Nürnberg Toy Fair 2014

ACADEMY

Academy was one of the manufacturer to present a new F-35 kit at the Nürnberg Toy Fair. They have opted for a 1/72 scale "MCP" offering. "MCP" means that the kit will have Multi Colored Parts and a such won't require any painting. Well that's the theory… at least it's a new tool.
The rest of the new items are re-releases. Academy's 1/48 scale Phantom will come out in a F-4C "Vietnam War" variant and those who have missed the 1/48 scale B-25B "Doolittle Raid" from Accurate Miniature will be pleased to know that it will be available soon from the manufacturer based in Korea. For the D-Day celebrations Academy will release a 1/48 scale P-51B Mustang (ex Accurate Miniatures) with invasion stripes and two 1/72 scale anniversary boxes. One will feature a Spitfire and a Typhoon and the second a P-47 and a Fw190.

AIRFIX

There was again plenty to see for aircraft model enthusiasts at the Airfix booth. Of course, the 1/24 scale Typhoon was present, but in a less spectacular display compared to Telford. The big news mostly came in 1/72 scale with plenty of new tool kits announced: de Havilland Tiger Moth, Hawker Hurricane, Bristol Blenheim, Dornier Do 17Z, Douglas DC-3/C-47, Supermarine Swift, Lightning F.6. In 1/48 scale, Airfix are preparing a Spitfire Mk.Vb and Folland Gnat.

ARK MODELS

A new tool I-185 in 1/48 scale was on display at the Ark Models booth this year. Most will probably say "an I-what?". Indeed, this prototype aircraft designed by Polikarpov is probably unknown to the majority of aircraft modelers and I must confess that I didn't knew much about this design before this release by the Russian manufacturer. The kit is very basic and the surface detail rather heavy but it is a injected model and with some work can be transformed into a masterpiece. For sure the result will make some people scratch their head during model shows: "What's this? An I-what? Wow, never heard of this!".

DRAGON/CYBER-HOBBY

The more the years pass by, the lesser aircraft models are on display at the Dragon/Cyber-Hobby booth. Admittedly, the manufacturer is more focused on 1/35 scale armor related items but it used to be a very prolific and dynamic aircraft model producer in the past. There are some new items announced but some are present in the catalogues since a few years now and so far didn't made it on the shelves (1/48 scale P-51D Mustang and Bf 109E for example). In 1/32 scale they have planned a Me 163B Komet but Meng have been faster. A Do 335A-0 is announced too but Zoukei-Moura is on the case as well. In 1/72 they have an AH-64 Apache and a Buccaneer S.2 on the drawing board.

EDUARD

The very dynamic Czech manufacturer had once again a nice program to show at the Nürnberg Toy Fair. This year the expectations were not as important as last year when their 1/48 scale Spitfire Mk.IX was about to hit the shelves, but the program is very consistent once again. The manufacturer will expand its range of 1/72 scale kits with a Fw190 kit in the future as well as a MiG-21 but the latter probably in two years. In 1/144, a Ju 87 is planned in both B and G variants. 1/32 scale won't see any new items for a while from what we have been told. In 1/48 scale, the main subject in 2014 will be a new tool Bf 109G of which some parts were already on display. The first kit will be a G-6 in ProfiPack boxing (May release) and a F variant is already planned. A Royal Class boxing will appear in July and will feature the G-2/G-4 and G-6 variants with some additional bonus items (piece of an original wartime wreckage). For WWI aircraft lovers, Eduard will release a new tool Siemens Schuckert SSW D.III in 1/48 scale.
Of course, new Brassin and Photo-Etched sets will be released as well in a constant flow and Eduard are working on new technology items. It seems as if the designers in Obrnice are never short of good ideas!

HASEGAWA

F-35 take two! In the same scale as the Academy kit (1/72) but without the Multicolored plastic color gimmick this time. Other than that, no real new item. The 1/32 scale N1K2-J Shidenkai "George" was already announced last year and the 1/24 scale Camel is also available since a few months now. If you wonder why I have added the pictures of the spaceship Arcadia model kit, it is because it was my favorite TV cartoon when I was a child.

