Check our 2001 Chicago Hobby Show report for photographs and additional information.
Athearn announces a Stoughton 53' exterior post container with absolutely stunning detail! Rendition of the x-posts, door latch bars, and lift protectors are very impressive!
Boley announces an ever expanding range of trucks, fire fighting apparatus, and military models. The most exciting development is licensed models from PACCAR which will include Kenworth T-800, T-2000, and Peterbilt 379 die-cast models. Fire trucks include a Freightliner FL80 crew cab fire truck series, a whole range of Seagraves fire trucks, and even more International cab fire trucks.
Busch has produced some special models for IAA. The show will get underway in Frankfurt on Sept. 15 and run through the 23rd.
New tooling: Audi A4 Avant (Station Wagon) with the superbright headlights, two color interior, separately-added back roof rails and all the other goodies Busch added to the sedan model. The Special Model will be offered in Silver, Crystal Blue and Amulet Red. After the show, the models will be available through Audi's European dealer network. Existing models offered in new liveries: Mercedes-Benz ML-Class facelift with upgraded features like reflectorized tail lights, engraved turn signal lenses, newly-modified rear lower flap. New fog lamps, rearview mirror treatment, chrome-plated grille, spare tire rack, brush bars and 6-spoke wheels. Each model at the show will be individually numbered and supplied in Tansanit blue, packed in a special display box printed with "Mercedes-Benz ML-Klasse, IAA PKW - 2001 Limited Edition". Beginning in October, the model will be available in silver and green metallic. Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse sedan and station wagon in a taxi 2-pack. Supplied in ivory with typical German taxi signs, packed in a display case with the legend "Mercedes, Das Taxi." Smart convertible in special stream green supplied in a special box at the smart booth at IAA. No word about subsequent availability. The "Silver Arrows," a set consisting of a silver Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse station wagon pulling a 4-wheel auto trailer that is carrying a silver Smart City Coupe. Limited run of 500 pieces in special display case stamped "Spiel + Freizeit Behle" (Play and Free Time Behle) with the IAA logo. Only available at the Spiel + Freizeit Behle booth at the IAA. 2-tone 1958 Borgward Isabella convertible in red and black. Display case printed "Borgward Isabella Cabrio IAA 2001." Special run for Modellauto Wanner in Oberhausen. Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse station wagon in red with blue Hella light bar. Decorated for the airport manager at the Frankfurt airport. The airport is popularly known as "Fraport" and the Busch model is based on a vehicle marking design study done by the airport. Supplied in a special display case printed with "Frankfurt Airport, New Design (Study)". Another special run for Modellauto Wanner in Oberhausen. Special thanks to Bill Cawthon for this news.
New tooling:
Audi A4 Avant (Station Wagon) with the superbright headlights, two color interior, separately-added back roof rails and all the other goodies Busch added to the sedan model. The Special Model will be offered in Silver, Crystal Blue and Amulet Red. After the show, the models will be available through Audi's European dealer network.
Existing models offered in new liveries:
Mercedes-Benz ML-Class facelift with upgraded features like reflectorized tail lights, engraved turn signal lenses, newly-modified rear lower flap. New fog lamps, rearview mirror treatment, chrome-plated grille, spare tire rack, brush bars and 6-spoke wheels. Each model at the show will be individually numbered and supplied in Tansanit blue, packed in a special display box printed with "Mercedes-Benz ML-Klasse, IAA PKW - 2001 Limited Edition". Beginning in October, the model will be available in silver and green metallic.
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse sedan and station wagon in a taxi 2-pack. Supplied in ivory with typical German taxi signs, packed in a display case with the legend "Mercedes, Das Taxi."
Smart convertible in special stream green supplied in a special box at the smart booth at IAA. No word about subsequent availability.
