Nürnberg Toy Fair 2013

ACADEMY

No 100% new aircraft kits have been announced by the manufacturer from Korea this year at the Toy Fair but at least a 1/48 scale "Vietnamese War" F-4C will be released in 2013 with new tooled wings. Instead Academy will continue to do re-boxings of older models with new decals from Cartograf (SR-71A in 1/72 for example). In 1/48 scale, after the Il-2, we will see another ex-Accurate Miniatures mold revisited. This time its the B-25G cannon nose version and this is a very good thing as the original boxing is almost impossible to find nowadays. Let's hope that Academy will include all the optional parts which made this special kit so interesting. I don't know if the efforts put into the Robocar Poli licensed products are the reason why the release of 100% new model kits slowed down in the last couple of years but this may be an explanation.

AIRFIX

Once again we can expect a lot from Airfix this year. Most interesting are the "QuickBuild" "Lego" style kits. These are destined to the younger builders of course but I'm sure that fathers will play with them as well (I know I will). For the moment six models are planned (Spitfire, 109, Typhoon, Hawk, Apache and Raptor). These require no glue and come with a display stand and stickers. More "serious" are the following new tool kit announcements. Are you ready? In 1/72 scale Gladiators, a Hurricane Mk. I "Early", a Typhoon, a Fw 190A-8, a Vampire T.11, a Lightning, and Harrier GRs. But the highlights in this scale will be the new 70th anniversary Lancaster Dambusters kit (a BII is also planned) which can be accompanied with complete "Bomber re-supply set"! In 1/48 scale we will see another Spitfire (this time the PRXIX variant) as well as a Gloster Javelin and of course the AgustaWestland Merlin HC3 which will complement the "Operation Herrick" series of quarter scale kits. A quite impressive program isn't it?

ARK MODELS

The 1/48 scale Polikarpov I-16 kit which was already announced last year was on display and it was possible to take a look a closer look at the sprues this time. Without being as finely detailed as the Eduard kit, the molding made a good impression overall. With another I-16 coming from ICM, the Rata will be very well covered in this scale. I suppose that Ark Models will concentrate on the Russian home market and availability of the kit will be more problematic elsewhere.

ATTACK SQUADRON

M. Wojtek Bulhak of Adalbertus/Attack Squadron wasn't present in Nürnberg this time so there was not really much to see on the Astromodel booth. However, new resin kits in 1/72 (K-Max helicopter) and in 1/48 (RQ-7B Shadow) are announced for 2013.

AZMODEL/ADMIRAL

AZModel from the Czech Republic continues to expand its range of short run kits. 2013 will see some more Spitfires in 1/72 coming out (Mk.Vb, Mk. XVI, Mk. IX UTI, etc…) but also a series of Judys in the same scale. Luftwaffe 1946 enthusiasts will be pleased to see that the brand also show some interest in this field (Gotha P-60). In 1/48, two Fireflys are planned for this year and could be the Grand Phoenix kits disguised but certainly not a cooperation with MPM and the He 70 will receive a radial engine (K and 170A variants). For a complete overview of all the new tool kits announced for the near (or not so near) future, please take a look at the aforementioned IPMS Germany News List.

BRENGUN

After its first injected airplane model kit in 1/72 scale, (the Bachem Natter which comes in a new japanese "What If" boxing this year) the Czech brand has presented its second, a Typhoon Mk.Ib. Both the "Car Door" and "Bubble Top" variants will be covered. If you like rockets, after the already released German Wasserfall C2, Brengun will expand this range with a U.S. Hermes A1 in 1/72 scale.