Calibre Wings

Calibre Wings Takes it to the Next Level

Calibre Wings announced plans to model the General Dynamics F-16, which could be moved ahead of the Eurofighter Typhoon, Sukhoi Su-24 and MiG-29 already hinted at

There seems to be a mad dash, of late, to see which manufacturer can lay claim to replicating some of the most iconic aircraft of the modern era. While Hobby Master is taking on the Su-35S Flanker-E and Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat, Calibre Wings has set its stakes on other high profile aircraft, the most notable now being the General Dynamics F-16 Flying Falcon. According to several postings on their Facebook page, the Company is already hard at work putting the finishing touches on the CAD program for the F-16, rather than porting over model kits, which could contain their own anomalies. This permits the Company greater flexibility when attempting to model the intricacies of each Falcon variant, and shows the lengths with which this newcomer to the replica game is prepared to carve out its own niche in the marketplace.

Sophisticated Computer Aided Design (CAD) programming is now utilized by most serious manufacturers rather than reliance on porting over model kits
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Calibre Wings Lets Its Pictures Do the Talking

Calibre Wings US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – E212, VF-142 “Ghostriders”, USS America (CV-66), 1976

If you had any doubts or reservations that newcomer Calibre Wings had the chops to do the F-14 Tomcat justice, then you may want to think again. The Company posted images for their second pairing of Tomcats, which are tentatively due out this coming August. The next duo include a US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense fighter that was attached to VF-142 “Ghostriders”, then embarked upon the USS America (CV-66) during 1976 (CA721404).

Calibre Wings US Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat Fleet Defense Fighter – AJ200, VF-14 “Tophatters”, USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Last Cruise 2001

The second Grumman US Fleet Defense Fighter is also an “A” variant, this time around attached to VF-14 “Tophatters”, then embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), during its last cruise in 2001 (CA721403). Both products show some of the craftsmanship that have gone into the F-14, which includes variable geometry swing wings, opening canopies, adjustable engine exhaust nozzles detailed crewmen, a full suite of ordnance and more, plus a novel display stand. More images for both aircraft can be seen on our web site. Pre-orders for both aircraft are moving briskly.

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Calibre Wings Looks to Take the Tomcat to the Next Level

The first trio of F-14s collectors can expect to add to their Tomcat pantheon

Perhaps looking to catch up with Century Wings in one fell swoop, newcomer Calibre Wings posted an intriguing graphic to their Facebook page indicating they plan to offer six more F-14 schemes within the “forseeable future.” They also also indicated that their first pairing of F-14s — announced in early 2016 — have been delayed until May of this year, no doubt running into some unexpected production snags along the way, and that their second element has been pushed back to August. Apparently, they are very confident that their F-14 mold and its attendant accessories will unseat Century Wings as the reigning king of Tomcat producers, so we will have to see if the proof is indeed in the pudding some time next month.

The second trio of F-14s collectors can expect to add to their Tomcat pantheon
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Calibre Wings Straddles the “Fence” and Provides a First Look at Their Upcoming Su-24 Attack Aircraft

Despite running into some manufacturing issues which has delayed the released of their first pair of F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings used the Nuremberg Toy Fair to show off their next tooling: a Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer all weather attack aircraft. Initially, two planes are being planned for an end-of-year release: one based upon a Ukranian Su-24MR and a second, and likely more popular, Su-24M variant flown by a Russian squadron.

Thus far, neither version is being shown in their markings and insignia, although the prototype was displayed with its ordnance and some of its characteristic features, among them variable geometry swing wings and opening cockpit.

