Panzerkampf

Is Panzerkampf’s Pantsir Pricey?

We learned today that Panzerkampf’s upcoming Pantsir S-1 Mobile Self Defense System will carry a MAP of $114.99, a bit higher than where we thought it might be pegged when it was officially announced. Also, only one version will make it out the door in 2022. Six versions were originally displayed in their 2022 catalog but we’re guessing the manufacturer wants to see how the initial roll out goes before committing to the other schemes they touted.

It’s a bit difficult to forecast how the Pantsir will do at retail as compared with, say, their recently released M1070 heavy equipment transporter, a so-called “no-brainer” by some in the industry that will likely sell exceedingly well for the foreseeable future. For one its Russian as opposed to a US built piece of equipment, although that shouldn’t be considered a strike against it. Second, the inaugural vehicle sports the infamous “Z” plastered across it, which was used by Russian forces during the opening stages of their attack into Ukraine back in February 2022. Its a bit like hawking models of German Messerschmitts on September 2nd, 1939, with those big flamboyant swastikas adorning the aircraft’s tail fin. And lastly, there’s the price tag to consider, which is a bit more than we thought it would weigh in at prior to its main bout debut.

So, if you’re interested in this item, I would suggest pre-ordering soon because we will likely stock this item in very limited numbers for the holiday season. And, with our upcoming move to Florida, we cannot predict when we will have it available for restock should sales not live up to expectations.

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Panzerkampf Turns Up the Heat for August

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survival Kit – 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division

In a surprise announcement, Panzerkampf plans on shipping out several 1:72 scale military models this month. We had all but given up hope that anything would materialize from them given the issues still affecting the West Coast ports and their persistent delays. That said, several armored fighting vehicles should be rolling in next week, including their highly coveted M1A1 Abrams tank painted in a NATO woodland camouflage scheme and sporting the TUSK I survival kit. Its an important release because it pairs well with their recently released M1070 tank transporter that is painted in the same tri-color camouflage scheme. Also expected is a M1A2 Abrams donning a desert scheme and clad in the TUSK I kit as well as a pair of new M42 Duster anti-aircraft vehicles we’ve had advertised on our site for months on end but couldn’t quite pin down as far as release dates go. We strongly recommend submitting your orders for these vehicles as soon as possible since its very possible these will sell out quickly and may not be available for general sale once word spreads.

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Product Spotlight: For the (Air) Defense

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian Pantsir S1 Self-Propelled Air Defense System – Russo-Ukrainian War 2022

When it comes to collecting diecast military vehicles, particularly modern era weaponry, air defense systems are oftentimes considered to be one of those bantamweight divisions that routinely takes a back seat to the main event draw — tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Let’s face it, air defense systems aren’t quite as sexy or well known as the “heavies” of contemporary mobile warfare, oftentimes loitering in the rear areas guarding key positions or routes of advance and therefore far from the fighting where the cameras are rolling.

So, when Panzerkampf decided to model the Russian-built Pantsir S-1 air defense system earlier this year, collectors instantly took note, clearly intrigued by a system they may have seen in the media but wondered what purpose they served and why they were caught up in the conflict miles behind the front lines.

The Pantsir (Russian: “Carapace”) missile system is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems. Starting with the Pantsir-S1 (NATO reporting name SA-22 Greyhound) as the first version, it is produced by KBP Instrument Design Bureau of Tula, Russia.

The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.

The first finished version was completed in 1995 with the 1L36 radar, later another was designed. It is a short to medium range ground-based air defense system, wheeled, tracked or stationary with two to three operators. Its air defense consists of automatic anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles with radar or optical target-tracking and radio-command guidance.

The manufacturer claims that their Pantsir has already entered production and may have as many as six different vehicles in the works, largely with different camouflage patterns. So, together with Dragon’s revamped Neo Dragon Armor vehicles and other Panzerkampf “heavies”, it appears as if collectors will have lots to choose from this holiday season, at least as far as modern warfare is concerned. Incidentally, no cost has yet to be established for this item so we are unable to accept any pre-orders. We will update our site once we have a better idea as to how to price this item as well as their expected arrival dates.

