Well if the rumors are true we have alot to look forward too:

Academy:
M3 Lee (rivited and welded hulls)
M36 Jackson
M10 Late (confirmed)

Tamiya:
T-55 (hits US shores this month)

DML:
Nashorn/Horniess
60CM Morser "Karl" http://www.dragonmodelsltd.com/dragonusa/6179.htm
T34/76 1940 production
T34/76 1942/43 type
M4A2 Okinawa Sherman
M4A2 Sherman (76mm)


Damn I'm running out space to put stuff

I just hope Academy actually puts that stuff out this year The M36 was due out last year Those M4A2's from DML are sounding good :-) I notice Italeri has the same problem Academy does A lot of times they'll say some kits are suppossed t be released on a certain year,but they don't follow through For example the Italeri Demag 1/2 track with the 50mm Pak38 anti-tank gun was supposed to be released last year,but it still isn't available
Basically don't hold your breath waiting for the releases

Those would be some awesome releases if they follow through on getting them out.

why dont you name the pershing from tamiya m-26?
it has the best track system ever...

Hasn't the M-26 already been released? Or are they going to release another version in 2003. I'm really looking forward to the T-34/76's by DML...Their latest releases are hard to beat IMO.

The Morser has a spot in my collection already.....NICE!!!!!!! I noticed a M/2-M/3 Halftrack for the future by italeri!!!!! Saw it in FSM February pg 39 in a GMW add.Hope it is worth the wait

Anything new that's U.S. for the up-coming year would just tickle me pink.

Jackhammer I wouldn't hold your breath about the M2/M3 halftrack from Italeri Just over 2 years ago FSM said Italeri was supposed to come out with that halftrack and we still haven't seen it yet
Who knows Maybe this year it will actually be out Also I remenber seeing it listed on the Graet Models website over a year ago

Are any of you familiar with what processes drive kit production? Armor in particular? I know that armor models aren't as popular in the states as in europe, but we are certainly a large market. How do the companies decide what to release? I remember that the 1990s were quite a good time for German armor, but now I'm seeing more and more new releases of American tanks (Pershing, Academy's Stuarts, etc).
How much input do we modelers have on the selection process? If we have any how can I tell Mr.Tamiya to stop wasting money on reissuing junk from the 70s or sticking a 105mm howitzer on a 20 year old kit and marketing it as new, and instead focus their money on some more great new releases (like the Marder series or the afore mentioned pershing).

I propose we start a site wide wish-list; name 5 kits you would like to see released.
5. A new Matilda MkII (I can dream)
4. a nice new M8 (the cute little mortar tank dealy, not the scout car) - Academy your on the right track.
3. One of the big producers could tackle the 7TP
2. Any WW2 French armor, those Heller kits are beginning to age
1. captured Bren carrier converted to a tank killer (PLEEEEEAAASSEEE!!!)

Ralph

how about the following. All in 1/35 scale of course

Dodge WC53 carryall
Dodge D60 L
Shop bodied GMC's
CMP 'blitz' 30CWT
CMP 'blitz' 30CWT workshop truck.

BORNTODIG. buy a Tamiya bren gun carrier kit and scratchbuild the rest!!

Cliff

I think we are living in the Golden Age of armor modelling. I have ben at this for a little over twenty years now and can still remember when one new release from anyone every six months seemed like a flood of kits. IIRC the year (82, 83?) that the Chaffee was released by Italeri it was the only full-sized armor vehicle released that year...by anyone in plastic. Used to be able to believe that it was possible to build everything that would ever be released by all major manufacturers in a lifetime, but now it would be a daunting task. Let's enjoy what we have!

Coop

P.S. of course we all have our own favorite dreams...where is that styrene Diamond T wrecker anyway?

Don't forget all that yummy the stuff from Trumpeter,

AS90, Challenger 2, JSDF APC, SA2's and those beautiful Hinds.
Panda's UH1D's are trickling in ( I know Squadron has them but VLS does not yet.)
Skif is supposed to put out a Tunguska, hot on the heels of the BMD

Tamiya has one T55 out and HAS to put out more versions in the future.

I almost forgot the Ironside Achzarit too.. (IDF T55-based APC)
So yeah, it's a pretty good year to be a modeler

I would like to see a model of the M-114 which is a recon vechicle from the mid to late 60's that my father used to command when he was in the Army. The only place i have found it was at Accurate Armor's website... they want over $90's for it. Its all resin w/ some photo etch brass...... would like to see made by someone else so it would not cost as much.

I wouldn't mind seeing some WW2 armored cars like the staghound. brit Daimlers etc. and of course any wreckers in plastic would be nice.

Well one can wish
Josh aka shiryon

im with you shiryon, i would love to see british armoured cars. Daimlers and staghounds. vickers gun carriers would be nice, or a MK-I matilda. I would also like to see more british and french soilders released by dragon and alike.

Cheers,
Paul

I'd like to see more allied softskins in plastic - I'm doing some in resin but they're too expensive and I don't like superglue. How about Matador and 5.5" gun in 1/35th, and some new small trucks cos I'm running out of Italeri Chevy guntractors to convert into cmp trucks. In armour - more early Brits like the Vickers light tanks, Rolls-Royce armoured cars.

Would love to see more modern armor released....especially Soviet stuff, since Dragon has done away their modern line.....other than Trumpeter and their Chinese stuff...the pickings are slim.....

How about a new Scud kit.....the last one in 1/35 is the old Dragon kit...and from what my best friend says its a beast to build.....maybe an Iraqi one with their long range missile.

That and the SA-9 Gaskin, as well as the Skif Strela.....but how about a Gopher, I know the new tungkusta (sp.) is coming out by some one as well.....but more SAM and AA stuff!!

I'd like to see a M198 (towed artillery) & some more Softskins (hemtt's FMTV's Etc.)

I would like to see some good modern Soviet armor kits also . I can't wait to get the morser Karl kit.

Yeah - me too!!! Oink! Oink!

Gunnie