Nürnberg Toy Fair Report 2010
Unfortunately, the owner of AZ Model wasn't present at the Toy Fair during the week-end so I did not had the occasion to speak with him personnaly. This is too bad since a lot of new stuff was on display in the Airmolds booth and even more is in preparation for 2010/2011.
A built up model of the Ki-48 was on display and I must say it looked very nice even if there are some concerns about the shape of the nose (see review here).
Making a list of all the kits planned for 2010 is almost impossible because some projects are only in the very early stage while others are probably about to hit the shelves. So check the www.legatokits.cz site or the Aeroscale News area regularly for informations about availability of the AZ Models products.
However, here is a reduced list to give you just an idea of what to expect: in 1:144 scale a Fokker F.VII, an ATR-72 and a Tupolev Tu-134. In 1:72 scale, a Supermarine Spitfire and Spitful serie, a Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV, a Fiat CR.32, a Rogozarski IK-3, a Vickers Vildebeest, a Hawker Osprey, a Kawasaki Ki-78, a Tachikawa Ki-54, a Fokker C.X, a Breda Ba.65, an Aero L-159, a Supermarine Attacker, several types of Zlin Z aircraft etc... In 1:48 scale a Myrsky II, a Ki-15 and a C5M "Babs", an "Ohka" Type11, a Q1W1 "Lorna", a Vultee Vengeance Mk.I, a Saab J-29 Tunnan, a T-28D Trojan, a Zlin Z-50, etc... In 1:32 scale an Arado Ar-96 and it's Czech version the Avia C-2.
I wonder how many will be released this year!
A built up model of the Ki-48 was on display and I must say it looked very nice even if there are some concerns about the shape of the nose (see review here).
Making a list of all the kits planned for 2010 is almost impossible because some projects are only in the very early stage while others are probably about to hit the shelves. So check the www.legatokits.cz site or the Aeroscale News area regularly for informations about availability of the AZ Models products.
However, here is a reduced list to give you just an idea of what to expect: in 1:144 scale a Fokker F.VII, an ATR-72 and a Tupolev Tu-134. In 1:72 scale, a Supermarine Spitfire and Spitful serie, a Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV, a Fiat CR.32, a Rogozarski IK-3, a Vickers Vildebeest, a Hawker Osprey, a Kawasaki Ki-78, a Tachikawa Ki-54, a Fokker C.X, a Breda Ba.65, an Aero L-159, a Supermarine Attacker, several types of Zlin Z aircraft etc... In 1:48 scale a Myrsky II, a Ki-15 and a C5M "Babs", an "Ohka" Type11, a Q1W1 "Lorna", a Vultee Vengeance Mk.I, a Saab J-29 Tunnan, a T-28D Trojan, a Zlin Z-50, etc... In 1:32 scale an Arado Ar-96 and it's Czech version the Avia C-2.
I wonder how many will be released this year!
Well, most of the interesting aircraft news at the Dragon Booth wasn‘t presented under their label, but under their Cyber-Hobby line of kits. Don‘t ask me to explain the difference between both in detail, I know it is not really Dragon, but Dragon nevertheless. The first to be released will be the 1:48 scale Bf110 D-3 of which a completed model as well as the sprues were present at the Toy Fair. However, much more is planned, from a 1:72 scale „Battle of Britain“ anniversary box (with Spitfires, Hurricanes, Messerschmitts and Stukas) to a whole new range of kits featuring 1:72 scale Meteor F.III, F-16, F-22 and F-35 and 1:32 scale Do335 A-0 and Me163 B Komet! According to the Dragon people present in Nürnberg, they aim at bringing the quality of the aircraft kits to the same standard as their armor range and I hope they will be successful in that task.
Two releases are planned as Dragon kits though and they are both real surprises! Item 5530 is a 1:48 scale P-51D Mustang (many will hope that it won't be a pantographed version of their 1:32 scale kit) and item 5550 a 1:48 scale Bf109 E-4! For 1:72 scale enthusiasts, good news is that a P-51D Mustang and an A-20 Havoc are planned as well. In their 1:32 scale serie, the manufacturer from Hong Kong has a secret item in preparation (3217). You can start to make your guesses...
Two releases are planned as Dragon kits though and they are both real surprises! Item 5530 is a 1:48 scale P-51D Mustang (many will hope that it won't be a pantographed version of their 1:32 scale kit) and item 5550 a 1:48 scale Bf109 E-4! For 1:72 scale enthusiasts, good news is that a P-51D Mustang and an A-20 Havoc are planned as well. In their 1:32 scale serie, the manufacturer from Hong Kong has a secret item in preparation (3217). You can start to make your guesses...