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Panzerkampf Flies Low and Slow into the Diecast FEBA

Next to the Apache and Cobra gunships, perhaps the most feared helicopter gunship ever to take wing is the Russian built Mi 24, NATO reporting name HIND. Designed as a combination heavy attack platform and low capacity troop transport, the HIND has been around since the late 1970s, a testament to their endurance and ability to take enemy fire at the forward edge of the battlefield area where fighting is oftentimes the most intense.

It therefore comes as no surprise then that Panzerkampf would choose the Mi-24 as one of their latest rotary wing models. Recently two versions were shown to the public on their Facebook account, although no other information was provided. So, while we’d love to begin taking pre-orders for either or both of their upcoming helicopter assault gunships, for now we will simply post images of both models and await further information. In our opinion, their success will likely eclipse that of the MH-53 Super Stallion that was released last year, and has already gone on to become one of their most successful subjects. And, if the HIND sells well, you can bet they will be looking at other Russian attack helicopters down-the-road, capitalizing on the success of these battlefield weapons and their own ability to model them at scale. Curiously, it appears as though the HIND will be marketed under their Legion sub brand, even though these are brand new toolings not based upon other previously released models as is the case with their newly-launched military vehicle line.

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One Abrams Doesn’t Make the Cut

Death by a thousand cuts. One Abrams that landed on the cutting room floor

We received some unexpected and disappointing news from Panzerkampf late Friday. Apparently, the model maker has decided not to produce one of the M1 Abrams tanks they had advertised for some time, #PZK12209PA, which was a US M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survival Kit in a tri-color camouflage pattern with side-mounted desert sand colored ERA. No explanation was offered for nixing this item so as of now only one tri-color camo version of the Abrams is still being made – the US M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survival Kit that served with the 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Division (PZK12208PA). The decision seems odds given the number of desert sand versions produced to date but one we have to live with nonetheless. If you pre-ordered and pre-paid for this item we will automatically switch the order to the latter vehicle, which is still expected later this summer.

The manufacturer also indicated that they have no plans to produce their hot-selling M1070 heavy equipment transporter in arctic winter white although the solid green version is still on the table. So, if you see one in the marketplace, we suggest you grab it while you can.

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Father’s Day is Fast Approaching

Even though we haven’t as yet actually received our latest Panzerkampf and AFV shipment, we are going to mark them as received so that we can begin processing these orders ahead of their imminent receipt. As always, we would appreciate it if you do not contact us regarding any pre-orders you may have placed with us since responding tends to slow us down and prevents us from addressing each order with proper care. We will do our due diligence and process each order as expeditiously as possible but bear in mind that issues such as invalid credit card authorizations or splitting up orders periodically pops up and leads to added delays. We will do our best to get out all of the orders before Father’s Day but we are making no assurances that said orders will actually be received prior to June 19th.

Incidentally, there was a change to one of the AFVs that are in the latest batch of arrivals. AFV009 is actually a US built and operated M18 Hellcat and not the supposed French M10 we had originally listed as being inbound. Frankly, the US vehicle is a better fit for many of our customers who may prefer to collect US built and operated vehicles as opposed to those tanks that were operated by some of our allies during the Second World War. We can only assume that the M10 will come out at a later date.

Update: We were informed this morning, June 13th, that our shipment is leaving Nevada today. Originally, it was scheduled to leave last Friday, which would have meant it would reach us here in New York by mid week. So, it would appear as if this shipment will likely arrive at our facility by the end of this week, which means that any orders intended as Father’s Day gifts will not make it for the holiday. That said, we also know a great many of you placed orders for these items without concern for the holiday, so a few more days of waiting may not be crucial. If it is, please contact us and we will cancel your order. Because of the delay, we have decided to hold off processing these orders until later this week. Furthermore, this year, most of the major carriers are closed for Juneteenth, so the soonest we can start shipping out orders is Tuesday is the 21st. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but things often change on a daily basis despite our best efforts to make them go as smoothly as possible.

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Panzerkampf Tosses its Modelmaking Prowess into the Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

While war continues to rage in Ukraine, modelmakers have seized the day, so-to-speak, by replicating – in scale form – many of the combat systems continuously being shown to them on late night TV. We’ve already discussed the litany of aircraft expected by such stalwarts as Hobby Master and JC Wings, but now comes word that Panzerkampf plans to throw its hat into the ring with several interesting ground vehicles. The first vehicle expected to see the light of day is the Russian-built Pantsir (“Carapace”) air defense system, a state-of-the-art family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery systems that has seen limited use in Ukraine largely because of the relative size of the Ukrainian Air Force vis a vis the Russian Air Force. The Pantsir-S1 was designed to provide point air defense of military, industrial and administrative installations against aircraft, helicopters, precision munitions, cruise missiles and UAVs; and to provide additional protection to air defense units against enemy air attacks employing precision munitions, especially at low to extremely low altitudes.