HELLER

The 1/72 scale Alpha Jet kit was unfortunately not ready for this year's Toy Fair edition. But the kit should come out this year. Other than that, the new catalogue will only offer some reissues

HK

The new 1/32 scale Gloster Meteor Mk.4 was on display at the Pocketbond booth. It is a design which has its origins in the Wingscale collaboration so it should be a very nice kit, like their B-25 and B-17 kits. I'm curious to see what will come next.

ICM

In the subject matter of aircraft models, there was nothing really new too see in the ICM booth. Well, nothing to see "in the flesh" but a lot to report from their 2014 catalogue. First of all, they have announced a 1/48 scale Do 215B-4 and a Night Fighter variant (B-5) will be released as well. No Do 17 yet, but we can live in hope. Good news is that the Beechcraft C-45/UC-45F in the same scale hasn't been abandoned yet and I was told that it should be released at the end of the year. Wishful thinking? In 1/48 scale, an I-153, an I-16, and a U-2/Po-2 are also in the pipe… wow, that's quite an ambitious program! Sadly, no new figure set is scheduled for this year.
An I-153 will be also released in 1/72 scale.

ITALERI

Two years after their 25th Anniversary, it seems as if Italeri have slowed down a bit. At least with aircraft related subjects. The announced 1/48 scale Typhoon for exemple, isn't a new tool kit at all but a reboxing of the Hasegawa kit. I think this is not really a bad news because I'm not sure if the Italian offering would have surpassed the Japanese one. Of course this release is meant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Another kit related to this event will be a 1/72 scale Stirling Mk.IV kit and this time it will be a 100% new tool. The kit will come in a PRM box and will include PE parts and a little reference book. Another new tool kit will be a H-21 "Flying Banana" in 1/48 scale. Special Hobby did one a few years ago (Fonderie Miniature as well) and it is to hope that the Italeri offering will be a lot easier to build. The 1/32 scale Starfighter kit will be released in a new F-104 A/C variant.
Other than that, the other "new" items will be reissues or re-boxings. I forgot to mention that Italeri too has a F-35A in 1/72 scale in its catalogue but it was already released… last year.

MENG

Meng was present for the second year in Nürnberg (in Hall 7A with the other plastic kit manufacturers this time) and in a very spectacular booth. The setting was impressive but there was not really something new on display. The 1/32 scale Me 163 was already old news and informations about new releases was scarce.

MIRAGE HOBBY

Mirage Hobby from Poland will continue to expand their Halberstadt and PZL.43 series of 1/48 scale kits. The Halberstadt will be released in five additional boxings: Halb. CL.II Polish-Russian War, Halb. CL.II Late Production Batch, Halb. CL.IV Two-Seater, Halb. CL.II with Villar Perosa sub machine guns and Halb. CL.II with Opel Argus As.III engine. The PZL.43 will come in both a Polish and a Bulgarian Air Force boxing.

MPM

As always, there was a lot on display in the small MPM booth. Starting in 1/72 scale, there were many French jets models built from test shots (Fouga Magister and Mirage F.1). In the same scale a Vampire Mk.3/5 is announced too and there will be a French boxing as well. The Sunderland in 1/72 scale is still in progress. In 1/48 scale, MPM are working in cooperation with Tarangus to produce a SAAB 37 Viggen and it shouldn't take too long for the kit to be released. The built model at Nürnberg was rather nice already. In the same scale, the F-86K is coming along nicely and a Grumman AF-2 Guardian has made it's appearence in a display showing some of the master parts. In 1/32 scale there is some good news for those who wait for the IAR.80: the kit is about to hit the shelves. Already available is an impressive 1/32 scale XF5U-1 "Flying Pancake" in resin from Planet Models.