The Eduard Booth was once again one of the most interesting place to visit. I don't have any exclusive news to reveal since the 2010 catalogue of the Czech Manufacturer was already available for download one week before the fair (Here is a direct download link: Eduard 2010 catalogue). So if you want to have an overview of this year's program, please take a look at the Eduard January Newsletter article published here on Aeroscale.
The star at the Eduard booth was of course the freshly released Fw190 D-9 of which a finished model was on display. Jan Zdiarsky kindly offered me to shoot some pictures of it, including the now famous "area 51" of the underside. The models of the Bf110 G-2 and G-4 were impressive as well and though they are not really new, I have included some photos of them in this report.
Obvioulsy, the people at Eduard are expecting a lot from their new Brassin line of sets. These are in most cases a mix of highly detailed resin pieces enhanced with photo etched parts, as well as masks for the wheels. The completed and painted seats on display at the show were impressive and I'm sure many modellers will want to include them into their projects. So far only modern subjects have been released but I was assured that the range will cover other eras. Maybe some WWI seats would be a good idea?
On the photo etched front there were many incredible sets on display but the most impressive ones were those designed for the 1:48 scale Monogram B-24. If you are searching for an ambitious super detailling project, here you have one! Also present for display was the new PE set destined to Tamiya's 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk.IX kit, though not in the final pre-painted form.
A test shot sprue of the Austro-Daimler engine destined, amongst other aircraft, to the forthcoming 1:48 scale Albatros D.III OEFFAG 253 was visible and was representative of the new step ahead made by Eduard in their manufacturing technology. Indeed, it was the first time that the plastic injection metal molds have been produced directly from the computer CAD data without any intermediate steps. The result is quite good according to this first visible result.
An Interesting subject I discussed with Mister Jan Zdiarsky and Wladimir Sulc (yes, the famous Eduard newsletter writter) was the forthcoming 1:48 scale MiG-21. The kit will be first released in a boxing with Czech markings for no other reasons than to please the Czech modellers. The Eduard people are aware that it probably won't represent the most interesting boxing for the international market but they didn't wanted to uppset their fellow-citizens. Of course, other boxings will follow in both Profipack and Weekend Editions. An interesting info about the MiG-21 kit is that it will be released in a special boxing with an Illumination Set (position lights, landing lights, instrument panel, landing gear bays etc...). The power will be provided by an external power cart and cables (like the real thing) which will transmit the electricity to the light sources of which some will be made of fiber-optic light spray. This will make into a nice diorama setting for sure.
The star at the Eduard booth was of course the freshly released Fw190 D-9 of which a finished model was on display. Jan Zdiarsky kindly offered me to shoot some pictures of it, including the now famous "area 51" of the underside. The models of the Bf110 G-2 and G-4 were impressive as well and though they are not really new, I have included some photos of them in this report.
Obvioulsy, the people at Eduard are expecting a lot from their new Brassin line of sets. These are in most cases a mix of highly detailed resin pieces enhanced with photo etched parts, as well as masks for the wheels. The completed and painted seats on display at the show were impressive and I'm sure many modellers will want to include them into their projects. So far only modern subjects have been released but I was assured that the range will cover other eras. Maybe some WWI seats would be a good idea?
On the photo etched front there were many incredible sets on display but the most impressive ones were those designed for the 1:48 scale Monogram B-24. If you are searching for an ambitious super detailling project, here you have one! Also present for display was the new PE set destined to Tamiya's 1:32 scale Spitfire Mk.IX kit, though not in the final pre-painted form.
A test shot sprue of the Austro-Daimler engine destined, amongst other aircraft, to the forthcoming 1:48 scale Albatros D.III OEFFAG 253 was visible and was representative of the new step ahead made by Eduard in their manufacturing technology. Indeed, it was the first time that the plastic injection metal molds have been produced directly from the computer CAD data without any intermediate steps. The result is quite good according to this first visible result.
An Interesting subject I discussed with Mister Jan Zdiarsky and Wladimir Sulc (yes, the famous Eduard newsletter writter) was the forthcoming 1:48 scale MiG-21. The kit will be first released in a boxing with Czech markings for no other reasons than to please the Czech modellers. The Eduard people are aware that it probably won't represent the most interesting boxing for the international market but they didn't wanted to uppset their fellow-citizens. Of course, other boxings will follow in both Profipack and Weekend Editions. An interesting info about the MiG-21 kit is that it will be released in a special boxing with an Illumination Set (position lights, landing lights, instrument panel, landing gear bays etc...). The power will be provided by an external power cart and cables (like the real thing) which will transmit the electricity to the light sources of which some will be made of fiber-optic light spray. This will make into a nice diorama setting for sure.
