Oxford’s British BL 14-inch Railway Howitzer and Rod 2330 0-6-0 Locomotive with Coal Tender Set – “Boche Buster”
Over the weekend, we learned that Oxford Diecast is bringing back two favorites that have long been sold out. The first is a 1:76 scale British BL 14-inch Railway Howitzer that was dubbed “Boche Buster” while the second is a more upscale version that includes the rail gun, Rod 2330 0-6-0 Locomotive and coal tender. In the past, both sold well at retail and we had been agitating for their return to the fold over the years. Apparently someone is listening and we are now taking pre-orders for both sets. Presently, we do not have a release date for either set, so we are presuming they’ll be rolled out in the latter half of 2024.
Oftentimes we have our heads down, nose to the grindstone, working on the mundane and as a result fail to take notice of news that could have a significant impact on our business. For instance, back in July, Hornby, the parent company of Corgi, completed an acquisition of the Oxford Diecast Group, a British-based maker of diecast cars, aircraft, train accessories and other segments of the hobby industry. The take over involved the purchase of the remainder of LCD Enterprises it did not already own, a holding firm that represented Oxford and its owners Lyndon Davies and his wife Catherine Davies. Lyndon Davies is currently the CEO of Hornby after having moved over from Oxford a few years ago.
Thus far, we aren’t certain how this will impact things going forward, since neither our present distributor of Oxford nor the new owners have said anything regarding the take over. We expect further news in January, since this is the time both Hornby and Corgi typically announce their new wares for the coming year.
For more information on the take over, visit this link.
Known by NATO as “The Beast”, the Ilyushin IL-10 was a Soviet ground attack aircraft developed at the end of World War II by the Ilyushin construction bureau. It was also license-built in Czechoslovakia by Avia as the Avia B-33.
In October 1944, the Il-10 first entered service with training units in the Soviet Air Force. In January 1945, the first Il-10 combat unit entered service with the 78th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, but it did not enter action due to unfinished training. However, three other Il-10 units managed to take part in the final combat actions of World War II in Europe. They were the 571st Assault Aviation Regiment (from April 15th, 1945), the 108th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment (from April 16th, 1945), and the 118th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment (on May 8th, 1945). About a dozen aircraft were destroyed by flak or engine breakdowns, but the Il-10 appeared to be a successful design. One was shot down by an Fw-190 fighter, but a crew of the 118th Regiment shot down another Fw 190 and probably damaged another. On May 10th, 1945, the day after the official Soviet end of the war, (Victory Day), there were 120 serviceable Il-10s in Soviet Air Force combat units, and 26 disabled ones.
After the USSR reentered the war against the Empire of Japan, with the invasion of Manchuria, from August 9th, 1945, one Il-10 unit, the 26th Assault Aviation Regiment of the Pacific Navy Aviation, was used in combat in the Korean Peninsula, attacking Japanese ships in Rasin and rail transports.
After the war, until the early 1950s, the Il-10 was a basic Soviet ground attack aircraft. It was withdrawn from service in 1956. At the same time, work on new jet-powered dedicated armored ground attack planes (like the Il-40) was canceled, and the Soviets turned to multipurpose fighter-bomber aviation. The Il-10 and its licensed variant, the Avia B-33, became a basic ground attack plane of the Warsaw Pact countries. From 1949 to 1959, the Polish Air Force used 120 Il-10s (including 24 UIl-10), and 281 B-33s. In Poland, the B-33 was modified to carry 400 l fuel tanks under its wings. From 1950 to 1960, Czechoslovakia used 86 Il-10s, including six UIl-10s, and about 600 B-33s. From 1949 to 1956, the Hungarian Air Force used 159 Il-10s and B-33s. From 1950 to 1960, the Romanian Air Force used 14 Il-10s and 156 B-33s. Bulgaria also used these aircraft.
In the late 1940s, 93 Il-10 and UIl-10s were given to North Korea. They were then used in the 57th Assault Aviation Regiment during the early phase of the Korean War. They were initially used with success against the weak anti-aircraft defense of South Korean forces (following the US refusal to supply the south with “heavy weapons”), but then they suffered heavy losses in encounters against the United States Air Force fighters and were bombed on the ground themselves. After several weeks, about 20 remained. In the summer of 1950, North Korea received more aircraft from the USSR. The North Koreans claimed that they sank a warship on 22 August 1950 with Il-10s, but it was never confirmed.