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Calibre Wings Hints at the Devil in the Details

vf-74_01

Perhaps riding atop a wave of enthusiasm since revealing the first product photos of their upcoming F-14s, Calibre Wings hinted at the seventh version of their 1:72 scale Tomcat, no doubt due out some time in early 2017. Earlier today, the manufacturer posted an image of “Satan in the Cross Hairs” on their Facebook page, likely indicating that VF-74 “Be-Devilers” would be their next choice for an F-14 replica. Before being disestablished in 1994, after 50 years of service, VF-74 served as an aggressor squadron that was pitted against various US Navy and Air Force squadrons. So, we don’t think its a stretch to conclude that an aggressor livery will likely be chosen to commemorate this illustrious squadron, perhaps one designed to resemble a Russian-built Su-27 fighter.

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Calibre Wings: Cheaper by the Half Dozen

ca721402

While we still await official product images for their first paring of Grumman F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings has thus far announced their intent to produce at least six different schemes and versions for the A and B models in the coming months, to say nothing of the D model hinted at in their marketing material. Scuttlebutt has it that they have run into some factory-related issues which has prevented them from posting anything online, but rumor has it that actual imagery should appear in early November.

ca721401

The community is expecting big things from this new manufacturer, despite running into heavy competition from the likes of Century Wings, Hobby Master and even True Scale Model Wings, all of whom now have product out the door. We certainly wish them luck getting both their photos and product in the hands of consumers before the holiday rush begins.

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Calibre Wings Confirms the Su-24 is Up Next

sukhoi_su-24

Newcomer Calibre Wings has disclosed that their next new tooling will be a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft. The announcement was made on Facebook, lately the de rigeur venue for new project announcements from a number of model makers. No word was given concerning the exact release date, price, model or livery to be chosen for their inaugural Fencer, although it would appear as if the first version will be a Fencer-D complete with a refueling probe.

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Calibre Wings Shows Off its Wares

calibre-show

At the 56th All Japan Models & Hobby Show 2016 held in Tokyo, Japan, Calibre Wings revealed the first set of photos of their soon-to-be-released pair of F-14 Tomcat fighters. Expected in October, the inaugural pairing of Tomcats will be based upon both an A and B variant of the fleet defense fighter: the first from VF-1 “Wolf Pack”, then embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), during Operation Frequent Wind in 1974 while the second was attached to VF-103 “Jolly Rogers”. Each plane shows off the unique tri-stanchion display stand developed expressly for these models along with the product packaging.

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Calibre Wings Feels the Need for Speed

CA721402

Recognizing the need to differentiate themselves from all of the other makers of 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings has finally provided information concerning a pair of fleet defense fighters due out this fall. The list of features is rather long and includes a number of robust additions others have thus far sidestepped including:

  • Diecast construction
  • Martin Baker GRU-7 ejection seats
  • Realistic pilot and RIO figures
  • Canopy in open or closed position
  • Working glove vanes
  • Positional airbrakes
  • Movable sweep wings & horizontal stablizers
  • Interchangeable engine nozzles in open or closed positions
  • Landing gears extended or stored
  • Jet intake covers
  • Wheel chocks
  • Rubber tires
  • Operational pay load ordnance
  • Deluxe display stand
  • Limited edition serialized metal plate
  • Collector’s box

CA721401

Two warbirds are thus far being readied: one portraying VF-1 Wolf Pack” (CA721402) and the second VF-103 “Jolly Rogers” (CA721401) on their last flight. Both models have been listed on our web site and we hope to have photos of them some time soon.

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A Higher Caliber F-14?

F-14B

In a bid to become the preeminent maker of 1:72 scale F-14 Tomcats, Calibre Wings took the wraps off of its inaugural Fleet Defender at the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Tokyo, Japan, which is aimed at depicting the last flight of the F-14B. Unpainted and not yet fully assembled, the image, nevertheless, shows the warbird with two seated crewmen, a large array of ordnance, and several bits and pieces yet to be attached including the exhaust nozzles. With so many manufacturers now building their own version of the venerable F-14 (Century Wings, Hobby Master and True Scale Models), it will be interesting to see how market share shakes out going forward and if so many choices will eventually lead to lowered retail prices to clear out inventory.

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