Product Announcements – Page 58 – The Motor Pool

Schuco Brings Back an Old Favorite

Apparently there was a bit of good news emanating from the Nuremberg Toy Fair two weeks ago. German-based Schuco has decided to resurrect one of their highly coveted motorcycles – a 1:10 scale Zundapp KS750 complete with sidecar regaled in desert tan and bearing the markings of the Deutsches Afrika Korps. In the past, we’ve done exceptionally well with these brutes and this one shouldn’t be an exception given its size, detail and sales history. We are now accepting pre-orders and may not have enough available for general sale once it does come out. We hope to have additional product pix in the weeks ahead.

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New Line: Leo Models

Seems as if we’re following an Italian theme of late, but we’re proud to announce that we will soon be stocking a new line of diecast aircraft from Leo Models. Based in Italy, naturally enough, their multi-scale line traces the history of Italian aviation from its inception until the present. Seeing as how there are nearly 50 items in the line, we expect to have everything posted to our web site by the close of business Sunday, February 22nd. Until then, ciao bambina!

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Rio Revisits the Battlefields of World War I

Slightly over one hundred years after the start of World War I, Italian-based RIO Models has decided to revisit the battlefield with a scale model of an Italian Army Fiat 18 BL transport truck. Replicated in 1:43 scale, the vehicle comes with four seated soldiers, two in the front and two in the rear.

Only 100 pieces are to be made with an anticipated release date of May. We are now accepting pre-orders but due to the extremely limited quantities being offered, may have to cut off the acceptance date very quickly and may not have any available for general sale once they do arrive.

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Dragon Cranks Up the Engine on the Panzer IV Ausf. H

Well, praise the Lord and pass the ammunition! Long rumored to be in development ever since they commissioned its line of Dragon Armor Panzer IV tanks several years ago, the Company has finally pulled back the curtains on its first 1:72 scale Panzer IV Ausf. H medium tank (DRR60651). Sporting a turret girdle and schurzen side armor skirts, the Panzer IV Ausf. H was one mainstay of the Wehrmacht that collectors have been clamoring for for a very long time. Look for Dragon’s inauugaral Panzer IV Ausf. H to tear up the collector countryside in April.

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Air Force 1 Enlists in the 8th Air Force

With its eyes set on the skies, Air Force 1 Model Company announced plans to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the war-winning Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber. Their first effort will be a USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber, nicknamed “A Bit O’ Lace”, which flew with the 447th Bombardment Group, and was deployed to Rattlesden, Norfolk, England, during 1945 (#AF10110). Priced at just $99.99, this is quite a steal, considering the workmanship. detail, amount of diecast metal and price of other similar 1:72 scale aircraft. It even comes with a heavy metal display stand. Look for “A Bit O’ Lace” to take to the skies this August.

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Star Wars

Its no secret that this Christmas, Star Wars will be all the rage. With the new movie set to debut on December 18th, and several toy manufacturers already in high gear getting ready for the event, more and more product are starting to become available to the retail trade.

In the case of DeAgostini, they’ve steadily made a diverse range of starships and vehicles for several years running. We’ve quietly watched the range grow, which now encompasses several dozen releases, spanning the first six feature-film releases. Happily, we’ve now learned that one of our distributors will be carrying the range, and they expect to take delivery of the bulk of the line in late March/ early April. Priced at only $23.98, each item is attractively packaged and highly detailed, and already commanding higher-than-release prices in the after market. We hope to have the entire series listed on our site by tomorrow, the 11th, and will keep our eyes open this weekend at Toy Fair to see if the manufacturer has more on display.

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The First Star Wars Replicas Surface

Just days before the start of the American International Toy Fair, we’ve uncovered four products in Mattel’s all-new Elite series that are scheduled to ship later this year and into 2016.

All are six inches in length and include a X-Wing Starfighter, TIE Fighter, Millenium Falcon and a new ship from the upcoming film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Pre-orders are now being accepted and we expect these to go quick once word circulates about their availability.

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Yat Ming: Back In Business and Back in Stock Under a New Name

Some product lines seem to have nine lives. In the case of Yat Ming, several times we’ve counted them down and out, only to watch them rise from the ashes like a newborn Phoenix. That said, two of their highly prized 1:24 scale Presidential limousines are being offered again, and we should have them in stock and ready for sale by the end of the first week in February.

The pair includes this 1972 Lincoln limousine used to ferry President Ronald Reagan around Washington DC and other destinations, along with John F. Kennedy’s open-top 1963 Lincoln X-100 limousine, used, in rather sad fashion on the fateful day in Dallas on November 22nd, 1963. Best of all, both vehicles still carry a retail price of just $69.99, no change from where they stood a year ago. Please note that these products are now being produced under the Lucky Die Cast banner.

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Air Force 1 Toasts the Memory of the Doolittle Raiders

Air Force 1 Model Company intends to honor the memory of the April 1942 Doolittle Raid over Tokyo with a 1:72 scale replica of General Jimmy Doolittle’s North American B-25B bomber. What makes this announcement even more poignant is the fact that some will come with a nameplate signed by his co-pilot, Lt. Richard E. “Dick” Cole, one of the last surviving members of the low-level bombing raid designed to lift morale back at home. The replica is expected in May, which is almost 73 years to the day when they took off from the deck of the USS Hornet and flew into history. A commemorative such as this comes along very infrequently, so even if you have a passing interest in WWII aviation, you may want to consider putting this one on your wish list.

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Oxford Schools ‘Em on the Ground

As promised, Oxford plans on introducing several new vehicles later this year. The posse includes a Bedford MWD Truck (MWD006), Bedford QLB Bofors Gun Tractor (QLB001), AEC “Dorchester” Armoured Command Vehicle (DOR001, and Austin Tilly Bomb Disposal Truck (TIL009). Enjoy!

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