Shout Outs

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.

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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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Rossi Rides Galore!

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Some times, it’s feast or famine, particularly when it comes to waiting for Minichamps to work their magic. This November, perhaps paying homage to Thanksgiving, it was feast, as no less than four different Valentino Rossi-related bikes showed up in time for the holiday season. Earlier this month, we received his 2010 Yamaha from the Laguna Seca circuit, which was soon followed up by a pair of Honda super bikes that saw action in the 8-hour Suzuka Endurance race. Lastly, there’s the 2011 Ducati Desmosedici mount, which blew out in rapid fashion and is currently on back order awaiting the arrival of more bikes some time in December.

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We’ve also received a healthy dose of classic bikes, including a restock of the 1939 Triumph Speed Twin and 1972 MV Agusta 750S, plus a cache of BSA Rocket 3s in red. A blue version is expected in December. More bikes seem to be on the horizon, turning this fourth quarter into a bounty of motorcycle goodness.

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Digging Up History

Spitfire

With fewer and fewer vintage WWII aircraft remaining in flying condition, it comes as a bit of a surprise that there could be as many as 60 Supermarine Spitfires added to the fray by the Spring of 2013. According to the BBC, an expedition, funded by Wargaming.net, is setting off to Burma in the New Year to locate the whereabouts of as many as five dozen Spitfires that may be buried in the mud during the latter stages of the Second World War. According to David Cundall, lead expeditionary on the project, the Mark XIV Spitfires were buried by Lord Mountbatten while still in their original shipping crates at the end of the war as hostilities were winding down. More information on the story can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20515659

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The Future of Naval Aviation

X47B

We’ve all seen the videos of carrier operations, with their harrowing night landings, steam-powered catapult launches and “Tom Cruise”-conjuring fighter pilot briefings and debriefings. That could all be a thing of the past as the US Navy begins testing a “ginormous” UAV dubbed the X-47B currently embarked upon the USS Truman. Boasting a 62-foot wingspan, stealthy characteristics, and an unknown ordnance loadout, the X-47B will likely be paired up with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in the years ahead as our primary seaborne deterrence to aggression overseas. You can find more information on the X-47B here:

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Forces of Valor Beats the War Drum

UNI80064HJust in time for the holidays, the December shipment of Forces of Valor products is now en route to us and should be in stock by December 7th. Among the notable new releases is their first-ever M4 Sherman Firefly tank (80064) and the long sought after Zundapp motorcycle with sidecar (82008).

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We’ll be turning around this shipment to our customers as soon as it comes in meaning you can still park any of their latest replicas under the Christmas tree this holiday season.

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