BigToyTalk

Italeri AB41

by David Smith
Italeri has released a 1:48 scale model of the AB41 armoured car, the successor to the AB40 (available as a 1:35 scale model – see our story here).

With decals for marking the vehicle up as either a German or Italian version, from three theatres (Tunisia early 1943, Libya 1942 and Italy 1942) the armoured car is priced around £12.50.

Life-size Cylon Centurion and Robby the Robot prop replicas

by David Smith
If your figurines seem a little on the small side, you could always try these two stunning life-size prop replicas from Fred Barton Productions.

The seven-foot tall Cylon Centurion (the version seen in the recent BSG series) will certainly attract plenty of attention with its sweeping red visor light and menacing hum.

The Centurion has a fibreglass body with aluminium, brass and acrylic detail, and it is completely hand made.

Priced at $7,900, you can order from Sideshow Collectibles and your Cylon Centurion will be ready in eight to 12 weeks.

A non-refundable $3,950 deposit is needed to secure each order.

If that isn’t enough for you, Fred Barton Productions is also offering this life-size Robby the Robot from the cult sci-fi film Forbidden Planet.

The replica comes with some cool lighting effects and also stands at seven-feet tall.

Robby is priced at $16,999.99, with a non-refundable deposit of $7,500.99 required when ordering from Sideshow Collectibles. Robby will also be ready in eight to 12 weeks.

LEGO Grand Emporium

by Eleanor de Bruin
Joining the LEGO Modular Buildings series is the glorious three-storey Grand Emporium, with seven minifigures and everything they might need under one roof.

Priced around £139.99, the huge department store set contains an amazing 2,182 pieces, including some rare pieces. Sixteen-year-olds upwards should enjoy the challenge of putting together the detailed and realistic store using some special building techniques.

When complete, the Emporium stands at a grand 15 inches high and 10 inches wide and features lots of the great little details that add a touch of realism both on the inside and outside of the building, such as mannequins in the window, an ice-cream stand nearby, a mailbox, a window washer and a billboard on the roof.

When the little minifigures go through the revolving doors, they find a clothing department on the first floor with lots of fun accessories such as hats, a cash register, clothes, jewellery and perfume.

A well-stocked housewares department is suitated on the second floor, and accessed via a buildable escalator and right at the top of the building is a toy department with a mini doll house and scooter that every LEGO minifigure child will be begging their parents to buy.

Sideshow Collectibles Beachhead 12in. action figure

by David Smith
Sideshow Collectibles has added to its G.I. Joe range with the announcement of the Beachhead 12in. action figure. Not expected to ship until the end of the year, you would be well advised to get your pre-order in early if you want to snap up one of these limited edition figures.

Wayne R. Sneeden overcame a poverty-stricken background to train as an elite soldier in the US Army and eventually became the ranger for the G.I. Joe team, taking the codename Beachhead.

With more than 30 points of articulation, the Beachhead figure has detailed clothing and armaments including an XMLR-3A Laser rifle, a .45 1911 Pistol, a Robinson Arms XCR(R) Short Barrel Rifle, a Tactical Railed Crossbow and fragmentation grenades.

The figure is priced at $119.99 and is also available as a Sideshow Collectibles Exclusive, featuring a removable red beret, for $129.99.

Corgi RAF Land Rover

by David Smith
The versatility of the Land Rover led to it being quickly snapped up by the RAF after it first launched in 1948. It was used in a variety of roles, including towing planes and ferrying personnel around airbases.

The Land Rover also saw duty as a ‘Follow me’ vehicle, carrying a sign on the back to guide pilots who were unfamiliar with an airfield’s layout.

Corgi’s 1:43 scale version of this indefatigable vehicle looks pretty good in its RAF blue, and the limited edition model is priced around £15.99.

Revell Eurocopter EC-135

by David Smith
The Eurocopter EC-135 first took to the air in 1996 and has established itself as the world leader in its class.

It is currently in service with (among others) the Austrian Ministry of the Interior and the German police force, and decals for both versions are included in Revell’s new 1:72 scale model.

The 65 parts include some great detailing, including recessed panel lines and a cockpit instrument panel, and you also get a movable main rotor (with a 140mm diameter).

Rated as skill level 3, the Eurocopter EC-135 is priced around £6.99.

William Britain 95th Riflemen

by David Smith
Think of the Rifles, and it’s impossible not to think of Captain Richard Sharpe. Whether you’re a fan of the Bernard Cornwell novels or the Sean Bean TV show, you’ll be interested in these two new figures from William Britain.

The British 95th Rifleman Kneeling Firing #1 and British 95th Rifleman Standing Firing #1 are each proudly wearing the famed green jacket as they take aim at a couple of Frenchmen. Each figure is priced around £22.99.

Hornby Digital Sound

by David Smith
Hornby has announced a revolution in model railway sound quality with the launch of Hornby Digital Sound.

For the first time, sound effects are now emitted from the engines themselves, increasing realism and adding authentic changes in sound dynamics as your trains enter and exit tunnels and move around the track.

Trains fitted with the new sound system include the BR 4-6-0 CLASS 5 (pictured, priced around £234.99), the LNER ‘Herring Gull’ Class A4 (also around £234.99) and the Diesel Electric Class 50 ‘Illustrious’ (around £209.99).

Sound effects include coal-shovelling and whistles, and many of the effects have been recorded from the actual locomotives in question for added authenticity.

“The digital sound locomotives are an exciting addition to the Hornby range and one enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating,” commented Hornby’s Simon Kohler. “The quality of sound and realism of experience with the Digital Sound locomotives is unmatched and nothing is more evocative of the railway experience than the sounds of locomotives building up speed.”

Corgi Scammel Scarab – RAF Maintenance Command

by David Smith
Although the single front wheel of the Scammel Scarab made it an odd-looking creature, it also made it extremely manoeuvrable. Taking over from the ‘Mechanical Horse’, the Scarab had an automatic coupling system to make it easier to hook up to its loads.

Taking on many roles, Corgi’s 1:76 scale model of this versatile truck is shown in the livery of RAF Maintenance Command and is priced around £10.99.

Sideshow Collectibles Boba Fett life-size bust

by David Smith
Star Wars fans will be awestruck by Sideshow Collectibles’ life-size bust of the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett. At 30in. high and weighing nearly 16kg, this is a substantial display item, complete with battle-damaged armour and real fabric cape.

Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, in which Boba helped to encase poor old Han Solo in carbonite prior to shipping him to Jabba the Hutt, the bust is priced at $799.99.

You can pre-order your individually painted, hand-finished bust now, with delivery expected by the end of the year.