21st Century Toys and BBI

The Panzer 38(t) was a light German tank that saw much action from the earliest days of the war until 1943, when it was finally replaced by much larger and more powerful tanks. The 38(t) started life as a Czechoslovakian design, but the German occupation changed that. The German Ministry found it to be an excellent design, and put it into production. Over 1,400 were built and many variants were based on the extremely rugged and reliable chassis, including the Marder self-propelled gun series and the much feared Hetzer tank killer.

The Panzer 38(t) mounted a 37mm main gun and also sported a pair of 7.92mm machine guns. It had a very small chassis supported by 8 roadwheels with leaf spring type suspension. It finally became obsolete when the larger caliber guns necessary to deal with increasingly thick armor became too big for the small chassis. It was also lightly armored, making it an easier target as the war progressed.

Our new 38(t) represents both a first time this subject has been done in collectors 1/32ndscale, and another leap forward in quality and fidelity. The detail is finer than ever before, and most tools and accessories are molded separately, adding greatly to the realism. All the usual features can be found on this new tank, including rotating wheels and tracks, traversing turret, elevating guns, and operable hatches.

The Marder series of self propelled guns were mostly based on the Panzer 38(t) chassis. The Panzer 38(t) was a light German tank that saw much action from the earliest days of the war until 1943, when it was finally replaced by much larger and more powerful tanks. The 38(t) started life as a Czechoslovakian design, but the German occupation changed that. The German Ministry found it to be an excellent design, and put it into production. Over 1,400 were built and many variants were based on the extremely rugged and reliable chassis, including the Marder self-propelled gun series and the much feared Hetzer tank killer. The Panzer 38(t) mounted a 37mm main gun and also sported a pair of 7.92mm machine guns. It had a very small chassis supported by 8 roadwheels with leaf spring type suspension. It finally became obsolete when the larger caliber guns necessary to deal with increasingly thick armor became too big for the small chassis.

To deal with this problem, the designers redesigned the superstructure to delete the turret, and mount a large gun (the 75mm Pak 40 in the case of the Marder IIIM) in a lightly armored open top design. The engine was moved to the center of the tank to make room for the crew compartment. This new vehicle had one job… tank destroyer. It performed this task very well until the closing days of the war. It was effective against light and medium armor, but the more heavily armored late war Allied tanks were becoming too much for the Pak 40 to deal with. Other German tanks would come along to take on this role.

Our new Marder IIIM represents both a first time an open top self propelled gun has been done in collectors 1/32ndscale, and another leap forward in quality and fidelity. The detail is finer than ever before, and most tools and accessories are molded separately, adding greatly to the realism. All the usual features can be found on this new tank, including rotating wheels and tracks, traversing and elevating gun, and operable hatches. The crew compartment is incredibly well appointed, featuring a highly detailed gun, radios and ammunition racks.

The Sherman Vc Firefly was the British variant of the US made M4A4 Sherman Medium Tank and was modified with a 17 Lbs. (76.2mm) anti-tank gun.

The U.S. M155 8 Inch (203 mm) Howitzer was originally known as the 8 Inch Howitzer M1. This towed howitzer could fire 30 rounds per hour and had a range of over 10 miles. This howitzer was typically operated by a crew of 14 soldiers. This howitzer saw service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It was also used in NATO service, where its primary role was to fire nuclear rounds.

Set Contains Three Figures

Set Contains Three Figures

Hanomag Pak 40 SdKfz 251/22 * Plastic Construction * Opening Engine Cover and Rear Hatch * Rolling Tracks and Wheels * Moveable Pak 40 Main Gun * Includes Extra Shells and Shell Storage * Length: 13" * Width: 4½"

Bayerische Flugzuegwerke began development work on the Me-109 in 1935. The project was overseen by the legendary aircraft designer Willy Messerschmitt. It was a technological breakthrough in many ways. It featured stressed skin construction, a retractable undercarriage, and a fully enclosed cockpit. In early 1937, the 109 entered service and shortly afterwards saw action in the Spanish Civil War. By the outbreak of World War II, the 109E model (or Emil) was entering squadron service. It was fitted with the 1,175 hp fuel injected Daimler Benz DB 601 engine. In the summer of 1940, the Battle of Britain raged over southern England. The Emil was every bit a match for the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. II , and was clearly superior to the less advanced Hawker Hurricane Mk.I. In 1941 the British Spitfire Vb entered service. The Emil was outclassed by this faster, more heavily armed variant. Messerschmitt responded with the Bf-109F. Fitted with the new supercharged DB-605 engine (a larger and more powerful motor that changed the look of the airplane), the balance of power again shifted. The F was followed in 1942 with the G (or Gustav) model. This featured an uprated 1,475 hp DB-605 and (from the G-5 on) had more powerful machine guns fitted in the cowling , necessitating bulged covers over the feed mechanisms. The Gustav could be fitted with underwing 20mm gun pods that made it even more deadly. It was used with devastating effect against the Allied daylight bombing raids over Europe. It was a very compact fighter, with a wingspan of just over 32’ and a length of 29’7”. The 1099 was one of the most-produced aircraft of all time, with over 33,000 built of all marks. The Bf-109G was an excellent fighter. It was fast, highly maneuverable, and heavily armed, but it had a few drawbacks as well: the narrow track undercarriage that led to many landing accidents throughout its career, the cramped cockpit with its restricted visibility, and its limited range, even when carrying a droptank. The 109 continued to be upgraded and improved until the last days of the war. In the hands of an experienced pilot, the Gustav could hold its own with the best Allied aircraft of WWII. Many famous Luftwaffe aces flew this aircraft, including Erich Hartmann and Gerhard Barkhorn. They were the highest scoring aces of all time with 352 and 301 victories respectively. Both flew the 109 for most of the war, a tribute to this remarkable aircraft.

The UH-60 Black Hawk is the popular workhorse for the US Army. BBI has recreated this popular aircraft in excellent detail. This is an excellent addition for your collection.