Cafereo F4 Special Thunderbird and Blue Angel

If you are a F4 lover like me. You shouldn't miss these F4 Specials from Cafereo. 700Yen each. Target Release Date: Late October.

Japan Sinks! Operation D-1

I have been busy uploading some of my new collections to my homepage. I'm going to post them here in the next couple days. The first one is the hot topic, the Japan Sinks D-1. Quality-wise, I think this is below par from Takara. Those two CH-47 have some fitting problem (as least the set I received), I need to drill some holes bigger in order to attached some small parts. On the other hand, a wing of the airship is missing as well as the left wheel cover also disappeared. Hopefully you guys are more lucky.

As a 1/144 collector, you should not miss these 2 trucks - a big Type 73 Truck and a small Type 73 SUV/Light Truck. Again, you can combine these 2 with another 3 trucks from D-2 to become a small diorama. Last but not least, the quality is the best in this series. For example, if you compare these to those German trucks from Metal Troops, these Japan Sinks are value for money. First, you can get 2 vehicles in one box. Second, the SUV has a clear windshield. And then, the windshield has wipers (painted). I think the guy who sculpted these together with the JGSDF from Konami is a genius. The painting of these trucks is also top quality.

I'm not a 1/700 collector but those 2 1/700 ships (on top) and the air ship (below) are also quite nice. The only disappointment are those choppers which I think I also have some CH-47 and Super Puma from F-Toysa and too many deep-sea submarines (3 including the secret item).

Overall, an interesting topic with some interesting items. My suggestion is to get one set if you can. If not, just pick the trucks or the 1/700 items if you are a 1/700 collector. More pictures can be found here.

F-Toys Twin Engine Series 2

Here is another picture on F-Toys Twin Engine Airplanes 2. I think may be I'll just pick the Hs-219s. I want the BigBird 2 from Cafereo more.

CGD - Diorama Bases

Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!

There was not much to talk about lately so I showed you something which I bought and was very impressed about the quality of these diorama bases from CGD. I bought directly from CGD and the price was quite reasonable. I think the pictures can tell you more than my poor writing. More pictures can be found here. Feel free to comment. As usual, tanks and figures are not included.

Panzer Korps - M109A6 and M1A2 SEP

Here are a couple pictures of the Panzer Korp M109A6 and M1A2. I used the Gunze H27 as shown in instruction for the base paint. I don't quite like the glossy finish as you can see from the picture to the right. Although I have covered it with multi layers of matt coating, you can still find the tank is still a little glossy. More pictures can be found here and here.

The base is what I bought from CGD. I bought a couple and I quite like the finish. Will show more pictures later.

Cando Tiger I - US & Japan versions

Normally there are not many differences between Japan and US versions. However, the Tiger I which Japan first released in Japan was using a different mold than the same tank released in the US later. As you can see from above, the side armor between these 2 versions are visible. The Japan version is more like a straight line and the US version has different slopes for 4 side armors. Check the pictures and you will know what I mean. The paint scheme also has slight differences. Since the special Tiger I of the Japan version is rare and very expensive now and the cost of US version should be pretty much in line with other Cando specials (a lot lower than the Japan version). Please be careful not to buy the wrong tank with the wrong price.

Tomica - Light Armor Mobility Vehicle - Not 1/144

Sorry. This is not 1/144 but a new release from Tomica. Even it's not 1/144 I found it's a nice one and the price Yen 360 is very reasonable too. If you're also interested in these Tomica cars. Click this link. Release date: Oct 21.

Michael Wittmann Collection

I have thought about creating this new subject on special projects or collections for a while. Since there are not that too much news on 1/144 and I want to make some new changes to this blog, I think now is a good time to start. As the first topic, what can be a better selection than this most popular panzer ace in WWII - Michael Wittmann.

As you can see below, there are many options so do you have them all. Here is the line-up:

Tiger I (S04) - Dragon Cando Tiger I Series Special - with 88 hit marks on the barrel. This 1st release in Japan is hard to find now. One may show up in ebay from time to time but the price may well over $100 (I saw a Japan version was sold at $300 in Japan). Please note this price should apply to Japan version only (which were sold out long time ago). The same tank of US version has slight differences (which I will put it in another document another day) and you can still find them from many on-line shops. I think the price should be $25-$50 (a whole carton is $200 with 48 tanks so if the price is too high, just buy a whole carton and then sell off the others.)

Tiger I (S04) - World Tank Musuem Series 05 Special.

