one of the most distinctive aircraft in the skies above the Normandy beaches, even though its mission profile was for the Lightning to remain undetected. On November 26th, 1944, this aircraft was intercepted and shot down by a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter flown by Luftwaffe ace Hermann Buchner, with its unfortunate pilot becoming a prisoner of war.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XIV Fighter – RM740, No.322 (Dutch) Squadron, Deanland, England, August 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
The aviation pedigree of the
Supermarine Spitfire is second to none. Produced in greater numbers than
any other British aircraft, the Spitfire was in constant production
throughout the Second World War, with the basic air frame capable of
readily accepting upgrades and improvements which maintained the
aircraft’s position as one of the most capable single-engined fighting
airplanes of WWII. The combination of the classic Spitfire air frame and
the new powerful Rolls Royce Griffon engine produced a “Super Spitfire”
and what was regarded by many aviation historians as the finest low
altitude interceptor available to Allied air forces during WWII.
Having contributed to offensive operations in support of the D-Day landings, the speedy Spitfire Mk. XIVs of RAF No.322 Squadron were given a dangerous new task in the weeks which followed, intercepting the indiscriminate V1 “Doodlebug” flying bombs which were hurled against Southern Britain from their launch sites in France, in the weeks following the successful Allied landings in Normandy. The squadron proved extremely proficient in these ‘Anti-diver’ sorties, with no fewer than 108.5 Doodlebugs falling to the guns of their mighty Griffon powered Spitfires, before advancing Allied ground units could overrun the launch sites, thus taking these terrifying weapons out of range of their intended target areas. Released from their Doodlebug duties, the Griffon Spitfires of No.322 squadron were sent to operate from recently liberated bases in Europe, as Allied air forces continued to take a heavy toll of German forces, both on the ground and in the air.
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]
If the Douglas
C-47 Skytrain is considered the most famous multi-engine aircraft of
D-Day aerial operations, then the single-engine equivalent must be the
fearsome Hawker Typhoon. Agile and extremely heavily armed, the Typhoon
was to see plenty of action during the summer of 1944, either attacking
strategic targets in the weeks prior to invasion, such as German radar
sites or providing invaluable close air support to ground units breaking
out from the landing beachheads.
With forward air controllers installed with ground units throughout Normandy, RAF Typhoons were ready to respond to any request for aerial support, with aircraft not already engaged in strike missions holding off the coast of Northern France, ready to be called into action. These missions proved to be incredibly hazardous for Typhoon crews, not so much down to the attention of Luftwaffe fighters, but from the murderous anti-aircraft fire hurled in their direction from seemingly every German gun in the Normandy region. Indeed, in the weeks following the D-Day landings, more than 500 Hawker Typhoons had been lost, less than 10% of which were attributed to enemy fighter attack. Flying at high speed and at extremely low level, the opinion shared by Typhoon crews was that you had not experienced real combat flying until you had spent time on a Typhoon squadron.
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]
The opportunity to capture and
evaluate the latest versions of your enemy’s aircraft was of great
interest to both Allied and Axis military planners throughout WWII, not
only in order to asses the technology itself, but also to develop
tactics which would be useful to squadron pilots when meeting the
aircraft in combat. Most of these aircraft would come into the
possession of their new owners following combat and usually after
suffering varying degrees of damage, however, there were rare occasions
when Luftwaffe aircraft were unwittingly delivered in tact to a grateful
Royal Air Force.
Such an occurrence took place on July 21st, 1944, when a pair of bomber hunting Messerschmitt Bf109G-6/U2 fighter pilots became disorientated and landed at Manston airfield in Kent. One of the pilots appeared to be distracted whilst approaching the unfamiliar airfield and fearing he was running out of runway, retracted his undercarriage and made a belly landing. The other machine, “White 16” flown by Horst Prenzel made a perfect landing and therefore presented the RAF with a pristine example of this latest variant of the Luftwaffe fighter. Later evaluated by famous test pilot Captain Eric Brown, it was destroyed only a few months later in a take off accident whilst serving with the Air Fighting Development Unit at RAF Wittering.
Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAF Douglas C-47A Skytrain Troop Transport – “That’s All Brother”, Lead D-Day Aircraft, 87th Troop Carrier Squadron, 438th Troop Carrier Group, June 5th/6th, 1944 [75th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion]
In order to ensure the defeat of
Germany and the end of the Second World War, the Allied powers knew that
they would have to launch a full scale assault against continental
Europe, an undertaking fraught with potential dangers. In support of
this plan, Allied aircraft began a concerted bombing campaign, targeting
aircraft and munitions manufacturing plants, as well as attacking
strategic targets in the intended landing areas, all designed to
diminish Germany’s fighting capabilities. These attacks were always
carefully masked by strong diversion raids, so as not to alert the
Germans to where the anticipated Allied amphibious assault would take
place, making D-Day as much about deception, as it was about
preparation.
