Small Scale Military Headquarters

A dull year for 1:18 in some ways (not much in the way of new releases), but there were at least four major developments:

Monkey Depot sale

Demise of 21C

Emergence of JSI

JSI F-14 release

For me it was an exciting year, because, I commited myself to collecting and customizing 1:18 more, so than I had before. I always had a few 1:18 pieces that I'd picked up here and there, out of interest, or for a Star Wars custom. So pretty much everything I aquired in 1:18 this year was new and exciting to me.

Tinman wrote:A dull year for 1:18 in some ways (not much in the way of new releases), but there were at least four major developments:

Monkey Depot sale

Demise of 21C

Emergence of JSI

JSI F-14 release

Your forgeting FOV Bravo Teams 1:18 arrival

Bravo Team was 2008, maybe even late 2007. Nothing really new has happened with them except the cruddy LAV, which was 2009.

2009 was a fairly busy year for me in this hobby, mostly thanks to r/c planes and a bit due to PH's customs. The recession caused the birth of many high quality and reasonably priced customs from him, with more to come this year i'm sure.

For r/c planes, 2009 saw the release or announcement of: F-4, Su-34, F-117, Sea King, Super Stallion, Saab Draken, V-22 Osprey and a Mig 21.....all 1/18 or very close.

If one is less fussy about scale and just wants a big model than there was also, C-130 Hercules, F9F Panther, B-52, Valkyrie, B-2, SR-71, a beautiful B-17 and probably others that i'm forgetting. For me, going forward r/c's are going to be a huge part of this hobby.

1/16 armour continued to grow rapidly, while 1/18 armour is virtually dead (PH's customs not withstanding). I was hoping for new things from Bravo Team this Christmas season but when that didn't happen i pretty much concluded they have lost interest in 1/18, despite apparently good sales of their earlier 1/18 products. So going forward 1/18 armour is looking pretty grim, unless a nice surprise happens.

JSI has certainly given hope where 1/18 aircraft are concerned though. With the re-release of several 21c products and their own Tomcat, which despite the spots is a beauty and amazing for a first offering. With announced Su-27 and F-15's still to come there is certainly some hope for at least some great modern planes in the years ahead.

Figures, like armour are pretty much dead at the moment, but i think they are likely to rebound.

Hopefully 2010 will see the re-emergence of Admiral Toys and perhaps a new player entering the 1/18 fray.

We'll know this time next year..

Don't forget all the new Power Team Elite stuff they had some awesome releases in 2009.

aferguson wrote:
<snip>

If one is less fussy about scale and just wants a big model than there was also, C-130 Hercules, F9F Panther, B-52, Valkyrie, B-2, SR-71, a beautiful B-17 and probably others that i'm forgetting. For me, going forward r/c's are going to be a huge part of this hobby.

<snip>

Large scale B17 and Buff? Who makes these please!

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952174

http://www.pw-rc.com/product_info.php/p ... phrgudcfe2

2009 was a bad year for diecast companies,with many going under.

21 Century,Carousel 1, Eagles International,and Franklin Mint not doing any more aircraft.

A couple of bright "spots'[LOL],though.

Hobby Master producing more,and desirable aircraft.
Century Wings still making great models.
JSI rising from the ashes of 21 Century.

Hopefully 2010 will be a bit more stable.

This time last year was definitely a clearance price frenzy! All the last waves of 21st figures and Indy figures for $1 was amazing. Followed by the MD sales it was definitely nice to be able to stock up before the 1/18 future crashed. I'm amazed the 88 made it out at all, just wish the KT had been next to it.

Yes, I still pine for the KT!

matorro, sing a little louder, MATORRO, just a little louder, M A T O R R O they make a king tiger and take all your money.

EVeryBOdy!

No one mentioned the surprise release of the Bell X-1 kit by Pegasus!

Nice way to end a turbulent year.

aferguson wrote:matorro, sing a little louder, MATORRO, just a little louder, M A T O R R O they make a king tiger and take all your money.

EVeryBOdy!

hrrrmmm... I really need to work on my enunciation.

I received an email from Harry Belafonte and he is not happy with me butchering his lyrics the way i did and is considering slapping a cease and desist order on me.

I emailed back explaining about 21c going bankrupt and that the only choice we have now is to collect over scale 1/16 tanks, like the matorro king tiger and that in my rage, pain and confusion, i momentarily lost my reason and rational.

He wrote back and was very understanding and said that, under the circumstances, i could go ahead and butcher his songs if it helps me cope.

What a terrific guy! I told him to drop by the forum sometime and he may just do it..

Sadly, when it comes to armor I'm still stuck on 1:18.

Let us not forget the custom world releases.

M-10 Tank Destroyer

Sdkfz 222

pickelhaube wrote:Let us not forget the custom world releases.

M-10 Tank Destroyer

Sdkfz 222

I think the 222 would have to be considered a 2010 event, technically. Unless someone actually recieved theirs in 2009

However the Sherman Wadding Trunks and Star Antanea, fall in 2009.