International Toy Fair - 2014

Arrangements for my 7th trip to the international toyfair began months ago, with the invitation from NZG to book accommodation during the event, along with an invite to their open house which was held on the 1st February. While hotels are usually very expensive during the toyfair, the Hotel Schweizer Grom is located on the outskirts of Forchheim, about 30km from Nuremberg and with reasonable rates, it was a good choice, especially as other occupants included Chuck Sword, Bruce Hay, Nicholas, Ryan & Chris from DCM, Daniel Wietlisbach and Carsten Bengs, so conversation over breakfast was always interesting before catching the shuttle to the show.

There were certainly more new model announcements than I was expecting, especially as this is a post Bauma year with the ConExpo show only weeks away. NZG had a good offering across the board with five new Terex construction models including the TC125 and TW110 excavators, the TBL840 and TBL890 backhoe loaders and the TL120 wheel loader.

With two new JCB models expected later this year, it is great to see NZG add another OEM to their portfolio and there are additional JCB models in development to accompany the 535-140 Loadall and 86C-1 midi tracked excavator.

It is good to see a new Sennebogen model appear from NZG in the form of the 860R-HD which has been produced in a demolition specification setup with quick coupler and three work tools consisting of a sorting grab, tilting bucket and LST MBX5000 concrete crusher.

A new range of Mercedes-Benz Arocs trucks are planned for release during 2014 with the distinctive front grill authentically modelled. The 4-axle chassis will appear with several different body options including half-pipe and Meiller tippers while a concrete mixer body version is also planned. For the first time, NZG will be able to offer right hand drive versions of the trucks which is great to see, opening the possibility for UK decorated models to be realised. Also new from NZG is a 1:50th scale Unimog.

The Wirtgen Group range of models has grown with the release of a Vogele Super 1900-3i tracked paver and an updated version of the MT3000-2i Offset Feeder which has new track frames.

Tonkin Replicas are now well underway with their new line of Caterpillar construction models. With the Caterpillar 988K and 950K wheel loaders, we have already been treated to the new range of models packed with good detailing at an affordable price.

With more new models already produced and on the water, the range will soon be expanded to include the 966K and 972K wheel loaders in both 1:50th and 1:87th scales along with the massive 994H wheel loader, the D6R bulldozer and the 775G quarry truck.

The new announcement in the Caterpillar line during toyfair was the MT4400AC mining truck while more new items will be announced during the ConExpo show in March.

The addition of a new Kobelco crane licence saw the launch of the 2250 tracked lattice boom crawler which should be available from April onwards while another new licensee is Nooteboom with several new trailers under development.

Last year was hit and miss for Motorart who produced some very good models while some lacked the finer details expected of this premium manufacturer. The new samples displayed during the fair highlighted a new approach to the entire release process which should ensure consistency from one release to the next with many new models planned for launch within months.

The new A40G articulated hauler highlights advances in model production with excellent grill replication on the opening bonnet and again, all metal handrails and good attention to fine detailing. The only dissapointing aspect is the very poor tipping angle of the rear body.

Paver fans are treated to the new 6820C tracked paver that offers more excellent detailing while fans of historic models will be happy to see the original Volvo BM H10 wheel loader appear in 1:50th scale.

The New Holland range includes the new F156.7 motor grader (Prototype shown above), WE 170B Pro wheeled excavator and D180C bulldozer, the latter two also appearing in Case decoration which are joined by the new Case 1121F wheel loader.

JCB fans are treated to two updated models sporting the latest decoration in the 456ZX wheel loader and the Vibromax VM115 while the top of the range JCB Loadall is also in development. Other items from Motorart include the K-Tec 1233 scraper with Volvo ADT, a new Yanmar model in 1:32nd scale, the MST 644 backhoe loader and an updated Kalmar reachstacker container handler.

Several additional Volvo models will be unveiled during the ConExpo show and these are already produced and should be available late March.

The highlight on the Conrad stand is the new Liebherr T264 mining truck which packs a lot of excellent detailing, from the front wheels with intricate disc brakes, steering front axle with functional suspension, a tipping rear body and replicated engine block at the heart of the chassis to the metal safety railings and access steps.

A number of new truck models were on display including both Euro 5 and the updated Euro 6 MAN cabins with different bodies including tippers, skip trucks and tractor units with tipping trailers. Mercedes-Benz 4-axle trucks with Brechtel wrecker and sewer cleaning bodies were also displayed.

5-axle MAN TGS Euro 5 with 2-way Moser tipping body in the distinctive colours of Eicher Transporte AG.

Putzmeister concrete pump on Mercedes-Benz 4-axle chassis in the Berger Beton company decoration.

For crane fans, the Liebherr LTC1045-3.1 has been produced in the Saller company colours and the LTR1100 appears in the Hofmann company decoration while the Terex AC1000 mobile crane is being produced in the Integrated Lifting colours with matching luffing jib. The Terex Superlift 3800 crawler crane was first introduced as a prototype during Bauma in 2013 and tooling in underway for a 2014 release.

Quarry Diecast Models have commissioned a range of Terex AT20-3 Franna cranes in some of Australia's most prominent and widely known company decorations, including the Big Hill Cranes versions shown above.

USK Scalemodels unveiled their first 1:50th scale construction model with the Bell B30E articulated dumper which features a working tailgate and tipping dump body, opening bonnet, articulating steering and a modelled cabin interior.

Last year was challenging for WSI Models with a number of internal issues resulting in the announcement of a merger between WSI and the Chinese manufacturer Wan-Ho. The most striking of the new announcements are a pair of Liebherr excavator models, the largest of which is the R970 configured for mass excavation duties while the small R914 compact shows excellent promise, both expected to be released towards the end of 2014.

Drake Collectibles continue to develop a range of new truck and trailer combinations in 1:50th scale with some stunning colour combinations and company decorated rigs. They will also look to commission models of the Franna AT20-3 crane in matching fleet colours.

The only construction models from Universal Hobbies are the updated PC210 tracked excavator which now has the dash 10 cabin while a larger PC490-10 is also being released to replace the PC450. Last year, Universal Hobbies had prototype images of several new Kramer Allrad models which are currently on hold and there was no information from the manufacturer on when the models are likely to appear.

Norscot are working on four new Caterpillar models for release during the first half of 2014 including the updated 982M wheel loader in 1:50th, two models in 1:32nd scale with the TH407C telehandler and 308E2 CR SB mini hydraulic excavator and rounding out the first half plan is a 1:25th scale model of the Cat CG260-16 gas generator. these join the recent releases which should be available from stockist's within weeks.

For collectors in the UK, I will be attending the International Model Tractor, Plant and Construction Machinery show at the Warwickshire exhibition centre on the 16th February where samples of a number of the new models from the toy fair will be on display.