Editorial

By Michael Benolkin, Senior Editor

New releases tend to get a little thin during the summer months (in either hemisphere), but the plastic 'dry season' is over! As you read this, we're starting to see the flow of goodies coming from around the world. Here's a look at the latest attacks on your wallet, plus some announcements of cool things to come:

Kits

Academy: 1/72 KC-97L Stratotanker (August); 1/48 F8F-1 Bearcat (August); 1/32 Sopwith Camel F.1 (Soon)

Accurate Miniatures: 1/72 Il-2 Shturmovik (TBA);1/48 Grumman Gulfhawk (out now); 1/48 B-25C/D Mitchell (in a few more months); 1/48 B-25G Mitchell (TBA)

Classic Airframes: 1/48 Bristol Blenheim Mk.I (out now)

Hasegawa: 1/48 F-104C Starfighter (out now); 1/48 F-104J Starfighter (out now); 1/48 F4U-5N Corsair (September); 1/48 A-4E/F Skyhawk (November); plus lots of reissues in their limited release series.

Hobbycraft: 1/72 Bf109G-12 (out now); 1/72 P-51B/C Mustang (out now)

ICM: 1/48 Bf109F-5/6 (TBA); 1/48 S-37 "Berkut" (TBA); 1/35 M2A2 (TBA); 1/35 M2A4 (TBA); 1/35 British Charioteer (TBA); 1/35 Russian 2S19 Self-Propelled Artillery (TBA); 1/350 HMS Hood. Check out their other planned releases at www.icm.com.ua.

Italeri: 1/72 Boeing JSF X-32 (TBA); 1/72 Lockheed JSF X-35 (TBA); 1/72 Sukhoi S-37 Berkut (TBA);1/48 Eurofighter Typhoon (TBA); 1/48 AC-130U Spectre; 1/48 F-15E Strike Eagle; 1/35 Paladin S.P. Howitzer (TBA); 1/720 U.S.S. Nassau (LHA-4) (TBA)

MRC: 1/35 Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk (late 2000)

Tamiya: 1/72 Spitfire Mk.I (August); 1/72 P-51D Mustang (August); 1/72 Bf109E (August); 1/72 Fw190D-9 (August); 1/72 F4U-1D Corsair (August); 1/48 Dornier Do335 (out now); 1/48 Mosquito NF.XIII/XVII (next month); 1/32 A6M5 Zero (September); 1/35 M26 Dragon Wagon Cab (soon); 1/16 Tiger I w/Full Remote Control & Special Effects (Fall)

Details

Cobra Company: 1/144 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Correction Set [Minicraft] (Soon); 1/144 Boeing KC-97L Conversion [Minicraft KC-97G] (Soon); 1/144 Boeing C-97/KC-97 Engines & Props [Minicraft] (Soon); 1/72 Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Correction Set [Academy] (Soon); 1/72 Boeing KC-97 Detailing Set [Academy] (Soon). Note: Cobra Company has announced that they will no longer be selling through distributors and hobby shops. They are now established to sell directly from their website at www.cobracompany.com as well as via telephone and fax orders. Phone numbers and ordering instructions are also available on their website.

I know I am probably missing some key items, but this gives you an idea that your wallet is once again in harm's way. We'll have more in-depth news on the releases planned for next year in our coverage of the Chicago Hobby Show in October.

Good Hunting!