Shizuoka 2017 pt. 1

After a year's absence we visited again the show on the rainy Saturday May 13.

The transportation to the show has improved significantly but the weather conditions didn't prevent hundreds of millions of people in the one and a half hall reserved for companies, half of the second hall and separate room for modellers groups, the flea market and more. Very crowded conditions everywhere. No fun at all. For example, there were 6-7 boxes with Hasegawa spare parts with 15 people digging into them surrounded by 20 more waiting for their turn. Next to impossible to spend more than 10 seconds in front of the booths of the major companies. In any case, we didn't see anything new (Japanese aviation related ofcourse) this year with only two exceptions.

 

Two years ago we wrote: I asked an FM guy when "Tokkai" kits will be available again in the market and he said it's discontinued. Not very sure about it though. Maybe they will rebox the kit?

I don't know if clairvoyance is one of my hidden abilities or if they read this blog but the good news is that the "Tokkai" will be available again from Fine Molds from mid June. Price will be 2600Yen (about US$25).

 

The other new release I noticed was from Hobby Fan. A lovely entaigo (concrete aircraft hangar) in 1/144 that will be unfortunately available for 9400Yen (US$90!!!) believe it or not. It seems they don't want to sell any...

 

 

Apart from these, the only other interesting thing was a presentation by "Kantai Collection" who are building an Aichi E16A1 "Zuiun" in 1/1, due this summer.  

 

That's all regarding the company booth area. 

Let's move on to the models.

But before we do, Harold K sent over news that it looks like "Special Hobby" are working on a Tachikawa Ki-54!!!