Dissecting Diecast: Industry Standards

Occasionally, I feel as if I’m the self-appointed elder statesman of our little hobby. I’ve been in the business for more years than I care to remember, getting my start in the early 80s as a store manager for a local toy chain. I’ve since worn the hat of buyer, salesman, merchandise manager, and, yes, owner, and have witnessed all sorts of comings and goings in the business, some good and some, well, not so good.

Lately there seems to be a disturbing trend of manufacturers not supplying distributors and retailers with the proper information to help sell their merchandise. Now I fully recognize that in many instances there are all sorts of reasons for this issue to occur, from differences in time zones between the US and Asian shores to language barriers. However, its 2019 folks. This isn’t the early 80s where US-based companies went over to China to open a new factory only to discover a litany of hurdles they first had to overcome before they could hit the ground running.

Let’s look at some of the latest irritations I currently see. For some strange reason, one manufacturer likes to show their latest wares on a day-glow green background instead of the traditional white, transparent background. Not only is this the preferred means of showing a new item but companies such as Amazon now frown on any images uploaded that do not meet this criteria. Taking a photo is a relatively simple endeavor. Facebook typically runs a number of ads for inexpensive light boxes, complete with turn tables and tear down instructions. Couple that with a smart phone and voila, you become a photographic tyro overnight. Then, of course, there are the companies that refuse to provide photographs at all, even when the product is finished, all boxed up and ready for transport for all the world to see. That, I simply do not understand. It literally takes just a few minutes to take a handful of winning photographs, which, after spending months developing and producing an item, should be a snap to pull off.

Second, there is the issue of the International Article Number, which are supposed to be included below the vertical bar code to help identify the product. For the uninformed, the International Article Number is a standard describing a barcode symbology and numbering system used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type, in a specific packaging configuration, from a specific manufacturer.

You do not place an SKU here, toss in some baby photos or post a recipe for cream puffs — it is meant for the 12-digit International Article Number, which is designed to identify both the manufacturer and the product code on standardized global terms, so that it can then be properly added to the product portfolio of several leading marketplace venues.

Folks. Chinese New Year is over and I certainly hope this little soapbox rant doesn’t fall on deaf ears now that everyone is back to work and busy working on their 2019 line up. Work with your supply chain to provide the best possible product you can, not only in terms of physical appearance but in terms of background information too. It will help everyone concerned and you may find that it will even lead to greatly increased sales

Share This:

Eaglemoss Super-Sizes the Star Trek Discovery Universe


Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Klingon Ship of the Dead – The Sarcophagus [With Collector Magazine]

Having only seen the first episode of CBS’ cable series, Star Trek Discovery, I fully admit I don’t know all that much about the ongoing story or its place within the Star Trek timeline. What I can say though is that the Klingons have certainly evolved since the original television series of the 1960s, something I used to watch religiously as a kid some fifty years ago.

Take this upcoming model from Eaglemoss, for example. Known as The Sarcophagus, a so-called Ship of the Dead starship, it looks about as out-of-place in the original Star Trek series as a Tribble laying siege to the Vulcan home world. According to Star Trek lore, “The Sarcophagus, or Ship of the Dead, was a starship that originally served as the flagship of the House of T’Kuvma. The ship, which was considered holy, belonged to T’Kuvma’s father. Upon his death, when T’Kuvma was a child, it lay abandoned for children to play in until T’Kuvma rediscovered it and vowed to restore the honor of his House.

In 2256, the Sarcophagus was encountered by the USS Shenzhou at the edge of Federation space, six light years from Gamma Hydra. The vessel later instigated the Battle of the Binary Stars by firing on the Shenzhou, but was disabled by a bomb afterward and T’Kuvma was killed by a Starfleet boarding party.

Colorful yet undoubtedly ominous, the Sarcophagus is the first model in Eaglemoss’ newly minted Discovery XL range, meaning its a lot bigger than the average Star Trek Discovery model which began warping across the galaxy last year. Slated to enter Federation space some time this spring, we have begun accepting pre-orders for it and await news concerning other ships in the XL range.

