Small Scale Military Headquarters

As i sit here, digesting some leftovers from yesterday's Christmas dinner and waiting for the Raptors game to start, i have been thinking about the year to come. And i've decided it's going to be a very good year, in many ways, including toy-wise.

Here's what i'm thinking: with armour starting to make a come back late in '04 many things are now possible. Aside from the imminent Panzer IV release, i have a hunch we will see about six more pieces of armour/artillery in 2005. Aside from the expected dodge truck from 21c i think we'll see a King Tiger, either a Mobelwagen or Wirblewind and either a pak 40 or an 88mm Flak 36/37. I think BBI is going to be reluctant to do German armour so from them i am expecting a Priest and a Pershing. I'm less confident about any new modern armour but if there is i would say it will be a new Abrams from 21c and perhaps an AAV from BBI.

Plane-wise we've got the Avenger, F-104, F-86, MiG 15, Me-262 and Me-110 for sure plus who knows what else from 21c and from BBI.....well i'm guessing at least a Hellcat and hope, hope, hopefully something big like an A-10 or F-15 or F-14. Any would be a truly spectacular.

Bottom line is i'm expecting a really great 2005; very much the year i was expecting in '04 but that didn't quite pan out as i thought it might. Toy Fair is only a few weeks away and could show us some pretty great new stuff and some new manufacturers coming online (as Dusty Trails is starting to do).

I think we are entering the golden years for 1/18. {insert David Bowie song here}.

Well stated Andrew. I agree that we are in for one hell of a ride in 05'!!

-Ski

I like your ideas for 05, especially the armour choices. I would be happy to see BBI make a Priest, but if it was me I would save some cost on by doing some easier mods first such as a 75mm turret and or a 76mm T23 turret. But as a Sherman fan it's all good.

Yes, looks like a banner year for us 1:18 military collectors. Yahoo!!!

I sure hope that you are right. I don't know if we will see that much armor... but it would be really great!

I'm really wishing for some GOOD QUALITY figures. I hope the Marines fill that hole. We have not had a really good release since the para forever ago. Although the BOB figures were great... the lack of trigger fingers and the lack of varriety and availibilty really, really killed it for me.

Also, better quality in the pilots would be great. I think 2004 was the year of poor quality, but being able to possibly get things out fater... and now companies will see their problems and find a nice balance between the two.

just my thoughts... but I hope you are right.

-mike-

They confirmed the Me-110????? Hopefully it sells well so it can pave way to more twin engine planes. So here's to hoping for a B-26 Marauder

An ME 110?
http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/pmodels/bf110.html
WOW!

I really would like new figures from bbi!
I was really surprised by the quality and looks of the figures that came out with the new bbi Sherman and P-51..way better than what the 21st marines set seems to promised.
To me the 21st marines are going to be just like their modern set figures which is not bad but not as good as some of their previous figures.
BBI is taking over the market of 1/18 armor, figures and maybe even some of the planes.
that is my prediction for 2005!
HOOA!

Looks good for 2005.

A PAK 40 or 88mm???? WOW. The mind boggles......

It would be super to have something to pull for the Dodge? Like a 57mm Anti Tank!! When my club did parades with our 6 wheel Dodge pulling our 57mm, it was soooooo cool. We also did parades pulling around the 57mm with our M-3 half-track and that was great.

I guess I'm a nut on the subject of big guns......and Dodges......and..and tanks......and.....and......twin engine planes...and......oh, never mind.

Sorry guys I'm just a 12 year old kid trapped in a really old body.

TTT

I very much anticipate the 21c Panzer IV, and especially the TBM Avenger and ME-262. I'd also like the see the F-86 and MiG-15, but I'll believe it when I see it! BBI will probably surprise us.

yeah i'm in there with all of you...I hope '05 is an ARMOR year!
seems like '04 was a big aircraft year - and yeah i like them but...come on...im not that much an aircraft guy and i even got the F16, F18, P51, stuka, all the helos....but i want more armor like many others .
yeah the Panzer IV is VERY welcome and im hoping it will come out in a repaint i like (oh crap did i say that - i dont like repains??!) and here is straight from the horses mouth:

Dear Mark,
If a product does well for us, we usually release that same product in various paint schemes. However, it's just a matter of time before I will know anything about this. As of now, I have not received any information about this product.

Thank you for writing,
Brianna
Customer Service
21st Century Toys

im hoping for some sort of greyish-green paint scheme. ( dont know which area it was used but i did see an illustration of one..somewhere on the web)
hopefully bbi puts out their sherman in a regular OD version too.

more figs would be great too - bbi's show some great promise! and IF we see some new ones from 21st that are NOT like any of those modern armor drivers!

and i know maybe not in 2005 (or ever) ... but it would be nice if someone would do some really nice 1:18 LOTR fig! but like SW those would be hard to collect dang it!
the western figs look great! maybe Romans to follow!

As long as Bbi continues what they've apparently started with the P51, it should be a great year.

Keep up the great work BBi.