Hobby Master’s 1:72 USN Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – VFA-101 “Grim Reapers”, CAG Bird, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 2013
Apart from some rather smallish shipments about to hit our receiving bay, it would appear as if there are no further deliveries expected for the balance of 2018. The December shipment of Hobby Master products will likely arrive after the New Year, as shippers and other components in the supply chain typically wind down their activities just after the holidays. Likewise, Modelcollect has been delayed until February and the next major Eaglemoss load will probably hit the North American market in early to mid January. As a result, we have updated our web site accordingly but will certainly keep an eye on things and make any adjustments to the shipping schedule should anything change from here on out.
Hobby Master’s 1:48 USN Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighter – Lt. Commander John Thach, “White 23”, VF-3, USS Yorktown (CV-5), June 4th-6th, 1942
The final two weeks of December is shaping up to be a real humdinger for us (do people even use that term anymore?) According to our distributor, several major shipments are still scheduled to arrive before the year is out, including the December Hobby Master cache, a large Eaglemoss order and a lone Forces of Valor Chinook that never seems to want to show up according to the battle plan. Its possible we could be getting a Modelcollect delivery as well, so keep your powder dry and remember several important products could still end up under the Christmas tree this year or at the very least make it onto the hors d’oeuvre platter for New Years. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Ordinarily we try to post important product announcements to our blog the day we receive the information. During the hectic holiday season, however, this routine often gets sidetracked, as we do our best to get orders out the door in a timely manner then post preliminary product information once the dust has settled and we get a chance to catch our breath.
That said, Hobby Master provided information yesterday concerning their May releases, which includes some notable introductions. Besides the George Bush Avenger we discussed in an earlier blog post, there are some intriguing new offerings in the hopper that should delight ground pounders and air warriors alike.
On the ground, Hobby Master plans to offer the first pairing of M60A3 Patton medium tanks, both clad in a MERD-C camouflage pattern (HG5608 and HG5609) suited for summer time warfare. While they have offered several versions of its precursor, the A1, this marks the first time Hobby Master will be examining the much more robust A3 version, which is still in service with several units and nations around the globe.
In the air, the Company has decided to extend its family of Boeing F/A-18s Hornet with the relatively new E/A-18G Growler (HA5150). The Growler is an Electronic Warfare platform intended to disrupt enemy tracking systems so that other aircraft in the “package” can perform their mission. As such, the Growler replica likely won’t carry any significant ordnance and instead will be loaded down with sensor pods, fuel tanks and other equipment intended to support the other aircraft it must shepherd into battle.
There are several other warbirds that caught our eye, among them a second rendition of the Navy’s F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (HA6102) and Albert Ulrich Houle’s Supermarine Spitfire (HA7851), but what really stood out was a Soviet MiG-21MT, clad in a sumptuous brownish-green camouflage pattern (HA0194). Any way, all of the new introductions have been posted to our web site and, if that weren’t enough, we’re happy to report that the Hobby Master December shipment is winging its way to us as we speak.
Last week, our nation paid homage to President George H. W. Bush, who passed away at the ripe old age of 94. While he will no doubt be remembered for his many accomplishments, he may, perhaps, be best thought of for his role as a pilot of an Avenger low-level bomber, who, in September 1944, accomplished his daunting mission despite suffering grievous damage to his aircraft and the loss of his fellow crew mates.
Hobby Master’s 1:72 USN Grumman Avenger TBM-1C Torpedo-Bomber – “Barbara III”, Lt. George H. W. Bush, VT-51, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), September 1944
As we had hoped, Hobby Master will be paying tribute to the man and his machine by offering a new replica of his Grumman Avenger, this time around bearing the words, “Barbara III”, the third aircraft of his to bear the name of his future wife, Barbara Pearce (HA1221). According to our sales literature, this all-new warbird is expected in May and will come in a specially designed commemorative packaging and come bundled with a handsome display stand complete with a metal name plate. We anticipate this aircraft will sell briskly once news of its impending release spreads, so we strongly suggest placing a pre-order for it if you are indeed interested in obtaining one of these incredible replicas.
According to our principal distributor, port congestion along the West Coast has led to the delay of a number of important shipments that were scheduled to arrive in early December. Fortunately, most have now cleared customs and are headed to our supplier, including Forces of Valor, Eaglemoss and Hobby Master, before they are then earmarked for our own warehouse. Other shipments, from such stalwarts as Corgi and Modelcollect, could be delayed as well, so we’re carefully monitoring the situation on a daily basis and will continue to provide updates as they are warranted. As a result, we strongly suggest ordering only those products marked as being in stock if you are looking to give them as a gift or need them to arrive before the holidays.
George H. W. Bush, behind the controls of “Barbara III” after he was assigned as a naval aviator in a new torpedo squadron, VT-153, based at Naval Air Station Grosse Ilse, Michigan. Each of his three aircraft were named after his future wife, Barbara
On Friday evening, the nation witnessed the passing of our 41st President, George H. W. Bush. As has been pointed out by the press and elsewhere, Bush enlisted in the US Navy when war with Japan broke out in 1941. After graduating from naval flight school, Bush was acknowledged to be the youngest US naval aviator of the war at only 18 years of age and would later go on to become a war hero, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions near Chichi Jima.