Share This:

Anatomy of War: Down to the Sea in Drones?

For years, submarine warfare has remained one of the most dangerous forms of warfare, claiming man and machine at an alarming rate even when a conflict has ended and everyone else has gone home to lick their wounds. Grappling with the many perils faced with the conduct of undersea warfare has long been a contentious issue for all the world’s navies, even when the potential rewards of lurking in the ocean’s depths seem to far outweigh their incredible risk.

The US Navy, obviously looking to reduce costs and lessen the risk associated with underwater combat yet still carry out undersea operations, recently decided to purchase a fleet of four Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) from Boeing. So valuable are these undersea drones that, according to Popular Mechanics, “(they) will be capable of crossing entire oceans and fulfilling a variety of missions, from hunting mines to sinking submarines.”

“The Orca is based on the Echo Voyager technology demonstration sub. That boat is an unmanned diesel electric submarine launched and recovered from a pier. It has a range of 6,500 nautical miles and can run completely alone for months at a time. It measures 51 by 8.5 by 8.5 feet and has a weight “in the air” of 50 tons.”

Designed in part to deal with a myriad of underwater threats, “the unmanned submarines will be able to undertake missions from scouting to sinking ships at very long ranges. Drone ships like the Orca will revolutionize war at sea, providing inexpensive, semi-disposable weapon systems that can fill the gaps in the front line—or simply go where it’s too dangerous for manned ships to go.”

For more information on the Orcas, and the likely impact they will have on naval combat in the 21st Century, visit the Popular Mechanics web site.

Share This:

Oxford Hauls Out Things that Go Boom


Oxford’s 1:76 scale British BL 18-inch Railway Howitzer – “Gladiator” (1:76 Scale)

Every so often it takes the nudging of a customer to point out a new item that catches us completely unaware. Such is the case with Oxford’s upcoming British BL 18-inch Railway Howitzer, a beast if ever there was one, even if its being offered in a somewhat diminitive 1:76 scale (that’s OO Gauge for you railroad buffs). Apparently two versions are being offered: one in a monochrome green motif and dubbed “Gladiator”. The second is a more robust version, since its wedded to a two-piece locomotive set and painted in a multi-colored camouflage scheme.


Oxford’s 1:76 scale British BL 18-inch Railway Howitzer and Rod 2330 Locomotive Set – “Boche Buster” (1:76 Scale)

I guess the manufacturer is demonstrating a bit of a sense of humor since both products come with a “BOOM” prefix in their SKU. Be that as it may, we’re hoping to nab actual photos of both guns soon, since it was reported online that one has already arrived at the Oxford warehouse in Jolly Old England. Incidentally, a third variant of the railway gun is listed on the manufacturer’s site: “Boche Buster”, complete with digitally-enhanced sound effects. A nice feature to be sure, but one we think collectors might sidestep due to its ear-splitting asking price of $349.

Share This:

By Your Imperial Command


Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica Space Battleship – 1978 Series [With Collector Magazine]

Images have popped up for two of the latest models in Eaglemoss’ Battlestar Galactica range. Issue seven, which is due out some time this Spring, plays host to the original space battleship, Battlestar Galactica, featured in the 1978 televised series.


Eaglmoss’ Battlestar Pegasus Space Battleship – 2004 Series [With Collector Magazine]

Issue eight, likely not too far behind the Galactica release, looks at the space battleship, Battleship Pegasus, as portrayed in the updated 2004 televised series. For the uninitiated, Pegasus was a Mercury-class Battlestar and one of the most advanced military ships in the Colonial Fleet. Along with the Battlestar Galactica, the Pegasus was one of two Colonial military vessels to survive the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, serving under the command of Admiral Helena Cain.

Both ships are now available for pre-order and make excellent additions to any Battlestar Galactica war chest.

