I’m convinced that January must mean rotorcraft in Latin even at a time when they had no idea what it meant when it was included in the Julian calendar. Dopey innuendoes aside, we are finally going to be receiving our second shipment of MH-47G helicopters from Forces of Valor and will likely have to place a further order once this allotment has evaporated. Also in the shipment are the first pair of Royal Australian CH-47 choppers, both clad in a desert yellow paint scheme.
Additionally we are heard that all three MH-53 Super Stallion helicopters from Panzerkampf are en route. The MH-53s are big and beefy and represent a great way for Panzerkampf to kick off their entry into the helicopter category. Rumor has it that a Hind is in the works, also these won’t likely touch down until the latter half of 2021.
If you thought Panzerkampf was “one-and-done” in the under-served helicopter space, you’d be wise to think again. Earlier today, the company revealed plans to offer up the Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter to its adoring public, likely loitering over the diecast battlefield sometime in mid 2021. Thus far, only a couple of CAD drawings were shown on their Facebook page, so its not clear which version will make the initial cut and/or in which liveries. Still, its a promising sign that their initial MH-53 Super Stallion met with great success and therefore opened the door for other oft-requested helicopters.
Panzerkampf’s 1:1000 scale US Navy Yorktown Class Aircraft Carrier – USS Enterprise (CV-6)
It was bound to happen. After first producing a wide array of scale military vehicles, aircraft and even helicopters, Panzerkampf has decided to flex its muscles once again by offering up their first ever warship replica. According to a recent posting on the manufacturer’s web site, the first ship they plan to model is the war-winning USS Enterprise (CV-6), a Yorktown class aircraft carrier that played a pivotal role at the Battle of Midway and in virtually every major battle of the war in the Pacific during WWII. Replicated in 1:1000 scale, its not clear if the warship will come with a complement of aircraft lining its deck, or if details such as a moveable aircraft elevator will be included. Pricing is still up in the air, as is its date of availability, which we presume will be some time in early 2021.
Panzerkampf’s 1:100 scale British Mark IV Male Heavy Tank
Thus far, Panzerkampf has been perfectly fine catering to the needs of the 1:72 scale military collector, disgorging a wide array of vehicles, aircraft and helicopters that has earned them a special place among the pantheon of military modelmakers. It therefore comes as a bit of a surprise that they would dabble in the smaller 1:100 scale military market, perhaps scratching an itch no one knew existed.
According to a recent press release, the manufacturer is about to roll out seven different WWI-era military vehicles, spanning everything from the ubiquitous British Mark IV to the somewhat brutish German A7V tank. Interestingly, all seven vehicles are expected to roll out in time for the holidays, late November to be specific, if you’re a calendar watcher. Priced at just $14.99 apiece, these tanks make ideal stocking stuffers and a great way to start beginners off on the diecast battlefield.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Russian (Object 695) Kurgenats-25 infantry fighting vehicle with four Kornet-EM guided missiles
While other modelmakers still seem to be recovering from the effects brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Panzerkampf seems to be stoking the diecast fires, announcing an ever widening array of diecast products for the months ahead. This week, for instance, the Company announced plans to replicate the Russian Kurgenats-25 infantry fighting vehicle in 1:72 scale, thereby adding yet another new vehicle to the pantheon of Russian armor first debuted a few years ago at the Moscow Victory Day Parade. The Kurgenats-25 is a tracked, 25-ton modular infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier being developed for the Russian Army. The Kurganets-25 will evolve into various models, gradually replacing BMP, BMD, MT-LB and other types of tracked Soviet armored platforms. The Kurganets-25 will have modular armor that can be upgraded for specific threats. Two variants of the Kurgenats-25 are initially being offered: the Object 693 is the armored personnel version and bears the insignia used during the Moscow Victory Day Parade while the Object 695 comes equipped with four Kornet-EM guided missiles and is painted in a camouflage scheme.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Red Army KV-220-2 Heavy Tank – Multi-Colored Winter Camouflage
Additionally, the Company intends to bring out two versions of the WWII-era KV-220-2 heavy tank, a vehicle that never entered into mass production but was seen as one potential antidote to the growing array of German armor massed along Russia’s European borders prior to the run-up to Operation Barbarossa. Previously, the Company showcased their KV-3 heavy tank, which should be rolling in shortly, so the impending release of the KV-220 tank made sense from a design standpoint. Other combat vehicles are expected to be announced shortly, along with a dizzying array of additional aircraft, helicopters and who knows what else they have in the pipeline. Keep an eye on Panzerkampf as they continue to gain traction in the diecast military space.