Bush piloted a Grumman Avenger TBM-1C torpedo-bomber, a 3-man aircraft designed for low-level attacks against enemy naval vessels. Because of this, many were shot down, forced to evade anti-aircraft fire from virtually every type of gun the Imperial Japanese Navy possessed. While flying a TBM with VT-51 (from the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)), Bush’s plane was shot down on September 2nd, 1944 over the Pacific island of Chichi Jima. Both of his crewmates died; however, because he released his payload and hit the target before being forced to bail out, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bush, seated behind the controls of his TBM Avenger aboard the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30)
After being rescued at sea by the submarine USS Finback, Bush subsequently returned to San Jacinto in November 1944 and
participated in operations in the Philippines until his squadron was
replaced and sent home to the United States. Through 1944, he flew 58
combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross,
three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to San
Jacinto.
Because of his valuable combat experience, Bush was reassigned to Norfolk Navy Base and put in a training wing for new torpedo pilots. He was later assigned as a naval aviator in a new torpedo squadron, VT-153, based at Naval Air Station Grosse Ilse, Michigan. Upon the Japanese surrender in 1945, Bush was honorably discharged in September of that year.
Several years ago, Hobby Master produced a 1:72 scale replica of his earliest mount “Barbara”, which has long since sold out and will likely appreciate in value now that he has passed away. We are therefore hoping that the manufacturer will re-release a model of his aircraft and, if at all possible, consider offering a 1:32 scale tribute too as a means of kicking off their 1:32 scale run of the Avenger and as a tribute to the man and his machine.
George Bush after bailing out of his stricken aircraft and rescued by the US submarine USS Finback
As we close out the month of November, we’ve finally received an update from our distributor regarding Forces of Valor. After months of waiting and little to show for it, the Company acknowledged today that Walterson’s re-engineered 1:32 scale 88mm FLaK gun, which is clad in a desert scheme, is now pegged for a February release. Originally, we were told that two 88mm guns were to be expected at the same time — the second in the familiar, early war, dark grey scheme that was previously included in the original FOV line up. Now, the dark grey version is being delayed further and its not clear when it is to be expected.
So, that’s the good news, if you don’t mind viewing the FOV glass as being half full. The bad is that the range will now be MAP enforced, meaning that we and other retailers must sell the line at a specific retail price point and cannot deviate from that pricing for a fixed period of time. The MAP, or minimum advertised price as it is known in the industry, has been set at $79.99, $10 more than what we thought was a marketable price given the length of time FOV has been out of the diecast game. To be fair, the manufacturer has re-engineered the vehicles so that they now come with a removable engine and opening engine compartment, more metal content, reworked superstructures and smoother rolling tracks. As a result, its not as if they are simply re-releasing older product but asking for a king’s ransom to boot.
Because of the price hike for the 88mm gun, we are assuming that all of the other 1:32 scale military vehicles that had been previously announced will likely carry the same price tag, although at this date, we still do not have hard-and-fast release dates for either the re-engineered vehicles or any of the new products announced way back in 2016.
Keep in mind that several international Toy Fairs are right around the corner, so we will likely get a better understanding of what to expect for the coming year once the shows have drawn back their curtains and solid product information has been passed along. So, while we hate to be the bearer of bad news as we head into the holiday season, keep in mind that at least some progress is being made and that the long drought will soon be over now that the pumps have been primed.
Boeing’s F-15X, which many consider to be an F-15 on steroids, features updates avionics, greater range, and most importantly, a greater payload, picking up where the F-22 or F-35 left off
In a monumental move that could have a telling effect on the USAF’s own procurement-making process for acquiring new aircraft, Israel has selected the F-15X (F-15IA) to complement its growing fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. According to the National Interest, “… the F-15X is a new variant of the venerable jet [that] offers more modern flight controls, cockpit displays, and radar,” Weisgerber wrote, citing military and industry sources. He added that it would also pack more firepower, including two dozen air-to-air missiles.”
By doing so, Israeli war planners feel confident that once the F-35’s have carried out their mission of clearing the skies of enemy aircraft, the F-15IS could then be used to either defeat any remaining adversarial targets the F-35s were incapable of engaging or begin the arduous process of eliminating any ground-based threats that could hinder or impede their progress both in the air or on the ground. For more information on the announcement, visit Defence Blog.
Eaglemoss Star Trek Federation Cardenas Class Starship – USS Buran NCC-1412
Now that our Eaglemoss shipments have resumed, we’re starting to receive updates concerning their many Star Trek lines almost on a daily basis. Currently, a number of long out-of-stock standard sized starships are warping their way to us, all expected to make port around the end of November.
Beyond that, there are a multitude of new ships slated for a December release, covering everything from their Discovery series to their over-sized XL line. We cannot say for certain if all of the ships will make it in time for the holidays but at least its refreshing to know that product is back in the pipeline with even more new items scheduled for a January and February roll out.
The tempo of operations has taken a marked increase over the past week now that we’re headed into the all-important holiday season. We’re getting a lot more visitors to our web site, added product/order inquiries both online and via phone, and a general surge in sales for various product that cuts across all categories. As a reminder, our phone support line is now being manned to cover additional hours and we’ve updated our Calendar of Events page to reflect the cut off dates for both domestic and international shipments if you are hoping to receive your packages before Christmas. Keep in mind that this is expected to be an exceptionally busy holiday season due to the pick up in business across America, so its entirely possible we could sell out of a number of items earlier rather than later. Add in weather-related delays, a Canadian postal worker strike, forest fires out west and the odd asteroid strike and you can see why we continually urge everyone to submit their orders as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Happy holidays!
