Take a look here:
http://www.tamiya.com/japan/show0305/broadcast1.htm

There is a "new" M113A2 - looks like their VERY old M113 mold, with some new parts added. Also M2A2 - again some new parts, but still on old tracks... Very nice modern stowage set (with CIP panels included according to text on the picture) and anouncement of TOW Humvee are also present!

Rgds,
Pawel

Pawel,
Thanks so much for posting this!!! Sorry, I just got a little excited. I only wish it said when they were coming out. Must have stuff to fill up my Bradleys cargo baskets...

I had Babel Fish translate part of this site:

Hobby show day bulletin * scale model compilation

1/35 military miniature series
The American M113 A2 dessert wagon
Sample only

1/35 military miniature series
Equipment set for the American present
Sample only

1/35 military miniature series
The American M2A2 dessert blood ray
Sample only

1/35 military miniature series
The American M966 ハンビー TOW missile launcher carrier
Sample only

1/16 world figure series
The WWII German national defense troop infantry (the system crew) (the photograph is the prototype model which is in the midst of developing)
Sample only

Sorry about the translations, but heck, Babel Fish is free!;)

But wait, there's more, it slices, it dices, it julians! Sorry, still caught up in the moment. Dug around a bit more and found this (not American I know, but still cool):

1/35 T-55A フリウル make metal caterpillar sets limitation sale 5/9

* The Soviet tank T-55A フリウル make metal caterpillar to attach 5,300 Yen (including tax)
Quantity limitation sale (you sell also both days on 5/17 * 18th)

" We would like to make the metal caterpillar the T-55 wear ". We answer the dream of the AFV modeller. You set the assembly type connected metal caterpillar of the Hungarian * フリウルモデル corporation of established reputation to the T-55A kit with high quality. Heavy appearance and material feeling only of the metal raise the SI rising of the model.


Course, according to XE.com (currency converter, gotta love the internet!)
5300yen = $45.75

Doh!

-Chris

Here's another link to those "new" releases

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/show0305/broadcast_sp.htm

Sorry Geoff, but the link you posted is not for new Tamiya products - it seems to be report from some model show/fairs. Models shown there are not Tamiya, at least some of them are not - the Mercedes on the bottom of the page is die-cast and is not Tamiya.

Rgds,
Pawel

Thanx for the link, however a couple of points. The M2A2, does not appear to have the side-stowage racks. The IFF panels seem to be ok. Apart from that, the most positive part of the new releases seems to be the crew storage... Gonna get at least six of them. The original comment seems to be correct....re-issues (apart from the hummer). Good post but Tamiya seems to have missed a golden opportunity to rework the moulds..... Jim

Geoff, I think it may be Bandai.... There are some crappy looking 1/48 tanks. Jim

THANKS FOR THE NEWS man i've got at least 5 of the previous modern gear kits back frim the early 90's THIS is a huge improvement got me stuff for my tanks now later TURRETTOAD 13 OUT.

jimbrae, in fact those 1/48 tanks are actually reissues ot Tamiya kits dating from the 70s!




Vodnik, from what I've read on other notice boards, it is a Tamiya reboxing of a German made diecast

Geoff, sorry they looked like Bandai.... never mind I'm not gonna buy them anyway......Jim

The new crew stowage is indeed wecome.
Now if they will only come out with a current crew server & fire support set.
As one who likes Cold war & post cold war stuff new, weapons seem to at present in short supply as far as main line makers.
One other item I would love to see & get would be the new SINCGARS radio system.

That M113 is real disappointing. That is nothing but the original M113 with a few bells and whistles added. They should have redone the whole kit.

I don't have any facts just speculation. The M113A2 looks like the Academy kit to me with after market accessories added. The image with the bags, packs, cots and so forth sure looks like a set offered by A.E.F. Designs from there Desert Storm 2 products. Since A.E.F. suddenly stopped taking orders from the general public for all of May. My therory is this:
Academy M113A2 + A.E.F. extras + Tamiya label = Domestic release in Japan only.
Tamiya did the very same thing with the Italeri "Puma" and German fuel drum set. I really hope I am wrong and this is marketed in the U.S.A. but I'm not confident it will.

Good to see another 1/16th figure coming along, albeit another Kraut. Where are some modern Marines in 1/16th!!!!
Hey, I'll still buy the guy....
Love all the GW2 gear too.....

PorkChop, I totally agree, how about a range of 1/16th figures not just the same ww2 german subjects. A US GW2 combat team for example? And weapons packs, some mortars and some modern Brit figures and a 1/16th scale Warrior...........Jim

Sorry bf443, but this M113 is not based on Academy - it is old Tamiya release. Best way to tell is the old M2 .50 machine gun - obviously Tamiya 1970s mold. Academy did it much nicer. Also driver's hatch has the hole in it instead of vision block present in Academy kit.

Actually it would not be a bad thing to have this new release based on Academy kit, as it is better then very old Tamiya kit, but it will not happen. Tamiya indeed does reboxing sometimes (often Italeri stuff), but I doubt they would use Academy kit. I think they consider Academy as their main competitor.

Rgds,
Pawel

JIm:
Well even one allied WWII from Tamiya (Brits in the fFar East perhaps?) would be intersting. Did Germany win WWII?

i agree pork chop, after all who won the war? my grandad served in burma and india and it would be great if i could build him a little diorama but at present there arn't any kits suitable (as far as i know anyway! )