After seeing the size of this model on Facebook, we’ve temporarily taken it down for pre-order purposes until we get a more realistic idea as to its final cost. We hope to re-list it, along with photos for each of the six iterations planned, in the weeks ahead.

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Creighton Abrams Would be Proud

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 SEP Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK II Survival Kit – 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Baghdad, Iraq, July 2008 [Clean Version]

While everything in the world seems to be going up in price, we’re happy to report that at least one item has successfully downshifted. We learned today that the upcoming fleet of M1 Abrams tanks from Panzerkampf will now be priced at $49.99 apiece, a 20% reduction off of its original price of $59.99. A couple of vehicles are expected to return to stock some time this May and, if luck be a lady, the balance should be in stock by the end of this summer, sooner if the logistical logjam plaguing our ports finally get straightened out. Also expected this May is the desert version of the M1070 heavy equipment transporter, which will go nicely with any of the vehicles shown on our site.

Incidentally, if you were fortunate enough to pre-order any of the upcoming Abrams tanks at the incredible price of just $39.99 when we first trotted them out, then we will honor this price. Enjoy!

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Panzerkampf Strikes it Big on Facebook

  • Factory fresh…
  • …or a weathered appearance? You may have the option to get both.

Ordinarily, Panzerkampf plays it cool on social media, occasionally talking up some of their latest projects one at a time and oftentimes days if not weeks apart. That strategy changed completely this past weekend when they announced a bevy of new products, many of which were well along in the build process based upon photos shown. They began their dog-and-pony show with a couple of Russian-built MiG 19s fighters, both of which were clad in operational schemes that got many a fan jealous with envy. Also unveiled were some of their upcoming M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, this time around sporting the TUSK II Survival Kit. Interestingly, there’s a good chance that Panzerkampf, for the first time, will be offering their military vehicles in both factory fresh as well as weathered, battle hardened paint schemes, meaning lots more to choose from depending upon how you plan to display them.

Lastly, two new military vehicles were added to their recently unveiled Legion line of budget-inspired vehicles – a German Marder Ausf. H anti-tank gun and a Hetzer tank destroyer. Both looked sharp and it appears as if even more vehicles will be announced in the not-too-distant future.

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Panzerkampf Victorious

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Tri-Color Camouflage

At long last, we’ve finally received word that Panzerkampf’s M1070 heavy equipment transporter is en route to us and should be in stock by month’s end. Thus far, only the tri-color version is reported to be in stock with our distributor, so we are presuming the desert version should roll in some time in March.

More importantly, our wholesale cost isn’t quite as high as originally anticipated, so we were able to reduce its selling price from $149.99 to $129.99, a healthy decrease considering the rising prices of some of the other items we’ve been holding out hope for over the last year. As I alluded to in a previous blog post, anyone that pre-ordered the set at $89.99 can still expect to pay this amount without seeing any upwards price adjustment on their invoice. The same will hold true for the desert sand version since we can only logically conclude that it should carry the same wholesale cost.

In a related announcement, we have now received and shipped out all of the first series of Panzerkampf M1A2 tanks with the TUSK I survivability kit. We have a handful of pieces left over for general sale and plan to re-order those SKUs that are currently listed as being back ordered. While all three SKUs come in the popular desert sand scheme and the M1070 expected comes in a tri-color camouflage scheme, the two products can still be displayed as a set should you wish to do so. Its not unheard of in the military world to combine two items in dissimilar schemes if time doesn’t permit their uniformity in appearance. Otherwise, we strongly suggest pre-ordering the desert scheme heavy equipment transporter, which will likely be snapped up in a hurry when they do arrive in early 2022.

Update: Our distributor informs us that the desert heavy equipment transporter wasn’t completed and ready for shipment at the same time as the tri-color version, so it will likely show up in the summer. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but these types of things do occur on occasion despite the best efforts to prevent them.

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