Nürnberg Toy Fair 2013

REVELL

The 1/32 He 219 being almost old news, the new Revell highlights in the same scale at this year's Toy Fair was their new tool Bf 109 G-6 and Eurocopter EC135 of which test shot models were on display. The next in the line won't be a German aircraft by the way but a Spitfire Mk.II. In the smaller scales there will be some new tools produced as well. In 1/144 an Airbus A350-900, in 1/72 a Saab JAS 39C Gripen and a MD 520 Notar and in 1/48 a Tornado IDS. The rest of the program will be, as usual, reissues (Red Bull series) or co-operations with other manufacturers (Seafire Mk.XV from MPM).

RSMODEL

Exclusively producing 1/72 scale kits, RSModels from the Czech Republic continues to expand its huge range of aircraft models from the 30' and 40' period. Only one 100% new tool has been announced this year, a P-51H Mustang, but a lot of variants of older kits are planned (P-38, P-39 and He 112 for example).

SQUADRON

Though not 100% new, because based on the 1/32 scale Roden kit, the Encore Models' "Blue Max Pfalz D.III" will please the WWI enthusiasts. This release continues the series of kits which are based on the famous vintage movie "The Blue Max". Also from Encore Models comes an EconoKit line which provides to the modellers on a budget. 1/72 scale kits for less than $10! These kits are bagged and are older molds with new decals and instructions. In 1/48 and 1/32 scale True Details will release some nice WWII parachute castings in resin to be displayed in a diorama setting. The first references will be US but other will follow if these sell successfully.

TAMIYA

The Tamiya booth was again short on news for aircraft model kits builders. The second 1/32 scale P-51D/K boxings is spectacular indeed but already on the market since a few months. The Shturmoviks in 1/48 and 1/72 scale can't be considered brand new neither and the V-22 in quarter scale on display was a rebox of the Italeri kit. Let's hope that Mister Tamiya has something up in his sleeve for the Shizuoka Hobby Show in May (I'm sure he has).

TORO MODELS

The best aircraft diorama display of the Toy Fair was at the Toro Models booth. It perfectly showed how some vehicles, figures and accessories can bring a simple scene to life. Toro Models do produce some very fine references in 1/48 scale and this is rare enough to be highlighted. After their sold out PZL P.7 resin kit they will produce a quarter scale PZL P.11b in Romanian markings and no, this variant hasn't already been covered by Mirage Hobby.

TRUMPETER

With Trumpeter it is always difficult to know what exactly to expect so I compared the 2012 catalogue with the 2013 one and here is the result: in 1/24 scale nothing has changed so don't expect something soon. In 1/32 at last the A-6A Intruder and Skyraider photos have been replaced with box art paintings and the drawings for the Bf 109 F-4 and G-6 (Late) have also been replaced so these may be the next in the line. In 1/48 scale the MiG-21 and MiG-23 series of kits will expand and new in the catalogue are J-7B Fighters, Supermarine Attackers, a A-3D-2, a Vampire F.MK.5 and a Nanchang CJ-6. About to hit the shelves in quarter scale is the much anticipated HU-16A Albatross which will surely make into an impressive model. In 1/72 scale the box art for the new Fw 200 C-3 Condor is ready as well as the one of the Su-27 Flanker B, draw your own conclusions.

ZOUKEI-MOURA

It seems as if the time has stopped at Zoukei-Moura. Their 1/32 He 219 is still not ready and the Raiden isn't in its final stage either. This company sure knows how to create desire among its clients. Good news for 1/48 builders is that their Shinden and Ta 152 kits will be downscaled… sometime in the future.

ZVEZDA

New from Zvezda in 1/144 scale will be an Airbus A-320, an Ilyushin IL-62M, an Ilyushin IL-76MD and an Ekranoplan A-90. In 1/72 scale a nice Fw 190 A-4 "Snap Fit" was on display and the line will continue with a La-7 and a Ju-87B later this year. Modern aircraft builders will be pleased to hear that in the same scale, there are new tooled SU-27SM and MiG-29S on the way. In 1/48 scale, after the release of the Bf 109 F-4 and Yak-3 kits, it is about time to see the Su-2 which has been already announced last year. Of note is that Zvezda has obtained the rights to produce licensed products for Disney's "Cars" and "Planes" characters. The result are small plastic kits which won't require any glue. The "Planes" models will include "Dusty Crophopper", "Skipper Riley", Ripslinger", El Chupacabra", "Bravo" and "Rochelle". Does this ring any bells for you?