I have never seen a fire department mechanic's truck done in a scaled model before. Until this week. And these are just as impressive as the preceding fire trucks that we've come to know and admire.

Functions and Features of Mechanic Body:
360 degree rotating crane
Angle meter on crane
Opening top storage compartment doors
Replicated diamond plate decking
Work and safety lighting
Compressor and generator
Accurate hose and wire placement
Rear work platform with vise
Accurate decal package

Features and Functions of Peterbilt Chassis:
Frame battery box with step under passenger door
Realistic exhaust, gas and air tanks
Multi-material door mirrors
Chrome grill, muffler stack, front bumper and wheels
Rubber mud flaps and tires
Realistic air and hydraulic hose placement
Realistic electrical wire placement
Opening cab doors
Opening hood that reveals detailed diesel engine
Detailed inner cab
Accurate decal package

These are available in 2 different Kern versions: # S-5 and # S-8, as well a one with Vermeer graphics. All will be released in June, but are available for pre-order now.

More New Announcements!

TWH has just announced the new Seagraves in their product line. These are so impressive, when I first saw them I exclaimed “Wow. These are NICE!” There are 6 different ones, but the one I’d most like to show you is the New London.

This is engine # 25 of the New London Fire Department in 1/50 scale. As always, TWH has taken a very close look at the real thing and brought us a feasibly exact replica, complete with some literature on the dashboard, headsets, and a console with detailed gauges.

The graphics on this model are very accurate to what the machines in New London, Massachusetts really look like, and feature decals commemorating the tragic events of 9/11.

Even the ladders here are fully functional and extend to a length of 23 inches! For a full list of the features and functions and this and the other new announcements, please click on the links below.

New London

Redwood, California

Leesburg

Washington DC # 13

Washington DC # 16

Somerville

Layouts: TWH stand big and tall!

I was so excited when I heard that we'd gotten pictures from a customer's layout. It's always nice to see our products in action. Here are John 's layout images, which include the TWH 4100 Crawler Crane, and his comments:

I really love the TWH Collectibles. As you can see in the photo's my train broad is still under construction .

I still have to build 4100 Crawler crane. I plan to buy some more products in the very near future

As you can see, this crane is really, really huge. I'm not sure about the perspective of these photos, but it looks as if the crane towers almost to the ceiling fan!

The History of TWH

As more and more of our customers write in to say how pleased they are with their TWH collectible, many have questions about this new company. We were so excited to get on board with the TWH product line, and they have been so good to us! As we move forward, I'd like to introduce you to John Hemken, the President of TWH, as he answers some questions that people might have.

The first question addresses the origin of TWH and their transition from working only with the OEM dealers like Oshkosh and Vermeer to working with the hobby industry. So...

"Why did you choose to transition from being a promotional model reseller to becoming an actual model manufacturer?" Here is what John had to say, to lay down the origins:

The simple math showed us that there were already too many distribution layers and that we could not be profitable unless we manufactured the models ourselves. Additionally, our market research showed us that there was a potential niche between the available promotional quality models & the exclusive/high priced hand-made brass models.

In February 2004, my partner John Niedermeyer & I traveled to China in search of a model company to partner with. The type of premium model manufacturing we were looking for had moved from the USA to China during the 1980's. We were blessed during our very first interview in Hong Kong to find a factory that was likewise looking for a customer wanting to take the next steps toward premium construction collectibles. I was able to obtain a Chinese Visa and travel that week to the factory located in southern China.

In April 2004, I traveled back to China to start three Manitowoc Crane Group models. TWH's first three releases included the National 1400H, Grove GMK 3055 and Potain Igo 21.

We will hear more on this subject in the coming weeks, as John and his crew take us a little deeper. If you have any questions or comments that you'd like to John to consider, feel free to leave us a comment here and we will pass it along.

Big Announcement made a NRHSA in Vegas

We are pleased to be among the first to announce this special new limited edition Norscot 797F Mining Truck in WHITE! This hefty piece of equipment is available for pre-order beginning today, with only 2500 available worldwide! It featured a distinctive white paint scheme to set it apart from the average construction piece, and it weighs in at about 10 pounds! Featues include:

• Boarding ladder flips down to ground level
• Side mirrors rotate in
• Rock Knockers swing freely from underside of truck bed
• Truck Bed moves on realistically rendered three-stage hydraulic cylinders
• Opening engine compartment and engine detail
• Front wheel steering with working linkage
• Functioning hold-down cables under truck bed
• Metal grab bars, railings, and other trim detail
• Precise tampo printed nomenclature
• Models and packaging marked "1 of 2,500"

This model was just announced and displayed for the first time TODAY at the NRHSA Toy show in Vegas. Be the first to receive this impressive model by getting us your pre-order today!

Secure your order now for new Collector Edition Tractor!

ERTL has just announced the new John Deere Model A 75th Anniversary Tractor, which includes a BONUS DVD!

This nice collector's model is scheduled to arrive late this summer. Be sure to watch for the hightly collectible, rare gold-chromed units! Features of this authentic model include:

Die-Cast rear fenders

Shift, throttle, hydraulic, and PTO levers

Rotating belt pulley and flywheel

Die-cast front and rear wheels

Authentic styled rear hitch

75th Anniversary John Deere A collector insert

And, of course, the bonus DVD

This is just one of several new John Deere announcements, so make sure you get familiar with them all! Here's a few more:

Honolulus are Coming!

We have received word that the Honolulu Pierce Quantum Fire Pumper Trucks will be here in about 3 weeks. This is a GREAT looking truck! And, of course, it comes with all of the details you'd expect from a TWH Collectibles model:


Pivoting, opening cab that reveals detailed diesel engineand transmission
Pivoting ladder rack with removable extendableextension ladder
Opening hose crosslay doors
Steerable front wheels
Opening top hose crosslay doors
Rotating wheels
Rotating hose reels
Rotating radiator fan
Functioning suspension

Features also include:
Frame mounted fuel tank mounted on undercarriage
Detailed inner cab
Replicated work and safety lighting
Multi-material door mirrors
Frame mounted battery boxes under cab
Chrome grill, muffler stack, front bumper, and wheels
Rubber mud flaps and tires
Realistic Air, hydraulic and electrical hose and wireplacement
Accurate decal package
Cab roof mounted air conditioning unit
Grab handles located throughout machine
Under-frame mounted lighting
Replicated diamond plate decking
Front and rear tow hooks
Accurate front bumper configuration
Accurate gauge panel with fills and discharges
Replicated hose fairleads
Photoetch grill

You can pre-order now for immediate delivery once they arrive at our warehouse.

Want to use your own graphics?

The Tonkin trucks are one their way and most will be here next week. They are very nice, but what if you have your own graphics that you'd like to add to a truck? What if you only want one? Well, we've got your answer, in 1/64 scale.





Arriving next week are these blank, white ERTL trucks, perfect for adding your own graphics or paint scheme. These are mostly die-cast, and available in a day cab as well as the sleeper cab. I held one in my hand this week and was surprised by how hefty it was. The images really don't do them justice, so maybe when they get here we can do our own images. I really want to show you how nice these are.

These originally retailed for around $37.95, but circumstances allow us to offer them to you for half the price? What a sweet deal, right? They are available for pre-order now, to ship next week, and then you can do what you like with the graphics or colors of your choice!

Heads Up

Here's a little inside information... We will be offering FREE Shipping on $75 orders starting Thursday afternoon. This just applies to orders shipped within the continental USA, but this time we will be passing along a $7.95 credit to everyone else.