Wonder Festival 2010 Winter Report
On Feb. 7, 2010, hobbyists from all over Japan--and from several other countries, too--converged on Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture for the Winter 2010 edition of Wonder Festival. This huge event, spanning eight halls, featured the latest announcements from manufacturers as well as hobby items for sale by pro and amateur dealers.
HobbyLink Japan was one of the vendors, and here's a look at our space, filled with shoppers! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by!
Let's start with the exciting announcement from Fine Molds. What we've all been waiting for--a moderately sized, 1/144-scale Millennium Falcon--is now in the works!
Tentatively priced at 4,700 yen, this kit is planned for release in late April. It might be difficult to tell from the photo, but it's pleasingly sized at about 20cm (a little over 7 3/4 inches) long.
It looks like it will be fairly easy to build, too.
Here's a photo from the side, too, for those who will want a closer look at its thickness. What do you think?
Check out this head-on view! The canopy and gun turret port parts will be clear with the frame molded in.
On the military front, a 1/35 IJA Type 49 six-wheeled truck is on the way! Two versions of hoods will be produced.
Injection kits of Japanese military trucks are unusual, so this will make for some interesting new dioramas!
Fine Molds will join in the 1/350 naval subjects craze with a kit of the Special Destroyer Ayanami that promises to be outstanding.
Getting the largest display was this announcement for a kit of the intriguing Deckel FP-1 milling machine.
Next up is Pit-Road, with a new kit in the planning stages, this 1/144 BAC TSR-2.
The prototype hasn't been approved yet, but other manufacturers' kits of this plane have sold well.
Being aimed for release sometime this year is a 1/144 Euro Fighter Typhoon.
Coming this spring will be Pit-Road's 1/700-scale Admiral Hipper of the German Navy.
It's similar to last December's Prinz Eugen kit, but with some differences.
This JASDF ship, the 1/700 helicopter-carrying destroyer DDH-181 Hyuga, is also on the way. This large-type ship is comparable in size to a U.S. Navy LHA!
Here's the Type 92 "Heavy Armored Car" (Late Version). A variation of their previous release, with newly-tooled hull, turret, and suspension...almost a completely new model!
This is the 28cm cannon of the Imperial Japanese Army, used during the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-05. This subject has only been available until now as a resin or metal kit, but Pit-Road plans to offer it as an easy-to-build plastic kit.
Pit-Road will offer a science-fiction subject, too. This Type 98 Special Control Vehicle is from the popular anime "Patlabor." Featuring figures of Shinohara, Kanuka, Shinshi, and Yamazaki, this item will be a fully-finished model.
Also coming from Pit-Road will be this set of Kafuka Fuura and Chiri Kitsu figures from "Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei."
Sweet's new A6M5c Model 52c kit in 1/144 scale. Most parts are newly tooled, including the fuselage, wings, and propeller.
Neko Works is offering three new cute and "deformed" cars: the R-360 (shown here), a Sunny Truck, and a Piazza.
The selection at the Kami de Koro Koro booth, a specialist in 1/144 military and aircraft subjects.
Kami de Koro Koro's latest release is this early Italian jet, the Caproni Campini. Looks like a regular prop fighter with the prop removed!
Known more for their military kits, GUM KA had this preliminary look at their high-detail 1/12 Kawasaki 750SS kit on display, with a planned Summer 2010 release.
Moontoys had this 1/16-scale BMW R12 military motorcycle on display. This will be a fully-finished model, with rider figure. The bike itself will be made by Swash Design.
These are 1/16-scale military figures by Grenadier Model, the perfect size for displaying on their own.
A collection of giant Saturn rockets! These are amazing papercraft kits...even the launch platforms! Not only are the rockets and spacecraft available, but so are their transport trailers and other accessories.
