Leigh’s Diecast Diary

We didn’t receive any new items today, but ‘Signings Man’ Jason collected a whole lot of models, as next week he will be undertaking a road trip across Europe to obtain the signatures of Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher on several replicas.

For Raikkonen, these are our 1:18 F1 World Champion presentation (DC2007S), ‘regular’ 1:18 2007 Ferrari F2007 (DC2706S), 1:18 Australian Grand Prix Ferrari F2007 (DC2706AS), 1:4 F2007 Amalgam steering wheel (AML702S), and 1:12 F2007 Amalgam nosecone (AML732RS).

Schumacher will be signing more of his 2006 1:18 Mattel specials, from Monza (DC2605MS), Shanghai (DC2605CS) and Sao Paulo (DC2605SPS), along with his 1:18 Super Elite Ferrari FXX (HW7126S).

A busy week in store!

Today we received a sample of CMC’s 1:18 Mercedes 300 SLR that Stirling Moss campaigned to perhaps his most famous victory, in the 1955 Mille Miglia, and it is a real stunner (CMC066).

It is made up of over 1500 separate components, and underneath the bonnet the engine detail is incredible. The tail lifts up to reveal a spare front and rear wheel in the back, and you can even undo the spinners to remove the wheels themselves. My favourite feature has to be the 1:18 roller map contraption that Moss’s co-driver Denis Jenkinson used to guide him through the event! Fingers crossed we will see this just in time for Christmas.

We received into stock today the 1:18 Raikkonen 2007 Australian Grand Prix ‘Hat Trick’ special from Mattel (DC2706A). This is the one where the driver figure has both arms raised in the air, as Kimi’s were when he crossed the finish line. The Raikkonen signing will take place next week, so we will be able to also supply the signed version (DC2706AS) in time for Christmas.

Kyosho announced two new 1:18 replicas of the new BMW M3 coupe; one in metallic blue (KY8736BL), and one in metallic grey (KY8736GR).

Finally, my predecessor, James, popped in last thing for a chat, as he does from time to time, unable to completely shake off the diecast bug, and who can blame him? He had an interesting observation about the forthcoming Super Elite Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (HW7120), which instead of coming through in black, as I had mentioned on the 19th November, will actually come through in a dark blue / grey two-tone colourway.  

It was Sun Star’s turn to flood our warehouse today, as we received a big delivery of 1:18 rally replicas, both classic and modern.

The classic subjects were Ari Vatanen’s Ford Escort Mk.II from the 1977 RAC Rally (SS4439) and Hannu Mikkola’s winning Ford Escort Mk.II from the 1979 Rally of Portugal (SS4440).

The modern replicas were the 2007 Subaru Impreza WRCs of Petter Solberg (SS4392) and Chris Atkinson (SS4391), and Gigi Galli’s 2007 Citroen Xsara WRC (SS4427).

Staying with rallying, Trofeu announced a handful of new 1:43 subjects, all of which can now be found at the top of our ‘New Announcements’ category.

Finally, Mattel provided us with a sample of their gorgeous 1:18 Ferrari F430 Scuderia (HW2973), which I now can’t wait to see released early next year.

Today we received a massive delivery of 1:16 Massey Ferguson 135 tractors (J2698), one of our most popular replicas of 2007. Most of them were already committed to pre-orders, so our warehouse was kept extremely busy, and if you don’t want to have to wait until after Christmas to get your example you should order very soon.

Speaking of getting your orders in, we are now very close to the limit of our allocation on the Lewis Hamilton 1:43 2007 Australian Grand Prix ‘first race/first podium’ McLaren MP4/22 (DC27402A). It won’t be out until next year, but we will probably have to stop taking pre-orders on it before Christmas, so don’t put off ordering that one for much longer if you want it.

Minichamps announced some new subjects in the 1:43 Takuma Sato collection today. These are his Super Aguris from the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix (DC26422C), the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix (DC26422J), and the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix (DC27422B).

Welcome to the eighth Leigh’s Diary Vidcast, reviewing all the new diecast replicas that were released last week.

As always, I’ve listed the products below that have been featured in this week’s vidcast. Keep the comments rolling in. You’ll need quicktime installed to view the video on this post.

