The Modelling News (6 February 2012)

In the modelling news this week we take a look at what is happening at the 2012 Nuremburg Toy Fair - all the news and releases and some pictures of some exciting new kits to be released soon. First off, we start with a little case of Germany versus Japan…

First of all the latest in what seems to be a war of the large scale aircraft kits. Revell of Germany announced their 1/32 He 219 nightfighter and then just before the toy fair Japanese model makers Zoukei-Mura release details and pictures of the test shot of their very own HE 219 in the same scale - although the kits are similar, the marques of aircraft are pretty different, especially in the engines. The Japanese are going for the earlier, while the German company is going for the later version. Two very different schools of modelling are offered here, so I suppose there will be something for everyone – and everything for people with enough in the bank!

The latest of the rounds of stands shows us some other great kits coming out – while talking about Revell of Germany we must highlight the new tool 1/48 Ventura kit

And the excellent (although probably life overtaking/stealing) 1/72 Flower class Corvette

The other set sure to be large seller from Revell is the 100th anniversary edition of the RMS Titanic in 1/400th scale which comes in at around 67cm long! It comes with a nice little booklet and lots of fine detail, also a stand and little plaque – I hope a few of these actually get made.

The AZ Model stand has a great model of the very long wing tipped German WWI Gotha G.V which – although looking simple on the sprues will build up to an impressive kit when built.

Hasegawa have shown some interesting kits for the New Year, starting with the unusual 30th anniversary Sci-fi robot LUM-168 in both 1/35 and 1/20 - it’s an interesting model isn’t it?

The much anticipated J2M3 “Jack” fighter of the Japanese Airforce was on show at the fair – together with the pilot. This will sell well not just in Japan I think!

When talking about something popular we love the new growler in 1/48th scale! The latest variant of the super hornet was shown with the two different schemes of decal – new weapons load and laden with jamming pods.

MiniArt has shown two of their latest kits of their two variants of the GAZ-MM truck that the Soviets made in WWII – both are shown in Russian colours although the decals include captured German trucks as well – a bet for both sides then! The 1.5t cargo truck.

GAZ-AAA Cargo Truck

Trumpeter have showed off some interesting new kits – firstly a new 1/32 Stuka which looks like a surgeon has gone mad on it!!

Better to my eyes is the 1/35 Russian ChTZ-S-65 Tractor with cab (what a mouthful) Anyway this kit will look great on any eastern front diorama as it is quite an uncommon vehicle.

To update the rather outdated older version from another maker (Testors) Trumpeter presents its updated 1/32 F117 stealth fighter. This historic aircraft was made by yours truly years ago in 1/32 and it’s a neat looking kit – hopefully the Trumpeter kit has a little better accuracy.

And what about this - a sure to be pretty well sought after C-48C Skytrain in 1/48th scale as well as an equally popular 1/32 Bf-109G-2 in the same shot.

The last thing the Trumpeter people have presented was a 1/350 scale battleship “Queen Elizabeth” complete with full hull and detailed deck.

Dragon/Cyberhobby from China continue to churn out new kits – this set of new releases look to be much anticipated - a ¼ ton truck (or jeep) with an armoured front and .50cal gun mount on the front.

A 1/35 scale Sexton II 25 pounder armoured SP gun

Another AFV – the 1/35 88mm gunned Pak 43 Waffentrager

Also a 1/72 Sea King was shown in the planning stages with folding rotor blades and positionable cargo door

The 30th anniversary of the Falklands war is “celebrated” with the release of the H.M.S Antelope type 21 Frigate

There are more kits to be announced and with any luck we will have some more for you next week with more different announcements to come – until then enjoy your modelling and take care

Adam Norenberg