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2011 iHobby Expo Quick Look
By Gerry Paquette
The 2011 IHOBBY Expo opened on Thursday, October 20, and Model Cars Magazine was in the first wave to enter. Overall, the show seemed to have fewer exhibitors than last year, including much fewer die cast companies. There were some booths that had materials in boxes but not set up. The previous day had storms that created flight problems into O’Hare airport, so this may also have been a factor.
For the car modeler, the exhibitors presented several new tools, modified reissues with new parts and reissues of past favorites.
Continue reading for a review of what we saw and heard.
To me, the biggest news was a new Bullit detail set for the Revell 1/12 Mustang GT from Scale Motorsports. Matthew Wells had a prototype there, and as is usual for Matthew's offereings, it looked fantastic.
Revell continues their tradition of announcing only for the first half of 2012. 2nd half will be announced in April/May time frame. As a level setter to the overall market, Revell did say their biggest selling kits are Snaptite® and wear the bow tie emblem. Revell did indicate that 2012 second half will have some interesting announcements. Stay tuned for more on that.
Although previously announced, the full detail 2010 Camaro SS should be out in January. The delay is due to correcting the molds based on the test shots. Here’s the information on their announcements.
Revell Label
· Tony Nancy 22JR Dragster Set - 1/25 - Reissue
· X-34 Landspeeder™ - ?? – RoG catalog lists as 1/14 scale but it appears smaller than that. Our best guess is between 1/24 and 1/20, perhaps close to G scale
· Ferrari Enzo (Snaptite®) - 1/24 - New tool.
· Peterbilt 359 (Snaptite®) - 1/32 - Reissue
· ‘50 Olds™ Coupe 2 n 1 - 1/25 - New tool. Multiple options. Revell just received test shots so mounted on a display board. Expect late second quarter 2012.
· ‘62 Corvette® Roadster 2 n 1 - 1/25 - New tool. Multiple options. Appears to be new body on top of Pro Modeler C1 Corvette chassis and engine. Revell just received test shots so mounted on a display board. Expect late second quarter 2012. Although all the test shots are still subject to change, there will be no hardtop in this kit.
· ‘57 Ford Custom 3 n 1 - 1/25 - New tool. Multiple options. Revell just received test shots so mounted on a display board. Expect late second quarter 2012.
Revell initial test shots of 50 Olds, 57 Ford Custom and 62 Corvette
· ‘56 Ford F-100 Pickup - 1/25 - Reissue
· ‘67 Chevelle™ Pro Street - 1/25 - Reissue. Air cleaners may have been modified, but will need to dig out the Revell kit in the basement to confirm. I may be thinking of the AMT tool
· ‘65 Chevy® Impala™ Convertible - 1/25 - Reissue
· Audi R8 Spyder - 1/24 - Repackage of recently released Revell of Germany new tool. This kit does have an engine based on RoG photos
· Lamborghini Countach - 1/24 - Reissue
· K.S. Pittman Willys Drag Coupe - 1/25 – Modified reissue of Revell’s very nice Willys. Same as new version Stone Woods and Cook Willys with new decals
· Cadillac® Custom Lowrider - 1/25 - Reissue
· Corvette® Grand Sport - 1/24 – Reissue of last run of Accurate Miniatures’ Grand Sport. No plans to produce any new kits at this point, just sell off remainder of last run.
· Stacey David’s Rat Roaster - 1/25 – New tool based on Revell’s very nice 32 Ford. Too many mods needed to do a modified reissue. In my opinion, this may spread into early 3Q2012 given there are no test shots as yet
‘77 Chevy® Van - 1/24 – Reissue. Same short wheelbase van as in the Van with Race Car Trailer issue a few years back
· GMC® Pickup w/snow plow - 1/24 – Reissue, but with snow plow blade added.
Monogram Label
· ‘70 Plymouth Road Runner - 1/24 - Reissue
· Peterbilt 359 - 1/16 - Reissue
· ‘31 Ford Model A Rat Rod - 1/25 – Reissue
· ‘29 Ford Rat Rod - 1/25 - Reissue with new decals
· Bad Medicine - 1/24 - Reissue
· ‘40 Ford Coupe Street Rod - 1/25 - Reissue
Revell of Germany
don Bus – 1/24 – Just being released. It is full detail, including an engine
· No other RoG new announcements were available.
Round2
Round2 is continuing to utilize the vast tooling inventory of AMT/MPC/Polar Lights to provide reissues of popular past model kits. In many cases these have been adjusted to repair or replace damaged or missing pieces. The only new tools at the show are the 2010 and younger Corvettes and Camaros in their Showroom Replica series. These are unassembled glue kit promos. Here’s what I saw:
· Polar Lights Batmobile – with Photo Etch fret
· 1951 Chevy Fleetline (tin packaging)
· 1965 Chevelle Wagon – older box art
· 1966 Mustang – older box art
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AMC Gremlin - stock. Coming in Original art series. It will be in a larger box that carries a picture of the original art that can be framed.
· Barnabas Vampire Van – They just got the sample done in time for the show
· AMT Amtronic– original box art and will include the tinted glass, clear glass, cardboard diorama and prismatic solar panel.
· Arnie Beswick '69 Super Judge GTO Funny Car – older box art
· Chevy 100th Anniversary '57 Chevy Bel Air - (newer tool) with photo-etched parts and engine wire (tin packaging) it seems it is a repackage of the previous pro-series newer mold in the tin package
· Dirty Donny "Vantasy" Chevy Van - two full-sized decal sheets
· Ford Vantom Van
· Ghostbusters’ Ecto 1 –the AMT version not Polar Lights.
· Hot Curl – Hot Shout, Gurl and Hot Curl
· 
Meyers Manx – Should be out late December/early January. Nostalgic box art and hamburger stand cardboard piece is included. Two metal flake Meyers Manx bodies will be available. The red one would be a chase one, packed one per case with no indication on the box that it is different. The purple one will be a limited edition offered only through Auto World's online store and the real Auto World store that just opened.
· Monkeemobile
· Petty 1/16 Nascar Charger – This was at last year’s show as well, but looks like it is getting closer
· White Western Star
· 2010 Camaro Convertible – Show Room Replica Series. Unassembled promo type. I asked if they were going to update to 2011 as there does not appear to be any indication of a 2010 convertible due to a supplier issue. The rep didn’t know but would follow up.
· 
2010 Camaro Convertible – Show Room Replica Series. Unassembled promo type.
· 2012 Corvette Coupe – Show Room Replica Series. Unassembled promo type.
· 2008 Corvette Convertible Pace Car – Show Room Replica Series. Unassembled promo type.
· 
66 Nova Slot Racer – previous plastic kit parts mated with a slot chassis and engine
· 57 Chevy Bel Air Slot Racer – previous plastic kit parts mated with a slot chassis and engine
· 70 Camaro Slot Racer – previous plastic kit parts mated with a slot chassis and engine
· 06 Camaro Concept Slot Racer – previous plastic kit parts mated with a slot chassis and engine
Some neat diecast were also on display as well as their Star Trek series.
Lindberg/Hawk, IMC and Moebius
Lindberg/Hawk continues primarily with reissues. They have updated their model display case with several improvements. Here are the noteworthy items:
· Buddy G Toy Trucks – metal bodied. The ones at the show were prototypes. Didn’t get scale, but they appeared to be smaller than 1/25. More to come
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Bull Horn Model T – 1/16 scale.
· 1969 Yenko Camaro – initially die cast and plan for plastic down the road. Die Cast version in picture.
· Red Devil racer – in planning stage for later 2012
· Kustom Koffin – in planning stage for later 2012
· White Lightning – in planning stage for later 2012
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New Display Case – eliminated the “bubble” on the top of the clear case. Sturdy diamond plate chrome base and stackable
IMC, in the automotive space is doing Jo-Han reissues, particularly the Olds Cutlass, Chrysler Turbine Car and 59 Rambler Wagon. They also are offering the Johan plastic display case. They have additional plans for more Johan releases, but it is too soon to announce.