Finally, after months of planning, the order was given to ‘Go’ and the invasion was on. At RAF Greenham Common in the late evening of June 5th, 1944, paratroopers of the US 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions climbed aboard hundreds of Douglas C-47 Skytrains, as they prepared to drop behind German lines in advance of the main seaborne invasion force, the spearhead of Operation Overlord. At the head of this mighty air armada and the aircraft which effectively launched D-Day, Douglas C-47A “That’s All Brother” would lead a force of over 800 Skytrains over the next few hours, as she navigated through thick cloud and German defensive fire to deliver her precious cargo of brave paratroopers onto their designated drop zones in Normandy and the opening combat operations of D-Day.
A release schedule has surfaced on one of the forums purportedly showing the build dates for many of the upcoming Forces of Valor products. Presently, this schedule hasn’t been confirmed by the manufacturer nor has our North American supplier any knowledge of its authenticity. Still, it looks somewhat official, so we are tentatively going to use it to map out the anticipated arrival dates for their 1:32 scale military vehicles as well as their 1:700 scale warships. We will hold off on some of the aircraft and helicopters for now. We’ve added sixty days to the supposed “ready” dates shown on the schedule to arrive at our tentative release dates. In all likelihood, that’s a bit optimistic based upon previous experience, so please don’t hold us to these dates since they could very well change as the year unfolds. You can view the schedule here: FOV Release Schedule
Incidentally, no word as yet concerning any of the newly tooled 1:32 scale vehicles so we are assuming they have all been pushed back into 2020.
Note: I’ve been told that the link we provided will not work if you aren’t a member of the forum in question. So, rather than ask you to join the site, we’ve updated our web site to reflect the “anticipated” dates of release for each item in the FOV military vehicle, warship, helicopter and aircraft lines. There are still several items up-in-the-air, if you will, and as the schedule moves further out, expect these dates to require some revision.
As we continue to wait for the Forces of Valor 88mm FLak gun to arrive, there appears to be some progress in the 1:32 scale queue. Earlier today, the manufacturer provided details concerning their second release – a British M4A4 Sherman Firefly Mk. VC medium tank. Based on a vehicle that served with the 24th Lancers, 13th/18th Hussars, 8th Armoured Brigade, the repurposed vehicle now comes with a Chrysler A57 Multi-Bank Engine that fits inside a reworked hull, retooled tracks to make them easier to roll, and a better paint job, making it a fitting addition to the Forces of Valor pantheon of combat vehicles.
The Sherman Firefly was a World War II
British variant of the American Sherman tank, fitted with the powerful
British 17 pounder anti-tank gun as its main weapon. Originally
conceived as a stopgap until future British tank designs came into
service, the Sherman Firefly became the most common vehicle with the 17
pounder in World War II.
Though the British expected to have their own new tank models developed
soon, British Major George Brighty championed the already-rejected idea
of mounting the 17 pounder in the existing Sherman. With the help of
Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge and despite official disapproval, he
managed to get the concept accepted. This proved fortuitous, as both the
Challenger and Cromwell tank designs experienced difficulties and
delays.
After the problem of getting the gun to fit in the Sherman’s turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshal Montgomery’s forces for the Normandy landings. It soon became highly valued as the only British tank capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger tanks it faced in Normandy at standard combat ranges. In recognition of this, German tank and anti-tank gun crews were instructed to attack Fireflies first. Between 2100 and 2200 were manufactured before production wound down in 1945.
Waltersons, the new caretakers of the Forces of Valor brand, claims that the vehicle run should be completed by the end of April, meaning it will still take several weeks before it arrives here in North America. We have therefore tentatively fixed its arrival for June, appropriate for it marks the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings..
Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Federation Cardenas Class Starship – USS Buran NCC-1412 [With Collector Magazine]
Ask the average collector of diecast military models when the so-called “Golden era of diecast collecting” occurred and they readily point to the early 2000s, when collecting was relatively inexpensive and there were loads of products to choose from. While that may be true to a point, I consider the current era to be equal to or even surpassing that period, largely for a different reason. While pricing for most models has certainly risen over the years, so too has the quality of the finished products we now see coming to market, particularly when it comes to some of the artwork many manufacturers have managed to achieve.