PLUS MODEL/BRENGUN/HAULER

If you like 1/144 and 1/72 scale, make sure to stop by PlusModel and Brengun/Hauler. They share the same booth in Nürnberg and there was a lot of interesting new stuff presented there. First of all, Brengun will expand their range of 1/72 scale plastic kit models with a Blohm&Voss BV-40 and a Zeppelin Rammer. If you like unusuall subjects, what about a Spitfire Mk.Vb floatplane and a Spitfire with DB605 engine? Brengun is also one of the few brands to offer resin and PE sets for 1/144 scale kits so make sure to check their website for more info.
Plus Model, though not primarely focused on aircraft, has nevertheless some interesting stuff in its catalogue. In their "Aero Line" hey do some nice resin U.S. airfield scooters in both 1/35 and 1/48 scale as well as figures and accessories (Tiny Tim Missiles for example) to display aside an U.S. aircraft model from the 40' and 50' era. Also brand new from Plus Model are 1/48 scale access ladder kits for jets. These are made of injected plastic and so far there are some for the MiG-21, MiG-23 and the F-105 B/D.

REVELL

In 1/144 from Revell, there will be a new tool Airbus A-400 M. In 1/72 scale a Saab JAS 39C Gripen. In 1/48 scale a Tornado IDS and in 1/32 scale a Spitfire Mk.II as well as a Piper PA-18 with Bushwheels. The rest of the program are mostly reissues or re-boxings of other manufacturer's model kits so always take a look inside a Revell before purchase if you can. The "new" 1/48 P-61 isn't a new tool or the GWH kit but the old Monogram one and the 1/32 scale Beaufighter is from the 70s.

RSMODEL

Last year I wrote that RS Models was exclusively a 1/72 scale kits producer. This is not the case anymore! A total surprise was the announcement from the Czech Manufacturer of the release of two new 1/48 scale kits. First in line is a Dutch Fokker D.XXIII and it should come out rather soon. The second quarter scale model will be a Japanese Ki-61 II fighter. Very exciting indeed! In 1/72 scale, a new tool Do-17 F is out and the E variant will follow. Luft'46 enthusiasts will be pleased to know that a Blohm & Voss Ae 607 is present in the 2014 catalogue.

SQUADRON

Squadron continues to expand its range of items related to the "Blue Max" movie. This time with a 1/32 scale Pfalz D.III based on the Roden kit. Two figures were present in the display but I don't know if these are included in the kit.

TAMIYA

There was no 1/32 scale announcement this year from Tamiya at the Toy Fair but a lot of rumors about a certain plane that has been measured by the Tamiya designer team at Avspecs Ltd. Like we say in France "il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu!" (there is no smoke without fire).
Other than that, there was still a few items of interest for aircraft modelers. First of all a brand new 1/72 scale F-16CJ Falcon. This is another case of "what? Another F-16! Do we really need a new one?". Well, I don't know, but it's from Tamiya! In 1/48 there is not really something new apart from a reissue of their fantastic Zero kits in a boxing to support the "Eien no Zero" movie. More interesting is the release of a quarter scale Fuel Truck variant of their GMC truck. This is interesting for aircraft diorama featuring U.S. fighters. The German Sidecar and the Russian 1,5 ton truck are also very welcome as they can be used for identical purposes.

TORO MODELS

The 1/48 scale PZL.P11b in Romanian markings that was announced last year has been released and the resin kit looks very nice. If you like such esoteric subjects don't wait too long as they are sold out rather quickly. Other than that, Toro Models do some nice diorama stuff in aircraft scale (1/48) as well and they are starting a range of diorama buildings for quarter scale armor modelers.

