MRC/Academy 1999 RCHTA Report

By Michael Benolkin

Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC) set up a large pavilion in center to showcase the full spectrum of hobby products that they either produce or distribute to the marketplace.

On the MRC model side, they had each of their current 1/35-helicopter kits on display. The big news is the release of their 1/35 MH-60G Pave Hawk sometime next year! If they follow the release strategy of their previous kits, we'll have plenty of Blackhawks coming!

MRC is also the North American distributor for Academy kits. As many of you know, Academy is releasing a 1/72 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser. This is not a typo ­ this is a 1/72 kit! This first one is due out in December, followed by a C-97A Stratocruiser in February 2000, and a KC-97G in April.

As you also know, they are continuing to add on to their line of 1/72 kits. Pictured here are the latest Bf109G and Hawker Tempest kits.

One new item that surprised me is their soon-to-be-released 1/48 F-117A kit. Looking similar to the Tamiya kit, this release is also features a gold-tinted canopy and nice markings for Colonel Whitley's personal mount. This kit will also boast a lower retail price too!

Academy also continues to turn out some nice armor kits. Here is a look at their latest ­ the Merkava Mk.III

The Academy Titanic and Limited Edition Gold Titanic were on display ­ the gold ship was a show-stopper:

Rounding out the Academy news, they are going to be releasing a huge number of 1/144 kits. They had samples of a number of them on display, but I'm afraid the photo didn't turn out. If you are a builder of the wee scale, you are in for some exciting stuff!