Athabasca Scale Models Limited displayed a new product using the same concept of their [railroad] passenger car sides. Using brass and etching it, they have created a prototypically correct side for 1960 and 1970 vintage piggyback van trailers. The side is a one piece etching that will fold over an A-line trailer “core”. The kits will come with the sides and a core (shown assembled and painted above). MSRP $N/A. (Milwaukee and BCR are the 1960s version and CN (not shown) is the 1970s version). Athabasca Scale Models Limited – 200, 1316 9th Ave. S.E., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 0T3
Athearn had on display their Ford C Cab with rescue body. New to the Ford model is the extended front bumper with winch and bell along with the enclosed rescue body, which features clear window glazings. The model shares the same department decorations as their previous fire trucks. Typical of the quality of vehicles Athearn has introduced lately, it will come with vinyl tires, separately applied mirrors and a wealth of additional details. MSRP $24.98.
Athearn also brought along their popular Freightliner COE paired with a 45’ van trailer decorated in their Coca-Cola series. The trucks will only be available as a part of a 3-pack “Coca-Cola collectible delivery set”. The sets features uniquely decorated, themed Ford C Box Van delivery truck, Ford C Tractor with Beverage Trailer and the Freightliner COE with 45’ Van Trailer. There will be 4 sets with various Coca-Cola artworks, a Diet Coke set and a Sprite set. MSRP $39.98
Classic Mint Collectibles was displaying pre-production samples of both their Tabert 55SA lowboy trailer (shown above) and their spectacular Komatsu D575A-3 Super Dozer (see homepage announcement in case you missed it). Initially available in black or white the Talbert lowboy will be paired with a Peterbilt 379 for Fall delivery.
Sylvan Scale Models displayed some of their wonderful resin vehicles. All truck kits are cast polyurethane resin, requiring assembly and painting. Kits have hollow cast, one piece bodies. Interiors are fully detailed, including a driver. Black rubber tires are "poseable". Trucks have vacuum formed window glazing and etched stainless mirrors and grabs. New is a White 9000 (#V029 shown above), available as a tractor kit ($12.95) or along with all of their trucks, new dump bodies (all trucks w/dump bodies $15.95). Separate dump bodies are $TBA. (Also displayed was a new trailer (#T001 above), but details are unknown).
Bub Toys announced their Blue Wonder at the 2004 Techno Classica fair in Essen, Germany. Just 500 sets of Mercedes-Benz' 1954 race-car transporter (above, top) and W196 streamliner (above) were made for DaimlerChrysler at that time. Now, the regular release model is available at hobby shops. Transporter and race-car are sold separately. Bub Toys are high-quality die-cast models that come without windows.
As for the prototype, it was created in 1954 when Mercedes-Benz' racing department was in need of a means of transport to travel from Formula1 race-tracks to their Stuttgart repair shop. They had just re-entered international motor sport that year, but the first entry at the French Grand Prix in Reims proved most successful. Drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling clinched a double victory with their entirely newly developed W196 streamliners.
MotorArt just recently released their first 1/87th scale model that had been announced for almost two years - the Volvo EC210 tracked excavator. Priced similarly to Norscot models, the quality betters the CATs' especially because of thinner railings and more finely molded detail parts. The MotorArt Volvo features as many moving part as Norscot's items.
Drawbacks are the rubber tracks and the hydraulic cylinders attachment to the boom that look rather toy-like. The paint job is beyond criticism.
Announced for the third quarter of 2004 is the Volvo A40D articulated dump truck that will come with an opening hood and complete engine detail. Boley will distribute these models in the U.S. soon. As for now, the EC210 is only available from MotorArt, being distributed by Mahler Toys in Germany. German hobby shops carrying the Norscot line should be a good source for MotorArt, as well.
Norev - Introduced at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in February, it took until now for the 2003 Citroen C2 and C3 Pluriel models to make it into general distribution. Both came as a complete surprise as Norev had restricted themselves to re-releases of their 1960s' Microminiatures so far - and a welcome one, both for the selection of prototypes and the quality that is convincing (rather than breath-taking). While the C2 hatch is just that, the C3 Pluriel will perform as a hatch, a topless sedan, a convertible, and a pickup. The Norev miniature comes close in that the top may be removed.
Preiser recently shipped the first batch of 2004 releases. The hand-painted miniature figures are as nice as 1/87th scale gets:
10502 / 10503 - At the Riding School. Two horses and three people per box, both on and off horse-back. A girl is busy cleaning her horse.
#10504
#10505
10504 / 10505 / 10506 - Travellers, standing / walking / sitting. Six figures per box that will be right at home on any platform, bus station, or taxi rank. #10508 10508 - Playing Boule. Six gentlemen who are busy practicing the unofficial French national sport of Boule. #10509 10509 - Swiss national costumes of canton Uri. Six figures, impeccably painted to resemble Swiss regional clothing.
