Inevitably, one of first visits to a manufacturer at Nuremberg is to Masterbox Ltd.. In the times i've been going to the show and the help they've given the Network, it's inevitable that a good relationship has developed.

In addition to these reports covering individual companies, i'll also be doing a full feature on my impressions and some of the New products we can expect to see in the coming year.

Although still a relatively small company, Masterbox gets an enormous amount of attention and coverage. Partly this is due to the enthusiasm for the subject areas that those involved transmit and, in no small measure due to the interesting areas the company are exploring.

Several sets, which are due to be released soon, were on display. Most notable, were the Japanese and U.S.M.C. figure sets which should get good sales. Also present were the 'variations on a theme' which are being developed - using their BMW Motorcycle as a basis.

As to plans for the future, there are a couple of VERY exciting projects which will have to remain confidential but, in items NOT listed, there will certainly be MORE British Paratroop sets and, with luck, British Heavy Weapon Sets.

Meanwhile, here is the (amended) list of what we should be seeing in 2009:

MB3542 - "Japanese Special Naval Landing Force Tarawa, 1943"

MB3543 - "Bloody Atol" U.S. Marine Corps Infantry, Tarawa, 1943

MB3544 - "Bloody Atol" Hand-to-hand fight, Tarawa, 1943

MB3545 - "Stukas im Anflug!"

MB3546 - "Watch tower"

MB3548 - "Kradschutzen: German Motorcycle Troops on the Move"

MB3560 - German Motorcycle Repair Crew

Now, the releases above are listed on the company Website, here though, are the additional releases listed in the company's 2009 catalogue:

MB35552 - 'Ticket Home' German Soldiers 1943-43. (Three wounded soldiers)

MB35553 - 'Supplies at Last' German Soldiers (Resupplying 1944-45)

MB3558 - 'Road to the Rear': Retreating German Troops with Cart

MB3559 - German Artillery Crew

MB3563 - 'Counterattack' Soviet Infantry 1941

Finally, News of some VEHICLE releases in the catalogue:

KfZ 1 Type 170 VK & KfZ 2 Type 170 VK are coming along and release will be within a few months. Progress is also being made on the two Panhard A/Cs

As always, you'll be kept well-informed!