CORGI TOYS YELLOW SUBMARINE - VALUABLE SURVIVOR FROM THE DAYS OF FLOWER POWER AND THE BEATLES

Older readers may recall the smash-hit animated movie Yellow Submarine, released in 1968. Here’s a collectible from that hippy era, a Corgi Toys diecast model of the sub, complete with a ‘Fab Four’ crew, who travel under two folding hatches.

JAPANESE TOBU 2012 MODEL CONTEST

REPORT: DAVID JEFFERIS

The Tobu Department Store is located at the Ikebukuro Station, Tokyo, and is one of the Japanese capital’s largest such stores - and is also venue for the Tamiya Tobu 2012 model contest. Importantly for Tamiya, 2012 is also the 50th anniversary of its first military model, so in the company’s words, “... epic tour de force gathered more than usual.” Well, that’s the Google translation, anyway!

SPRING FAIR 2012 - TREASURE CHEST FOR COLLECTIBLES

Spring Fair report from David Jefferis:

Another trade show that’s running this week is the UK’s Spring Fair, held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham. While not quite as massive as the Nuremberg Toy Fair, Spring Fair is still a major footslogger that attracts more than 70,000 visitors. It’s a mega-roundup of 300,000 offered products, ranging from goodies like coffeemakers and cooking gadgets, to art prints and jewellery. And neatly stirred into the mix are halls dedicated to toys and games, aka collectibles, hobbies, and models.

ROUND 2 TAKES OVER AMT, POLAR LIGHTS, MPC - BEATLES, STAR TREK KITS IN 2012

SMN report:

The Round 2 model company recently acquired all rights to the leading model kit brands AMT, MPC and Polar Lights from Tomy, the Japanese toy, merchandise and entertainment name.

REVELL LONDON BUS KIT MAKING PROGRESS

David Jefferis reports:

Looks like the Revell 1:24 scale London Bus is making good progress. These newly released pix should make any public transport model maker raring to go. It looks good, especially the engine detail under that lift-up cover, plus those seats, and lots of ’em.