Henrico County Fire Trucks

We are expecting the new Henrico County Virginia Fire Trucks by TWH Collectibles to arrive in the next couple of weeks. We were in Virginia over Spring Break week and had a chance to see the real thing up close. I've posted a short video of the outing on YouTube.



Those of you that have seen the Kern County trucks will know what to expect. These trucks are really loaded up. Enjoy the video, I don't think I'm any threat to Speilberg yet... but who knows?

More from Tonkin!

The Walmart trucks are selling very quickly! If you want one, please order now to make sure you get it. They will be here late next week, in very limited quantities.

But, you certainly have other options, so don't feel limited! Here are just a few of the trucks we've just added.

May Trucking, Available in the following models:
Freightliner Cascadia with 53' Reefer, 1/53 scale
Volvo VNL780 with 53' Dry Van, 1/87 scale
Peterbilt 389 with 70" Standup Sleeper with 53' Reefer Van, 1/87 scale

Swift Transportation Available in the following models:
Volvo VNL780 with 53’ Dry Van - New 2008 Scheme, 1/87
Columbia with 3 axle Duraplate Dry Van, 1/53
Volvo VNL670 with 53' Wabash Articlite Reefer

Kenworth Advertiser Truck in 1/87

Peterbilt Advertiser Truck - 389 with 70” Standup Sleeper with 53’ Dry Van in 1/87

We will also have 17 different owner/operator trucks with the new Rackley Lowboy trailer. The one shown here is a Peterbilt 388 Day Cab with New Rackley Lowboy in Green and White. Be sure to check out all the other Rackleys. And these are just a few apples our of the barrel. Dip your head in (browse our website) to see where all the others are!

Save Money, Live Better

I've just added about 40 new Tonkin trucks, in 1/53 and 1/87 scales! There are so many that I can't put them all here, but here is the biggest highlight:


Freightliner Columbia with 53' Dry Van Trailer with Wal-Mart graphics! Available in 1/53 and 1/87.

I'll be back in a little bit to introduce you to the rest.

M2 keeps rolling

I have just finished putting together the new listings that M2Machines has announced. I love M2 because it never gets old. They keep rolling out products unlike any I've seen. The most exciting thing now is the new Auto-Lift, which premiered for New York Toy Fair in February. The production on the first Auto-Lift was limited to 720 pieces, so it's a joy to be able to offer them to you. This one includes two different paint schemes of a 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS Muscle Car, with the display base for "2009 New York Toy Fair." Obviously, we have very limited quantities, but we have stocked enough to give you a good chance to add them to your collection. Don't miss out!



The Auto-Lift Release 1 has also been announce. Each will include the Auto-Lift and 2 paint schemes of a popular M2 car. Here is what has is being offered in release 1:

1957 Chevy Bel Air

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

1969 Plymouth Road Runner


Plus, the Auto-Lifts will be available by themselves in packs of 5 extra stacks. These will all be available in May, except the Toy Fair Auto-Lift, which is available NOW!

Oh but wait, that's not all! We've got 2 more releases!

The new Detroit Muscle has been announced, and we'll be offering them in 2-Piece sets! Here's what we've got coming in April:


1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

1970 Dodge Super Bee

And finally, we just received our next in the Auto-Stretch Rods Series. These have been very popular in the collector world, since they really represent a rare idea.

Catalina is a-waitin for me

Anyone else remember that song?

"Twenty- six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me
Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance"

That goes back to around 1960, many years before I was born. Still, I grew up on music like this, and I can't stop the song from running through my head when I see this Custom Catalina. When I listen to that song I think back to the ideals of the 1950s, with high pony-tails and poodle skirts and sock hops. The same thoughts strike me while looking at this car. It really is a beautiful model.

1955 Pontiac® Star Chief® Custom Catalina In Black over Red - Strict Limited Edition of just 550 pcs each!1955 Pontiac® Star Chief® Custom Catalina In Red over Black - Strict Limited Edition of just 550 pcs each!

With the introduction of the Star Chief™ in 1955, Pontiac® shed its stodgy image-with a vengeance. It also disproved the old adage that beauty’s only skin deep: for under that sexy, eye-catching two-tone paint scheme beat the heart of lion, in the form of the all-new “Strato-Streak” V-8 engine that produced 180hp and roared from 0-60 in 13.8 seconds.

