Hobby Master’s 1:72 scale US Air Force Douglas B-26K Counter Invader Attack Aircraft – 609th Special Operations Squadron “Nimrods”, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhom Phanom, Thailand, 1969
Like clockwork, Hobby Master debuted their monthly introductions, this one scheduled for a September release. The range includes a second look at the B-26K Counter Invader (HA3225), the first having sold out nearly as quickly as it was first introduced. A number of handsomely painted aircraft are also being touted, including a digital cam Ukranian Su-25 Frogfoot (HA6105), a red hot Czech MiG-23 (HA5307) and D-Day Commemorative A-10 Warthog (HA1326).
The 1:48 scale line up reintroduces the Kettenkrad tractor
Also, of note, are a pair of 1:48 scale Kettenkrad tractors, which bodes well for both their military vehicle line up as well as their larger 1:48 scale grouping. We are still fine tuning the new additions but in the mean time, you can begin to pre-order any of the new products from our web site.
Mattel’s 1:18 scale Star Wars VI Return of the Jedi – Millennium Falcon
Just in time for the premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story comes word that we are to expect the first pairing of 1:18 scale Star Wars ships from Mattel’s Star Wars Elite series. Slated to arrive before the weekend is the Millennium Falcon (HWCMC93), the ship of lore that made the Kessel Run in twelve parsecs, and piloted by none other than Han Solo and his hairy, oversized side kick, Chewbacca.
Mattel’s 1:18 scale Star Wars V The Empire Strikes Back – TIE Fighter
Also up for your consideration is an insidious TIE Fighter as seen in the series’ second feature film, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (HWCMC92). Both are packed in handsome black boxes reminiscent of some of the older Kenner packaging used to promote the toys seen in several of the earlier Star Wars films.
Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale US MAN M1001 Tractor and Pershing II Tactical Missile – 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, Wiley Barracks, Neu Ulm, Germany, 1988
During the height of the Cold War, both sides developed mobile missile launchers that could transport nuclear-capable theater-level weapons to different launch points, making them nearly invulnerable to counter battery fire.
The U.S. Army replaced the Pershing 1a with the Pershing II Weapon System in 1983 while the German Air Force retained the Pershing 1a until all Pershings were eliminated in 1991. The U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) managed the development and improvements while the Field Artillery Branch deployed the systems and developed tactical doctrine.
Because of SALT II agreements, no new launchers could be built, therefore the Pershing 1a M790 launchers were modified into the Pershing II M1003 launchers. The functions of the vehicle mounted programmer test station needed for the older systems were consolidated into the Launch Control Assembly (LCA) in the Ground Integrated Electronics Unit (GIEU) on the side of the launcher. The warhead and radar sections were carried as an assembly on a pallet that rotated to mate with the main missile.
There were two prime movers for the launcher, both with a crane used for missile assembly and a generator to provide power for the launcher and missile. The U.S units used the M983 HEMTT with a Hiab 8001 crane and a 30 KW generator. Tactical units in Germany used the M1001 MAN tractor with an Atlas Maschinen GmbH AK4300 M5 crane and a 30 KW generator. Since the new guidance system was self-orienting, the launcher could be emplaced on any surveyed site and the missile launched within minutes of initial set up.
Never one to shy away from the more obsequious subjects, Modelcollect has developed a sharp-looking replica of the Pershing II mobile missile launcher, one that is ferried around using the M1001 MAN tractor (AS72101). The manufacturer will likely offer a similar system using the US-built M983 HEMTT, so there may be several versions to choose from, thus turning the Cold War hot this summer, at least from a diecast viewpoint.
That’s what The National Interest is claiming and they have images to prove it. According to a recent article, the US Army is about to evaluate a new breed of battle tank dubbed the Mobile Protected Firepower lightweight armored vehicle – designed to support infantry combat teams in fast-moving combat situations.
“The service, which plans to build prototypes in the next several years, is now beginning to evaluate industry proposals for the new vehicle which seeks to combine rapid deployability, maneuverability and maximum survivability for crew members in combat,” claims The National Interest.