Look for Oxford Diecast’s rendition of “The Beast” some time in late 2019.
Oxford’s 1:72 scale German Focke-Wulf Ta 152 Interceptor – Obersleutnant Fritz Aufhammer, Stendal, Germany, Stab Jagdgeschwader 301, March 22nd, 1945
Unfamiliar with the Focke-Wulf Ta 152 Höhenjäger (high altitude) interceptor yet keenly aware of its capabilities particularly in the hands of a skilled airman, Kommodore Fritz Aufhammer, commander of Jgdgeschwader 301, decided to familiarize himself with the aircraft by flying it to the Focke-Wulf factory at Rechlin, Germany, so that he could attend a meeting with the Focke-Wulf leadership. Hoping to avoid ground fire by trigger-happy German Flak crews, he ordered the ground crew to first paint the machine red so that it could easily be distinguished from rampaging Allied fighters. Impressed with the machine but frustrated with the Focke-Wulf officials, Aufhammer ended the meeting by stating, “I don’t care about your problems, you can kiss my ass! I need those machines now!”
Look for Oxford’s unusual take on Aufhammer’s devilishly red machine (AC096) late in 2019.
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.
If you don’t mind waiting, you’ll eventually be able to add a Soviet Ilysuhin IL-10 ground attack aircraft to your aircraft collection (OXFAC093). Discussed at the recently concluded London Toy Fair and now posted to their web site, the IL-10 is an iconic WWII-era aircraft that laid waste to many German tanks, AFVs and soft-skinned vehicles then fighting against the Red Army on the Eastern Front during the latter stages of WWII. Its not clear exactly when the IL-10 — or the recently announced Boulton Paul Defiant fighter (OXFAC094) — will become available, but Oxford typically takes a year or more to actually release a new warbird after announcing it to aviation enthusiasts. Its not the best scenario if you’re looking to lay claim to either new aircraft in the not-too-distant future, but for $25 you cannot argue with either the price or its importance, given the state of things in the diecast hobby.
Oxford’s 1:72 scale RAF Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I Night Fighter
At the London Toy Fair, Oxford Diecast peeled back the curtains on some of their upcoming products for 2016. Later this year, they plan to launch a brand new line of pre-painted figures, which will come in multiple scales and ranges. The first series will be in 1:32 scale and showcase three of the most iconic symbols of British culture – a Beefeater, a soldier from the Coldstream Guards, and a member of the Life Guards. All have been listed on our web site, and we hope to have clear images for all three figures shortly.
As college students by the thousands are graduating from university, it makes sense that Oxford would cash in on the educational theme, if you can call it that. As part of their ever-expanding History of Flight Collection, this British-based model maker intends to bring out a Percival Proctor radio trainer and communication aircraft for the new semester. Not an aircraft that instantly springs to mind amongst the aviation community, the Proctor is, nonetheless, an important aircraft within RAF circles, since it was developed from the Percival Vega Gull in response to Air MinistrySpecification 20/38 for a radio trainer and communications aircraft. To meet the requirement, the aircraft based on the Vega Gull had larger rear cabin windows and the fuselage was six inches longer. Modifications were made to the seats to enable the crew to wear parachutes, and other changes to enable a military radio and other equipment to be fitted. In early 1939 an order was placed for 247 aircraft to meet operational requirement OR.65.
Other new air and ground units were also announced by Oxford, so it may take another day or so before they are all up on our site.
As promised, Oxford plans on introducing several new vehicles later this year. The posse includes a Bedford MWD Truck (MWD006), Bedford QLB Bofors Gun Tractor (QLB001), AEC “Dorchester” Armoured Command Vehicle (DOR001, and Austin Tilly Bomb Disposal Truck (TIL009). Enjoy!
Oxford revealed details concerning some of their newest diecast military vehicles and aircraft collectors can expect to see well into 2015. On the ground, look forward to monkeying around with a 1:76 scale replica of a Diamond T tank transporter that was used throughout the ETO during WWII.
In the air, several warbirds were unveiled, including Alexander Pokryshkin’s world-famous P-39 Airacobra that was employed on the eastern front. Please keep in mind that many of these items aren’t slated to hit the market until well into 2015, making them tantalizing if unattainable additions for several months running.
