29th
January
2010
Today we received next week’s Minichamps delivery a weekday early!
This was another Minichamps delivery that almost filled up our warehouse, such were the numbers of pre-orders that we had on certain replicas.
The most hotly anticipated replica had to be Minichamps’ latest 1:12 classic bike, the BSA Gold Star DBD34 Clubman (P130001). Then, from 1:18 2009 Formula One cars, there were Jenson Button’s ‘standard’ Brawn BGP001, which is completely sold out to pre-orders (DC2922), and Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull RB5 (DC2915).
From 1:43 Formula One cars, there were the Mark Webber 2009 Chinese Grand Prix Red Bull RB5 (DC29414C), which is a limited edition of 2,016 pieces, and James Hunt’s 1977 McLaren M26 (P774301), which is a limited edition of 3,600 pieces.
We also received the Mercedes Dealer Edition 1:43 Minichamps replicas of the 2009 McLaren MP4/24s of Lewis Hamilton (DC29401M) and Heikki Kovalainen (DC29402M).
Then, from endurance racing, there was the latest subject in Minichamps’ 1:43 Le Mans Winners collection, the 1998 Porsche 911 GT1 of McNish, Aiello and Ortelli (P986926).
Away from Minichamps, True Scale Miniatures announced some exciting 1:18 subjects today.
The first of these is the infamous six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 from 1976. True Scale will be replicating Jody Scheckter’s Tyrrell P34 that won the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix (TSM10185), and the test car with the tall airbox (TSM10184). The 1976 Swedish Grand Prix was the only occasion that a six-wheeled car won a Grand Prix, and we are delighted that we can also offer this replica signed by Jody Scheckter himself (TSM10185S).
The other exciting 1:18 subject from True Scale is the 1979 Le Mans winning Porsche 935 K3 (TSM10182).
I hope these new True Scale replicas will be on show at Nuremberg so that we can do features on them for future issues of Diecast Monthly!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
28th
January
2010
Today WIT’s announced their next 1:12 motorbike replica. Over 2009 they really impressed with the quality of their models, and judging by this new sample we have just received, they will scale new heights this year.
Their new subject is the potent 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa, which will be available in orange (WH017), white (WH018) and black (WH019).
The sample is the heaviest 1:12 motorbike replica we have ever come across, so there are no doubts about the metal content of it! We hope to receive all three colourways in April, but there will only be 500 orange bikes made, and 250 each of white and black. We will obviously receive far tinier numbers than these, so if you don’t want to miss out on these replicas get your pre-orders in soon!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast |
27th
January
2010
Today AUTOart confirmed what we will see from them on their next container, which we should receive early in February.
We will see the second colourway of the 1:18 Koenigsegg CCX, silver (AA79003), which has gone up in price once again, by another £20, to a new RRP of £159.99.
In 1:18 we will also see the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 in white and blue (AA87371), the Porsche 924 Carrera GT in black (AA78001), and the 2006/07 Team Germany A1 GP car (AA18103).
Minichamps announced a new 1:43 Jenson Button replica today, which is a second ‘First Win special’ from the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix (DC26412D). This new version will come with a driver figure in the cockpit and have a race-finished dirty effect, so it will be significantly different to the original ‘First Win special’, which was a sell-out within days of its release.
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
26th
January
2010
Today we had the honour of being visited by Mr. Paul Lang, owner of Minichamps, and his new Marketing Director.
We had quite an intensive four hour meeting; we had planned to go out for lunch but ended up ordering sandwiches in instead as we had so much to discuss!
Thank you to everyone who responded to our Minichamps survey a couple of weeks ago. We were able to put together a pretty mammoth presentation based on all your views and comments.
It was a very constructive meeting, with issues addressed such as pricing, lead times from announcement to production, and limited editions. We were left feeling that Minichamps is fully committed to strengthening any areas where they are not already perfect.
Our suggestions for future model subjects were also positively received. Obviously, these will be too late for next week’s new 2010 announcements, but we are already looking forward to seeing what will be announced at the 2011 Nuremberg Toy Fair!
Away from Minichamps, we received True Scale Miniatures’ latest 1:18 Porsche 935 K3, in the eye-catching Coca Cola livery, from the 1980 Daytona 24 Hours (TSM09184). True Scale have done another superb job on this one.