If you disagree, and you are free to do so, consider the following three models as Exhibit A. The Star Trek models produced by Eaglemoss have certainly been a hit-or-miss affair, oftentimes featuring misaligned painting, tattered parts or even missing parts. But when they do hit a home run, it usually comes in the form of a grand slam. Take, for instance, their USS Buran (EMSTDISC07), a special edition Discovery-era starship that features a beautiful multi-hued exterior and a sleek angular design, a far cry from some of the more primitive shapes and schemes seen in some of the original televised episodes.
Corgi’s 1:48 scale German Fokker D VII Fighter – 4649/18 “Seven Swabians” Wilhelm Scheutzel, Jasta 65, September 1918
Then, of course, there’s Corgi’s WWI era 1:48 scale Fokker D VII fighter that sports the famous “Seven Swabians” caricatures adorning the aircraft’s fuselage (AA38906). While they may seem out-of-place for a deadly warplane, they nevertheless showcase some of the talent achieved by the aerodrome artists of the period as well as the craftsmen that have followed in their footsteps 100 years hence.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Boeing F-15J Eagle Multi-Role Fighter – JASDF 50th Anniversary Scheme, “Mount Fuji”, 2004
And, if that wasn’t enough to get your heart racing, how about Hobby Master’s upcoming F-15 sporting a delicately created depiction of Mount Fuji ensconced in cherry blossoms (HA4514)? While most collectors seem to gravitate towards operational schemes, its hard to imagine this aircraft doesn’t catch their eye and gets added to even the most crowded shelf space.
Yes, prices have gone up over the years but so too has the work and craftsmanship that goes in to the average model. Golden era? We’ll let collectors decide, as after market prices decide which models are the most sought after and which gathers dust despite their affordable cost.
Minichamps’ 1:35 scale German Kampfpanzer Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank – Panzerbataillon 33, Luttmersen, Germany, 2007
2019 is shaping up to be an interesting year from a number of vantage points. While lots of new diecast models are waiting in the wings, three ranges are making an encore performance, if you will, retesting the waters at a time when they’re not sure who is responsible for filling up an empty pool.
Minichamps is reintroducing their 1:35 scale military vehicles, taking four of their most popular molds and trotting them out for a new road show. The problem is that none of them have been refurbished or repainted, so if you own them already then, apart from the new Leopard tank (which was cancelled before it hit the streets), then you may not be interested in these rehashes from the past. In terms of metal content, the Minichamps range can’t be beat, but, of course, a bulging waist line comes at a price. Each is now priced at $179.99, a far cry from their original asking price of $100 over a decade ago.
Corgi’s 1:50 scale Captured German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. A Medium Tank – 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards “Cuckoo”, Netherlands, 1944-45
Next up is Corgi, who have finally decided to bring back their 1:50 scale collection of World War II era military vehicles. Although each has been repainted, thus giving them new life and new meaning, that’s about as much as we’re witnessing here, re-released largely to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Battle of the Bulge offensive. Priced at $64.99 each, again quite a bit higher than their original asking prices of around $40 some fifteen years ago, they’ll undoubtedly do well at retail, simply because Corgi is a master at paying homage to battles of long ago.
Forces of Valor 1:32 scale German 88mm Flak 36/37 Anti-Aircraft Gun with Trailer – Deutsches Afrika Korps, El Alamein, North Africa, 1942 [Comes with Seven Crewmen and Rommel]
And finally we have the 1:32 scale range from Waltersons, the new caretakers of the Forces of Valor brand. The first entrant in the repurposed range is their 88mm FLaK gun, this time around painted in a desert sand scheme and bundled with an assortment of crew-served troops. Priced at $79.99, the new AT/AA gun features a milled aluminum gun barrel and even comes with the Desert Fox himself, Erwin Rommel. Its not clear when some of the other retread vehicles will make it to market, since they’ve been shunted back-and-forth onto the front burners like steaks needing to be reheated. No doubt some of the new additions hinted at are even further down the road, as Waltersons looks to re-engineer those vehicles already in the hopper before moving on to tackle new subjects.
As you can see three separate manufacturers honing in on three different scales taking three different approaches to the hobby. Whose strategy will prevail is anyone’s guess as collectors are just eager to own many of these battle hardened vehicles before the snow flies this holiday season.