Several years back, TWH, which makes a wide range of 1:50 scale construction models, offered up a subset of military vehicles under their Sword Models moniker. One of the most popular vehicles they developed was a US Army Oshkosh M10 tank transporter, which, when coupled with a 1:43 scale M1 Abrams tank sitting atop a M1000 flat bed, made for an excellent display set that made many collectors “green” with envy. We sold loads of these sets, both in the traditional tri-color camouflage pattern and a sun-baked desert motif, until our supplies quickly ran out and collectors had to seek them out in the after market venues.
Yesterday, we learned that Panzerkampf will soon be releasing a 1:72 scale version of the M1070 tank transporter, which can obviously be used with a wide range of 1:72 scale modern era military vehicles. As is customary with Panzerkampf, they will likely create several schemes besides the one shown here, and quite possibly offer them in the liveries of other user nations. We don’t as yet have a price for this item nor do we know for sure when they will be motoring on down the highway. So, for now, these pictures will have to do until everything gets firmed up and we can begin to open up the pre-order window. Pretty sharp, huh?
When Amercom release its line of diecast military helicopters several years ago, certainly one of the most popular if incredibly large items was the Sikorsky MH-53 Sea Dragon. Big and beefy, it sold incredibly well and was one of only a handful of choppers that proudly bore the US Navy logo.
Well, chopper aficionados will be glad to learn that as part of the burgeoning Panzerkampf line up, three different versions of the Sea Dragon will soon make its way onto diecast shelves this summer. Earlier this morning, three liveries were posted to the Panzerkampf web site — one based upon the JGSDF and two connected to the US Navy — although no price was set. With the COVID pandemic still fresh in everyone’s minds, its conceivable that all three items are still several months off and likely signals Panzerkampf’s intent to enter the helicopter market in a “big” way.
Panzerkamp’s 1:72 scale Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-3 Heavy Tank – Winter Camouflage
With most of the major combat vehicles having been spoken for as scale replicas, it made sense for Panzerkampf to dabble in the more obscure subjects to gain greater traction in the diecast ranks. Earlier today, we noticed plans to come out with a pair of Soviet KV-3 heavy tanks, a vehicle that never made it onto the battlefield due to the surprise German invasion of Russia in June 1941. Although two prototypes were developed, the factory building the vehicles had to be quickly packed up and relocated east of the Urals otherwise it would have fallen into the hands of advancing Wehrmacht forces.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-3 Heavy Tank – Summer Camouflage
While poking around the web, we also noticed that Panzerkampf has another KV tank up its sleeve, one which is likely due out after the KV-3: the ubiquitous KV-220 heavy tank. The KV-220 (otherwise known as KV-220-2, T-220, Object 220, or just 220 in factory documents) was proposed in 1940 as a replacement for the KV-1 that was already considered inadequate by the Red Army. Another vehicle, the T-150, was meant to have a 700 hp engine while the KV-220 was to be served with an 850 hp engine, but problems were encountered in building such powerful engines. As a result, both the KV-220 and T-150 didn’t meet the Red Army’s expectations, and bets were hedged on the KV-3, 4 or 5 as the Red Army’s heavy tank for the years to come. The Nazi invasion changed all that, so plans were overhauled in a hurry to meet the threat.
We’re going to assume that the KV-3 tanks will become available some time this summer, with the elongated KV-220 showing up in the fall.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale Dassault Rafale B Multirole Aircraft
In other news, the manufacturer is looking to become a serious player in the military aircraft space with its announcement that it plans to offer two versions of the Dassault Rafale B fighter jet. The Dassault Rafale (literally meaning “gust of wind”, and “burst of fire” in a more military sense) is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air superiority, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault. Like the Rafale, dates of availability are still up in the air.
Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale German Kampfpanzer Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tank – Mixed European Camouflage
We’ve been watching Panzerkampf’s web site for several months running and were growing concerned because there seemed to be no movement one way or the other. The site seemed unfinished with lots of products we had never seen shown in different configurations. Earlier this week, we noticed that the site was finally updated, which included pictures of some of their upcoming projects. Other items were removed or quite possibly hidden from view, meaning they are likely due out later in the year once things settle down and they have a better feel for what they can get out within the calendar year.
So, we invite you to take a look at our revamped Panzerkampf military vehicle section. We’re currently awaiting word as to when several of the items marked as pre-ordered will actually come to fruition, no doubt pushed back because of the pandemic. Right now, we are forecasting a summer release although this could change once more solid information has been passed along by our distributor.
Our Panzerkampf category of diecast military vehicles has been lying fallow for several months now as we awaited news concerning the manufacturer’s release schedule. Apparently, several previously announced items have been pushed back by a few months into early 2020, no doubt to buy the manufacturer some time to fill production goals and work on other related projects. In the meantime, the following items are reportedly headed our way the third week of October, thereby making them available for the holiday rush:
