Panzerkampf

Panzerkampf Believes its Cheaper by the Half Dozen

No one can accuse Panzerkampf of not having a love affair with the Leopard tank. To date, they’ve released something on the order of 20 different Leopards, from the early version 2A4 to the venerable 2A7+. Throughout their production run, one common theme seems to be to release them en masse, offering as many choices as is possible to get the biggest bang for the buck right from the start.

Earlier today, Panzerkampf announced a further six models of the early version Leopard 2A4 main battle tank are in the works, all destined for a summer release. The six are shown here, all resplendent in differing camouflage schemes and operated by several user nations.

We applaud the decision to return to their roots by once again tapping the early version Leopard as their latest 1:72 scale release. The problem, as we see it, is that the 2A4 is getting a little long in the tooth, particularly when other more current versions of the tank are being fielded by several NATO nations (see accompanying video). Moreover, I’m not certain how many people are clamoring for either a Turkish or Finnish version of an older AFV, when other tanks, in particular the German Panther and MERTE tanks, are in development. Time will tell if this represents a good move for them as well as the hobby in general.

Takeaway: There seems to be a recurring theme going on over the last few blog posts whereby I have continually showed mixed emotions over the latest hardware coming out from several manufacturers. Don’t get me wrong. Its always refreshing to see new product in the pipeline — its just that certain manufacturers seem to feel as if they know better by releasing product THEY think will sell instead of asking dealers about their experiences with certain product or taking note of historical trends that influence buying decisions. Offering more 1:72 scale Leopard 2 tanks when there are so many other subjects to explore is lazy at best and leads to apathy that is difficult to reverse. If kits are needed to build a diecast product, then it may be preferable to wait for one to surface instead of going back to the well over and over again and re-using that which should be taken out back and shot out of mercy.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Bungles in the Jungle

Panzerkampf’s 1:35 Scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Reinhardt, “White S33”, 8./Panzer Regiment 2, 2.SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”, Kursk, Russia, 1943

About a year or so ago, Panzerkampf hinted that it was getting into the larger scale pre-built armor game when it posted a couple of preliminary photos of a German Tiger heavy tank. Today, more information surfaced concerning this endeavor.

While no pricing was offered, nor was there a list of the vehicles’ features, photos of two early production Tiger I tanks were shown off for the first time – one decked out in a feldgrau (field grey) pattern and the second in a summer camouflage pattern, based upon a vehicle that saw action with the 2 SS Panzer Division during the fateful battle of Kursk. We’ve asked Panzerkampf to provide additional details concerning both vehicles along with estimated release dates. Thus far, all they’ve said to date is that the schematics were based upon a popular model kit. As we’ve come to expect from Panzerkampf, they likely have at least 5-6 different versions in the works ( a common theme whether it be aircraft or helicopters), with more planned should their inaugural entries take off.


Panzerkampf’s 1:35 Scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “Red 332”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 503 “Feldherrnhalle”, Belgorod, Russia, 1943

On a personal note, while we welcome their entry in the 1:35 scale regime, it would’ve been nice if they had chosen a different subject to kick things off. Dragon released a bevy of 1:35 scale Tigers a few years back and Forces of Valor already has a number of larger 1:32 scale Tigers in their lineup, with more eventually planned. A better choice might’ve been either a Panzer IV or Panther medium tank, two vehicles collectors have been requesting for years on end. We’re certainly not looking a gift horse in the mouth but the fact remains initial sales will be based upon the vehicles’ interest amongst the collecting community, which shouldn’t be dampened by the fact that multiple versions of the Tiger already exist.

Takeaway: It’s hard enough to get new product into our country due to the Trump tariffs so while we welcome the announcement as well as their intent to play in a new sandbox, it would’ve been ideal had they chosen to pick a different vehicle to kick off the new range. Two entrenched players in the 1:32/1:35 scale market have already sewed the “seeds of destruction” by modelling the Tiger I tank, so it might’ve made more sense to go with a subject that would’ve been accepted with more relish instead of offering yet another Tiger I.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Continues its Courtship with the Abrams

First they wooed us with the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank clad in the TUSK reactive armor kits. Now, they’re whispering sweet sonnets in our ears with the M1A2 SEP V2. Fresh off of news that they’re modelling a 1:64 scale Abrams comes news that the manufacturer plans to produce five different 1:72 scale takes on the US Army’s latest main battle tank, or at least until the M1E3/M1A3 rolls out.

