Eaglemoss, the maker of the Star Trek Starships line of Star Trek model replicas, seems to be on the brink of collapse according to Trek Central, a fan site that delves deeply into the Star Trek franchise. According to their recent posting, the British manufacturer has reportedly filed a Notice of Intention to appoint an administrator back on July 12th, and English way of saying they are filing for bankruptcy protection from their creditors. Its not clear what led to the decision to file or how the Company ended up in such a disastrous state-of-affairs when things seemed to be on the upswing and new lines and agreements were being forged as late as last year. At this juncture, its not clear if another entity will look to take over the flagging model maker or if the Company will simply sell off its assets at fire sale prices to raise funding before permanently closing its doors. We’re hoping for the former but recognize that in today’s economic climate anything is possible. For more information on the story, visit Trek Central.
Its beginning to look as if Eaglemoss wants to sew up the entire sci-fi category. At the American International Toy Fair held this week in New York City, Eaglemoss announced their intent to model many of the ships portrayed in the original sci-fi series, Space: 1999. Space: 1999 is a British and Italian science fiction television program that ran for two seasons from 1975 to 1977. Space: 1999 was the last production by the partnership of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and was the most expensive series produced for British television up to that time.
In February 2012, a new series, to be called Space: 2099, was announced as a reboot of the original series, Space: 1999, and was planned to be made by ITV Studio America in conjunction with HD Films. On August 15th, 2018, Brian Johnson, special effects director for the original series, announced that the reboot was on track for production in the UK, pending “confirmation of the deal.” We’re willing to bet that at some point the new series will be rolled into the line, thus expanding its depth and breadth and possibly bringing in new blood to the series and hobby.
We hope to have product information shortly for the Space: 1999 line as well as program information for the series reboot.
Looking to wrap up their standard-sized Star Strek starships line in the next few months, Eaglemoss announced plans to launch a new line of replicas based upon some of the starships found in the massively multiplayer game, Star Trek Online.
Due out some time this Spring, the first two ships were debuted to the public yesterday as part of a larger starship reveal. Kicking off the range is a Gagarin-Class Miracle Worker Battlecruiser (#EMSTO01) while the second entrant is based upon a Federation Chimera-Class Heavy Destroyer (#EMSTO02)Both ships have been listed to our web site and we have begun to accept pre-orders for them.
Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Online Federation Chimera-Class Heavy Destroyer [With Collector Magazine]
So, news has been flooding in of late concerning the release schedule. To begin with, we now have a fair idea of which Eaglemoss Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica items are expected in November, and which have likely been pushed back to a late year arrival. Rather than list everything here, we’ve updated our Eaglemoss sections and release schedule accordingly. Bear in mind that Destination Star Trek, which is currently being held in Birmingham, England, will undoubtedly show off some new items, which we’ll add to our web site the minute the news rolls in.
We were under the impression that both Wings of the Great War and Luft-X were terminally ill and on their respective death beds and that we weren’t likely to see anything new from either line, much less receive our back orders, which have been languishing for months on end. Well, we’ve been set straight, so-to-speak, and can now happily report that both lines are expected to resume production in early 2020. We’re not sure what is happening with their distant cousin, AF-X, a similarly conceived line unveiled earlier this year, that has received little in the way of further reinforcements beyond the lone X-15 produced to date. Reading between the lines, that means AF-X will likely take a back seat until both Luft-X and Wings of the Great War have resumed their aerial campaigns.
Modelcollect seems to be back in the swing of things after lolling about with their fantasy-based Fist of War series. Two BMP-3s are schedule for a late year release and we’re willing to bet that other more-traditional AFVs are probably falling in behind them. While the Company has been making 1:35 scale model kits, it remains to be seen if they are giving the go ahead to a pre-assembled line of military vehicles.
As we indicated in a previous post, Dragon has caught its breath and is finally resuming production of their iconic Dragon Armor line. Three replicas, all based upon the Stryker family of Infantry Carrier Vehicles, are slated for a November roll out, although the manufacturer has been known to delay releases for extended periods of time. Stiff upper lip and all that chums as we await their release and hopefully more new items as we head into the new year.
That’s it for now, but expect further updates as we transition to a November war footing.
I have to admit I have yet to see a single episode of the newest sci-fi series, The Orville. A staple on Fox for the past two years, the series is scheduled to move to Hulu in 2020 when it kicks off its third season. Despite the venue change and whimsical look at prime time sci-fi epochs, its apparently a strong enough license to warrant the attention of Eaglemoss, who have decided to tap it for its next model ship range. Ben Robinsion, head of development at Eaglemoss and likely overseer for the new range of ships, announced its forthcoming roll out at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Although few details were revealed, the first models will begin to appear in early 2020. Its not clear which ships will make the cut, their relative size or numbers being considered for replication. We will likely get a better sense of what’s in store at the upcoming Comic Con held in New York City.