Share This:

Films in Focus: Presidents at War

As we inch ever closer to President’s Day Weekend, I wanted to point out that The History Channel is running a special two-night showing of Presidents at War on Sunday February 17th at 8/7C PM. As The History Channel puts it, “Presidents at War is a two-night History Channel event. This landmark series tells the story of World War II through the experiences of eight remarkable men. Men who, like sixteen million other Americans, bravely serve their country during its darkest hour, and then go on to further service as the nation’s Commanders-in-Chief. Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. This is the story of how their war experiences change them, how they emerge from conflict as leaders and how the crucible of war shapes the decisions they make when they reach the White House.

The Presidents’ experiences give a vivid picture of both the European and Pacific theaters of battle in World War II. Nineteen-year-old bomber pilot George H.W. Bush and twenty-five-year-old PT Boat commander John F. Kennedy fight on the front lines in the Pacific. Fifty-two-year-old General Dwight D. Eisenhower – a man who had never seen combat before the outbreak of the war, goes on to become the Supreme Allied Commander of the war in Europe – and seizes it back from Nazi control.

These are men who would play a first-hand role in the war effort. They become men who would steer the nation through conflict and turmoil in the last half of what would become known as the American century, fueled by lessons they learned during the 20th century’s defining war.”

For more information on the special, click on The History Channel link.

Share This:

Modelcollect Walks the February Runway


Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale German E-100 Waffentrager Auf. V-4 Short Range Tactical Ballistic Missile

Its been a few months since we’ve received a Modelcollect shipment, so needless to say quite a few new numbers shown on the manufacturer’s web site are slated to trundle down the February runway. The February cache is large and rather extensive, covering everything from standard WWII-era vehicles to deluxe two-piece sets from the Cold War. As such, we invite you to take a look at our Upcoming Release section for February then zero in on the Modelcollect group. Also expected are several out-of-stock items plus we’ve updated the Modelcollect section to reflect those items that are sold out and no longer available.

Share This:

Minichamps Explains, “What’s Old is New Again”


Minichamps 1:35 scale German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – Unidentified Unit, Eastern Front, 1944

People often ask us why we keep an item up on our web site long after it has sold out. Our standard answer is that we keep it posted online should the customer want to try and obtain it from an another source and not possess any background information to go by. Secretly, however, we’re hoping that the manufacturer reconsiders its position and re-releases the item before the vehicle fades into memory.


Minichamps 1:35 scale German Late Version Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. G Medium Tank – Unidentified Unit, Berlin, 1945

In the case of Minichamps, it looks as though that wishful thinking may have paid off, if our eyes aren’t deceiving us and April Fool’s hasn’t slipped into the schedule two months ahead of time. According to their 2019 product list, four 1:35 scale tanks are back on their schedule although no firm dates of release were shown. Interestingly, three of the four vehicles are re-releases of past favorites – a Tiger I heavy tank in factory fresh dark yellow (MIN35011000), a Panther V medium tank donning a dark green camouflage pattern (MIN350190001), and a Jagdpanther tank destroyer in a splotched green and tan summer pattern (MIN35019020). The fourth vehicle breaks from the pack: its a modern era Leopard 2A4 main battle tank (MIN35011007) that never saw the light of day since it was cancelled outright before production started.


Minichamps 1:35 scale German Late Version Sd. Kfz. 173 Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer – “Black 113”, Schwere Panzerjager Abteilung 654, Normandy, 1944

It appears as if each vehicle will be retailing for around $179.99, a healthy bump up from its former asking price of $99.99, but well within the realm of reason given the number of years that have elapsed since one came out and the diecast content throughout. We’re hoping to get firm information on all four vehicles over the next few days now that the Nuremberg Toy Fair has ended and sketchy info turns into hard-and-fast details.


