Shout Outs

2013: What's Ahead for The Motor Pool

amazon-logo

Admittedly, we would have loved to have launched our Amazon.com affiliate store in time for the holidays but there were certain mitigating factors that prevented us from doing so. That said, we’re proud to announce that our third satellite store, which will appear on Amazon.com, should be ready to go live in the first quarter of 2013. With its launch, we will also be implementing a stock balancing software solution that is designed to maintain our in-stock position across all retail channels. We’ll make an announcement when everything is set to go live in a few weeks time.

We also plan to expand in several new directions, which are aimed at attracting and keeping an even wider audience all the while keeping a careful eye on our core product portfolio. Again, look for signs of these new initiatives towards the beginning of 2013.

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2013: What’s Ahead for The Motor Pool

amazon-logo

Admittedly, we would have loved to have launched our Amazon.com affiliate store in time for the holidays but there were certain mitigating factors that prevented us from doing so. That said, we’re proud to announce that our third satellite store, which will appear on Amazon.com, should be ready to go live in the first quarter of 2013. With its launch, we will also be implementing a stock balancing software solution that is designed to maintain our in-stock position across all retail channels. We’ll make an announcement when everything is set to go live in a few weeks time.

We also plan to expand in several new directions, which are aimed at attracting and keeping an even wider audience all the while keeping a careful eye on our core product portfolio. Again, look for signs of these new initiatives towards the beginning of 2013.

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2013: The Year Ahead

Badger

With diecast manufacturers stymied by global economic events, its becoming increasingly clear that successful manufacturers are going to have to think ‘outside-of-the-box’ if they want to remain a step ahead of the competition. Producing the same old, same old at ever higher prices in liveries few diehard collectors care about doesn’t provide a road map to success going forward, and, if anything, cripples ingenuity and imagination while adding barriers to the entry of new blood into the hobby. Success is going to require the usual suspects to take chances here on out, by replicating weapons systems that haven’t been addressed and doing so in a timely manner.

So what aircraft types are we referring to? How about a Bear, Badger or Bison Soviet Cold War-era bomber for starters, or any of the myriad of Japanese twin-engined bombers that took to the skies during WWII. Likewise, there’s loads of Russian, British, and French bombers that have been languishing in diecast heaven for far too long, all just waiting to be replicated for the diecast collector.

On the ground, we could point to at least twelve different tanks that wargamers would love to wrap their mitts around, such as an Italian Semovente, British Conqueror, Israeli Shot Meteor and Merkava. Artillery pieces have largely been ignored by most manufacturers, leaving the door wide open for a savvy, well financed model maker to set the world afire. C’mon guys, its time to put the “pedal-to-the-metal’ and get moving once again before the average collector moseys on to greener pastures.

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Dragon Continues to Show More Armor…But Where Are They?

DRA60634Sometimes, we’re left scratching our heads. Case in point, Dragon. The Company continues to debut more and more new pre-assembled replicas on their web sites, such as this 88mm FLaK gun, but with every new product announcement the actual product pipeline seems to be growing drier and drier. Its been almost a year since their Sherman ‘Easy Eight’ medium tank (DRA60555) was shown, yet we still have no firm release date for this item. Likewise, there’s several Panzer IIIs, Ka-Mi amphibious tanks, 88mm FLaK  guns, and other hotly anticipated new items that seem to have never made it off the drawing board leaving collectors and dealers in a lurch.

Frankly, we’re not certain as to why any diecast manufacturer would continue to announce new items when so many are still on the back burner. This observation isn’t designed to point the finger at any one particular manufacturer that routinely seems to adopt this strategy, since several companies are guilty of this disturbing trend. In the end, however, it sours the consumer leaving them wondering why a manufacturer would, in effect, turn a blind eye to their collector base when more and more competitors appear to be nipping at their heels.

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Toy Fair 2013

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While the American International Toy Fair may have lost some of its luster over the last few years, there are several noteworthy manufacturers that showcase some of their latest introductions at the upcoming Nuremberg Toy Fair. This year, the Nuremberg show opens earlier than usual, scheduled to throw open its doors on January 30th, 2013. Moreover, some companies don’t wait until the doors are officially opened, instead preferring to disseminate product information several days prior to gain a leg up on the competition. So, even though many of you are still in a holiday frame of mind, keep in mind that a new year brings with it many new things that couldn’t be squeezed on to Santa’s sled.

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Shipping Deadlines

Shipping Logos

As we approach the holidays, it is important to keep in mind the shipping cutoffs we follow, particularly for international deliveries and domestic shipments going to the western half of the US. Please consult our online calendar to determine the cutoff dates we impose based upon the type of shipping service desired. Remember too, that at this time of year the volume of mail rises, storms increase in location and ferocity, and other mitigating factors that could affect or delay the arrival of your package.

Our Calendar of Events can be found here:

http://www.themotorpool.net/Show-Dates-Sales-Mailings-s/1413.htm

Simply put, the longer you wait to purchase your item(s), the greater the chances your shipment could be delayed. Fair warning for the tardy shopper…

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The Collectors Showcase Nestles its Gifts Beneath the Christmas Tree

CS00648Just in time for the holidays comes the latest Collectors Showcase ensemble fit for a manger. Besides their Winter SS collection available in various poses and groupings, comes two new iterations of their Tiger I heavy tank. Seen here is panzer ace Michael Wittmann’s mount used on the Russian Front during the winter of 1943-’44.

CS00591Also in stock is a Tiger I tank painted in desert livery, depicting a vehicle that saw action in Tunisia during late 1942-early 1943. If you’re a Roman Empire aficionado, then you’ll be happy to learn about their latest Claudian Invasion sets, which includes a Celtic chariot complete with horses and warriors.

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Aviation 72 Revs Up for the New Year

AV7241001First announced two years ago, Aviation 72 has finally posted pix for their upcoming Saab Draken jet fighter and Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopter. Intricately detailed yet affordable in price, both are on tap for an early 2013 release, with no doubt more liveries to be added to they mix in the coming months.

AV7224001

Not bad considering the lengthy wait…

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DeAgostini Finally Taking Wing

DS022We’re thrilled to report that our first gaggle of DeAgostini 1:144 scale military aircraft have taken off and are headed our way. This is in conjunction with a delivery of assorted 1:72 scale military vehicles rolling in from a different supplier. Both shipments should be in stock next week, and can still be counted on to make it onto Santa’s sled this holiday season.

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USS Enterprise to Be Decommissioned

EnterpriseRepresenting the first nuclear-power aircraft carrier to be taken out-of-service, the US Navy’s Enterprise will be decommissioned later today in Norfolk, VA. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard will assist in the operation to remove the ship’s nuclear reactors, after having helped the Navy decommission 114 submarines and cruisers over the past 50 or so years. In attendance will be actor William Shatner, who portrayed the Captain of the Starship Enterprise in the TV-series Star Trek, as well as several feature films.

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