Product Announcements

Minichamps Gets Dreamy-Eyed

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We’ve all seen those amazing concept cars at the annual auto shows, reflecting space age design and cutting edge form that never seem to make the transition from the drawing board to the road. German model maker, Minichamps, is apparently an admirer of “form over functionality” and plans to honor these vehicles with a line of 1:18 scale concept cars. Several of the most iconic cars of years past encompass the range, including the 1954 Lincoln Futura seen here, which was used as the basis for the futuristic-looking Batmobile that took center stage in the hit 1966 TV series. Look for several of these incredible replicas to show up before year’s end.

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Torro Asks, "Do You Like Your Figs Big?"

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Radio-controlled manufacturer, Torro, intends to offer a line of 1:16 scale military figures that can be used with any 1:16 scale military vehicle.  Besides working with Taigen’s range of 1:16 scale radio-controlled tanks, the pre-posed and pre-painted figures will work with Unimax’ Extreme Metal static tanks, or any similar line of 1:16 scale vehicles. Strangely, the figures look eerily similar to Unimax’ out-of-production Extreme Metal figures that were released several years ago. We’re guessing that Unimax licensed or sold the molds to Torro as a means of kicking off the series. Look for the first five figures this October.

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Torro Asks, “Do You Like Your Figs Big?”

TAG130050a

Radio-controlled manufacturer, Torro, intends to offer a line of 1:16 scale military figures that can be used with any 1:16 scale military vehicle.  Besides working with Taigen’s range of 1:16 scale radio-controlled tanks, the pre-posed and pre-painted figures will work with Unimax’ Extreme Metal static tanks, or any similar line of 1:16 scale vehicles. Strangely, the figures look eerily similar to Unimax’ out-of-production Extreme Metal figures that were released several years ago. We’re guessing that Unimax licensed or sold the molds to Torro as a means of kicking off the series. Look for the first five figures this October.

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The Guns of August

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With a scant year to go before we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, it appears as if one manufacturer had the foresight to capitalize on the occasion. According to our distributor, an AmerCom has crafted a new line of 1:72 scale diecast aircraft that are based upon some of the most iconic planes of the Great War. Two German aircraft comprise the first wave – a Fokker Dr. 1 that was flown by the “Red Baron”, Manfred von Richthofen, and an Albatross D.V that was piloted by WWI ace, Paul Baumer.

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Priced at just $20, these sharp-looking birds feature wire rigging, a display stand and a pilot figure, something you’d come to expect from a more expensive range of military replicas. Look for the first warbirds to touch down in early September.

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Marushin Again

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At long last, some one has convinced Japanese model maker, Marushin, to resume production of their fine line of 1:48 scale military aircraft. Two planes are expected in September, and we hope this will be the first pairing of planes that many have been asking about for a very long time.

 

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At this time, we are expecting a Kate torpedo bomber (#MARS028) and a Zero (#MARS002) and we hope to have further information concerning other aircraft in the not-too-distant future.

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The Collectors Showcase Hits the Silk

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Not to be out done by their wily competition. The Collectors Showcase has announced plans to expand their WWII range by offering a series of 101st Airborne figures and accessories. Currently, the Company is touting this teaser image, which, among other things, shows several soldiers in varying poses, a Willys jeep and what looks like the tail section of a Horsa glider. We’ll revisit the entire collection in greater detail once more concrete information has been passed along.

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Honecker for Hannukah?

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First announced back in early 2011, Minichamps’ 1:43 scale 1975 Citroen CX Limousine used by East German President Erich Honecker looked like a shoe-in for political office by diecast collectors. Earlier this year, however, we were told that it was cancelled, perhaps due to weak pre=order sales or troubling subject matter. Fast forward to July 2013, and it looks like the latest installment in the Political Leader Series is back on the campaign trail and expected later this fall (#MIN436111400). Minichamps has confirmed this curious change, so we are once again accepting pre-orders for this sleek piece of automotive history.

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Despite Slow Times, The Collectors Showcase Keeps its Head Up!

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Parodies aside, The Collectors Showcase announced plans to beef up their Romans: Claudian Invasion of Britain series with an all-new barbarian figure set. Their latest introduction depicts a victorious barbarian leader clasping the head of a decapitated Roman soldier while standing near his prostrate body (#CS00748). Somewhat grotesque, the new set nevertheless conveys the ferocity of man-to-man fighting in the Age of Antiquity, and provides a colorful focal point to any toy soldier diorama. Look for the new set around the end of August.

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Unimax Sails the Seven Seas this Fall

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Building upon the success of their 1:700 scale warship series, Unimax announced the commissioning of their first modern era warship: USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The US Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Enterprise was embroiled in a number of post-WWII trouble spots, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, and the Gulf Conflicts (UNI86012). This particular version of CVN-65 will come with a complement of F-14 Fleet Defense Fighters and F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighters.

 

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Also shown for the first time was a 1:48 scale representation of the US Marine Corps’ AH-1W Super Cobra, perhaps the single-most important weapon in the USMC’s arsenal since the close of WWII (#UNI84007). Expect both the Enterprise and Super Cobra later this fall, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

 

 

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Dragon Cuts to the Quick

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It’s refreshing to see Dragon continuing to reinvent the wheel by coming out with more installments in their Project Cutaway series. Their latest 1:144 scale offering examines the very first Boeing 747-100 to roll out of their Everett, Washington, assembly plant back in the late 1960s, and offers all of the detail and polish everyone has come to expect from their exceptional 3-D “peer inside” series (#DRP 47012). Their marketing promo hypes an August release, which can’t come soon enough for this fan of aviation history.

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