I got an e-mail from Great Models regarding the International Toy Fair Nuremberg 2002.

I've edited out the non-armor stuff and posted the armor relevant stuff:

"The Toy Fair is the largest gathering of manufacturers and distributors in the World, located in this historical Bavarian city."

ACADEMY The two 1/35 Stuart versions M3A1 and M3 'Honey' will be released... after an examination of the sprues, it is possible that Academy has some more wonderful surprises in the future.

ALAN HOBBY is set to release a 1/35 German self-propelled howitzer, the Grille M. It should be available in the US within the next few weeks.

AFV/CLUB the new 1/35 Sd.Kfz.11 3-ton halftrack was present at the toy fair. This kit is going to be available in the next 2 weeks in the US. Preliminary reports show it to be a beautiful piece of work, and we couldn't be more thrilled as it fills in a huge gap in German soft skins. The M-10 Achilles will be released, even though the Academy kit has already been offered. Hey, having more choices never hurts.

IRONSIDE The 1/35 Piper Cub will be available this year, and we now have the picture of this bird. Other interesting future releases are the Sd.Kfz.234 w/ 2cm Sch.turm 38, a T-55 S 'Samovar' limited edition, and two versions of the MAZ 537, one as an 8x8 Heavy tractor and the other as a tank transporter.

AZIMUT was present at the fair and the expected 2002 releases are 1/35 Horch Komanderwagen w/ driver & officer, German Peugeot DMA 1.5 ton truck, an update set Leclerc of the Heller/Trumpeter kits and others, all listed in the site, or to be listed soon. An interesting new figure set will be the 1/35 Helicopter crew (Huey/Cobra/Apache). The 88mm VOMAG is not ready yet, but the resin caster is certainly ready to start firing kits out of the door. This kit will be a mixed media due to its large size.

CALIBRE 35 is releasing a 1/35 Crane for FAMO (SdKfz.9/1) conversion for the Tamiya kit as well as a M31 Recovery vehicle (conversion for the Tamiya Lee/Grant). The Drilling (MG 151/20) might also be a hit! This line will be available at the end of March 2001.

CMK is releasing some full kits in resin like the 1/35 M4 Howitzer Motor carriage and M19 40mm Gun motor carriage. An interesting release will be the Panzerjager Pz.35t/R2 TACAM based on a Czech chassis. The new accessories sets are too numerous to list here, but let's note the 1/35 Marder III interior set and engine set.

DML/DRAGON the 1/35 Panther Ausf.A early type boxart began showing up on the net. It depicts an early A with a letterbox hull MG port. DML has done their homework and are positioned to do variants off this kit.

FONDERIE MINIATURES was on hand, and displayed their expected 2002 releases. The injection-molded 1/35 LCPV will make a perfect diorama.

HELLER from France presented the 1/35 VAB 4x4.

ITALERI "stole" the show for injection-molded plastic models this year…the biggest surprise was the announcement of a 1/35 DUKW release. In 1/35 scale, the new releases include Sd.Kfz.251/1, T-34/76 m42, Merkava Israeli Tank, Pz.Kpfw.IVJ, T-62 Russian Tank, Dodge WC-51, Katysha Russian 'Stalin Organ', LVT(A)5 (to complete their LVT releases), Sd.Kfz.10/4 w/ Flak 30, and of course the highly expected DUKW US amphibian vehicle. Other 1/35 release are the Pz.Kpfw.171 Panther Ausf.G, Demag w/ Pak 38, M-107 SP Howitzer, M-60A3 Patton, M1A2 Abrams, Hummer Avenger, and Dodge Staff Car. A Pak 38 and a 7.5cm Howitzer are also expected.

MIRAGE MODELS bought TECHMOD, so we will see the Techmod 1/35 Sd.Kfz.123 Luchs being released under the Mirage logo (#35108).

TOM MODELLBAU is releasing a SBT Bridgelayer ($40)

TAMIYA The King Tiger with figures and Schimmwagen Ardennes sets were on display. Tamiya also rolled out their new 1/16 Pershing R/C and had a display featuring the new US heavyweight vs. the Tiger I R/C in an infrared fight to the finish. No notice on the rumored 1/35 static Pershing.

CMK's M19 really caught my eye! Was a little bummed about it being resin. I might have to give it a go though, being it seems to be the only game on it in town! We'll hurry up n wait.

Nice report Sabot, looks like some more stuff I'm going to have to 'sneak' past the boss

Tread.

Rob,

Was the fair already held or when will it be held??

Past tense, already happened. The preceding report was a rundown of what they (the Great Model guys) saw. I just cut & paste it from the e-mail.

Did Italeri steal the show because of the quantity of new offerings or the quality of their offerings. Im not knockig Italeri, I like their kits, they have such a great variety. Price is excellent too. Just wondering #:-)

what about bandai.They got anything planned in big armor?

Nice report. As usual, Sabot, informative and useful.

I am really surprised over the lack of a Tamiya announcement on their M-26 Pershing in 1/35. HobbyLink Japan advertsies them as an advanced sale item with a release date of June 2002. I assumed this meant that by September I should receive one. Guess not?
DJ #:-)

In case anyone hasn't heard DML has re-released their US Army T26E3 "Pershing" Heavy Tank!! It's listed as "Limited".
So...I just had to order one :-) before they all dissappear again.

Aren't you forgetting a little kit by Fine Molds called the Jedi Starfighter? :-) That's the most anticipated model of the year for me! Though some of the stuff from Italeri sounds nice. If the kit quality is as good as thier M7 looks to be, I won't be able to stop buying kits! (here we go again...)

YodaMan

Also can't forget about the M36 Jackson from Academy.

i'm looking forward to the new SS figs. from Dragon. either Hohenstaufen or Frundsberg

Tristar is going to release their new Pz I ausf A beginning and middle of July here in HK, should be very nice, talked to the owner today again, it suppose to including modelkasten track, and some Aber (or aber quality) PE.... really look forward to it.