TRUMPETER/HOBBY BOSS

Trumpeter and Hobby Boss are different brands, but in Nürnberg they share the same booth. This is another sign that shows how close both are working together. This is why I have decided to put them in the same category for this report.
Let's start with Hobby Boss. In 1/72, a serie of A-4 Skyhawks is planned (E, F and M variants) and a French Jaguar (A and E variant). In 1/48 scale, there is quite a lot in the pipe. Revealed in Nürnberg there is a Blohm & Voss BV 141 on the way. Quite a surprise is the fact that Hobby Boss will add a quarter scale P-61 in its catalogue. Let's see how it will compare with the rather new GWH kit. BAe Hawks are also planned, as well as a Russian Ka-27 "Helix" helicopter. The EMB314 Super Tucano test shot model on display seemed promising. For Russian modern jets lovers, a serie of Su-27s and a Su-30 are featured in the 2014 catalogue. To round things up, a J-11B, a Chines variant of the Su-27 won't be missing. Still in 1/48 scale, Hobby Boss will continue to expand its series of Corsair (F4U-1, F4U-1A, F4U-1D, F4U-2, F4U-5, F4U-5N, AU-1, Mk.I, Mk.II and Mk.III) and Fw190 Ds (D-12, D-12/R14 and D-13).
Nothing will come from Hobby Boss in 1/32 scale in the near future but a lot from Trumpeter. There is some logic behind this for sure. Here is a list of what is scheduled for 2014 according to the catalogue: P-40E, N and M, TBD-1 Devastator, F-100 Super Sabre, A-6E Intruder, Bf 109G-6, G-10 and K-4, Ju 87A (this one is in the catalogue since ages!), SA365N Dauphin 2, HH-65C Dolphin (U.S. Coast Guard), AS565 Panther and the Chines variant of the French Dauphin helicopter, the Z-9WA. In 1/48 scale from Trumpeter, the following items will come out sooner or later: J-8F "Finback", MiG-23MLD, MiG-21 and J-7 (Chinese variant of the Russian aircraft), Skywarrior (Ta-3B, A-3B, EKA-3B and ERA-3B), T-38C, PLA JL-9, A-37 Dragonfly, F-106, Su-9 and Su-11. If you are not that much a fanatic of Jets, then you will be pleased to know that Trumpeter will do a Westand Whirlwind and a serie of de Havilland Hornets (F.1, F.3 and Sea HornetNF.21). Here is what to expect in 1/72 scale: Fw 200 Condor, A-6 Intruder, EA-6 Prowler, Be-6 "Madge", MiG-19 PM "Farmer", Su-33, JH-7A, J-15. And finaly, here is a list for the releases expected in 1/144 scale: Rafale B and C, Su-27UB, Su-30MK, F-14 B and D and F-16 B/D.
As always, don't expect everything to be released this year. Many references are present in the catalogue since a few years now so it may take a while for some of the models listed above to hit the shelves.

ZOUKEI-MURA

The new 1/32 scale Horten presented in Telford wasn't 100% finished but it shouldn't take too long before it is available (summer). One model on display had the main parts molded in clear plastic to show the interior. In the first place this was not meant to be a feature of the kit but the interest for these transparent parts was such that Zoukei-Mura is no considering to do them this way. However, producing such parts will raise the production costs as the molds will have to be polished for a better result. At this moment it is it unclear if these will be included in every kit or if they will be sold separately or included in limited editions maybe or... produced at all.
The next new 1/32 scale kit from Zoukei-Mura will be a Do 335 but before it will appear at the end of this year, their Mustang will be re-issued in a D/K variant (Spring). 1/48 scale builders will be pleased with the new downscaled Shinden and a Ta 152 will follow at the end of this year. I was told that not every 1/32 scale kit will be downscaled in 1/48 scale but most of them will if the sales are good. As a side note, Zoukei-Mura will enter the 1/35 scale Armor market with an "Edelweis" tank. Of course this is a fantasy subjects and it will be primarly destined to the Japanese home market.

ZVEZDA

Not so much to report from Zvezda this year unfortunately. The new 1/48 scale Su-2 kit is already on the market since a couple of months and there was nothing more to see at their booth. I was told that the next 1/48 scale item will be a Russian WWII aircraft. In 1/72 scale, Zvezda will release a "Snap Fit" Ju 87B and in 1/144 scale an Airbus A-320, an Ilyushin IL-62M and an Ilyushin IL-76M in their "Ultimate Kit" range.