10504 / 10505 / 10506 - Travellers, standing / walking / sitting. Six figures per box that will be right at home on any platform, bus station, or taxi rank.
10508 - Playing Boule. Six gentlemen who are busy practicing the unofficial French national sport of Boule.
10509 - Swiss national costumes of canton Uri. Six figures, impeccably painted to resemble Swiss regional clothing.
Wiking just recently announced their August releases. A nice variety of modern and vintage vehicles will be available at hobby shops from around the end of next month.
New Tooling
273.02.29 - 2003 VW California recreational vehicle, lime green w/beige interior Volkswagen's campers have been called "California" for 15 years, but only from 2003 on, they were made by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rather than Westfalia, which is now owned by DaimlerChrysler. Although it looks just like the VW T5 Multivan it is based on, it will feature a kitchenette, table, and benches. The roof will be modelled after the prototype's trademark raiseable unit. The, eh, distinctive paint job is prototypical, too. 622.40.35 - Rosenbauer Unimog U400 L 4x4 TLF 4000 pumper/tanker Not only does it get a completely new pumper/tanker body, the Rosenbauer fire-mog features a new long wheelbase chassis as well. The prototype, made by Austrian firm Rosenbauer AG, is a hill-climber par excellence and will be the perfect brush fire truck. All over Europe, trucks like this one have been the natural choice for rural fire departments for decades. It should be prototypical for U.S. layouts as the small Unimog is readily available in North America via Freightliner's American LaFrance subsidiary, and Rosenbauer offers their products as well. 657.39.30 - Hako Citymaster 300 sidewalk-sweeper, with driver figure A year and a half ago, when Wiking introduced their articulated Hako sidewalk-sweeper (it is not considered a street-sweerper as it's too small), we marvelled at the little thing's playability. Even the trash-bin in the model's rear compartment may be removed - only to reveal an opening lid! Now, the model is made even more appealing by a driver figure in community-service clothing. 844.40.28 - 1950s' Hanomag K55 tracked dozer, dark green The K55's first release in spring left off the dozer blade, which is added now. Made in Hanover, it was one of the very few tracked vehicles of its time to be controlled by a steering wheel rather than levers. 863.40.34 - 1955 Magirus S3500 crew-cab TLF 16 pumper/tanker To go with June's Magirus DL25h aerial ladder, Wiking adds a beautiful 1950s' pumper/tanker that was designed and built by Magirus of Ulm, Germany, as well. It will come with the round-nose cab initially, but will soon be followed by the square-nose version. 870.40.26 - 1953 Unimog 401, THW (German disaster relief organization) With the success of Brekina's and Epoche's Unimog 411 and 421 models, Wiking felt they had do bring their 401 to today's standards. New wheels and tires as well as a canvas roof make for a wholly new impression, although one might wish for entirely new tooling, given the Wiking model's age. It dates back to times when approximate H0 scale was enough. 891.01.41 - 1950 Krupp Titan truck and full trailer, Adalbert Wandt Introduced at the Paris Auto Show in 1950, the Krupp Titan was the king of the road at the time. 190 or (from 1951 on) 210 hp out of a 8.7 liter two-stroke engine meant the power that matched the car-like exterior's visual poise. The first release will feature Brunswick forwarder's Adalbert Wandt's well-known colors.
273.02.29 - 2003 VW California recreational vehicle, lime green w/beige interior Volkswagen's campers have been called "California" for 15 years, but only from 2003 on, they were made by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles rather than Westfalia, which is now owned by DaimlerChrysler. Although it looks just like the VW T5 Multivan it is based on, it will feature a kitchenette, table, and benches. The roof will be modelled after the prototype's trademark raiseable unit. The, eh, distinctive paint job is prototypical, too.
622.40.35 - Rosenbauer Unimog U400 L 4x4 TLF 4000 pumper/tanker Not only does it get a completely new pumper/tanker body, the Rosenbauer fire-mog features a new long wheelbase chassis as well. The prototype, made by Austrian firm Rosenbauer AG, is a hill-climber par excellence and will be the perfect brush fire truck. All over Europe, trucks like this one have been the natural choice for rural fire departments for decades. It should be prototypical for U.S. layouts as the small Unimog is readily available in North America via Freightliner's American LaFrance subsidiary, and Rosenbauer offers their products as well.
657.39.30 - Hako Citymaster 300 sidewalk-sweeper, with driver figure A year and a half ago, when Wiking introduced their articulated Hako sidewalk-sweeper (it is not considered a street-sweerper as it's too small), we marvelled at the little thing's playability. Even the trash-bin in the model's rear compartment may be removed - only to reveal an opening lid! Now, the model is made even more appealing by a driver figure in community-service clothing.