Minichamps 1:35 scale German Kampfpanzer Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank – Panzerbataillon 33, Luttmersen, Germany, 2007

As an aside, 2019 is shaping up to be a truly wondrous year for diecast military enthusiasts with several long dormant lines (Forces of Valor, Corgi and now Minichamps) being resurrected from the dust bin, all no doubt with the help of some diehard fans who simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Share This:

Product Spotlight: Drawing Back the Curtains on the “MiG-28”


TSM’s 1:200 scale US Navy Northrop F-5E Tiger II Fighter – “MiG-28” [Aggressor Scheme]

Let’s get one thing straight right from the get go: there is no such thing as a MiG-28. Popularized in the feature film, Top Gun, the MiG-28 was, nonetheless, the subject of much speculation by Western analysts and served as the focal point for Kelly McGuiness “Charlie” character who sought more information about the plane from Pete “Maverick” Mitchel, (played by none other than box office favorite, Tom Cruise) who had a face-to-face, or rather cockpit-to-cockpit encounter with the plane from an unnatural viewpoint.

Despite its notional status, Top Gun posited that the MiG-28 was a twin-engine, single or two-seat fighter jet operated by Soviet bloc air forces. As seen in Top Gun, it used wingtip-mounted Vympel K-13 (NATO reporting name “AA-2 Atoll”) missiles as its primary air to air weapon (the Atoll is a reverse-engineered version of the AIM-9 Sidewinder). The MiG was highly maneuverable, but somewhat slower than the F-14 Tomcat, its chief adversary.

In the Opening scenes of Top Gun, Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and his wingman Cougar squared off against MiG-28s with no NATO reporting name and of unspecified nationality. These were nothing more than actually American Northrop F-5s, painted black for better visibility when filming and to show their ominous status. The nation that flew the MiG-28s was not specified whatsoever in the film but assumed to be the Soviet Union or another Communist state. In the script, American pilots were warned that the MiG-28 was armed with the AM 39 Exocet, a French-made Anti-ship Missile not found in the inventory of Soviet forces. In video games licensed from the films, the enemy planes are replaced with real Soviet aircraft, the MiG-29 “Fulcrum”.

Interestingly, TSM Model Wings has finally moved forward and produced a 1:200 scale replica of the MiG-28. Due out this February, the MiG-28 is one of the last replicas in the Top Gun collection, as the manufacturer now gets ready for the film’s sequel, Top Gun 2. Its a bit like getting around to finally offering a TIE fighter from Star Wars as the second film gets set to debut but be that as it may, it will certainly prove to be a natural addition for anyone’s Top Gun line up.

Share This:

Dissecting Diecast: Surviving The Information Game

Having worn several hats in my illustrious career, I can tell you first hand that operating and maintaining a web site devoted to the sale of diecast collectibles is both rewarding and frustrating in the extreme. Its particularly gratifying when we can promote and deliver goods to our customers on even a semi-routine basis, all aimed at putting a smile on your face until the next piece of memorabilia rumbles into view.

On the downside, some people seem to regularly hold our feet to the fire when an item doesn’t get released on time. “I’ve followed your web site daily and you claimed such-and-such was coming out in February!”, said one recent online missive, when the customer learned the item in question that he ordered a year ago was again being delayed. Folks, we rely upon the manufacturers and distributors for information which we then pass along to our customers as quickly as possible. The problem is that this is still a relatively small industry not governed by any set of guidelines or hard-and-fast rules that seem to make any sense, so information that may be accurate on Monday could very well be inaccurate by Friday. Companies routinely provide us with an estimated date of release for a product not knowing that they may run into all sorts of production issues at their end that they didn’t see coming. And, once the product does get finished, amazing as that might seem, Companies seek to ship out their product in the most expeditions manner possible to reduce their operating expenses as best they could. That oftentimes means they hold items until other items are ready to go out at the same time in order to fill a container that is then bound for the US or parts unknown.

Of course once the ship does hit the high seas, there are still a myriad of obstacles it must overcome, covering everything from unexpected customs inspections to weather-related delays, all just to get the product to market in a somewhat timely fashion.

So, once again we are asking for your patience and, dare I say, forgiveness whenever a product doesn’t make it to market as originally advertised. There are all sorts of reasons why an item doesn’t see the light-of-day as originally forecast, so holding our feet to the fire and demanding immediate answers from everyone in the supply chain doesn’t help or provide any respite in times of turmoil. Its a wonderful hobby but one still racked by issues no one has been able to address with any regularity.

Share This: