News from the
56th Nuremberg Toy Fair

by Martin Waligorski

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The original version of this report may also be viewed on the IPMS Stockholm website.

One event dominating the hobby industry in February is Spielwarenmesse 2005.

The largest annual toy and hobby fair in the world, the 56th Nuremberg Toy Fair gathers 2,700 toy and hobby item manufacturers representing over 62 countries. The show closes tomorrow, so the news are still coming in. Here a short summary of what we've heard so far.

Hasegawa has revealed it's next major aircraft release. Apparently encouraged by the popularity of their bomber twins, the B-25 Mitchell and Heinkel He 111 this company will now come with nothing less than a 1/72 Avro Lancaster. Considering it's been 25 years since the last time a new plastic kit of a British heavy bomber appeared on the market (also Lancaster, by Airfix), the news are electrifying.
(Thanks to Matti Kuivalainen for this tip)

As much as Tamiya is disappointingly quiet in the area of 1/35 armour, they keep rolling new kits in 1/48 scale. The new items announced in Nuremberg include T34/76, M4A1 Sherman and M10 Tank Destroyer. The company was also showing the previously announced Stug III Ausf.B and Hetzer. There are also accessory and figure sets in this scale: Brick Wall, Sand Bag & Barricade Set, Jerrycans, German Infantry figures and Road Sign Set.

(photo from Tamiya's website)

Academy, on the contrary, shows continued interest in 1/35. Their new armour kit on display was 1/35 M551 Sheridan.

(Photo by Jens O. Mehner)

MPM and Classic Airframes' joint release will be 1/32 Brewster Buffalo. Classic Airframes has two boxarts of this kit, including one that comes with a variety of Finnish markings.

http://www.classicairframes.com/newproducts.htm

Eduard's new kit shown at Spielwarenmesse is 1/48 D.H. 2. According to the company this kit will require "less putty than usual, but even less glue - there are more struts than actual airframe. You will certainly need a lot of rigging, but when finished, your skill level will take a drastic leap forward."

Revell has acquired licence rights for kits from the forthcoming Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. By the time this movie appears in the cinemas around the world (in May), Revell will release six kits based on the movie, of yet unrevealed items. All but one will be simplified snap-together kits.

Revell has a webcam in their booth, so here's your chance to get a glimpse of the Fair - until tomorrow, Friday 15th.

http://www.revell.de/webcam/img/messe.jpg?1108411555131
 

Article provided by the gracious courtesy of IPMS Stockholm. Visit their website by following this link

Copyright © 2005 by Martin Waligorski
Page Created 15 February, 2005
Last updated 15 February 2005

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