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!
…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.
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.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank with TUSK I Survivability Kit – 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, FOB Hammer, Iraq, 2011
There appears to be some progress from the Panzerkampf camp, with several diecast military vehicles either headed our way or finally appearing on the radar screen. Frankly, with two different North American distributors its oftentimes difficult to ascertain which company will carry which item, since there is oftentimes overlap in some areas and none in others. Late yesterday, we learned that several of the earliest M1A2 Abrams tanks are finally headed our way, after first being announced well over a year ago. Not all of the Abrams tanks are expected – just a few equipped with the TUSK 1 survivability kit. We presume the balance of the series will be released later this spring, although its not clear who will be stocking them, when they are expected or at what wholesale price.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US M42 “Duster” Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun – “How Heavy is Dead”, 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Vietnam, 1970-71
Also in this shipment is a British A39 Tortoise heavy tank as well as a lone example of the US M42 Duster self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Again, its not clear when or if the other versions of the Duster will be released so we suggest anyone that pre-ordered any of these vehicles choose this version since we cannot guarantee that the others will show up. We’ve ordered extra pieces of this version, so anyone that wants to make the switch to “How Heavy is Dead?” from “Iron Coffin” or II Field Force should be covered. Due to low consumer demand, we would also strongly suggest anyone that pre-ordered the ROC version make the switch to the US vehicle expected.
We’ve also learned that Panzerkampf’s pair of M1070 heavy equipment transporters, originally slated for a 2021 release and available in both Europe and Asia, will finally arrive in the US some time in March. Here again we have no way of knowing presently if these items are being offered on an allocation basis due to strong demand, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to fill all of the orders we have received to date without having to make any harsh decisions. There’s a good chance the manufacturer may revisit this item at a later date should they feel demand warrants a second batch of vehicles.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Tri-Color Camouflage
In other news, Panzerkampf’s trio of MH-53 helicopters are expected to make an encore performance this spring, perhaps arriving with the M1070 heavy equipment transporters in March. No further information has been disseminated on the release date of their many different aircraft, WWII-era aircraft carrier or some of their other projects hinted at online. The manufacturer has unveiled rough sketches, CAD drawings and, in some instances, first shots of several upcoming helicopters such as the UH-60 Black Hawk while offering scant information concerning their Hind heavy attack helicopter.
Finally, we’ve seen a dramatic rise in the cost of their most recently released vehicles, including the M1 Abrams as well as the M42 Duster. Their new retail price is set at $49.99. If you placed a pre-order at the $39.99 price point, then we will still honor this price when we begin to process these orders in late February.
Panzerkampf 1:72 US M1083 Medium Tactical Vehicle with Gun – Desert Camouflage
We’ve been impressed with the manner in which newcomer Panzerkampf has addressed the military diecast market, both listening to advice given and product unleashed. While other manufacturers seem to have fallen off the radar, Panzerkampf has, to date, released a wide array of ground vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that have both been well received and, just as importantly, sold very well.
We’re in possession of their 2022 catalog, which contains a number of new product introductions both on the ground and in the air, along with their first ever foray on the high seas. Unfortunately, at this time of year, we’re still inundated in orders that have to get out over the next few days in order to make the holiday deadline. And, with 2022 looming, other manufacturers are starting to spill the beans on what’s ahead as they look towards the 2022 toy fairs to hawk their latest wares.
Thus far, we’ve been able to list several of Panzerkampf’s newest introductions, including a Pantsir S-1 antiaircraft weapons system, US M1083 medium tactical vehicle and even a Sea King H6 medium lift helicopter. Over the coming days we hope to have the remaining list of new introductions up on our site and available for pre-order. Naturally, we’ll have actual product imagery up on our site in lieu of these line art drawings once they get posted by the manufacturer. So, don’t be alarmed by how few new items have been added just yet since there’s lots more in the pipeline from this prolific manufacturer.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Camouflage
Much is being made of the current shortage of truck drivers here in North America, which has helped to create an added bottleneck in getting goods from our clogged ports to the retail network. It therefore comes as no surprise that this added hurdle is now affecting the diecast industry in general and the upcoming Panzerkampf tank transporter set in particular. And if you believe that, there’s a bridge here in New York I can sell you.
