Minichamps Explains, “What’s Old is New Again”

People often ask us why we keep an item up on our web site long after it has sold out. Our standard answer is that we keep it posted online should the customer want to try and obtain it from an another source and not possess any background information to go by. Secretly, however, we’re hoping that the manufacturer reconsiders its position and re-releases the item before the vehicle fades into memory.

In the case of Minichamps, it looks as though that wishful thinking may have paid off, if our eyes aren’t deceiving us and April Fool’s hasn’t slipped into the schedule two months ahead of time. According to their 2019 product list, four 1:35 scale tanks are back on their schedule although no firm dates of release were shown. Interestingly, three of the four vehicles are re-releases of past favorites – a Tiger I heavy tank in factory fresh dark yellow (MIN35011000), a Panther V medium tank donning a dark green camouflage pattern (MIN350190001), and a Jagdpanther tank destroyer in a splotched green and tan summer pattern (MIN35019020). The fourth vehicle breaks from the pack: its a modern era Leopard 2A4 main battle tank (MIN35011007) that never saw the light of day since it was cancelled outright before production started.

It appears as if each vehicle will be retailing for around $179.99, a healthy bump up from its former asking price of $99.99, but well within the realm of reason given the number of years that have elapsed since one came out and the diecast content throughout. We’re hoping to get firm information on all four vehicles over the next few days now that the Nuremberg Toy Fair has ended and sketchy info turns into hard-and-fast details.

As an aside, 2019 is shaping up to be a truly wondrous year for diecast military enthusiasts with several long dormant lines (Forces of Valor, Corgi and now Minichamps) being resurrected from the dust bin, all no doubt with the help of some diehard fans who simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.