We begin this first week of March with the Dragon 1:72 scale Ferdinand, Sd. Kfz. 184, sPzJgAbt 654, Eastern Front 1943 w/Zimmerit coating from Sprue Brothers Models for $9.99.
We used the Dragon image of this product, as the one on the vendor's sight shows a harsh reflection of the person taking the picture of the product with a flash camera.
Features:
- new-tooled upper super structure and lower hull
- true-scale model
- Historically accurate camouflage
- Detailed and weathered track links
- display case
Flash on over here:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/172-d...054-p9576.aspx
Also from Dragon in the 1:72 scale for the budget minded collector is the HMMWV M1025, LSA Anaconda 2004 Operation Iraqi Freedom w/Armor Survivability Kit from Model Warehouse for $8.95.
This model represents a HMMWV from Task Force 1-177 that operated from LSA Anaconda (Camp Anaconda) during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. It includes fully detailed Add-on Armor Panels and diecast chassis.
Main Features:
- Includes detailed Add-on armor panels
- Diecast chassis
- Detailed front and rear lights and license plate
- Includes display case with diorama background
- True to 1/72 scale
- Fully accurate HMMWV mold
About Camp Anaconda:
LSA Anaconda, the largest support base in Iraq, is reportedly nicknamed "Mortaritaville" because of the frequency of mortar/rocket attacks on the base. As of mid-October 2004, an article in the Seattle Times reported, the facility, home to roughly 22,500 US troops and an additional 2,500 contractors, had been on the receiving end of roughly two attacks daily since July.
About the M1025:
The M1025 armament carriers provide mounting and firing of the MK19 automatic grenade launcher; M2, caliber .50 machine gun; and M60, 7.62 mm machine gun; ring-mounted with 360° arc of fire, with armor protection for crew, weapon components, and ammunition.
Fully-loaded M1025 armament carriers will climb road grades as steep as 60% (31°) and traverse a side slope of up to 40% (22°). The vehicles ford hard bottom water crossings up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) without a deep water fording kit and 60 inches (152 centimeters) with the kit.
As of late June 2004, the majority of the airfield's pre-existing bunkers have been abandoned by the US military. Facility Engineer Team 21 out of Ft Devens is the Department of Public Works for the base camp. As of September 2003 the Team was working on a Master Plan for the base, which may get as big as 20,000 soldiers. As of May 2004 the base had 17,000 troops and was 12 1/2 miles in circumference.
Back to Iraq here:
http://www.modelwarehouse.biz/catalo...RR60066#IMAGES
Our trip upward this week features two 1:72 scale birds of prey, the first of which is a Dragon F-4U-ID CORSAIR VMF-3 from Hobby Surplus for $24.99.
She's the second item listed on this page:
http://www.hobbysurplus.com/Diecastc...i.asp#aircraft
We can't have all our picks this week be from only one brand. So our last selection, while also in the 1:72 scale is the Gemini Aces Luftwaffe Messerschmitt BF 109F-4 Eduard Neumann from AirlineMuseum for $26.50.
Item Number: GALFT3003
Length: 5.00 in (12.70cm)
Wingspan: 5.33 in (13.55cm)
Material: Die-Cast Metal
GeminiAces is a new premium line of highly detailed, historically accurate 1:72 scale die cast warbirds and military aircraft!
Following in the footsteps of our ever-popular GeminiJets line of civilian airliners, we have brought serious collecting to the military realm with our new GeminiAces. Featured details include:
- Optional landing gear up/down positions
- Movable control surfaces
- Optional under wing fuel tanks
- Photo etched rotating metal propellers
- Superior quality graphics
The Luftwaffe had never intended to operate in North Africa, however the largely ineffective Regia Aeronautica led to the deployment of large numbers of German Aircraft. The desert proved to be the perfect arena for aerial combat and the beautiful Bf 109 'Friedrich' excelled in these harsh conditions and quickly became the scourge of Allied airmen.
This aircraft is presented in the standard Luftwaffe finish for the Western Desert. Neumann rose to command JG27 and survived the war, with 13 aerial combat victories to his name.
Your late winter flight for a sandy vacation leaves from this hanger:
http://www.airlinemuseum.com/catalog...oducts_id=3231
To wrap up the picks for this week, we turn to the Corgi 1:72 scale
MITSUBISHI A6M2-21 ZERO KASUMIGAURA FLYING GROUP JAPAN, 1943 CORGI (AA33104) from Toyhabit for $25.00.
Training for the late war onslaught of superior Allied fighters here--third line from the bottom and third over from either side:
http://www.toyhabit.com/diecast_airplanes.html