Today was one of them. I went in to my local Hobbytown USA store and came across one of the best selections of 1:18 items I've seen in person at least since 2007-2008. All were priced at their 2008 retail prices as well. Basically, the selection broke down like this:
21c items:
1x SDK-251 Halftrack (S3 tan & green stripe cammo)
1x SDK-251 Panzerpioneerwagen
3x SDK-251 Stuka zu Fuss
2x M3 Halftrack (OD green)
1x M3 Halftrack (winter)
3x Pak-40 AT gun (gray)
1x M-48
1x 88mm Flak Cannon
1x Tiger 1 (winter whitewash, diecast version in Wal Mart vintage Motorworks box)
BBI Items:
4x MH-6 "Nightstalker" Helicopter
1x M1 Abrams
JSI Items:
1x F-14 (Jolly Rogers)
1x JU-87 Stuka
2x Panther tank
The 21c Tiger I in the Motorworks box was what caught my eye in the whole setup... Obviously it was out of place and something I hadn't seen since 2004-2005. The box was in fantastic shape, sealed, and everything was there. Best part was the price sticker: Retail Price: $70, Hobbytown Price:$50.
Back in the day, this store sold the plastic version of the 21c winter Tiger and one sat around for a couple years while costing $10 more than what they were selling the diecast version for... Given that I've seen the diecast Tigers go for over $100 on ebay lately, it was something I couldn't resist. I think I'll keep it boxed for the time being, while I try to track down some more winter German tanker figures