The "Silver Arrows," a set consisting of a silver Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse station wagon pulling a 4-wheel auto trailer that is carrying a silver Smart City Coupe. Limited run of 500 pieces in special display case stamped "Spiel + Freizeit Behle" (Play and Free Time Behle) with the IAA logo. Only available at the Spiel + Freizeit Behle booth at the IAA.
2-tone 1958 Borgward Isabella convertible in red and black. Display case printed "Borgward Isabella Cabrio IAA 2001." Special run for Modellauto Wanner in Oberhausen.
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse station wagon in red with blue Hella light bar. Decorated for the airport manager at the Frankfurt airport. The airport is popularly known as "Fraport" and the Busch model is based on a vehicle marking design study done by the airport. Supplied in a special display case printed with "Frankfurt Airport, New Design (Study)". Another special run for Modellauto Wanner in Oberhausen. Special thanks to Bill Cawthon for this news.
Classic Metal Works announces 8 more vehicles in their extremely successful Mini-Metals series. Available in four colors each, these include:
#31100 - Metro Delivery Van #31200 - 1951 Ford Stake Truck #31300 - 1955 Belair Hardtop #31400 - 1951 Chevrolet Fleetline #31500 - 1967 Dodge Charger #31600 - 1958 Chevrolet Corvette #31700 - 1948 Ford Delivery Truck #31800 - 1951 Hudson Hornet
Don Mills Models announces a Mack FCSW vintage off-road dump truck featuring chain drive.
Fidelis Models is now offering several new 1/87 scale kits just released from Heiser's Models:
M4A4 Sherman "Firefly" 17 pounder gun T-60 Model 1941 Russian Light Tank T-60 Model 1942 Russian Light Tank T-60 Model 1942 Uparmored Turret, Russian Light Tank
GHQ has announced a pewter kit for a medium duty forklift (6-8,000 lb capacity est.) of a popular North American prototype.
InterMountain Railway Company has announced an ocean racing yacht in exact 1/87 scale.
Keyence has announced a radio controlled 1/87 tractor-trailer model based on a Herpa Mercedes Benz truck.
Model Power has announced intentions to produce a model based on the Freightliner Classic XL.
Oddballs Decals has released a set of decals for Burlington Northern railroad Maintenance of Way vehicles. These decals were applied to a wide variety of motor vehicles on the railroad and prototype photos are highly recommended for accurate decal placement. Lettering is black and white and will letter 9 trucks each of the green and orange paint scheme (18 trucks total). Set #87-654.
Also new is set #87-953 for Union Pacific MOW vehicles. Designed for vehicles painted white, this set will decal 9 vehicles. Reference to prototype photographs is highly recommended for accurate decal placement.
Last is set #87-655 for Santa Fe MOW vehicles. For white trucks with blue lettering, will decal 6 trucks. Price is $3.75 per set + $1.75 for postage and handling if ordering direct.
Wiking's October releases include another new piece of fire apparatus, a holiday-themed tractor-trailer, and a re-release of an old model.
Let's start with the old model; Wiking 696 16 34 is a Demag Crane Truck in Bundeswehr colors. This type of specialized military vehicle was in common use in the 1960s and some remained in use with the German Air Force until recently. The model has all the earmarks of the classic Wiking, including the "fish hook" on the crane boom. Wiking did refresh some of the original tooling, including an updated logo on the bottom. Estimated price $21.00
617 02 37 is a Metz DLK 23-12 ladder platform on a Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis. Wiking claims this is the most detailed model of a Metz ladder truck they have made; their first was on a Dodge chassis in 1948. The entire ladder system has been revised and Wiking even captured the markings on the bucket. Estimated price $25.00
A jolly Santa Claus appears on Wiking model 538 06 55. He's probably happy because it's a beer truck. The MAN TG 460 A XXL and tri-axle van trailer are decorated for the Maisel Brothers brewery in Bayreuth, Germany. The tractor is a "downgraded" variation of the previously-released MAN "Trucknology Generation" model in that it doesn't have all the aerodynamic features of the original. However, it is still nicely detailed and the model is as nicely detailed as any of Wiking's more recent truck models. The trailer is done in 5-color printing with print on both sides and back, the tractor features 3-color printing and chromed details. This model is in a new price class for Wiking, but I would estimate the price will be around $60.00.
