Shout Outs – Page 56 – The Motor Pool

Rossi Rides Galore!

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.

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

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

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

Just 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).

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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Disney’s Star Wars

Frankly, it still doesn’t roll off the tongue as smoothly as a George Lucas tie-in but the fact remains that with the recent purchase of Lucasfilm by Disney, plot lines are already being weaved together to form the basis of the upcoming sequel trilogy planned for 2015. While we do not know as yet what direction the story will take, we are happy to report that we will be carrying Star Wars collectible merchandise as part of our burgeoning product portfolio as soon as it is announced.

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Disney's Star Wars

Frankly, it still doesn’t roll off the tongue as smoothly as a George Lucas tie-in but the fact remains that with the recent purchase of Lucasfilm by Disney, plot lines are already being weaved together to form the basis of the upcoming sequel trilogy planned for 2015. While we do not know as yet what direction the story will take, we are happy to report that we will be carrying Star Wars collectible merchandise as part of our burgeoning product portfolio as soon as it is announced.

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50th Anniversary of JFK’s Passing Planned

Minichamps 1:43 scale 1963 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Lincoln X-100 Presidential Parade Limousine - JFK's Trip to Dallas, November 1963 — Minichamps 1:43 scale 1963 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Lincoln X-100 Presidential Parade Limousine – JFK’s Trip to Dallas, November 1963

The city of Dallas plans to memorialize the 50th Anniversary of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s death by holding ceremonies and other events aimed at commemorating the “life, legacy and leadership of President Kennedy.” You can find more information on the subject here:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2012/11/23/john-f-kennedy-50th-anniversary-assassination-dallas/1722337/

To celebrate his legacy, The Motor Pool has several JFK’s automotive memorabilia in stock, including Yat Ming’s 1:24 scale replica of his 1963 Lincoln X-100 presidential limousine. We will also be restocking the Minichamps 1:43 scale replica – complete with figures – sometime in 2013, just as soon as the manufacturer offers them up again for shipment. Pre-orders for the Minichamps replica has been brisk, and we may not be able to offer them for general sale once they do arrive so if you’re interested in this piece of presidential history, now would be a good time to investigate it further.

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50th Anniversary of JFK's Passing Planned

The city of Dallas plans to memorialize the 50th Anniversary of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s death by holding ceremonies and other events aimed at commemorating the “life, legacy and leadership of President Kennedy.” You can find more information on the subject here:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2012/11/23/john-f-kennedy-50th-anniversary-assassination-dallas/1722337/

To celebrate his legacy, The Motor Pool has several JFK’s automotive memorabilia in stock, including Yat Ming’s 1:24 scale replica of his 1963 Lincoln X-100 presidential limousine. We will also be restocking the Minichamps 1:43 scale replica – complete with figures – sometime in 2013, just as soon as the manufacturer offers them up again for shipment. Pre-orders for the Minichamps replica has been brisk, and we may not be able to offer them for general sale once they do arrive so if you’re interested in this piece of presidential history, now would be a good time to investigate it further.

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Minichamps: Better Late Than Never!

Minichamps' 1:12 scale 2001 Honda VTR 1000 World Super Bike - Valentino Rossi, Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race — Minichamps’ 1:12 scale 2001 Honda VTR 1000 World Super Bike – Valentino Rossi, Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race

Originally slated to arrive in November, Minichamps’ 2001 Honda VTR 1000 World Super Bike driven by Valentino Rossi at the Suzuka 8 Hour Endurance Race is now in stock. This is another one of those heavily requested Rossi rides that are almost guaranteed to sell out fast then zoom climb in value once supplies run out. We have a few still available for pre-order so consider this your last chance to own one of these incredible collectibles.

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Unimax Readies its December Shipment

Forces of Valor's 1:32 scale German Zundapp KS 750 Motorcycle with Sidecar - 14.Panzer Division, Eastern Front, 1943 — Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Zundapp KS 750 Motorcycle with Sidecar – 14.Panzer Division, Eastern Front, 1943

It’s been a long time coming, but Forces of Valor is finally re-releasing its Zundapp motorcycle with sidecar in early December. Other vehicles are also set to storm the tinsel-strewn beaches shortly, making many a collector giddier than a schoolgirl this holiday season.

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