We hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and even enjoy a victory or two on the gridiron during the four day extended weekend.
Our first selection this week will deliver the leftovers over some long distances. It is the 1:30 scale Figarti Long Range Desert Group 30cwt. Chevrolet (Sand & Azure camo) from Hobby Bunker for $99.99.
Born of the expertise handful of pre-war desert explorers the LRDG ranged freely over North Africa, traveling hundreds of miles behind enemy lines to gather information for the British Army.
The mission begins here:
http://www.hobbybunker.com/products/...ure-camo-14947
Next up from the UK is the 1:72 scale Hobby Master Die Hard, British Centurion Mk.5, 10 Troop, C Squadron, 4th Royal Tank Regiment, West Berlin, 22 August 1961 from Pete's for $14.95.
Get this Cold War warrior here:
http://www.petescollectibles.com/dis...No=HG3502#item
We don't normally feature pre-ordered items, but them the Dragon 1:6 scale M4A3 75(W) Sherman is far from normal.
Gung-Ho Toys wants to put one in your (giant) stocking, including shipping, for $599.99.
Find this large lad as the first listing on this page:
http://gunghotoys.com/index.php?p=1_4_Dragon
The sale at the Flying Mule brings us our opening plane picks this week. First up is the Hobby Master 1:48 scale Focke-Wulf Fw 190A Luftwaffe, Doppelreiter Testbed for $28.99.
Fw-190-A-7 W.Nr380394 was the test aircraft for an attempt to reduce drag caused by center-line fuel tanks thereby increasing airspeed. The experiment was called "Doppelreiter" (Double Rider) and involved placing a streamlined fuel tank on top of each wing which meant reducing the armament to two 151/20 E cannons. Each tank was droppable and carried 270 liters of fuel giving the aircraft an extended range. The over the wing tanks reduced the aircraft speed by 13 kph while the standard center-line tank reduced speed by 33 kph. Even though these were positive results the RLM did not accept the modification because they didn't want to disturb regular production schedules.
Hobby Master's 1:48 scale Fw 190 is a quality model, assembled with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. Among this model's features are a solid metal wing with simulated fabric-stretched control surfaces, a 12-bladed cooling fan that spins in unison with the propeller, cylinder head cooling fins that are visible inside the cowling, individual exhaust stacks, removable center mounted fuel tank and a sliding canopy that reveals pad printed dials and gauges inside the cockpit. Variants in this series include the early 190A, the upgraded 190A with armor plating, and the 190F attack variant with larger canopy and removable center-mounted bombs.
The Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:48 Air Power Series" 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.
- Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
Your long range air patrol takes off here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/HM-HA7407
Also found in the Mule's hanger this week is the 1:72 scale Gaincorp Sukhoi Su-30KN Flanker Sukhoi Design Bureau, Factory Demonstrator 302, Zhukovskiy AB, Russia, 2001 for $29.99.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia needed to find a lower-cost alternative to the Su-35 and Su-37 designs. The Su-30KN was a proposed mid-life upgrade to expand and enhance the air-to-ground capabilities of the existing fleet of Su-30 airframes. Costs were contained by focusing development efforts on avionics advancements and avoiding modifications to the airframe and power plant systems. An Su-30 was converted into the Su-30KN prototype and first flew in March 1999. This aircraft was repainted in a striking three-tone gray camouflage scheme and was coded "White 302".
Designed as two-seat multi-role variant of the Su-27, the Su-30 was first flown (as the Su-27PU) on December 31, 1989. The design grew from a Soviet need for a long-range interceptor based on the Su-27 with the addition of a second pilot and retractable in-flight refueling probe. Similar to the F-15E Strike Eagle, the Su-30 is still a highly capable Air Superiority Fighter while an advanced avionics suite make it formidable in the Air-to-Ground Strike Fighter role. The Su-30 has spawned numerous sub-variants, including several designed for the export market.
Gaincorp’s 1:72 scale Su-30 is a large, heavy model made primarily of diecast metal with plastic used only in those areas requiring the finest detail. The model can be easily displayed right out of the box without any configuration necessary. The speed brake with a positionable actuator support arm can be displayed in the deployed position behind the opening hinged canopy. Along with movable rudders and flaps, the forward leading edge slats are also movable, an uncommon feature in this scale. The model rests on sturdy metal fixed landing gear and is packed with a full load of wing and fuselage mounted ordnance.
The Gaincorp "World Aircraft Collection" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Gaincorp "World Aircraft Collection" diecast airplanes feature: - Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Authentic markings and placard details.
- Opening or removable canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
- Selected moving control surfaces.
- Permanently extended metal landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Authentic fixed ordnance loads.
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
Get on your way to a (formerly) red Christmas here:
http://www.flyingmule.com/products/GC-8030
Chasing the Russian bird is the Dragon 1:72 scale F/A-18E VFA-27 "Royal Maces" from 3000Toys for $19.95.
VFA-27, or Strike Fighter Squadron 27, is a U.S. Navy fighter squadron that flies the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The unit is also known by its nickname “Royal Maces”, the mace being a medieval handheld weapon designed to pierce heavy armor. Such weapons were used by royal bodyguards in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and they came to symbolize authority and the rule of law and order. VFA-27’s F/A-18 Hornets participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 flying against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and it also saw extensive combat in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron departed the USS Kitty Hawk in May 2004 in order to begin transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. This they duly completed at NAS Leemore in October of the same year.
Dragon Warbirds has a beautiful 1/72 scale model of an F/A-18E from VFA-27 “Royal Maces” available for collectors. It is done up in the colorful black and yellow markings of the CAG on the upper half of the fuselage. Detail on this miniature is exemplary, with panel lines cleanly and finely molded. The distinctive markings of the CAG are expertly rendered, including the “NF” tail code, a hand bearing the royal mace, and the characteristic saw-tooth markings on the tail rudder. Apparently, the first officer to introduce these saw-tooth markings painted them on a plane and then afterwards sought his commander’s approval. After being told to remove them and not to paint the planes without permission again, the commander then proceeded to order that they be repainted back on! This Dragon Warbirds F/A-18F is outstanding in quality, and it will make a high-impact presence in any aircraft collection.
Tailhook on for the holidays here:
http://www.3000toys.com/catalog/item...nd=DRAGON50314