30th
November
2009
Today we received new deliveries from Mattel and Kyosho.
From Mattel we received Kimi Raikkonen’s 1:43 2009 Ferrari F60 (DC29404), his last Formula One car? Don’t forget that Mattel’s price rises kick in tomorrow, so order today to save yourself £5!
We also received Felipe Massa’s winning 1:18 Ferrari F2008 from last year’s European Grand Prix at Valencia, complete with sharkfin (DC2802V).
Kyosho at last released its 1:18 replica of the 2007 BMW M6 2007 Moto GP safety car (KY8707GPC), as well as Enrico Bettega’s winning Lancia 037 from the 1984 Monza Rally (KY8302G).
A new brand for us, HPI, announced some very exciting 1:43 replicas from the 1994 BTCC season, which we should see released very soon. These are the championship winning Alfa Romeos of Gabriele Tarquini (HP8124) and Giampiero Simoni (HP8125), and the infamous Volvo 850 Estates of Jan Lammers (HP8112) and Rickard Rydell (HP8113). From what we’ve seen of HPI so far, these look like being very detailed replicas indeed. I’ve already put my name down for a Tarquini and a Rydell!
posted in Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
27th
November
2009
Today we received the new Minichamps delivery. The star of the show was the 1:43 Jenson Button 2009 Brawn BGP001 (DC29422), the generic 2009 racecar.
We also received #31 in the 1:43 Ayrton Senna Racing Car Collection, which is his 1987 Lotus 99T (AS874312), with the Senninha inlay commemorating 15 years of the Ayrton Senna Institute.
IXO provided us with a sample image of their forthcoming 1:43 replica of Kimi Raikkonen’s 2009 Fiat Punto from the Rally Della Marca (RAM371), which we should see released early in 2010. Good timing, with it looking ever more certain that Raikkonen will be spending a season in the World Rally Championship next year!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
26th
November
2009
Welly announced some new 1:18 replicas today, which we should see released in December. Like Mondo Motors, they seem to have a good knack for replicating subjects that aren’t really covered by the ‘big boys’ at considerably higher pricepoints.
I think the highlight will be the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in red (W18013). I know that Burago have released this before, but the fact that the Welly version will be available in ‘just’ red instead of random mixed colours (as Burago’s version was) means that supply will be a lot easier with the Welly version. Especially as everyone seems to only want it in red!
The other four new Welly subjects are the Lotus Elise 111S in yellow (W12535), the Pontiac Firebird in white (W12566), the Ford Thunderbird in cream (W19868), and the BMW 120i in silver (W12557).
At just £24.99 each, you can’t really go wrong!
posted in Diecast |
25th
November
2009
Today was dominated by news of Minichamps’ 2009 Brawn Formula One replicas.
Minichamps confirmed the specifications of their Jenson Button Australian Grand Prix and ‘standard’ 2009 Brawn replicas, and they have changed from what had originally been announced.
First, the ‘standard’ 2009 replicas, which applies to both 1:18 (DC2922) and 1:43 (DC29422) versions. We understood originally that these replicas would be based on the car that ran in the British Grand Prix. However, it will now be the Australian Grand Prix specification. The 1:43 version, by the way, is due with us on Monday.
This doesn’t mean that the standard versions will be exactly the same as the Australian Grand Prix specials though, as the Australia specials will come with different driver figures and ‘specific tyre markings’ (as seen on other Minichamps Grand Prix winning specials, such as the 1:18 Jenson Button First Win, DC2612H) to differentiate them.
The 1:18 Jenson Button Australian Grand Prix win special (DC2922A) will come with a driver figure with its arms raised in the air, and the 1:43 Jenson Button Australian Prix win special (DC29422A) will come with a standing driver figure stood in the cockpit.
This also affects our exclusive 1:18 World Champion presentation (DC2009), as it will now not feature a British Grand Prix Jenson Button Brawn replica, but an Australian Grand Prix version instead.
I hope that all makes sense! It’s taken us most of the day to get our heads round it!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Formula 1 |
24th
November
2009
The big news today was that Minichamps sent us a sample of their 1:18 replica of Jenson Button’s 2009 Australian Grand Prix winning Brawn BGP001 (DC2922A)!
Now, a couple of cynics out there have suggested that we do not really receive these samples, but instead use Photoshop and other people’s images to give the impression that we have received a sample!
Of course, this is complete nonsense, and I’m sorry I’ve had to resort to this, but below is a photo of me holding the sample to prove that we have received it! You can of course click on the link above to see photos of the sample without my face included!
We also received the latest Minichamps delivery, headlined by a couple of very popular 1:43 Formula One cars.
The first of these is the Sebastian Vettel First Win special Toro Rosso STR3 from the 2008 Italian Grand Prix (DC28415M). The second is Lewis Hamilton’s 2009 McLaren showcar (DC29401P), the only 2009 Hamilton replica that will be available before Christmas.
There were also several other 1:43 2009 Formula One cars on the delivery. There were three showcars; the Force Indias of Adrian Sutil (DC29420P) and Giancarlo Fisichella (DC29421P), and the other McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen (DC29402P). Minichamps’ next 2009 race car arrived today too, Nick Heidfeld’s BMW F1.09 (DC29406).
On two wheels, we received the 1:12 MV Agusta F4 Senna (P121730). I love Minichamps deliveries this time of year, they always seem to be full of interesting subjects!
posted in Diecast, Formula 1 |
23rd
November
2009
Today we received a sample of the WIT’s 1:12 replica of the 1981 Kawasaki Z1000 R1 Eddie Lawson ‘replica’ (WH015). This is the bike that Kawasaki released to celebrate Lawson’s American AMA title. It is due with us on 16th December, so provided that there are no delays, you should just about receive this in time for Christmas.
We also heard that next week we will see the first Minichamps 2009 Brawn race car replica. It will be what was originally announced as Jenson Button’s ‘generic’ 2009 1:43 Brawn, which we understand will be his car from the British Grand Prix (DC29422).
Amalgam released their latest 1:8 monster replica today, which is the beautiful McLaren F1 GTR that won the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours (AML940). Amalgam also announced the Ferrari 458 Italia in 1:8 scale (AML941), which will look stunning.
Finally, AUTOart provided us with sample images of their first colourway of the extremely popular 1:18 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, in white with a red stripe (AA87370). It is doubtful that we will see it before Christmas, but at least we now have an idea that we should see it soon(ish)!
posted in Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
20th
November
2009
Today we received our latest signed Formula One World Champion piece of diecast! It is of course Minichamps’ 1:18 1978 Lotus 79, signed by the great Mario Andretti (PG780005S). We only have 30 remaining after fulfilling our pre-orders, so don’t wait for too long if you want this one in your collection.
We also received Solido’s 1:18 #009 Gulf Aston Martin DBR9 from the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours (SL118045). This is much closer to a race car than the AUTOart version (AA80806), as it has the Le Mans registration decals, but it does not have the drivers’ names on the roof. It also has opening doors and a removable bonnet, unlike the sealed bodyshell on AUTOart’s version, and is considerably cheaper too!
posted in Diecast, Formula 1 |
19th
November
2009
Today we received samples of the two Minichamps 1:43 2009 McLaren showcars, of Lewis Hamilton (DC29401P) and Heikki Kovalainen (DC29402P). These will both be released next week.
We also received Amalgam’s next two 1:4 2009 Formula One steering wheels. These are of the Ferrari F60 (AML929), as handled by Raikkonen, Massa, Fisichella and Badoer, and the McLaren MP4/24 (AML928), as handled by Hamilton and Kovalainen.
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Formula 1 |
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