844.40.28 - 1950s' Hanomag K55 tracked dozer, dark green The K55's first release in spring left off the dozer blade, which is added now. Made in Hanover, it was one of the very few tracked vehicles of its time to be controlled by a steering wheel rather than levers.
863.40.34 - 1955 Magirus S3500 crew-cab TLF 16 pumper/tanker To go with June's Magirus DL25h aerial ladder, Wiking adds a beautiful 1950s' pumper/tanker that was designed and built by Magirus of Ulm, Germany, as well. It will come with the round-nose cab initially, but will soon be followed by the square-nose version.
870.40.26 - 1953 Unimog 401, THW (German disaster relief organization) With the success of Brekina's and Epoche's Unimog 411 and 421 models, Wiking felt they had do bring their 401 to today's standards. New wheels and tires as well as a canvas roof make for a wholly new impression, although one might wish for entirely new tooling, given the Wiking model's age. It dates back to times when approximate H0 scale was enough.
891.01.41 - 1950 Krupp Titan truck and full trailer, Adalbert Wandt Introduced at the Paris Auto Show in 1950, the Krupp Titan was the king of the road at the time. 190 or (from 1951 on) 210 hp out of a 8.7 liter two-stroke engine meant the power that matched the car-like exterior's visual poise. The first release will feature Brunswick forwarder's Adalbert Wandt's well-known colors.
New Decorations
022.05.40 - Eurocopter EC135 helicopter, fire brigade Although the EC135 is actually used for brush-fire spotting purposes, the fire-brigade colors follow a design study rather than real life. Police and the military are the only German state or federal agencies to operate these machines, apart from private carriers such as the automobile club ADAC. 060.05.28 - 2002 VW Touareg V10 TDI w/roof rack, red w/black interor Yet another variation the Touareg's theme - the model that won the 1/87 Vehicle Club's Best of The Best award in 2003. Volkswagen's luxury SUV has been released without the roof rack initially, than came with a surf-board and a ski-box put on the roof. Most recently, it was seen towing a power-boat. Finally, here is the model that looks like all the promotionals, with both parts of the roof rack moved close to each other to improve aerodynamics. This appears to be the sixteenth Touareg Wiking has made in less than two years, counting only different shades of paint, not varying decorations or boxes. 159.39.27 - 2002 MB S500, metallic andradit green w/light brown interior Mercedes' flagship sedan receives a new color scheme, only the second one for the revamped 2002 model. 615.04.41 - Mercedes-Benz Econic DLK 30 PLC aerial ladder (Metz) Mercedes-Benz designed the Econic as a community-service vehicle, with a low mounted cab and large doors that make for easy entry. It gained some reputation when the City of Hanover purchased a fleet of Econic fire engines on occasion of the Expo 2000 world exhibition. Düsseldorf and Darmstadt fire brigades operate some Econics, too. This Metz aerial ladder comes decorated for a factory fire-brigade. 665.02.21 - Trailer w/waste container, light beige Wiking's fictional construction company got a new color scheme lately. We wonder just how much sense a trailer without a matching truck makes! 812.05.24 - 1955 Messerschmitt Kabinenroller KR201, yellow w/black interior Probably not a factory color back in the 1950s, the cabin scooter features a striking yellow paint job as part of the Wiking range. These were the vehicles that brought Germany back on wheels during Wirtschaftswunderzeit. 816.08.24 - 1963 Austin Healey 3000 Mk3, blue and white w/rubine red interior As nice as always - the British sports-car's recent color scheme appears to have been sold out quickly. 834.36.26 - 1963 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL hardtop-coupé, light metallic gold w/wine-red interior Same for the Pagoda - only few months before, a metallic-silver model had been released. It is followed quickly by an equally nice light-gold version. Perhaps the SL's success can convince Wiking to design new tooling for the 1955 190 SL, as well. Please?
022.05.40 - Eurocopter EC135 helicopter, fire brigade Although the EC135 is actually used for brush-fire spotting purposes, the fire-brigade colors follow a design study rather than real life. Police and the military are the only German state or federal agencies to operate these machines, apart from private carriers such as the automobile club ADAC.
060.05.28 - 2002 VW Touareg V10 TDI w/roof rack, red w/black interor Yet another variation the Touareg's theme - the model that won the 1/87 Vehicle Club's Best of The Best award in 2003. Volkswagen's luxury SUV has been released without the roof rack initially, than came with a surf-board and a ski-box put on the roof. Most recently, it was seen towing a power-boat. Finally, here is the model that looks like all the promotionals, with both parts of the roof rack moved close to each other to improve aerodynamics. This appears to be the sixteenth Touareg Wiking has made in less than two years, counting only different shades of paint, not varying decorations or boxes.