 

 Leighs Diary Vidcast Episode 8 [3:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (569)

 

 Leighs Diary Podcast Episode 8 [3:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (231)

These are the products featured on this week’s podcast:

1/1 McLaren MP4-22 Steering Wheel - Amalgam
1/18 Bentley Blower 1930 Le Mans 24Hr - Minichamps
1/12 Ducati 999R - Minichamps
1/43 Trabant 601 S - Minichamps
1/43 Pagani Zonda R - Spark
1/43 Aston Martin DBR9 #007 - Spark
1/18 Ferrari 250 GTO 60th Anniversary - Mattel
1/18 Porsche 997 GT3 Silver - AUTOart
1/18 Porsche 997 GT3 White - AUTOart
1/18 Porsche 997 GT3 Red - AUTOart
1/18 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari F2007 World Championship Presentation - Grand Prix Legends

Remember you can subscribe to the podcast by clicking the purple podcast icon at the top right or use this link if you wish to subscribe via itunes.

I hope you enjoyed watching or listening to the podcast. Please feel free to leave any comments on what you thought of it or anything you would like me to feature in future shows below.

Today it’s mainly road car diecast news. Mattel provided us with an advance image of their 1:18 Ferrari F430 Scuderia (HW2973), which we expect to see early next year.

Meanwhile, AUTOart released the three colourways of their 1:18 Porsche 997 GT3; red (AA77996), silver (AA77997), and white (AA77998).

We also received Minichamps’ weekly release schedule for next week, which included two new items that weren’t on the original monthly release schedule. These are Ralf Schumacher’s 1:43 2007 Toyota (DC27411) and Christian Abt’s 1:43 2007 DTM Audi (P079616).

Today we received the plaques for our 2007 Formula One World Champion presentation (DC2007), so it is now available straight from stock. We are also offering it signed by Kimi Raikkonen himself (DC2007S), with the signing scheduled to take place in early December.

It now looks like we won’t see Minichamps’ 1:18 example of Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren MP4/22 (DC2702) in time for Christmas. That means that Mattel’s offering (DC2702M) is the only 1:18 version that will be available this year. In 1:43, we are still hoping to see Minichamps’ replica (DC27402) before the end of 2007.

What a day!!! We have worked out what is causing the issues and the technical team are trying to get it sorted. Some may be able to use the forum but others may not. For the technical amongst you it’s all to do with perl modules and them not working correctly on the server. We hope to have it working as soon as possible.

To all you guys who have registered and posted so far, thanks, we didn’t think it would be so popular. Jon has been working in between his day job to get usual service resumed.

Thanks for your patience. It will be worth it.

There’s quite a bit to talk about today.

First off, we received a new Minichamps delivery, which had the long awaited 1:18 1930 Le Mans Bentley Blower (PG139530) on it. It looks absolutely stunning, with a level of detail up to the standard of CMC, especially with the functioning belt straps on the engine cover. These straps are extremely delicate though, so take your time when unfastening them!

Mattel also released a new subject, their 1:18 Ferrari 250 GTO in the Sixtieth Anniversary shade of red (HW2972).

Jason also dropped off a new signed item for us, Red Line’s 1:43 replica of Nigel Mansell’s Ferrari F430 GT2 from this year’s FIA GT race at Silverstone (RL001S).

Finally on the delivery front, we received Amalgam’s 1:1 replica of this year’s McLaren MP4/22 steering wheel (AML727). What blew me away on this was that you can actually press all the buttons and turn all the dials! The gearshift paddles can even be pulled back by your fingertips too! Definitely a contender for coolest replica of the year!

Towards the end of the day Red Line announced some new 1:43 Ferrari replicas. For me, the highlight was obviously Kimi Raikkonen’s winning Ferrari F2007 from the Brazilian Grand Prix (RL148). Felipe Massa’s car from the same race is also being replicated (RL149). It doesn’t look like Mattel are going to be releasing any 1:43 F2007s in the metallic shade of red that Ferrari used from Monaco onwards, so I am pleased to see that Red Line have announced these. The other new subjects are all currently at the top of our ‘New Announcements’ category.