“Army developers tell Warrior Maven the new armored vehicle is expected to change land war by outmatching Russian equivalents and bringing a new dimension to advancing infantry as it maneuvers toward enemy attack.
Senior developers with the Army Research Laboratory have told Warrior Maven about cutting edge efforts to both lighten weight of combat vehicles while simultaneously emphasizing mobility. In fact, as part of this effort, two MPFs are being built to fit on an Air Force C-17 aircraft.”
Part of our task as a retailer is to curate each manufacturer’s line — essentially, make a determination based upon experience, intuition and, dare we say, a little bit of guesswork as to which lines to bring in and which gets passed over. This process includes assessing the line’s depth and breath, cost, availability, and, of course, comparing it to what we currently carry in inventory. Recently, we decided to pass on a few lines including Atlas Edition’s budget-minded aircraft range as well as Panzerkampf’s military vehicle assortment. In the former’s case, we felt that many of the Atlas Edition’s 1:72 scale aircraft were too similar to those offered by Oxford Diecast so a duplication of effort would only end up taking up valuable space, dollars and marketing, that, at the end of the day, wouldn’t prove all that beneficial to both us as well as our clientele. In the case of Panzerkampf, the line was first introduced way back in 2016, an eternity in the diecast business, so many of the vehicles were either way too similar to products offered by other manufacturers or, truth be told, weren’t all that appealing to us and likely would have ended up as shelf warmers.
That said, we are always willing to listen to marketing pitches by our suppliers, not to mention our valued customers, who could very well have a different viewpoint and be better judges of a range based upon what they have seen and heard. So, don’t be bashful when it comes to inquiring about a new range that we may not stock. It could prove to be beneficial to everyone concerned and may earn you a special place in our Hall of Fame.
While we are on the subject of draw downs, we have begun thinning the herd so-to-speak, reducing the number of active SKU’s in our product portfolio from 6,000 products to 5,000 in an effort to phase out older, under-performing lines and prepare for the onslaught of new items expected throughout the latter portion of the year. Several lines will no longer be carried for various reasons including Fabbri diecast military vehicles, DeAgostini military vehicles and aircraft, Arsenal Models, Aviation 72 military aircraft, Leo Models military aircraft, and Amercom’s helicopters and military vehicles ranges. As we move forward, expect an ever-growing array of products from Altaya, Hobby Master, Eaglemoss, and Modelcollect, along with several ancillary lines that include — but are not limited to — Precision Model Art, Calibre Wings, Luft-X, Wings of the Great War and Corgi. Obviously, the reintegration of Waltersons massive Forces of Valor range — which includes several sub brands such as Extreme Metal and Bravo Team — will have a dramatic effect on the size of our offerings and storage capacity, although they seem to be slow out of the gate.
Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Fist of War German WWII E-75 Heavy Panzer – 1946 (1:72 Scale)
April is notorious for being a dry month as far as new products go simply because of the effects of Chinese New Year, and its overall impact on the supply chain. That said, Modelcollect seems to have filled the hole nicely, with nine new vehicles expected to arrive mid month. The grouping includes:
AS72086 – T-80U Main Battle Tank – Russian Army, Biathlon, 2013
AS72087 – 128mm FLaK 40 with Kreuzlafette Mount – Germany, 1944, Grey
AS72088 – Set of Two Rheintochter Mobile Surface-to-Air Missiles – Germany, 1946
AS72089 – T-72AV Main Battle Tank – Soviet Army, 1980s
AS72090 – “Fist of War” German E-75 Ausf.Vierfuessler Heavy Panzer
AS72092 – T-90A Main Battle Tank – 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division “Tamanskaya,” Russian Army, Victory Day Parade, Moscow, 2010
AS72093 – E-100 Super Heavy Tank with Krupp Turret – German Army, 1946, Three-Tone Camouflage
AS72094 – T-80UK Main Battle Tank – 4th Guards “Kantemirovskaya” Tank Division, Russian Army, Open Day, 2017
Modelcollect’s German E-100 Heavy Tank with Krupp Turret and 128mm Gun – Ambush Camouflage, 1946
Of note is the first item in the Company’s Fist of War series, a pseudo-scientific proprietary range that seems to meld off-the-shelf military technology with strange futuristic applications. As usual, the cache also contains more derivatives of the T-72/T-80/T-90 main battle tanks, a category that seems to remain at the heart of Modelcollect’s model building passion. And, rounding out the cache are three more WWII-era items: an E-100 super heavy tank, a German 128mm FlaK 40 anti-aircraft gun and finally a pair of Rheintochter Mobile Surface-to-Air Missiles. Great value at great prices!