Now, Franklin Mint Precision Models honors the legendary Star Chief™ as never before. And by acting now, you can choose one or both of the spectacular models featured here-one painted red on top and black on the bottom, the other black on top and red on the bottom…the very same option GM® offered customers back in '55!

Each is hand-assembled from more than 100 separate parts and each is packed with the authentic details that are the hallmarks of Franklin Mint Precision Models. Every detail of the powerful “Strato-Streak” V-8 stands out in lifelike clarity; the interior is matched perfectly to the original and such realistic working features as operable steering, functional suspension and doors, hood and trunk that open and close complete one awesome die-cast re-creation.

We'll also be looking for this sleek beauty in June:

City-Themed Semis from New-Ray

These die-cast and plastic themed trucks just arrived yesterday. We saw these briefly in New-York and knew we must have them. New-Ray does a great job with mural trucks like these, and we certainly look forward to seeing more geared toward areas of our great nation.

Peterbilt 379 - Las Vegas


Kenworth W900 - New York

If you like these but you want a different location, check out these: Texas, Arizona, California, and even Canada! And, we will have a Mount Rushmore, South Dakota by the end of spring.

Also, you should be on the lookout for the soft drink themes on similar trucks. We'll have 7-Up, Dr. pepper, Monster Energy Drink (in stock now), and A&W.

Making the Earth Move!

Introducing the Bucyrus-Erie cable shovels and hoes!

Bucyrus was an early producer of steam shovels. Its products now include large electric rope shovels, walking draglines, and rotary blasthole drills for the surface mining industry. Formerly Bucyrus-Erie (from their 1927 merger with the Erie Steam Shovel Company, then the country's leading manufacturer of small excavators). via Wikipedia

We now have in-stock 4 different model from the Bucyrus Erie EMD line. These models of Industrial Art feature:

• Working individual linked metal tracks
• Handrails on cabin and boom
• Operating drums for hoist, crowd and boom
• Opening trip door on shovels
• Hinged side access panel doors
• Sliding operator's door and rear engine door
• Detailed operator's cab
• Functioning hydraulic cylinders
• Authentic logos and colors

Bucyrus-Erie 22-B cable shovel. Also available: Ruston-Bucyrus 22-RB cable shovel



Bucyrus-Erie 22-B cable hoe. Also available: Ruston-Bucyrus 22-RB cable hoe

Orange Rush

We have been given the opportunity to offer the new custom "Orange Rush" Peterbilt owner/operator cab from Tonkin. They are available for pre-order now, and should be arriving next month. It would be a great piece to add to a trailer already in your collection, or just a stand alone eye-catcher. We will have more images soon, but in the meantime, I'll provide you with these graphics:

Super Stretch Limos are a hit!

Late last year we decided to start a new product line called Unique Replicas. It's sometimes difficult to choose the right products when starting out, but apparently we did well! You may remember seeing the black and white limousines, or maybe you added them to your collection already. They were so popular that we decided to give you a chance for another, this time in a nice sophisticated grey.


Features of this lovely model are:

• Opening hood and trunk
• Opening 4 doors to view interior details
• Detachable sun roof
• Detailed engine compartment
• Working steering wheel with suspension
• Side panel lights when doors open
• Still available in black for a limited time
  

Bruder "CONVEYS" Fun!

Bruder is coming out with some exciting things this year. My favorite piece I saw in their booth at Toy Fair was their new 1/16 scale conveyor belt that is coming out late this Spring.

This piece promises GREAT play value and is the perfect implement for a Bruder tractor or an ERTL 'Big Farm' tractor.

Features include: hand-powered movement of the conveyor belt (crank), height-adjustable chassis (adjustable dumping height), fold-out drawbar, V-shaped rubber belt with horizontal stripes (transports loose bulk material and bales), drawbar fits on truck and tractor couplings, conveyor height 4"-12". Manufactured in Germany from high-quality ABS plastics.

Since ancient times, conveyor belts have helped transport, lift, and lower heavy loads such as stones, timber, bulk material, and others. To make it easier for our little master builders and farmers to complete their tasks, BRUDER is now launching a state-of-the-art conveyor belt.

The mechanisms can be used to lift hay bales onto the trailer and transport them to the barn as well as transport and unload sand or rock on/from dump trucks.The conveyor belt can, of course, also be hooked on to all BRUDER towing vehicles such as tractors, Unimogs, trucks including the Sprinter and construction vehicles equipped with a drawbar coupling.