When I broke into retail management back in the late 1970s, one of the responsibilities that came with the job was walking the store’s floor each day before it was opened to the public. “Patrolling the physical plant”, as its called by some, means just that – picking up any rubbish on the floor, inspecting and aligning dump displays, repairing torn or hanging signage, and returning stray shopping carts to the queue. Its a relatively simple task that pays dividends each and every day, particularly if your store was due to be inspected by upper management. It also meant your store looked good for the public-at-large, ready to cater to their every need.
Today, with many retail establishments eschewing brick-and-mortar store fronts in favor of online virtual ones, I’m constantly amazed at how this simple concept seems to have fallen on deaf ears, fallen out of favor, and even fallen by the wayside. Time and again, I see manufacturer web site that feature old, out-of-date information, incorrect information and even no information at all, as if it was a job left for some one else to one day repair and update. There are web sites that time out day-in and day out, are slow to load and even have information that is completely useless to anyone in or out of the industry, making it all but pointless to visit.
People seem to think that Hobby Master has risen to prominence simply by producing an ample supply of collectibles month-in and month-out, outstripping and outselling the competition with an avalanche of product. While that is partly true, one of the reasons they have succeeded where others have failed miserably is the fact that they also update their web site, constantly and continually freshening up the site so that it contains pertinent and up-to-date product announcements. They also provide Hobbymaster.com, an enthusiast-operated and owned site that has been around for a number of years, with regular imagery and updates, making it a go-too page for anyone interested in Hobby Master products. Why this fact has alluded the attention of many competing firms is beyond me. I don’t understand how they can expect to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Hobby Master and a handful of other manufacturers when they approach the business with what can best be described as a lackadaisical attitude, failing to understand the importance of putting their best foot forward by offering timely and accurate information ahead of the release of every item they make.
Ladies and gentlemen, its time to walk your virtual floor. Clean up before the clock strikes twelve.
According to film stars Jake Busey and Casper van Diem it looks as if the duo will be reprising their respective roles from the movie, Starship Troopers, this time around in a televised series. The pair will be returning as Ace Levy and Juan “Johnny” Rico, although much further along in their military careers — perhaps as drill instructors or commanders of mobile infantry platoons — since the original film appeared way back in 1997.
Ed Neumeier, the film’s screenwriter, is being asked to develop the series and other notable actors from the original film could be back as well, although its not clear who are being asked to return and whether or not they have agreed to reboot their former roles. A remake of the classic film is also expected later this year, albeit with a different cast and screenwriter. If the film and television series take off, you can bet certain model makers will be giving the franchise the once over to see if it can be brought to sci-fi enthusiasts the world over.
For the handful of people not familiar with the franchise, Starship Troopers stands as sci-fi writer’s Robert Heinlein’s seminal work in which humanity is pitted against an alien race of over-sized insects called the Arachnids. Seen through the eyes of the so-called Mobile Infantry, Heinlein mixes a good bit of political drama and off-beat wit within a taut yarn that describes what its like to first train as a mobile infantryman of the future and then take on the Arachnids in all its gore and glory. Do you want to learn more?
If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones — and let’s face it, who isn’t? — and happen to live in northeast Queens, New York, where we call home, then you’ll be tickled pink to learn that the last of the six thrones used to help hype the series as part of a worldwide scavenger hunt was set up here within the confines of Fort Totten. Fort Totten is a Civil War era fortress designed to protect northern Queens from a potential attack from the sea. While it was never used nor did it ever fire a shot in anger — the guns have long since been removed — it now plays host to the final Iron Throne made famous in the Game of Thrones fantasy series. Presently, there is a six hour or so wait to take a selfie on the throne and the producers have said the prop will be removed from our home-sweet-home set at 7PM on Monday then promptly returned to the world of Westeros.
Self-promotion aside, don’t forget the final season of Game of Thrones premieres on April 14th. You know where I’ll be when the curtain rises and the dragons take wing!
Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Heinkel He-111H-16 Medium Bomber with Fi 103 (Doodlebug) – A1+HK, 2./Kampfgeschwader 53, Air Launch V-1 Flying Bomb Unit, Late 1944
As we have alluded to previously, 2019 marks the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. It therefore comes as no surprise that Corgi — in an effort to take advantage of the hype — has decided to tinker with its lineup so they can release as many commemorative aircraft as possible around the pivotal time frame. While many models have been moved up well ahead of original forecasts, others have been moved back. In the case of their USMC Sikorsky SH-3A Helicopter (AA33422), the chopper has now been delayed until early 2020, no doubt to get out as many heavies in time for the holidays as possible, even at the expense of other models.
It doesn’t appear as if their 1:50 scale WWII military vehicles has been affected by the production shift, with several expected around the June time frame and others still slated for later in the year to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge.
