Product News from 46th Shizuoka Hobby Show

Martin Waligorski from IPMS Stockholm brings us news of forthcoming model releases from Shizuoka:

The 2007 Shizuoka Hobby Show, now in its 46th year, was held in Tokyo last weekend.

As usual, the occasion brings a stream of news from Japanese kit manufacturers. Here is a glance at the new kits on display.

A plastic model that probably attracted most attention was Hasegawa's next 1/32 aircraft, the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Tony)Model I. This kit is apparently production-ready.

The company also displayed the previously announced 1/72 Martin B-26F/G Marauder and 1/48 Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5 with BMW 327 Staff Car (read: Josef Priller's personal car) as finished models. It has been now confirmed that the Fw 190A-5 will be a completely new tooling.

In ships, Hasegawa will also release new-tool kits of the heavy Japanese cruisers Aoba and Kinugasa in 1/700 scale.

Tamiya has also shown a new naval model from their own stable, a 1/350 I-400 Submarine aircraft carrier. Another new item from this company will be the 1/48 Willys Jeep.

Still more Japanese navy ships will come from Aoshima. This company will release 1/350 heavy cruisers Takao and Chokai in July.

Fine Molds continues to venture into Star Wars universe. The new 1/72 kit from this company will be the previously announced Y-Wing. But wait, there is more: how about Fine Molds X-Wing Fighter in 1/48 scale? This kit will feature snap-together assembly, but according to the company this has in no way compromised the level of detail incorporated in the kit.

Another interesting venture by Fine Molds is the 1/72 Mitsubishi Zero Model 21. This kit is at a very early stage of development and Fine Molds did not specify any release date.

The only real news from Dragon was the announcement of the next future release in 1/35 scale, Panzer III Ausf. J. On the company's stand there were also prototype models of Dragon's SU-100 self-propelled gun and a 10.5cm K.Pz.Sfl.IVa "Dicker Max".

Hobby Link Japan has been quick to assemble a pictorial from the event. http://www.hlj.com/hlj_gallery2/v/shs2007/highlights/ 

Another photo report was found at the discussion forum of J-aircraft.com http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?topic=3531.0

Article provided by the gracious courtesy of IPMS Stockholm.

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Images Copyright © 2007 by Martin Waligorski
This Page Created on 21 May, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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