Tiger I (1331) - Special Edition of Dragon Cando Tiger I. As shown in Kursk. This was sold in a model exhibition only.

Tiger I (1331) - World Tank Museum Series 07. This is a regular tank so the price should be just a few dollars.

Tiger I (007) - World Tank Museum Series 01 Special - This is the last Tiger I Michael Wittmann used before it was blow up by a Firefly in France. This is a special and it's the 1st release from Takara so it's hard to find now.

There is no Stug III A which Wittmann used in his early stage. May be I need to make one myself.

More info and picture can be found in my web. There are a few more from Metal Troops but the original price was quite high and the production quantity was not that many so I may add them later but not today. Otherwise, if I miss anything, just let me know.

Twin Engine Collection 2

Hi,

I'm back. I didn't go anywhere but again, I just had a busy week. Anyway, hope everything should be back to normal now. First, above is a picture of WF2006 which I missed. It's about the Twin Engine Collection 2 from F-Toys. It's going to be released soon. Nice Hs-129. It seems this time the focus is Night Fighters. What are the other 2 planes?

I also spent some time to finish a few items on my work bench. Will share with you later.

F-Toys Heliborne Collection 3

F-Toys has updated the Heliborne Collection 3 here.

More pictures on WF2006

The following has more pictures on WF2006 and it's not fully updated so please bookmark it and check again later. So far, only new products from Kaiyodo are updated. (Sorry, no WTM news, only figures or robots). Here is the link:

http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~syokugan-honpo/page353.html

Another link on WF2006 - Planes

Click the picture to access.

More news on WF2006 Summer

Here are a couple links with 1/144 pictures. Not much news but confirmed 3 planes will be included in the next Bigbird series.

http://f22.aaa.livedoor.jp/~raccoon - this link has a few pictures on upcoming F-Toys Heliborne 3, Takara Japan Sinks Series as well as the new Big Bird Series.

Here is a picture of Bigbird. I like the He-111 very much so it's a must buy item for me. Here is the next modern planes from F-Toys.

Gundam in WF2006 Summer

So far, I can see quite a few sites have pictures regarding Wonder Festival 2006 but most of them are Gundam or figures. May be because the main purpose of the event by Kaiyodo is to promote figures rather than military. Hopefully more pictures can be found in the next few days. Here are some links.

GFF Report
Pam's homepage
Gunpla-custom Ver Blog

10,000 hits!

Since 10,000 hits will happen probably these 2 days, I have been thinking for a while what I should change after writing this blog for 9 months. I have some new ideas which I will probably add to this blog in the near future. Again, thanks for your support in the last 9 months and please feel free to let me know how you feel or what I should change to keep this blog going (especially the 1/144 world in Japan has cooled down a bit).

New WTM distributor in the U.S.

BD99's blog has the picture below regarding WTM 07 being distributed in the U.S. by ACD Distribution under the name "AFV collector Series". So far, I'm not too excited by it as the price $4.95 is more expensive than I buy from Japan plus shipment by EMS. Unless, they sell the WTM01 again so that I can pick up more 88. (Just 88, nothing more as the quality of others are not upto today's standard.) The good points are may be with New Millenium and now ACD get sold or distributed in the U.S., more people here know about this 1/144 world. Second, if you just want some Allied tanks, you have a chance to pick up specific items as they will be sold in open boxes. Also, more sales may encourage Takara or Dragon to keep on releasing new products.

DX'06 Europe

This year, Dragon will have another Dragon Expo in Europe. This time the location is Kent, UK. If Dragon also releases the special in 1/72 Dragon Armor format, I think I will try to get one. Anyone lives in UK or Europe planned to go?

Pro-Hobby - September Releases

Click here for Pro-hobby's September releases. Again, I like the Horch Flak 30 but the problem is I can't find any picture of the real thing. Normally, a Flak 38 was used so may be one with a Flak 30 was only found in the very early days during WWII.

Small diorama in Obake-blog

The above diorama is from Obake-blog. If you know Chinese, you should check it out as there are some detailed tips on how to create a small diorama like this without buying expensive materials. But if you don't, even the pictures are worth reading.

More on Wonder Festival - Summer 2006

It seems something wrong with my IE as I have some problems to upload any pictures. Deos anyone has the same problem lately? I use Netscape this time and everything is fine. Anyway, the above LVTs will be sold in the Summer Wonder Festival. More news can be found in The 144th Regimental Combat Team.