We also got to see their NEW Mercedes fire truck which shot streams of water at least 15 feet across the hallways of Toy Fair! Mark was having too much fun!!

TWENTY new Bruder products for 2009 - all are online now. [click here]

New chance for rare chase tractors!

New to the website this week are ERTL's new state tractors. If you like the Premier John Deere and Case collection, you will certainly love these! ERTL has taken a new spin on the chase tractor concept this time. Remember the muddy versions from the premier line? This time, each tractor corresponds to a specific state in the US. Chase tractors will be rare, and have the capitol of the related state imprinted on the fender.

We are currently listing these in factory sealed cases, to give you a chance to find the chase units inside. We will soon also be listing the tractors in sets for those that aren't necessarily on the hunt. Here are the first few assortments that are being offered:

Pennsylvania - Case IH 1486
Wisconsin - Case 335 Magnum
Montana - Case IH 660
Arkansas - Case MXU135Vermont - Farmall 200
Indiana - Farmall 1206
Tennessee - Farmall 350
Colorado - Case 1370

Wyoming - Case MX100
Louisiana - Case IH 560
Minnesota - Farmall1456
Maine - Farmall 300


New York - John Deere B tractor
Illinois - John Deere 8430 Tractor
New Mexico - John Deere 6420 Tractor
Texas - John Deere 4455 Tractor
West Virginia - John Deere 2510
Ohio - John Deere 8420
Alabama - John Deere 7330
California - John Deere 7810

Nevada - John Deere 520
North Carolina - John Deere 7700
Wisconsin - John Deere 4240
Delaware - John Deere H Tractor

Taking a Closer Look at 2 Corgi Models

Corgi AA38102 1/48 Sopwith Camel B6313

Major William George Barker, pilot , 1894-1930
Royal Flying Corps, RAF

In November of 1917, G.W. Barker's squadron, No 28, was reassigned to Italy where his Sopwith Camel became the most successful fighter aircraft of the war. The B6313 carried the No.28 Sqn RFC's marking of a white square on the fuselage and upper wing. Additionally each aircraft carried an identifying number and flight letter.

Major Barker’s accolades include more than 379 hours of flight time. The Canadian ace shot down 46 enemy aircraft before Camel #B6313 was retired from service and dismantled on October 2, 1918. That month, he assumed command of Hounslow's British air combat school.

CORGI - CC51025 - 1/50

M4A3 Sherman Tank

US Army 341st Tank Btn, "Anvil", Normandy, France, D-Day June 6th 1944
This is one great looking model, but I really cannot find any info about the history. If you have some, just send us a comment! We'd love to hear from you.

More new products!

NZG is starting 2009 with the announcement of over 40 new products. If you are a construction collector and have not yet become familiar with NZG, here's a little information:

NZG models are known worldwide, and they are the guarantor for the production of detailed construction machine models, of several brands and with different functions, in the scales 1:25, 1:50, 1:87. The products will certainly cater to the high demand for functionality and the "true to life" detail. The wide slection of historical models, over excavator models, crane models, lifting platform models, wheel loader models, road construction models, unimog models and trucks, hardly allows any single wish unconsidered.

The planning process for NZG models begins with original 3D data, photos and sketches, to create a virtual model true to the original. This results in a construction models with all later components, functions and details.

Here are a few of the items that we will be receiving in the next couple of weeks:


Scania R 6x4 heavy weight truck with Nooteboom Pendel X 2-a axle in blue
Liebherr L510 wheel loader
Hamm 3412 HT compactor
Atlas AW1140 compactor

New John Deere to start the year!

We may be a couple months into the start of 2009, but the new products for this year just keep rolling in! I added more than 20 new John Deere items to the website today: some for you, and some for the kids! Here's just a look at what we'll start receiving in a week or so:

John Deere Sing Along Tractor, for the little ones John Deere 7700 Fairway Mower for the collector

John Deere 730 Holiday Tractor with snow for the collectorJohn Deere Tractor Carry Case Value set for the kids
John Deere 4020 Tractor with Loader and chains for the collector
John Deere 7020 4WD Tractor Key Series Precision #7 for the collector
John Deere 5430I Sprayer for the collector



Remember, this is just a small glimpse of what's coming. And I'm certainly not done adding new products! Keep watching for more.