I didn't spent too much time at the Hasegawa booth this year because there weren't any real news in my field of interest. However, those who like modern stuff in 1:48 scale will be happy to know that the F-22 Raptor is about to hit the shelves. An assembled model and the sprues were visible, as well as the extra photo etched set destined to the kit. The F-16 (Block60) should be already available at your favorite Hobby Shop by the time you read this.
In 1:72 scale, the new variant of the Junkers Ju-88 was present in the form of a G-6 "Nachtjäger" (night fighter) and a He111Z "Zwilling" (twin) Limited Edition with additional parts will be available before June.
In the bigger scale, the artwork of a forthcoming 1:32 Bf109 F-4 trop was on display, though you will have to wait until the end of the year to put your hands on it.
About Jean-Luc Formery (TedMamere)
FROM: MOSELLE, FRANCE
In 1:72 scale, the new variant of the Junkers Ju-88 was present in the form of a G-6 "Nachtjäger" (night fighter) and a He111Z "Zwilling" (twin) Limited Edition with additional parts will be available before June.
In the bigger scale, the artwork of a forthcoming 1:32 Bf109 F-4 trop was on display, though you will have to wait until the end of the year to put your hands on it.
The Heller/Joustra booth was once again very far away from hall 7 and 7A, were most of the plastic model manufacturers had their headquarters. I made a visit there nevertheless and the good news is that the French brand is still alive, albeit barely. Last year it was moving the little finger and this year it is the hand. Maybe in a couple of years the manufacturer will regain it's full movement capacities.
The real novelty this year is that Heller will release some of it's older kits in upgraded versions. As far as aircraft goes, two models will be affected by this trend: the 1:72 scale Bloch 174 in a "St. Exupery" boxing and the 1:48 scale Super Etendard in an "Afghanistan" variant. Both will include resin and PE parts produced by Azimut. Let's hope this is a first step towards a brighter future.
For civilian aircraft enthusiasts, Heller will reissue their 1:125 scale Airbus A380 in Air France colors.
The real novelty this year is that Heller will release some of it's older kits in upgraded versions. As far as aircraft goes, two models will be affected by this trend: the 1:72 scale Bloch 174 in a "St. Exupery" boxing and the 1:48 scale Super Etendard in an "Afghanistan" variant. Both will include resin and PE parts produced by Azimut. Let's hope this is a first step towards a brighter future.
For civilian aircraft enthusiasts, Heller will reissue their 1:125 scale Airbus A380 in Air France colors.
The problem with the Hobby Boss booth is that the people there are only business men. Not that this is all wrong (after all, the Toy Fair is mainly a business event), but under such circumstances, it is difficult to talk about the features of the plastic models presented. When I asked if the tyres of the IL-2 on display were the final ones and of what material they were made of, the person present had to actually touch them to tell me he thought they were made of injected plastic, while they obviously were vinyl!? So rather than try to make as if I knew everything about the Chines brand, I will simply list the "new" tags in their 2010 catalogue.
In 1:72 scale are planned a serie of F-14 Tomcat, a Kamov Ka-29 helicopter, a serie of Mi-2 helicopters, a couple of Rafale, a F9F-2 Panther and a Sea Hawk FGA 6. In 1:48 scale, the F6F Hellcat will be done in it's night fighter variants (3N and 5N) as well as in British markings. To continue in quarter scale, a whole serie of Corsair II will be released, a F8F Bearcat, a Yak-38, a F3H-2 Demon, a F-14 Tomcat, a serie of Me 262s, a serie of F4U Corsairs, a PLAAF JJ-5 and an AN-2. Finally, 1:32 scale kits of the IL-2 and the Spitfire Mk.Vb are in the design stage. The kit of the Russian aircraft seems to be in the most advanced stage since it was on display as an assembled model in Nürnberg.
Don't expect the above list to be 100% representative of what will be released this year though. Many items were already present in the 2009 catalogue.
In 1:72 scale are planned a serie of F-14 Tomcat, a Kamov Ka-29 helicopter, a serie of Mi-2 helicopters, a couple of Rafale, a F9F-2 Panther and a Sea Hawk FGA 6. In 1:48 scale, the F6F Hellcat will be done in it's night fighter variants (3N and 5N) as well as in British markings. To continue in quarter scale, a whole serie of Corsair II will be released, a F8F Bearcat, a Yak-38, a F3H-2 Demon, a F-14 Tomcat, a serie of Me 262s, a serie of F4U Corsairs, a PLAAF JJ-5 and an AN-2. Finally, 1:32 scale kits of the IL-2 and the Spitfire Mk.Vb are in the design stage. The kit of the Russian aircraft seems to be in the most advanced stage since it was on display as an assembled model in Nürnberg.
Don't expect the above list to be 100% representative of what will be released this year though. Many items were already present in the 2009 catalogue.
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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