41804 Ford E-350 - MedTrans Ambulance. This is the North American version of the new Busch ambulance.
47686 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Maine State Police
47717 1931 Ford AA Panel Delivery - Grocers Biscuit Company
48212 1950 Chevrolet 3100 - Farm Truck
48915 1998 smart City Coupe - "Follow Me" airport car.
49078 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - Maryland State Police
49151 2000 Mercedes-Benz C-Class - German Police

In addition, the following tongue-in-cheek models introduced by E-R Models, Ltd. at the Chicago show are now available:

92501 1952 Cadillac Ambulance - Hope Ambulance Service
92502 1952 Cadillac Ambulance - Faith Ambulance Service
92503 1952 Cadillac Hearse - Bates Funeral Home

By the way, the little tires and wire wheels that come on the E-R Models hearses look too small. You will probably be happier with these models if you also order the Busch 49951 Whitewall Tire and Wheel accessory set. Most of the hearses and ambulances of that time had whitewall tires. Bill Cawthon made the change and reports, "It makes all the difference in the world. Add bit of detailing with some silver paint and a dab of Tamiya transparent red on the tail lights and a finish of Testor's Gloss Cote to turn these into really nice models. The Gloss Cote really looks good on the hearse."

If you missed them, the following cars in the Busch State Police Series are still available:

46673 1977 Dodge Monaco - Delaware State Police
46674 1977 Dodge Monaco - Colorado State Patrol
47676 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Florida Highway Patrol
47677 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Missouri Highway Patrol
47678 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Tennessee State Trooper
47681 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Virginia State Police
47683 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Minnesota State Police
47685 1995 Chevrolet Caprice - Arkansas State Police
49005 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - NYPD
49071 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - Utah Highway Patrol
49075 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - Wisconsin State Police
49077 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - Montana Highway Patrol
92202 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - New York State Police (E-R Models re-run)
92203 1996 Ford Crown Victoria - Illinois State Police (E-R Models re-run)

All models will be distributed by E-R Models, Ltd. Your favorite hobby retailer can place an advance order for the December releases or get any of the other models now.

Classic Construction Models has announced firm production plans for their first model in the Caterpillar mining equipment series. The first model will be the massive 797 mining dump truck and is scheduled for release in March, 2002. Shown above is the pilot model of the 797 beside the previously released 777D. Below is another shot from the rear of the truck.

The Machine

The Caterpillar 797 Mining Truck is the largest Mining Truck in the world. It has an operating weight of 1,314,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 360 tons. To move this huge truck, the Cat 797 is powered by a 24 cylinder diesel engine that produces an amazing 3,400 gross horsepower. The truck measures 23 feet from the road to the top of truck bed and almost 50 feet when raised for dumping. Total Length is 47 feet, 7 inches. Eight onboard computers monitor oil pressure, transmission torque, engine performance and tire temperature, among other things. The 13-foot-high Michelin tires were especially designed for the 797 and cost about $30,000 each; $180,000 for the set of six required.

The Model

CCM worked closely with Caterpillar to develop this unique brass model. Several trips to the Caterpillar proving grounds in Tucson, Arizona were necessary to fully survey the machine to make sure that we had all the necessary details down. Cat also supplied CCM with drawings and other materials that were essential in designing and building the Cat 797 model. All of the nuts and bolts are visible on this model and all of the measurements are accurate. The model weighs in at a hefty three pounds (unloaded) so be sure you have adequate display capability before ordering this model!

#50116    Seehund Midget Submarine (Waterline)   
#50117    Seehund Midget Submarine (Full Hull)
#80001    German Railway Engineers
#80002    Germany Army Truck, Krupp
#80003    Artillery Bunker
#80004    Atlantic Wall Bunker
#80005    Tobruk Bunker
#80006    Machine Gun Bunker
#80007    Anti-Aircraft Artillery Bunker
#80008    Artillery Stand
#80009    Anti-Aircraft Stand
#80010    Dragon's Teeth
#80011    Tobruk Bunker with armor cupola

GERMAN MILITARY TRAIN CARS

#80015    Panzerjagerwagen Pz IV
#80016    Abstosswagen
#80017    Schienwolf
#80023    Infanterie Flachwagen
#80024    Flakwagen with one gun tub
#80025    Flakwagen with two gun tubs
#80036    Cargowagen
#80027    88mm Flak Gun under tarp
#80029    88mm Flak Gun on Pontoon Barge
#80031    88mm Flak Gun
#80032    Soviet B-4 203mm Howitzer
#80040    20mm Flak
#80045    Hospital Carriage and horse
#80047    Light Horse Carriage
#80048    8 Rad SdkFz 231 8 wheel armored car
#80049    8 Rad SdKfz 232 8 wheel armored car (radio)
#80050    37mm Flak Gun
#80051    75mm PAK 40 Howitzer
#80052    Sitting Infantry with equipment
#80053    Field Kitchen Personnel & horse
#80054    Hospital Orderlies with equipment
#80055    German Infantry with equipment, WWI
#80056    German Infantry with equipment, WWII
#80060    Artillery position with trenches

 Please visit their website at www.fidelismodels.com for photos and prices. Or click this direct link to their Artitec  page.

Fidelis Models is now offering three new resin kits of their own in 1/87 scale:

#1400    Russian BRDM-1 Armored Reconnaissance Car
#1920    Maginot Line Type Gun Turret
#1921    Maginot Line Type Machine Gun Bunker

Visit their website at www.fidelismodels.com for photos and prices. For further details click the "search" option on the title bar then enter the description of the item.

Oddballs Decals has released two Missouri Pacific Airfreight truck decal sets for the Athearn Ford C straight truck (shown above and below).

Rietze has the following new releases in their lineup of buses (pictured below):

The new models include:

Neoplan Euroliner
5 Neoplan Starliners
Volvo B12 500
SETRA S319NF, S315NF,S315GT, & 328DT models
Mercedes Cito, 345G, & Travego

All models are available from:

IMAGES REPLICAS
PO BOX 99, East Norwich, NY 11732
516-922-0397
E-mail: transit@imagesreplicas.com

Sheepscot Scale Products announces an impressive lineup of additions to their line of vintage trucks (photos above). New are the International Harvester R-220, F-230D, and LC-180, an Autocar U-90, and a Link-Belt 45 ton truck mounted crane (HC-108 designation).

The new urethane truck cabs and equipment (bodies) will be sold direct, not through dealers. The advantage to modelers is that they can get the configuration they want, the size tires, frame and miscellaneous parts they want for their particular project.

Also announced are the lowboy trailers shown below. These kits are of white metal construction and are available through normal hobby dealer channels.