We also received our second delivery of Universal Hobbies’ 1:16 Nuffield Universal 4 tractor (J2715), so that is now available from stock as well.
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars |
25th
January
2010
Another Monday, another huge delivery from Minichamps!
We received the remainder of our delivery for 1:12 Valentino Rossi 2008 Yamahas (PO83046), so those of you who didn’t receive an example just before Christmas should get yours shortly.
We also received several 2009 1:43 Formula One replicas, including no less than three Jenson Button ‘specials’. These also had quite low limited editions.
The first of these was his Malaysian Grand Prix Brawn, with wet tyres (DC29422M), which is limited to 3,240. Then there is the Bahrain Grand Prix Brawn, with Virgin Galactic logos (DC29422C), which is a limited edition of a mere 2,952. Finally, there is the Spanish Grand Prix Brawn with the Terminator Salvation logos on the rear wing (DC29422D), limited to 3,096.
Other new 1:43 F1 releases were the Sebastian Vettel 2009 Chinese Grand Prix Red Bull RB5 (DC29415C), and Lewis Hamilton’s 2009 McLaren MP4/24.
I love deliveries like this one!
posted in Diecast, Moto GP, Formula 1 |
22nd
January
2010
Today Mattel provided us with sample images of a few of their forthcoming replicas.
In 1:43, these were the #22 Ferrari 250 GT from the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours (HW9959), and the #62 Ferrari 250 GT from Monza (HW9960).
In 1:18 there was the Ferrari 360 Spider in red (HW9902). Hopefully this means we should see these released shortly.
In other news, a new site has cropped up showing all the models from AUTOart. It can be found at Autoart. The site is kept up to date with the latest cars and bikes from AUTOart and only AUTOart. It’s well worth a look.
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Other Cars |
21st
January
2010
Today Minichamps announced two new 1:43 Formula One replicas.
The first of these is a very interesting subject, as it is Mika Hakkinen’s first Formula One test car, his Benetton B189 from his test at Silverstone on 24th January 1990 (P890219).
The other new announcement is Nelson Piquet’s Benetton B189B from the 1990 American Grand Prix at Phoenix (P900120), where he finished fourth.
posted in Diecast, Formula 1 |
20th
January
2010
Today we received the Minichamps weekly release schedule for next week, and we were surprised to see three 1:43 2009 Jenson Button Brawn replicas on there that weren’t due to be released for a couple of weeks yet!
The first of these is the Malaysian Grand Prix special, which will come with wet tyres (DC29422M), which was originally due to arrive on 1st February.
Next is the Bahrain Grand Prix special, which will come with Virgin Galactic logos (DC29422C), which we had been told to expect on 8th February.
Finally, there will be the Spanish Grand Prix special, with Terminator Salvation logos (DC29422D). This replica wasn’t even listed at all on the original monthly release schedule!
It’s certainly going to be a bumper week for Jenson Button fans!
posted in Due Dates, Diecast, Formula 1 |
19th
January
2010
Today we received expected new releases from Spark and Bizarre, and unexpected new releases from Mattel!
In 1:43 Spark released Richie Ginther’s Eagle from the 1967 Race Of Champions (SPK1623), and two Porsche 997s from the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours; #75 (SPK1953) and #77 (SPK1955).
We also received one of the most interesting subjects that Bizarre have ever replicated; the Rover-BRM that was driven by Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart in the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours (BZ0047).
The Mattel delivery took us by surprise as we hadn’t been informed of its impending arrival.
In 1:18, we received the #34 Ferrari F40 from the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours (HW2071), and the Ferrari Challenge Stradale in red (HW9891). I was very impressed with the F40, coming complete with removable front bodywork.
In 1:12 there was the Elite version of the Batcycle from the 1960s Batman TV series (HW0006), and three new 1:43 Formula One Ferraris.
These were Jean Alesi’s 1995 412 T2 (HW9946), and Michael Schumacher’s 2000 F1-2000 (HW9943) and 2003 F2003-GA (HW9944).
We’ve really been spoilt for new releases so far this week!
posted in Diecast, Other Cars, Formula 1 |
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