Every Wednesday, Eaglemoss draws back the curtains on a handful of upcoming Star Trek starships. While nothing was in the hopper this week, the Company did announce plans to produce yet another subscription-based series — this time around offering busts of several major Star Trek characters. The first is, of course, Captain Kirk, as he was portrayed in the Original TV Series (TOS) by William Shatner. Each bust stands between 4.5″ to 6″ tall, comes with a full-color magazine, and carries a MSRP of $29.99. Kirk is holding both a communicator and a hand-held phaser and is wearing a gold-tone uniform befitting a command officer. The first bust is tentatively scheduled for a fourth quarter release, so get your gold-pressed Latinum laid out in neat piles ready for processing.
Eaglemoss’ Star Trek Discovery Klingon Bird-of-Prey (23rd century)
I have to admit that when I first laid eyes on the Eaglemoss rendition of a Star Trek Discovery Klingon Bird-of-Prey I was a bit mystified. To me, it looked nothing like I was expecting and resembled something from a different sci-fi universe. Apparently, the sample was photographed from a strange angle, showing off little in the way of detail and an oddly-shaped configuration to boot. Happily, the manufacturer has finally uploaded a couple of more acceptable images of the starship, which better shows off the craftsmanship that when into the replica as well as the angle of its dihedral wings. Expected some time in June, we anticipate brisk sales of this replica now that everyone can better appreciate what is in the offing.
Eaglemoss’ 1:1100 scale US Navy New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser – USS Minneapolis (CA-36) [With Collector Magazine]In what could be the last time the Eaglemoss navy weighs anchor, the latest, and perhaps greatest quartet of warships are leaving the manufacturer’s shipyard and heading towards our port of call. Expected this weekend are the following warships:
EMGC64 – US Navy New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser – USS Minneapolis (CA-36) [With Collector Magazine]
EMGC77 – Imperial Japanese Navy Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser – Kumano [With Collector Magazine]
EMGC79 – Imperial Russian Navy Gangut Class Battleship – Gangut [With Collector Magazine]
EMGC76 – French Marine Nationale Richelieu Class Battleship – Richelieu [With Collector Magazine]
Priced at just $24.99, and bundled with a full-color magazine, these warships have become the de facto standard other replica navies have had to sail past to gain their own place in the sun.
Federation Vesta Class Starship – USS Aventine NCC-82602
Hot off of Comic-com here in New York City, Eaglemoss was kind enough to provide us with several updates concerning several of their continually expanding intergalactic lines. First off, their convention exclusive USS Aventine, which was the subject of a fan-based petition, has a ship date — we expect the ship to arrive in November. If you haven’t already pre-ordered the ship we strongly suggest you do so since its become one of the critical ships in the Star Trek line.
Alien U.S.C.S.S. Nostromo
Next up, the Nostromo, the center piece of the all-new Aliens and Predator ship line, also has a street date — look for it in December. Only 3,000 pieces are being made, each with a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Battlestar Galactica Colonial Viper Mark II Fighter
Lastly, Eaglemoss is kicking off the Battlestar Galactica range with an oldie but goodie — a Colonial Viper Mark II fighter from the first televised series. The Viper is slated for a February escort mission with additional ships expected each month thereafter. Frankly, with rumors circulating that the manufacturer is considering a similarly-conceived Star Gate line, we’re beginning to wonder where people are finding the money to pay for all of these cool toys. Maybe that’s the subject of a separate debate…
And the hits just keep on coming. Late this afternoon, one of our distributors informed us that many of the previously sold out 1:43 scale Eaglemoss military vehicles are returning to the battlefield this October, many of which were either available in very limited numbers or not at all. According to the literature, this will likely be a “come as you are party” meaning they will likely get only one shipment and no restocks. We are currently in the process of changing the status on those items listed in our Eaglemoss section from “Sold Out” to “Back Order” so you may place your orders as soon as possible.
Eaglemoss’ 1:43 scale German Sd. Kfz. 141 PzKpfw III Ausf. N Medium Tank – schwere Panzer Abteilung 503, Bogoduchow, Ukraine, 1943
If you previously ordered any of these vehicle but not got your order filled, we strongly recommend you contact us immediately to see if you would still like these items or perhaps add to your order. We will be placing our order with the distributor tomorrow, so we advise taking a look at the Eaglemoss section and your backs orders as soon as possible before we transmit our order.