159.39.27 - 2002 MB S500, metallic andradit green w/light brown interior Mercedes' flagship sedan receives a new color scheme, only the second one for the revamped 2002 model.
615.04.41 - Mercedes-Benz Econic DLK 30 PLC aerial ladder (Metz) Mercedes-Benz designed the Econic as a community-service vehicle, with a low mounted cab and large doors that make for easy entry. It gained some reputation when the City of Hanover purchased a fleet of Econic fire engines on occasion of the Expo 2000 world exhibition. Düsseldorf and Darmstadt fire brigades operate some Econics, too. This Metz aerial ladder comes decorated for a factory fire-brigade.
665.02.21 - Trailer w/waste container, light beige Wiking's fictional construction company got a new color scheme lately. We wonder just how much sense a trailer without a matching truck makes!
812.05.24 - 1955 Messerschmitt Kabinenroller KR201, yellow w/black interior Probably not a factory color back in the 1950s, the cabin scooter features a striking yellow paint job as part of the Wiking range. These were the vehicles that brought Germany back on wheels during Wirtschaftswunderzeit.
816.08.24 - 1963 Austin Healey 3000 Mk3, blue and white w/rubine red interior As nice as always - the British sports-car's recent color scheme appears to have been sold out quickly.
834.36.26 - 1963 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL hardtop-coupé, light metallic gold w/wine-red interior Same for the Pagoda - only few months before, a metallic-silver model had been released. It is followed quickly by an equally nice light-gold version. Perhaps the SL's success can convince Wiking to design new tooling for the 1955 190 SL, as well. Please?
Preiser has announced several new items of interest. A "mini-review" is provided by our club newsletter, Route 1-87, Military feature editor, Jens O. Mehner.
16534: “Auf dem land/On the farm” - This new set of unpainted figures, animals and farm implements comprises 52 humans, 50 animals and lots of useful stuff like wheelbarrows, a horse-drawn plough, a farm wagon and other odds and ends, mostly cast in hard styrene, with the reins for the horses being made of a more elastic material which produces a nice realistic sag. While most of the little people are of European origin, they can be modified for use on American fields, if all else fails, they could add to your Amish or Mennonite farmers. Besides the usual cows and chicken you will also get some peacocks and also a turkey, which you can fatten for Thanksgiving. These little guys show lots of personality, and come highly recommended, check with your favorite model railroad shop for availability.
17601: “Schäferkarren/Shepherd’s cart” - This useful little kit depicts a typical cart used by the man in charge when out herding his sheep, and could also be used as scenery in military dioramas. Among the multi-colored styrene parts are also some interior details like a bunk and a stove, of particular interest is the lantern cast in clear styrene, which could find its place in a myriad of other settings - also highly recommended.
17934: “Ackerschlepper Fahr/Fahr farm tractor” - The prototype was introduced by the German Fahr company in 1958, featuring a 34 hp 4 cylinder 4 stroke Daimler Benz- Diesel engine, and became an instant success, with quite a few survivors still roaming European fields.
Cast in various shades of styrene, this neat little kit is another proof of Preiser’s eye to details (see detail on main engine/transmission molding above), and features crisp, legible printing where applicable, optional parts include a roll bar and mowing equipment. Although of German manufacture, this farm worker could find a home on many layouts and, for the risk of repeating myself, comes highly recommended.
17935: “Geräteträger Kartoffellegemaschine/Tool Carrier Potato Planter”- This assembled model comes with Gunter, the driver, and Eva and Helga, the faithful planting helpers. Those tool carrier type tractors can be found all over Europe and feature a basic chassis which can be fitted with a loadbed, crane, tank, or in this case, potato planting equipment. The crisply molded tractor is flawlessly assembled, all that is left for you to do is add the optional rollover protection and to weather it to your heart’s content before adding it to that diorama with the US troops digging in during maneuvres. Highly recommended and available wherever Preiser is sold.
30446: “Lieferwagen mit plane/Delivery cart with tarpaulin” Going back in time, this rig takes us to the good old days of inner city deliveries. It also comes fully assembled and painted, all that remains for the modeller is to add the reins and the clear styrene lanterns with their brass frames. The tarpaulin does hide a typical load of mixed cargo and is already weathered, but not removable. Change the “Gebrüder Meier Spedition” printed on the backboard to the name of your favorite delivery company and you are set to earn some revenue with this highly recommended model.
By Jens O. Mehner. "My sincere thanks to Volker Preiser for providing the review samples," Jens.
