2010 Roundup
Twelve months ago, the year started with the announcement of three versions of the Caterpillar D9H from CCM. Originally scheduled for a summer release, we have been patiently waiting for the models to arrive, only to be dissapointed when CCM decided that the quality was not good enough for the models to be released.
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While collectors, including myself, were disheartened with this news, CCM have to be credited for ensuring the collector gets the best model possible and indications are that the models will now appear during the summer. One model that did make it to collectors was the Cat 666 scraper which is another excellent release in the historic range from CCM.
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While there were a number of new models announced at the toy fair, particularly from NZG, as 2010 was a Bauma year, there were still some surprises at the trade show in Germany, at least for those collectors that managed to get there with the travel chaos in April.
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I have always been keen on Liebherr models and the release of the R944C Tunelling excavator was certainly one of my favourite models of 2010. The level of detail coupled with the road header attachment and bucket hit the mark perfectly.
I am looking forward to see what other Liebherr models are released by Conrad throughout 2011 |
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Liebherr were busy in 2010 and we are now on the third version of the TA230 articulated dumper, folowing the changes during development of the full sized machine throughout the year. While this is not ideal for model manufacturers, it is great to see Liebherr and Conrad working together to provide the collector with an exacting replica. |
There have been plenty of rumours throughout 2010 in regard to Liebherr models and I have no doubt that there are a number of models still in development for release throughout 2011. One of which is likely to be a 1:50th scale model of the R9800 although it will be interesting to see if the shovel or backhoe will appear first. While some of the rumours have come true, there is currently no news on possible models of the R9100 mining excavator, the LTC1045 city class crane or the LH series material handler which were all rumoured. The A900 Compact wheeled excavator was launched at Bauma and there are strong rumours that a 1:50th scale model will appear from NZG during 2011 while the huge sucess of the LTM11200-9.1 mobile crane is likely to result in the release of a 1:50th scale model of the LTR11200 in the not to distant future.
The surprise of Bauma has to be the release of four new Volvo models from NZG with a fifth following several months later. These models are a welcome addition to the Volvo model fleet although it will be interesting to see where this leaves Motorart who have produced a number of Volvo Construction models in previous years. The three futuristic Volvo replicas unveiled at Bauma have apparently been produced but are not yet available to the model trade although there are strong suggestions these will be available soon.
It is interesting to see Volvo approach other model manufacturers for their replicas and this trend was also noticed with New Holland, who are having models produced by four different manufacturers including the excellent NZG releases alongside the E215B tracked excavator from Motorart, the original Ros releases and the E485 tracked excavator from Universal hobbies who have had a poor showing during 2010 on the construction front with only two new 1:50th scale construction models.
Even the Wirtgen group have spread their model program about with Conrad producing one of their most detailed models this year in the Vogele Super 3000-2, one of my top 5 models of the year. Rumours at Bauma suggested that the Wirtgen Group were looking to have a new Hamm compactor model produced with a good chance that a 1:50th scale replica of one of their Kleemann crushers will follow in 2011.
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WSI released several crane models in 2010 with the Liebherr LTM1050-3.1 and Faun HK70 receiving great praise for the level of detail and realism which was followed up with the release of the LTF1060-4.1 My favourite type of model is the tracked excavator and WSI have blown away the competition with the release of the Hitachi ZX870 which is, in my opinion, one of the most detailed excavator models produced to date. It will be interesting to see how the other model manufacturers react to the ZX870 and I look forward to hearing what WSI have in store for 2011 on the construction front. |
Norscot have recently unveiled four new 1:50th scale models, several of which are updated versions of previous releases like the 24M grader and the 793F mining truck while the 374D tracked excavator is looking good, expecially in the mass excavator configuration and the pipe layer is another interesting release. All four should be available in the next month or two and I would not be surprised to see a number of updated Cat models released over the next 12-18 months with a number of machines in the range receiving cosmetic changes to incorporate the latest emmision standards.
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For mining fans, the Komatsu PC8000 was a nice surprise announcement at Bauma although production of the model is a little slow with models for collectors not yet available. From the images seen so far, the model looks like being another great release from Bymo who also released the Bauer BG40 with BC40 trench cutter this year. There is still no news on when the Komatsu D355 pipe layer or Michigan 475 wheel loader will be produced but with the toy fair 5 weeks away, I would not be surprised to see new painted samples of both models. |
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There is still a downturn in the construction sector which has seen a number of manufacturers of the full sized machines cut their workforce and reduce their costs. This has resulted in a reduction of new models with less money available for tooling. There have been no new models from Terex this year and, while Terex Mining has been sold to Bucyrus, and then the purchase of Bucyrus by Caterpillar suggests that any plans that TWH may have had in relation to producing models of the former Terex mining models for Bucyrus are in serious doubt. JCB have been quiet in producing new models in 2010 with the planned 726 articulated hauler still on hold and the next new release from Motorart likely to be for ConExpo in March.
We have already seen an increase in limited edition company liveried models this year as the model manufacturers look to recoup tooling costs by producing more versions of their models and there have been some interesting limited editions produced, both for the collector market and for exclusive company use.
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Conrad continue to release numerous versions of the popular Liebherr LTM1070-4.1, LTM1200-5.1 and Demag AC500 to name a few while the Liebherr LTM11200-9.1 from NZG has appeared in a number of liveries throughout 2010 with more rumoured to follow next year.
NZG have released numerous truck, concrete mixer and construction equipment models in company colours throughout the year including several for the VINCI group with additions to the Felbermayr, NBG, Dura-Vermeer and Nagel model ranges. Other releases include new Liebherr road rail excavators and the first Malcolm Construction Services decorated model from NZG. |
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WSI are going flat out producing company decorated truck models with several new announcements made on a monthly basis. I wonder how long it will be before collectors run out of money |
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2011 looks like being a challenging year for model manufacturers and I would be surprised to see the same number of models produced in 2011 than have appeared this year. Models produced in China have been hit with a number of issues including increasing manufacturing costs, increased shipping costs and a reduction in the workforce leading to many delays in production schedules, all culminating in higher prices for the collector. 2011 could well be another expensive year.
There have been a number of great models released this year and my top 5 models of 2010 are
1st - Liebherr R944C Tunelling excavator
2nd - Hitachi ZX870 (With Multi Processor Attachment)
3rd - Bauer BG40 with BC40 Trench Cutter
4th - Liebherr TA230 Articulated Dumper
5th - Vogele Super 3000-2 Tracked Paver
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