It was a black week in Austin. A solo terrorist flew his plane into a building, after attempting to blow his own home--which he managed to set on fire. The day after the attack, I drove by the building. It was a miracle that "only" one innocent person was killed and two seriously injured.
Well--on to our picks. The first honors government employees of the past who have laid their lives on the line to preserve our lives and freedom. From Oryon in the 1:35 scale, they are World War II
US Army Rangers, 2nd Battalion from Michigan Toy Soldiers for $19.99.
They're still on duty here:
http://www.michtoy.com/michtoy_searc...mbers=OYN-2002
Our first armor pick is a Corgi 1:50 scale M113 ACAV, D Co., 1st Sq., 11th Armored Cavalry "Draft Dodger" US Army, Vietnam. The Toy Headquarters has it for $22.99.
Grab your draft card and report here:
http://www.jjshobby.com/Shoppingcart...d0d9324a99c0b5
Our first flying pick is from the Blammo Sale at the Monkey Depot. It's not cheap at $109.99, but you'll be hard pressed to find the Century Wings SR-71B Blackbird Trainer USAF in 1:72 scale at a better price.
SR-71A Blackbird USAF 9th SRW, 61-7956 TYPE-B Trainer 1968
LIMITED EDITION OF 1500 PIECES
Description: One of the most distinctive planes in US history, the SR-71 was an advanced, long range, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by the famous Lockheed Skunk Works. First put into service in 1964, 32 aircraft were produced and it remained in service in through 1998. It was capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3 and used this capability as its chief defense. With a ceiling of 80,000 feet, the crew had to wear specially designed suits that were close to those used by NASA for space missions. There were only two trainer aircraft produced easily identified by the raised instructor cockpit.
The Blackbird has been elusive in high quality die cast models. Century Wings has stepped to the plate and delivered with their outstanding ready to display model with the high quality and attention to detail that they have become known for. This die cast monster is almost 18 inches long and captures this unique plane down to the smallest detail. As with all Century Wings, this is a limited edition. The first SR-71 release sold out in record time and this is sure to do the same.
-Detailed cockpit
-Real metal with plastic details
-Pilot figures included
-In flight display stand included
-Optional extended/retracted landing gear
-Ultra detailed panel lines
-Pad printed graphics (superior to decals)
-Full detail underside with concealed screw heads
-Detachable armament
Please file and follow your flight plan to here:
http://www.monkeydepot.com/Century_W...2_p/cw0030.htm
Our final selection this week is a 1:48 scale Carousel 1 Messerschmitt Bf 109E Luftwaffe 8./JG 27, "Black 8", Werner Schroer, Libya, August 1941 from Internet Hobbies. This getting difficult to find at a good price bird is priced at just $30.98.
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.
The few remaining in stock are circling here:
http://www.internethobbies.com/cro-7102-tws.html