The big news this week is that the Flying Mule is having an inventory reduction sale. A number of our picks will be from that event.
From that sale is our first armor pick. Made by Corgi in the 1:50 scale, we feature a M3 AA Halftrack from 1951 Korea. The Mule has them for $24.99.
Corgi Military Vehicles US60415
M3 Half-Track Diecast Model
US Army 25th AAA Btn, Korea, 1951
Limited Edition
1:50 Scale Length Width M3 Half-Track 4.75" 1.75"
Most US Army infantry divisions deployed to Korea had an AAA battalion consisting of eight M15A1 combination gun motor carriages (CGMC) and eight M16 MGMCs. These were very occasionally used in their intended role of air defense in the first weeks of the war against the North Korean People’s Army Yak-9 and IL-10 attack aircraft. However, once the latter had been destroyed by the autumn of 1950, the half-tracks were sent forward to provide direct infantry fire support with their deadly quad M45D 0.50-cal. machine guns. The M16 MGMC’s high rate of fire made it an ideal antipersonnel weapon against massed Communist infantry attacks.
Corgi Military Vehicles
The Corgi "Military Vehicles" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles. Corgi diecast tanks require no glueing or painting. Each model is an instant display piece or diorama centerpiece straight from the box. Made from diecast metal, die cast tanks from Corgi are 100% true to scale...
these don't look like model tanks, they look like tanks!. Color, camouflage and unit markings are carefully researched for maximum authenticity, marking the difference between and authentic scale model tank and a "toy" tank.
Corgi "Military Vehicles" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull in diecast metal.
- Accurate moving tracks on detailed rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
See if you can fly past it's quad 50's here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CG-US60415
Our next armor pick is a Tamiya Hetzer in the almost identical 1:48 scale. Great Models still has it and you can too for $39.50.
1/48 TAM26504 Hetzer TD Mid Production Finished Model
Category: Pre-Painted Armor Models 1/48
Professionally finished model. Die-cast lower hull. Accurately pre-painted and decals are pre-applied with weathering effects. Includes individually numbered display stand with nameplate.
See if you can spot this little "baiter" here:
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcar...m_num=TAM26504
This week we have too many good deals on aircraft than can be covered. But we'll feature three to give just a taste of what's out there at the moment.
The first is an excellent deal on a 1:48 scale Carousel 1 Bf 109E. Straight from North Africa and the Mule, it is priced at only $49.99.
Carousel 1 AirCraft 7102
Messerschmitt Bf 109E Diecast Model
Luftwaffe 8./JG 27, "Black 8", Werner Schroer, Libya, August 1941
Limited Edition
1:48 Scale Length WidthMesserschmitt Bf 109E 7.5" 8.25"
Werner Schroer was one of the few German aces to achieve more than 100 victories against the Western Allies, yet he is probably best known as the pilot of "Black 8" in a much-published German color publicity photo. Schroer joined Jagdgeschwader 27 in August 1940 and flew with them in the Battle of Britain. While in France, JG 27 acquired their famous "Leopard over Africa" emblem, which reflected a determination to re-take the former colonial territories Germany lost in the First World War. When Hitler decided to send General Rommel and the Afrika Corps join Italy’s North African campaign against British Egypt, JG 27 was the fighter unit selected to support them. They landed at the Ainel-Gazla airfield in Libya on 18 April 1941. The next day JG 27 shot down four British Hurricanes, one of which was Lieutenant Schroer’s first kill. In the next few days Schroer added three more victories. In late April several JG 27 109s, including Schroer’s, were cleaned and photographed for home front consumption. White wall tires shown on several 109s were not a decoration, but an attempt to protect rubber tires from desert heat. On 30 August 1941. Schroer and his wingman attacked RAF Tomahawks over Tobruk, setting one on fire and claiming a victory. Unfortunately for the Axis powers, Schroer’s victim, Australian Clive Caldwell, although wounded and nursing a crippled aircraft, did not crash. Caldwell not only limped back to base, he shot down a 109 on the way, and ultimately was credited with 20 victories in the North African fighting. Schroer had scored 11 when he was appointed Staffelkapitane of 8./JG 27 in June 1942, then tallied another 11 victories in two weeks. Schroer’s 61 victories in North Africa with JG 27 made him the second leading ace of the Mediterranean Theater, after Hans Joachim Marseilles. After rising to command II./JG 27 in April 1943, Schroer was sent to lead III./JG 54 in March 1944. In July 1944 he was taken out of a combat role to lead the Unit Commander’s School. Schroer was named Kommodore of JG 3 ‘Udet’ in February 1945. His final score of 114 included 102 RAF and USAAF opponents (including 26 American four-engine bombers) and 12 Russians in only 197 missions. Werner Schroer died in 1985.
Please note: This model comes with a Swastika decal that can optionally be applied to the tail for added authenticity. Limited Edition of
1200 pieces worldwide.
Carousel 1 is a top maker of 1:48 airplanes and you can see it here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CA-7102
The Mule has been good to us this week and we'll ride her twice more. Our second pick from the air is a Witty 1:72 Falcon in a sweet tri-colored camo. This trip to greater Las Vegas will only cost you $24.99 at the Mule.
Witty Sky Guardians WTW72011-03
F-16D Falcon Diecast Model
USAF 414th CTS Fighting Fulcrums, Nellis AFB, NV
1:72 Scale Length Width Lockheed F-16D Fighting Falcon 8.25" 5.25"
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. An optional metal
display stand (WT-WTW72016S) is available separately if you wish to display this model "in-flight".
Witty Sky Guardians
The Witty "Sky Guardians" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Witty have earned a reputation for producing high-quality models that can be displayed right out of the box.
Witty "Sky Guardians" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Permanently extended landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Selected moving control surfaces.
Beat the odds and higher prices here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/WT-WTW72011-03
Our final selection this week is a weathered early war B-17E from the Corgi 1:72 line and the Mule. They only made 1,010 of these beauties and one can be yours for $79.99.
Tim's site will show you even more here:
http://www.tricatus.co.uk/aa33312a.htm
and here:
http://www.tricatus.co.uk/aa33312.htm
Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA33312
B-17E Flying Fortress Diecast Model
USAAF 19th BG, Malang, Java, February 1942
Limited Edition
1:72 Scale Length Width Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress 12.25" 17.25"
By New Year’s Day 1942, 11 B-17s flew to a new base at Malang in Java. Their main target then was Japanese shipping. These B-17s were reinforced in January 1942 by some LB-30 Liberators and some new B-17Es of the 7th Bomb Group.
Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Optional extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as airbrakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress
Designed to meet a USAAC requirement for a multi-engined long-range bomber, the B17 was first flown on July 28th, 1935 as the Boeing Model 299. Used extensively in Europe and the Middle East, the B17 was operational in every theatre involving US forces during WWII with almost 13,000 aircraft eventually being produced.
You can order one here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/CG-AA33312