Expected in the April/May time frame, the newest M1 rendition features the upgraded System Enhancement Package (SEP), which is a series of critical, incremental upgrades designed to improve the lethality, survivability, and networking capabilities of the U.S. Army’s main battle tank. The current SEPv3 (Version 3) and future SEPv4 variants focus on power generation, advanced armor, enhanced sensors like 3GEN FLIR, and ammunition datalinks for better combat effectiveness. Nice, right? The best part is that the price hasn’t changed from the previous iteration, despite being produced in China. Enjoy your new sweethearts!

Takeaway: Its hard not to love the Abrams main battle tank. Four decades after it first rolled onto the battlefield, the Abrams continues to soldier on, despite numerous challenges that can render the tank obsolete and almost meaningless before it can even take up a firing position. Fortunately, upgrades to the basic vehicle are underway in the form of the M1E3/M1A3, which will hopefully restore the vehicle to its prominence on the battlefield. For now, the V2 SEP variant will have to do and hence Panzerkampf’s decision to model this iteration instead of its next-generation counterpart.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Steps Into the Ring with the Boxer

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Boxer A2 Multirole Armored Fighting Vehicle with Skyranger 30 Air Defense Turret – Digital Camouflage

As one Company fades into the sunset, it appears as if another rises like a morning sun to the east. Yesterday, Panzerkampf indicated that they were bolstering their armored vehicle collection with the addition of the Boxer armored fighting vehicle. Produced by Rheinmetall. The Boxer is family of armored fighting vehicles designed by an international consortium to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. The governments participating in the Boxer program have changed as the program has developed. The Boxer vehicle is produced by the ARTEC GmbH (armored vehicle technology) industrial group, and the program is being managed by OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). ARTEC GmbH is based in Munich; its parent companies are KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall on the German side, (with Australian factory) and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. for the Netherlands. Overall, Rheinmetall has a 64% stake in the joint venture.

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale ISAF Boxer A2 Multirole Armored Fighting Vehicle

As we’ve come to expect from this manufacturer, Panzerkampf doesn’t like to test the waters by offering up one or two iterations to see how sales go and whether or not they should commit additional resources by making more versions. Instead, they plan to roll out 10 different versions of the Boxer that include a command vehicle, standard armored personnel carrier and a vehicle equipped with the Skyranger 30 air-defense system. The turret is equipped with a 30 × 173 mm KCE revolver gun firing programmable ABM, two Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and a sensor suite. The latter will comprise a Hensoldt Spexer X-band radar with three panels each providing 120° azimuth coverage integrated into the turret and an electro-optical tracking sensor with a thermal camera, day camera, and laser rangefinder for target identification and tracking. The turret will also be equipped with Rheinmetall’s Rapid Obscuring System (ROSY) smoke grenade launchers.

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Dutch Boxer A2 Command Vehicle

While we applaud the decision to add the Boxer to their burgeoning 1:72 scale military vehicle line up, its not clear why the manufacturer continually needs to roll out so many iterations all at one time. Not only does it saturate the market, making it more difficult for collectors to choose which vehicles to purchase before they potentially run out-of-stock, but it makes it equally hard for the average dealer to order and stock what is, for argument’s sake, similar products when other items are coming to market. We don’t want to be seen as complainers, but the fact remains that a better business strategy needs to be adopted for everyone to be satisfied.

As an aside, this series is a bit problematic for us for several reasons. To begin with, Dragon snagged first mover advantage a few years ago by releasing several Boxer AFVs as part of their Neo Dragon Armor series. While the choices may not have been as prolific as Panzerkampf’s, they were able to sell them for far less and with no competition in the space. Panzerkampf’s releases come on the heels of the Dragon offerings and as such most collectors likely already have an example or two wedged into their collection. Moreover, our distributor sells the Panzerkampf range in case lots, meaning we have to make a considerable investment in money, energy and space to stock all of these iterations. If we do decide to stock the series, we may only bring in a few versions, perhaps the Skyranger variants and a couple of AFVs that aren’t so redundant in appearance and background. I’m sorry but our primary mission is to curate the line, any line, and bring in only those versions that will potentially sell the best.

