January 2001 Product News

~~Dennis Aust~~ has a new brass and resin log trailer kit. This kit represents a tandem axle west coast style log trailer. It is composed of resin castings and square brass tubing. It is priced at $15 plus shipping and handling. It can be ordered directly from Dennis Aust's web site.

Fidelis Models has added many new products to their lineup. You are invited to visit their website at www.fidelismodels.com to get details on:

Fidelis has made many improvements to the web site, including more international shipping cost options.

Cor van der Meijde, a Dutch modeler, is offering a resin kit for a Commer step van. You may contact him for details at [email protected].

Oddballs Decals has a decal set for an International Harvester H Farmall tractor (the Life-Like red tractor). One set will letter six tractors. They also have decals available for the American Precision Models in two different Missouri Pacific Bus Lines schemes.

Plano Model Products has introduced a pair of replacement grilles for the Atlas Ford LNT9000. There are two separate grilles in each package made from photo-etched stainless steel. The models shown above on the left and right have the Plano grilles installed (the middle one is the stock Atlas grille). These are extremely useful accessories; we applaud Plano's continuing efforts to supply modern 1/87 truck modelers with such items!

ROCO has discontinued the Miniaturmodelle line as of January 1, 2001. This does not include models which would pertain to model railroads, like the RoadRailer or Hi-Rail Unimogs. These models will be listed in the Railroad products catalog beginning in 2002. Sadly, this does mean that their very nice European truck models will be going away, as will their line of European firefighting equipment. The Minitank line is of military models is not affected and will remain in production. Some Minitank models will be getting upgraded tooling over the next few years, so look for some "temporary" disappearances. [Thanks to Bill Cawthon for this update.]

Wiking will be heading to the Nuremberg Toy Fair with some interesting new products. The big news from Wiking is not a car or truck, it's a helicopter. Wiking will introduce a model of the EC135 Eurocopter decorated for the Deutsche Rettungsflugwacht (DRF), the German version of LifeFlight. Wiking's helicopter is decorated in red and white and features a detailed interior and prototypical markings. The new model's order number is 022 01 43 and the retail price is estimated to be around $40.00.

To go with the new helicopter, Wiking is released a redecorated VW Polo in DRF colors. Order number is 071 05 34 with an estimated price of $21.00. Returning to the Wiking Classic lineup is the 1978 "Pagoda Top" Mercedes-Benz 280SL Coupe. As with the Opel GT, Ford Capri and Opel Manta, the 280SL is updated with new detailing. The first release will be red with a light beige interior, transparent headlight and tail light inserts, silver grille and bumpers. The order number is 834 39 26 and price should be around $12.00. Also new is the DLK30 PLC fire truck on the Econic chassis. This 3-axle ladder truck is based on a Metz apparatus body and looks to be nicely detailed. The order number is 615 01 38 and expect a price around $26.00 Wiking's Audi A6 model is now one of their growing fleet of police cars. Order number 104 14 27 is a traditional green-and-white highway patrol sedan with a Wantel & Goltermann streamlined light bar. This model's prototype will most commonly be found in northern Germany and Bavaria. The new Audi cruiser will sell for about $13.00

There are some new colors for existing models, too. 144 39 24 is the newest variation of the Mercedes C-Class in Imperial Red with black interior (this model is of the older C-Class)($10.50). 288 03 23 is the Mercedes V-Class minivan in Calypso Red with beige interior ($9.50). The nice Jaguar E-Type Roadster model will be released in bright red with a black interior. Order number is 817 03 24 and the price will be about $10.50. The classic 824 03 26 Mercedes-Benz 220S is now available in dark blue with a blue-gray interior ($12.00). The Ford Taunus 17M sedan previously released as a police car is now available in fire brigade livery as well. Model 861 04 25 should go for around $11.50. Wiking's Iveco EuroFire FL16/12 pumper has new, improved markings and a new, higher price. Model No. 611 02 32 is now $17.50. The MAN flatbed truck with loading crane has a new color but the price remains the same. 675 03 26 is now light blue to go with most of Wiking's other construction equipment ($12.00).

Wiking continues to draft more models into the military. The VW Käfer (Beetle) now sports Bundeswehr medical service markings as model 696 12 25 ($13.00). Model 696 40 52 is a rolling billboard for the German Army Band. It's an Iveco EuroStar tractor with 3-axle van trailer. 4-color printed on the van sides and back doors, this is Wiking's most expensive 1/87 production model to date at $54.00.

Please note that all prices are estimates based on Wiking's price structure from 2000. Due to recent currency shifts, prices could very well be higher when the models hit the U.S. in late February or early March. [Thanks to Bill Cawthon for this update.]