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}.
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.