With the Nuremberg Toy Fair serving as a backdrop, Dragon today announced plans to model the German Sd. Kfz. 260 kleiner panzerfunkwagen as part of its 2013 range (DRA60605). Modeled with all the attendant detail and realism collectors have come to expect from the Dragon Armor range, this new vehicle will likely be released in the spring with no doubt other liveries right behind it.
To kick off the festivities at this year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair, Minichamps announced a spate of repaints for its award-winning line up of 1:12 scale motor bikes. Several reintroductions were also debuted, including Ray Petty’s 1960 Norton Manx and their highly coveted 1932 Brough Superior, both of which were sold out for quite some time. The complete list of new introductions has been posted in the February 2013 New Additions section, and it looks like several aren’t too far off from being ready to hit the open road.
Looking to pierce the heavens and tear a page out of our space faring play book, Dragon today announced a 1:400 scale replica of the Space Shuttle “Discovery” which comes complete with its Crawler Transporter (DRW56391). According to Dragon’s own marketing literature:
the entire assembly of the Shuttle Discovery (with attached External Tank and two Solid Rocket Boosters) plus the MLP and Tractor-Crawler are produced in minute detail. Fine details such as the track links on the four tractors are all perfectly replicated. Even areas that are hidden (e.g. the inside surface of the MLP) are all fully furnished and painted. Discovery had the honor of conducting more flights than any other Shuttle – 39 missions spread over 27 years – and this astonishing Space Collection model from Dragon Wings is the perfect way to commemorate its accomplishments.
Currently, this all-new set is scheduled for a March lift off, and carries into orbit a very affordable price of just $89.99. Godspeed Discovery!
In a surprise announcement, Falcon Models plans to offer a 1:72 scale replica of the Grumman F-11 Tiger (#FA728001). Seeing service for only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader and its J65 engine proved unreliable, this carrier-borne aircraft was nevertheless an important fleet defense fighter, since it was the US Navy’s first supersonic fighter jet. Likely follow-on candidates for replication will be a US Navy Blue Angels aerobatic aircraft, as well as a F-11F-1 Super Tiger, which were fitted with a more robust pair of engines.
Recognizing that a legendary ace helps to spur sales, Unimax has decided to leverage two venerable names from the pages of military history for their early 2013 range. Armor enthusiasts should have no trouble with the name Otto Carius, the diminutive panzer ace who commanded both a TIger I heavy tank and later a Jagdtiger heavy tank destroyer. Their latest 1:32 scale Jagdtiger (#UNI80078) bears his turret identification number ‘201’, which was attached to schwere panzerjager abteilung 512 in the waning stages of WWII.
Also expected is Unimax’ first ever 1:72 scale rendition of a McDonnell F-4J Phantom II fighter-bomber, which bears the ignominious number “100” on its fuselage, signalling its place in history as “Showtime 100” (UNI85021). Piloted by Randy “Duke” Cunningham, this F-4 was famously connected with the supposed North Vietnamese ace, Colonel Toon, during the latter stages of the Vietnam Conflict. Look for both new entrants later this spring.
As part of their early 2013 lineup, Unimax, the makers of the Forces of Valor military vehicle, aircraft and warship range, have announced plans to offer a 1:700 scale reproduction of the HMS Ark Royal (91) (UNI86007). Bundled with all sorts of early WWII-era aircraft such as the Fairey Swordfish, their latest addition to their fleet of diecast warships will probably set sail some time in April. The pre-order window is now open and we hope to have some additional product announcements up shortly.
One of our European distributors informs us that they will soon be offering modified 1:43 scale Signature Models that come complete with historical figures. Based upon a 1938 Grand Merecedes 770K Cabriolet ceremonial parade limousine, (#MMSIG43700) portrays a vehicle with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and six of his party officials as they drove through the streets of Vienna, Austria, after the Anschluss in 1938.
The second vehicle (MMSIG43701) depicts a 1938 Grand Merecedes 770K sedan as it arrives at the Hotel Nido dell Aquila del Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. As is typically the case with these bundled sets, they sell out very fast and are oftentimes made in very limited numbers that are difficult to find years hence.
Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.
Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.
Word continues to leak out from The Collectors Showcase concerning their February arsenal, and we couldn’t be more pleased. According to this prolific producer, they plan to offer a 1:30 scale rendition of panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I heavy tank as seen on the eastern front during the Operation Zitadelle summer offensive of 1943. Bearing turret identification “1331” and wearing the insignia of the 1.SS Leibstandarte, this latest Wittmann tribute will only number some 200 strong, making it another key offering in their armour collection.
Also shown is a new Sd.Kfz. 251/1 Ausf. C half-track, painted in a dramatic Norman camouflage pattern and produced in very limited numbers. We hope to have both items available for pre-order shortly and expect them to surge forward some time in February.
Quiet for several weeks, The Collectors Showcase has begun to shed light on the first batch of new products expected in 2013. Likely due out in February, their first set of figures is based around the US 2nd Infantry Division after it moved inland from Omaha Beach in Normandy. Several figure sets will be offered along with a 1:30 scale reproduction of a 57mm anti-tank gun. Look for further product details in the days ahead.