Modelcollect’s 1:72 scale Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank – 2nd Guards “Tamanskaya” Division, Victory Day Parade Red Square in Moscow, May 9th, 2010
Eaglemoss’ 1:1100 scale US Navy New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser – USS Minneapolis (CA-36) [With Collector Magazine]Our distributor informs us that many of the remaining out-of-stock Eaglemoss warships will only be available in the clam shell packaging, bereft of any cardboard packaging and without the accompanying full-color magazine. Frankly, without these items — which tends to make the entire product more palatable to the consumer as well as the vendor — we are of the opinion that the range has reached the end of the line, capping off a four-year run that has proven to be one of our most successful categories ever. So, we strongly recommend that if you are still interested in any of the warships noted as being in stock on our web site that you consider placing your order as soon as possible, before we remove them from inventory and bid them a fond farewell.
A priest, a rabbi and an alien walk into a bar… Ah, never mind. We’re sure you heard that one before. But we’re going to bet you haven’t heard about The Motor Pool’s April Fools 15% Off sale! From now until Monday, April 30th, you can take 15% off of any item we have in stock simply by entering our latest coupon code at the bottom of your shopping cart just prior to final checkout. Please enter discount code “TMP179” in the coupon box just prior to final checkout. Note: The following lines are excluded from this promotional offer: Air Force 1, Calibre Wings, Extreme Metal, Hobby Master, Luft-X and Wings of the Great War. Sale ends midnight, Monday, April 30th, 2018. May not be combined with any other sales discount.
Three new 1:72 scale aircraft are inbound from Oxford Diecast as part of their ever-expanding budget line. The trio include a US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcat that was piloted by Lt. Ray Hawkins, who was attached to VF-31, then embarked upon the USS Cabot (CVL-28) during 1944, a German Messerschmitt Me 163B-0 Komet that was attached to Jagdgeschwader 400, then deployed to Niemcy, Germany, during early 1945, and a German Junkers Ju-87B Stuka dive-bomber that was operated by Sturzkampfgeschwader 2 “Immelmann”, then deployed to Libya during 1941.
Oxford’s 1:72 US Navy Grumman F6F Hellcat Fighter – Lt. Ray Hawkins, VF-31, USS Cabot (CVL-28), 1944
We expect them to arrive the first week of April, honest, no joke!
Oxford’s 1:72 German Messerschmitt Me 163B-0 Komet Rocket-Powered Fighter – White 54-14, Jagdgeschwader 400, Niemcy, Germany, 1945
An M1 Abrams main battle tank. Image courtesy of Popular Mechanics
That’s what the editors of Popular Mechanics are claiming in their most recent issue. According to an online article, metal foam is both stronger yet lighter than typical steel armor, meaning tomorrow’s tanks could be better able to withstand the rigors of war and the many types of weapons that are intended to thin the armored herd.The article goes on to say that “Scientists at North Carolina State University and the US Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate have invented what they call Composite Metal Foam (CMF). “Metal foam” is exactly what you think it is—metal with sponge-like holes in it. This not only makes CMF lighter than normal metal, but it also makes CMF spongy, allowing it to give slightly under impact, soaking up some of the energy of a collision.”
For more information on what could be a groundbreaking achievement in the armor versus armament debate, stop by this link: The United States Next Tank
