Nürnberg Toy Fair Report 2010
For the first time Sam Publications was present at Nürnberg, though in Hall 11.1, very far from the plastic model kit action. This meant that both Tom Foxon and Gary Hatcher had to walk a very long way to see all the manufacturers in Hall 7 and 7A, which were located at the opposite side of the Toy Fair site! I hope they thought of wearing comfortable shoes...
The meeting we had, Steffen and myself, at the Sam booth (cabin?) was very interesting and we spend almost half an hour (or was it more?) talking about aircraft models and of course the difficulty to get the springs of a Tristar Panzer to look correct. Anyway, it was nice to see the SAM people in flesh and they were kind enough to give us as much book ballast as we wanted. Admittedly, it was not really a charity action since it helped them to make some room for the model kit samples they had the intention to stash inside their luggage during their return flight to the island.
The meeting we had, Steffen and myself, at the Sam booth (cabin?) was very interesting and we spend almost half an hour (or was it more?) talking about aircraft models and of course the difficulty to get the springs of a Tristar Panzer to look correct. Anyway, it was nice to see the SAM people in flesh and they were kind enough to give us as much book ballast as we wanted. Admittedly, it was not really a charity action since it helped them to make some room for the model kit samples they had the intention to stash inside their luggage during their return flight to the island.
Once again the Squadron booth was very busy with aircraft related items. A finished model of Czech Model's 1:48 scale Cessna Bobcat was on display in the "Songbird" sheme and some True Details resin aftermarket sets destined to the kit were present as well, such as a civilian cabin interior and movable surfaces. I was told that a military version of the interior will be released as well.
In 1:32 scale, many items related to the F-80C Shooting Star could be seen in a nice diorama composed of a resin PSP base (Custom Dioramics), USAF figures (Warriors) and a Ground Power Unit (True Details). If this is still not enough, you can even add a nice resin Gun Bay from true Details!
Other interesting stuff will be released under the Encore label (see accompanying photos) and a brand new 1:32 scale resin Mercedes D.III engine was on display. I was told that a 1:48 and a 1:32 scale kit will be released this year. One model will be WWII while the other one will be Vietnam era. But exactely what goes with what I don't know yet...
In 1:32 scale, many items related to the F-80C Shooting Star could be seen in a nice diorama composed of a resin PSP base (Custom Dioramics), USAF figures (Warriors) and a Ground Power Unit (True Details). If this is still not enough, you can even add a nice resin Gun Bay from true Details!
Other interesting stuff will be released under the Encore label (see accompanying photos) and a brand new 1:32 scale resin Mercedes D.III engine was on display. I was told that a 1:48 and a 1:32 scale kit will be released this year. One model will be WWII while the other one will be Vietnam era. But exactely what goes with what I don't know yet...
After the Spitfire madness of last year, it was obvious that Tamiya wouldn't come with a similar new aircraft item to Nürnberg. The 1:32 scale model was the big star of the booth and this was something to expect. The new Navy figure set was on display and though the people at ICM didn't wanted to acknowledge the information, I'm sure they have produced the figures. Anyway, another Tamiya aircraft news is the reissue of their still excellent 1:48 scale P-51D with some colorful decorations. I've heard that a new 1:48 scale kit will be released this year. I guess we just have to wait...
Thanks to M. Michaux from T2M (French Tamiya Importer), I had the opportunity to talk to Marc Pradignac which was involved in the design of the now famous 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk.IX kit. M. Pradignac lives in Japan but is in fact French, so speaking the same language helped a lot during our one hour conversation. Since I was fortunate to be one of the first to build "his" model, it was very nice to discuss the kit from each one's perspective. By the way, did you know that the Tamiya designers are still using band measurment on real aircraft to do their models. Maybe that's their secret!
Thanks to M. Michaux from T2M (French Tamiya Importer), I had the opportunity to talk to Marc Pradignac which was involved in the design of the now famous 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk.IX kit. M. Pradignac lives in Japan but is in fact French, so speaking the same language helped a lot during our one hour conversation. Since I was fortunate to be one of the first to build "his" model, it was very nice to discuss the kit from each one's perspective. By the way, did you know that the Tamiya designers are still using band measurment on real aircraft to do their models. Maybe that's their secret!
Unless most of the 2010 scheduled releases, the two 1:32 scale kits of the Messerchmitt Bf109 were present at the Trumpeter booth. The E-4 and F-4 were both completed in their tropicalized variants. While the models looked good at first sight, closer inspection showed some shape and detail issues, but I'm sure they will sell nevertheless. Probably not in China, since the market there represents about only 20% of the sales according to the Trumpeter people and, like they said, the Chinese people usually don't have the money to afford such kits and the hobby tools needed to build them anyway.
Here are some excerpts from the catalogue, but don't expect to see everything this year: P-51B/C (1:24), Fw190 A-6/8 (1:24), Ju-87D-3 Stuka (1:24), P-40 E, M and N (1:32), TBD-1 Devastator (1:32), A-6E Intruder (1:32), A-1D Skyraider (1:32), A-4E Skyhawk (1:32), Su-25 (1:32), Harrier (1:32), F/A-18F (1:32), MiG-23ML (1:32), Hu-16A Albatross (1:48), J-8d Finback (1:48), Fw200 Condor (1:72), J-10S Fighter (1:72), Su-27 (1:72), Be-6 Madge (1:72), MiG-19 (1:72), F-100D Super Sabre (1:72), etc...
About Jean-Luc Formery (TedMamere)
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE
Here are some excerpts from the catalogue, but don't expect to see everything this year: P-51B/C (1:24), Fw190 A-6/8 (1:24), Ju-87D-3 Stuka (1:24), P-40 E, M and N (1:32), TBD-1 Devastator (1:32), A-6E Intruder (1:32), A-1D Skyraider (1:32), A-4E Skyhawk (1:32), Su-25 (1:32), Harrier (1:32), F/A-18F (1:32), MiG-23ML (1:32), Hu-16A Albatross (1:48), J-8d Finback (1:48), Fw200 Condor (1:72), J-10S Fighter (1:72), Su-27 (1:72), Be-6 Madge (1:72), MiG-19 (1:72), F-100D Super Sabre (1:72), etc...
There was not much to report from Valom but what was there was very interesting! It seems as if the wait is over for the 1:48 scale Antonov An-2 colt of which test shots could be seen. The kit will be released in six different boxings!
If you like British oddities, you will be pleased to know that Valom plans to do 1:72 scale kits of the Bristol Bombay, Handley page Harrow and Saunders Roe A.19 amongst other stuff...
If you like British oddities, you will be pleased to know that Valom plans to do 1:72 scale kits of the Bristol Bombay, Handley page Harrow and Saunders Roe A.19 amongst other stuff...
All was quite on the Zvezda aircraft front. The much anticipated Bf109 F was on display but I'm not sure if it was actually the new kit. It looked as if it was an assembled ICM model in fact! Remember, a Vector kit was on display at the ICM booth... this is also Nürnberg Toy Fair!
About the Author
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE
I'm mainly interested in WW2 aircraft and I build them in 1/48 scale.
Copyright ©2021 by Jean-Luc Formery. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. The views and opinions expressed herein are solely the views and opinions of the authors and/or contributors to this Web site and do not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of AeroScale, KitMaker Network, or Silver Star Enterrpises. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved. Originally published on: 2010-02-20 00:00:00. Unique Reads: 16464
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