Takeaway: As a retailer with over 25 years in the industry, our principal job is to curate each line and bring in only those items we feel we can sell within a reasonable period of time. While we applaud Panzerkampf’s efforts to release as many versions of an item as is possible, they really need to consider staggering their releases so that each segment of the industry, from distributor on down, can stock and sell their products at a meaningful rate without having to worry about saturating the marketplace.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Takes the Pave Hawk for a Spin

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale USAF Sikorsky HH-60G/MH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopters

What better way to usher in the new year than with a new set of models? On New Years day, Panzerkampf announced plans to release five different 1:72 scale Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, all scheduled for shipping some time this spring. We’ve listed preliminary information for the quintet to our web site, although we’re still awaiting full descriptions and a better set of images for each model. Currently, we are still including the tariffs in their price, which could change should the US Supreme Court strike down the Trump tariffs in their decision expected by month’s end.

In a related development, reports are surfacing that Panzerkampf plans on tackling the US Air Force Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter as their next rotary-wing subject. The HH-60W Jolly Green II is the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter, built on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk air frame but significantly upgraded for long-range, high-threat missions, featuring enhanced fuel capacity, advanced avionics, integrated defensive systems, and improved survivability to replace aging HH-60G Pave Hawks for rescuing isolated personnel in hostile territory, as well as for other vital roles like medical evacuation and disaster relief. Its possible the HH-60W was involved in Operation Absolute Resolve, the recent combined arms mission to take down the Nicholas Maduro regime in Venezuela.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Returns to Nap-of-the-Earth Flying

First hinted at several months ago on their Facebook account, Panzerkampf has officially announced plans for the addition of four more Hind attack helicopters to its growing fleet of rotary wing aircraft. This time around, four versions of the Mil Mi 24P gunship are being introduced, each based upon an important operator that runs the gamut from the Soviet Union to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Currently, the squadron is expected in November, although tariffs and other mitigating factors could have an effect on their true dates of arrival. We’ve listed all four new introductions to our Panzerkampf helicopter section and are currently accepting pre-orders. Interestingly, the MAP has been reduced to $124.99 from $129.99, so we’ve also lowered the price on our existing inventory of Mi-24 choppers.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Continues to Fly High

According to a recent Facebook post, Panzerkampf is planning to offer up a 1:72 scale rendition of the Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter. While no images were provided other than a partially-built prototype still under construction, the manufacturer is soliciting paint scheme and background information requests from collectors to help them determine which helicopters to portray. Its not clear how many versions of the HH-60 will be modeled or when they will come to market, particularly here in North America where we are rapidly approaching the August 1st deadline the Trump Administration has imposed on tariff imports from China. Nevertheless, its refreshing to see that Panzerkampf’s helos have done well in the marketplace since first being introduced and continues to produce even more heavily requested models as the years wear on.

So, if you have a suggestion or a favorite unit you’d like to see made, contact Panzerkampf directly but be prepared to send them images and why your helo should be considered for reproduction.

Share This:

Panzerkampf Grips the Collective on the CH-53 Sea Stallion

No stranger to the world of rotary-wing aircraft, Panzerkampf announced this week their intent to model the ubiquitous CH-53 Sea Stallion heavy lift helicopter. Five versions are to be offered according to the Company’s Facebook page, meaning there’s lots to choose from when they take on the diecast community later this year. Because Panzerkampf is headquartered in China, its not clear when these models will actually make it to our shores given the uncertainty swirling around the administration’s tariff policy. Should things change, we will update our web site accordingly.

Share This:

It’s Raining Planes (and Helicopters)

After speaking with our principal supplier, it looks as though we’re about to be deluged with loads of new models towards the end of March. For starters, we’re expecting 15 different MH-53 helos from Panzerkampf along with a nice re-stock of Forces of Valor items. Besides the long sold out MH-47 helicopter, we’re about to receive a pair of F/A-18 Hornets that have long been hinted at and have finally gotten their marching orders.

More importantly, we’re going to be receiving both the February and March shipments of Hobby Master products, along with several key re-stocks that will help to fill out our coffers. So, if you have already submitted pre-orders for any of these items, please hang in there while we sift through these shipments. We will provide you with tracking information so you know when you can finally lay claim to them just as soon as everything has been inspected and segregated. Enjoy!

Share This:

Panzerkampf Says, “Its no Mirage”

When Panzerkampf shows off a new model, they tend to do it in a big way. Yesterday, we learned that they have not one but six different versions of their upcoming Dassault Mirage III interceptor in the hopper, all lovingly festooned in accurate markings and insignia. Currently we are awaiting pricing and release information to flesh them out so we’ll refrain from opening them up for pre-order on our web site. With Toy Fair right around the corner, it shouldn’t be too long before we obtain their background information and pricing so that we can begin accepting pre-orders.

Share This: