Brett Barrow

The Ebbro kit is 1/20, and the Heller one will be 1/24.

We're taking non-binding "reservations" for this at our site. When we have more info on pricing we'll contact you with instructions on how to pre-order it. http://www.megahobby.com/fordf3504x4meng.aspx

Actually just got word that April is correct. They had to cut new tooling for something unexpected that popped up along the way.

Should be out next month.

I doubt they'll be to a proper scale. The Quick Build series from Airfix are made like Lego blocks except the outside surfaces make a smooth shape when assembled. They're pretty neat models, but definitely in the toy category. If it is to scale it'll probably be 1/32nd. edit - just did the math based on the dimensions given at Airfix' site, turns out they're both right around 24th scale. Hmmmm..... http://www.airfix.com/shop/quick-build/j6008-quick-build-bugatti-veyron/ http://www.airfix.com/shop/quick-build/j6007-quick-build-lamborghini-aventador/

My parents' first new car was a bright red '80 Chevette. My older brother drove it through high school, but wrecked it before I started driving or it probably would have been my first car. We used to sing Prince's "Little Red Corvette" changing the words to Chevette, of course! Nice model, and that's one I hope Round 2 reissues one of these days.

These are Japanese tin toys. After WWII as part of Japan's rebuilding effort under the Marshall Plan, they were given a lot of the low-cost manufacturing jobs like toys that were imported into the US. They made a lot of these tin toy cars in the 50's and early 60's until molded plastics came in. I think that's what makes this 62 Imperial so rare, it's one of the last of the type made before plastics took over. Plus tin toys are pretty delicate and don't hold up to rough play for too long so there aren't many left.

Better sprue pics here: http://www.primeportal.net/models/thomas_voigt8/meng/ And yeah, based on the ballpark figures from Meng, a $70 US MSRP is probably about right. But they haven't given a final price yet. Looks like April/May is the new target date, BTW. This kit is pretty far along.

I hadn't heard of Revell Germany's La Ferrari yet. Sure that'll wind up in a Revell US box as a nice alternative for those who can't shell out the coin for the Tamiya kit. The Trabant wagon looks really cool, i might have to snag one of those. They also don't list Tamiya's new 1/12 scale Ducati 1199 Panagale S.

Asuka/Tasca's kits are fabulous, I have a couple. This should be spectacular.

For those not familiar with Meng and what they do, here's a peek at their booth at Nuremburg. As I said before, they're easily the best of the Chinese companies and seem to me to be almost on a Japanese level of fit and precision. So far they haven't been plagued with the shape and dimensional errors most Chinese kits seem to have. I must admit to having a bit of a soft spot for Meng, as I played a small role in landing them their first US distribution deal (well, I found out their e-mail address and gave it to my boss at the time, that's all I did, but in a way I was the person who first "discovered" Meng Models in the US) http://www.themodellingnews.com/2014/01/meng-models-they-are-at-nuremburg-toy.html

Guess what's currently on eBay for $45,000?!?!? Exact same picture used in the article. He's got 56 watchers, I wonder how many are just gawkers like us? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asahi-1962-CHRYSLER-IMPERIAL-Mint-In-Org-Box-Japanese-Friction-Tin-Car-Toy-/281254564576?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item417c1412e0 Here's a link to a Fotki album with a few pictures of one of these (It might be the same one if the eBay seller's assertion that his is the only surviving one in Black is correct) http://public.fotki.com/Juppee/model_cars_and_bikes/old-tin-toy-mopars/peltiautojen-20ns.html

Looks like a Tamiya F1 tire. Forget which ones had Firestones. Ferrari 312B or Lotus 49, perhaps?

I wouldn't say they're stepping outside their comfort zone, their first kit was the (unnamed for licensing reasons) Toyota Hilux pickup, albeit in 1/35th scale and with a big honkin' gun in the back. They've since added another, the Land Cruiser with an even bigger gun... These kits are beautiful, by the way. Meng is easily the best of the Chinese companies, IMHO. I have no doubt the F-350 will be spectacular.

"Silent" compressors run off what is basically a refrigerator compressor, so that is the level of noise to expect from one. I've used CO2 for many years and love it. Silent, dry, no electricity needed... My only gripe is I wish I had a smaller cylinder (like a 5lb) so I could take it outside. Mine is a 20lb and is a bit difficult to lug around, but I only need to have it refilled every 2 years or so.

Hot news from Nuremburg Toy Fair, Meng will be releasing a kit of what appears to be a 2008-2010* Ford F-350 in 1/24th scale. *they don't indicate the model year. I first heard rumors of this kit several years ago, I figured it was something they were working on for their 1/35th scale line, but as it turns out it will be their first 1/24th scale automotive kit. They're planning to have this out by 4th qtr 2014, but from the looks of it it's pretty far along and may be out sooner than that. No details on price yet.

Yup, I'm originally from Virginia and you have to put stickers on front and rear tags, both month and year. New Jersey, where I live now, has done away with the stickers entirely, unless you're under 21, then you have to display a small solid red reflective sticker in the upper left (as you face it) of the plate of any car you're driving, not just one registered in your name. Drivers under 21 are subject to a curfew and passenger limits.

To be fair, you can't fit the distributor with the tunnel ram anyway...

That's sad news. Here's Roger hard at work on patterns for Monogram's 36 Ford from a 1962 (that's right, 1962) Car Craft Magazine article on how model kits are made. (middle right pic)

These are the first 2 of the legendary series of Tamiya 3-speed trucks. Built-ups can go for $3000, so I'd bet they'll get over $4000 for these NIB kits. Are they worth it? That's for the buyer to decide. To me, a Coke isn't worth 50 cents since I don't like Coke...

Why did this get merged into a thread about Hobbylinc.com in Atlanta? Hobby Link Japan (hlj.com) is in, where else, Japan!!!

They're saying February, and it'll be in black plastic again with both clear and tinted windows. I doubt it'll be back-dated/corrected, but it wouldn't totally surprise me if they did, seeing how this K.I.T.T. (pun intended) will probably never see the light of day again as a stock Firebird.

Wow, that's just.... Wow.

No, you only have to pay sales tax once. If anything you would have to pay the difference if WI is higher than IL, but usually that's just on big stuff like cars. Or if you did paid tax in IL for a large purchase, WI will file to get the tax money from IL. But still, you only pay once, or pay the difference.

No, they don't shrink-wrap kits in Japan. Japanese modelers like to inspect kits before they buy them, so domestic Japanese kits are not sealed or shrink-wrapped (or is it shrunk-wrapped???) I think N. America is the only place that shrink-wraps, most European companies use tape seals, if anything. And I've had later orders arrive before earlier orders, usually it is a customs thing.