Moebius had a bunch of Sci-Fi and monster kits, but the automotive front only showed a new Hudson Convertible. There are some other items of interest to announce, but they are not locked down yet and too soon to publish anything.
Other models and die cast
· A 1/25 Packard Caribbean, 53 El Dorado Convertible and 427 Cobra from Creative Miniatures
· 3 new wheel sets from Pegasus as well as their now selling Model Parts Specialties cast metal engine parts and accessories. The Pegasus sets are 15” and will be sold with a higher profile tire than what was on display
No new model news was available from Trumpeter and some new Aoshima, Fujimi and Hasegawa kits (many announced at the recent Japan Model show) were displayed.
Hobby Gear is updating their Car Show diorama set and has a tire shop and landscaper series coming out. Phoenix Toys showed a 1957 Chevy Convertible in 1/25 scale that is the equal of Danbury Mint/Franklin Mint and selling for $99.57. They have about 200 (it’s a limited edition) and is available from their website.
There were some interesting die cast including a 1/24 2010 Corvette Grand Sport and Pagoni Zonda from Testor’s. The Grand Sport wheels were not prototypical though, although the body looked close.
There are several new HO scale cars that can be added to Woodland Scenics fantastic (but Pre-Built) dioramas. They have just released an HO scale diner that looks fantastic.
Minicraft also displayed a series of 1/16 Model A kits, some with Flathead 4 and others with Flathead 8 engines.
Tools and Paints
Not a lot of new tools were shown or announced. Most notable were:
· A new cutting mat from Excel where both sides are usable and stamped with a grid. Excel also showed a new set of fine tip tweezers.
· Xuron was promoting their new PE cutter that they introduced last year. I just got one about two months and it is far more versatile than the original version.
· Tool Tron showed some ergo handled cutters and an interesting rotating storage set with 4 stacked clusters that rotate. Retail is about $19. Looks useful for holding select parts.
· Alpha Abrasives is expanding their line with micro polishing sheets and pads, including sets with foam blocks with a soft and harder side to control polishing. They are also offering 6x6 inch micro fine sanding sheets up to 12,000 grit.
· Ram continues to expand their scale lighting options, particularly for cars. Now that LED’s are prevalent options continue to abound
· Finally, Innovative Hobby Supply had some interesting products, including a tape that mimics canvas, peel and stick chrome, wood grain, trunk floor mat and others.
On the paint and accessory side:
· Grex had nothing new since their pistol grip air brush was announced a couple of years ago. The rep indicated they plan to have some new product at next year’s show but could not say anything at this point.
· Badger has more lines of aqueous paint coming out. They also are selling sets for beginners which include air brush, compressor, hoses, paints, etc. They have several new compressors (some quite silent) and have a new chrome airbrush. They also displayed their Universal 360 set which includes the airbrush, hose and some bottles. The Universal 360 is a model that a gravity fed that can also be rotated to accept bottles. Very versatile. Finally badger was showing their battery powered paint stirrer. It has been around for years, but is very good at mixing paints in the jar and easy to clean.
· Iwata is introducing the Neo, an entry level double action airbrush that will retail in the $50 range. An interesting facet is a removable gravity feed cup with small and large cup sizes.
· Testor’s has new color ranges coming out, including some new automotive colors in their synthetic lacquer range. The automotive paints will have more added to the enamels than lacquers. There will be improved primers made available in several color options, some flip-flop options, a wash and multi-colored pearl coat. There will be additional info on this by year-end.
· A company called E-Z-Mix had some paint accessories of note. Most interesting was a syringe with a micro brush on top. You remove the micro brush, load the paint, reattach the brush and apply color to the brush through the syringe. There also was a clear plastic canister with a closing lid such as on paint cans to hold mixed colors. Finally, there were displayed small micron filters to transfer paint and strain it.
· Finally, a new (to me) company, Sparmax, is offering a line of compressors and airbrushes. Some of the airbrushes have pistol grips.