In all honesty, when they were first announced last summer, well before the kinks in the global supply chain became apparent, we envisioned these sets would likely retail for around $100, a fair assumption given the fact that most of their similarly scaled military vehicles were retailing for around $35-$40. Turns out we missed the mark by a wide margin. We learned today that they will be pegged at $150 per set and, more importantly, will be available in very limited numbers here and around the world. So, we will honor the price we originally listed for anyone that placed a pre-order with us for either of these sets. That said, we have also updated the price for each set to $150. Frankly, this is still a fair price to pay given the paucity of military vehicles reaching the marketplace and the appeal these sets offer to anyone collecting military diecast memorabilia. Some of you may remember that Sword Models released several different 1:50 scale Oshkosh tank transporter sets several years back, which sold for around $300 or more. Those sets blew out in no time, and now command much higher prices in aftermarket venues such as eBay. In fact, someone is listing a few as we speak and offering them up for $800 apiece.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Desert Scheme
Anyway, we’re sorry to have made this announcement but hope you understand that some things are well beyond our control, hustling tanks from Point A to Point B one of them, even if they are diminutive cousins of the real thing.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Tank Transporter Tractor with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Camouflage
First shown to the public well over a year ago and thought to have rolled out for the 2020 holiday season, Panzerkampf’s pair of M1070 tank transporters is one of those items everyone just seems to want the minute they lay eyes on it. Now with an actual product identifier assigned to it, hi-res images posted to Facebook and even a short glitzy video showing each vehicle sitting atop a rotating base, it appears as if we’re a lot closer to the product’s actual release date than ever before. The problem is that with the global supply chain in such a mess and loads of other items promised by Panzerkampf but have never actually materialized, we cannot say for certain if these sets will make it off the assembly line in time for the 2021 holiday season. And with several of their M1 Abrams tanks still unavailable here in North America, it may be just as well since the set looks a bit naked without the vehicle its meant to be paired with.
Nevertheless, we are still accepting pre-orders for either set although its with the caveat that we think it will likely show up after the new year and not before. Please bear this in mind if you were hoping to give it as a gift to some lucky diecast tank collector.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Tank Transporter Tractor with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Desert Scheme
Even though we do not have images to share with everyone just yet, Panzerkampf is continually announcing a bevy of new products that are likely due out over the course of 2022. We’ve already touched upon the Leopard 2A4, Bumerang APC and UH-60 Blackhawk in a previous post, and how they will integrate into their scheme of reproducing some of the key pieces of armament fielded by today’s armies. Now comes news that they will also be making the US Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as well as the Sikorsky MH-60 helicopter, both in 1:72 scale, two important additions to the US arsenal that are routinely deployed amidst many of the world’s hot spots.
While we’d love to discuss which units they plan to replicate first, and when you can add them to your collection, the fact remains that Panzerkampf has proven themselves to be a competent and reliable modelmaker in the face of global supply chain tumult, intent upon carving out a respectable share of the marketplace now and well into the future.
While some manufacturers seem to have slowed down their production efforts, others seem to have unfurled their sails, aiming to catch the wind before their competitor’s do the same. Panzerkampf is one such modelmaker, churning out a growing array of military vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that have been widely accepted into diecast collections by the worldwide community. Over the weekend, Panzerkampf added yet another 1:72 scale modern vehicle to their arsenal: the Russian built Typhoon-VDV K-4386 Mine-Protected Armored Vehicle.
While not exactly widely known in military circles, the Typhoon nevertheless fills an important niche in the Russian Army, much like the US-built MRAP was developed by the US in the face of accelerating use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The Tayfun/Typhoon-VDV K-4386 is a 4×4 mine-protected wheeled armored vehicle designed and manufactured by Remdiesel, a subsidiary of Kamaz. It is the newest member of the Typhoon family of armored vehicles.
The Typhoon K-4386 is intended to support combat missions, crew transportation, logistics, cargo transport, medical support, and other intense armored offensive strikes.
Typhoon K-4386 is a single-compartment frameless armored cross country vehicle with two entrance doors in the front and one access door in the rear. It also features a roof-top hatch cover, allowing the troops to access weapons systems.
The K-4386 is built on a rugged hull, which provides the vehicle with a strong base, along with less curb weight and general centre of mass, leading to compact vehicular dimensions. The optimized hull enables the vehicle to carry more payloads and offer superior performance off the road.
The vehicle is 6m-long, 2.54m-wide and 2.4m-high and has a curb weight of 11,000kg, while its gross weight is 13,000kg. The armored vehicle can accommodate eight personnel, including crew and fully-equipped troops.
The 4×4 armored vehicle can integrate a range of multi-mission support systems and tools such as an assault ladder, a 6.75t self-recovery winch module, strobe lights for night missions, loudspeakers, a circular video camera for surveillance, and communication systems for inter-vehicle communication.
The vehicle was on display during the Russian Army’s 2019 International Military and Technical Forum in June 2019. It completed testing in December 2019 and is purportedly entering service with the Russian Army as we speak.
In a related development, Panzerkampf has also posted CAD drawings of their first Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks as well as a Russian-built VPK-7289 Bumerang (Object K-16) armored personnel carrier. Both are likely pegged for a 2022 release as other vehicles, long hinted at on their web site and elsewhere, have yet to be released here in North America. Despite these delays, the announced vehicles come as welcome news for diecast military vehicle collectors, who haven’t had much to choose from in recent years.
No stranger to producing a wide array of diecast tanks, Panzerkampf recently posted a montage image to their Facebook account indicating that several projects are in the works, none of them having to do with tanks. Perhaps worried that they’ll be seen simply as a maker of armored fighting vehicle, the portrait shows a number of CAD images, one of them a combat helicopter while the remaining four depict differing types and makes of multi-wheeled vehicles. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which projects are in the offing but we will certainly keep an eye on both their Facebook page and web site for further information and hopefully some finished images of the upcoming prototypes.