The only other new product of note is No. 16 01 16 Round Hay Bales for use with the new Claas 250 Rollant Hay Baler introduced earlier this year.
Several models will be re-released in new colors:
638 02 30 Refuse Truck on Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis (single axle). The latest addition to Wiking's collection of trash haulers comes in light blue. Estimated price $16.00 714 13 46 Mercedes-Benz O 404 RHD Tour Bus. The bus body is cobalt blue with black interior. It's decorated for the Hertha BSC, Wiking's hometown football (soccer in the U.S.) team. A Nike Swoosh and other print complete the model of the team bus. Estimated price $42.00. 811 02 24 Ford Taunus 17M will be offered in two-tone trim. The body is red with a white top. Interior in ivory. Estimated price $10.50. 814 05 22 Porsche 356 Coupe will be produced in red with a beige interior. Estimated price $8.50 821 03 23 Ford Capri is back in its third release (the second, the GT XLR, was just released in June). Blue-gray body with a dark red interior. Estimated price $9.50. 840 03 24 Opel Blitz flatbed with canvas top. The model is decorated for German fruit importer "Simplex" and has a green body, brown chassis and fenders and a tan canvas top on the bed. Estimated price $10.50. 859 04 26 Mercedes-Benz L6600 flatbed with canvas top. Light beige body with red-tone chassis and wheel rims, brown canvas top on bed. Estimated price $12.00 864 04 24 Volkswagen T2 Police Van. This is a nice re-release for Wiking which hasn't offered a model of the second-generation (post 1968) Volkswagen bus in some time. It is also significant as the prototype for the model is a vehicle used by the North Rhein-Westphalia police in the years before the 1976 agreement on police vehicle liveries. The model is all white with black "Polizei" markings on the front and back and a blue gumball machine on the roof. Additional markings identify the model as being based on a T2 used in the city of Dortmund. Estimated price $10.50.
638 02 30 Refuse Truck on Mercedes-Benz Econic chassis (single axle). The latest addition to Wiking's collection of trash haulers comes in light blue. Estimated price $16.00
714 13 46 Mercedes-Benz O 404 RHD Tour Bus. The bus body is cobalt blue with black interior. It's decorated for the Hertha BSC, Wiking's hometown football (soccer in the U.S.) team. A Nike Swoosh and other print complete the model of the team bus. Estimated price $42.00.
811 02 24 Ford Taunus 17M will be offered in two-tone trim. The body is red with a white top. Interior in ivory. Estimated price $10.50.
814 05 22 Porsche 356 Coupe will be produced in red with a beige interior. Estimated price $8.50
821 03 23 Ford Capri is back in its third release (the second, the GT XLR, was just released in June). Blue-gray body with a dark red interior. Estimated price $9.50.
840 03 24 Opel Blitz flatbed with canvas top. The model is decorated for German fruit importer "Simplex" and has a green body, brown chassis and fenders and a tan canvas top on the bed. Estimated price $10.50.
859 04 26 Mercedes-Benz L6600 flatbed with canvas top. Light beige body with red-tone chassis and wheel rims, brown canvas top on bed. Estimated price $12.00
864 04 24 Volkswagen T2 Police Van. This is a nice re-release for Wiking which hasn't offered a model of the second-generation (post 1968) Volkswagen bus in some time. It is also significant as the prototype for the model is a vehicle used by the North Rhein-Westphalia police in the years before the 1976 agreement on police vehicle liveries. The model is all white with black "Polizei" markings on the front and back and a blue gumball machine on the roof. Additional markings identify the model as being based on a T2 used in the city of Dortmund. Estimated price $10.50.
These new models are expected to ship sometime in October with U.S. delivery in late October or early November.
