New Tank Unveiled at the 2006 Paris Hobby Show
from Steve Zaloga
Description
I managed to time a photo/research trip over to France with the
opening of the Salon de Maquette in Paris starting on 13 April 2006.
This is a very large commercial model show that covers everything
from scale models to railroads to RC.
The French distributors for the large
scale model companies have exhibits as well as vendors, and Tamiya
decided to use the show to unveil its Char B1 bis in 1/35th scale.
Two models were displayed showing some of the marking options. The
track is unusual for Tamiya in that it is individual link or link
and length. The kit includes a tank commander figure and even some
chain. The box art was not on display, so I suspect that the kit is
basically done short of the packaging and that we will see it on the
shelf in a few months.
Other notables included Italeri's Sahariana and AB.43 armored cars,
though unfortunately my Sahariana photos did not come out. ADV
Azimut showed a built up Bronco Comet, an AFV Club Centurion hull,
and a partial AFV Club M40 155mm GMC hull. The Bronco Comet was
already out in the shops in Paris on Wednesday 12 April.
Photos: Tamiya Char B1 bis; Bronco Comet; AFV Club Centurion hull;
AFV Club M4 hull; Italeri AB.43 armored car.
Click the thumbnails below to view
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