[admin]

This was posted on the Schuco website.

Dear model aeroplane collectors and fans of Schabak,

We would like to announce that we, Dickie-Schuco GmbH & Co. KG, have acquired with immediate effect the brand rights and models of the company Schabak Modellspielwaren (Nürnberg), which ceased trading in January. Dickie-Schuco GmbH & Co. KG is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality model and collectors’ cars and is part of the Simba-Dickie Group, one of the most important toy companies in Europe.

We are going to reorganize and, at the same time, extend the popular Schabak aeroplane range. We will begin by introducing the first new releases of models under the umbrella brand name of “Schuco Aviation” in the mid-2006 and gradually establish a current and exciting range. As a result, the long traditions established by the Schuco and Schabak brands in the model aeroplane segment will continue their success. Just wait until you see the new releases. Start looking forward to the new models which we will shortly be presenting on www.schuco.de and www.schuco-aviation.de.

[bsmith13]

Hmm. I have a few Shuco cars, and I like them, but they are expensive here in the US. It will be interesting to see what they produce.

[Celtic]

Questions, questions, questions!

I've looked at the Schuco web site and notice they produce a new line of Inflight 1/500 airliners (as well as 1/200), which appear to be excellent.

Does Schuco (or did Schuco) have any relationship to the defunct StarJets line? I ask because my StarJets B 727-200 Viasa model is credited to Schuco StarJets. The product date is 2003.

If Schuco and StarJets had a previous relationship, will Schuco reintroduce the StarJets line in parallel to Inflight, or is Inflight it...and will they then be producing more of the StarJets lines (if Herpa hasn't already gobbled up those moulds)?

I now have six StarJet models, and each of them is excellent--at least as good as the 1/400 models from AeroClassics or GeminiJets. (I also have five on order--so I'm really sold on these little jewels, even if it is a bit late in the game).

On another thread under Big Bird in this forum, it was mentioned that Herpa had taken over some of the StarJet moulds. Question is, which models are old Herpa and which are old StarJets? I don't like the old Herpa 1/500 (they are ridiculously toy-like), and it would be nice to be able to get quality StarJets and Inflight 1/500 models from Schuco, and not have to worry about iffy-quality 1/500 from Herpa. Anyone know the ins and outs of these relationships?

[Tone]

This announcement means that this line has returned to its origins, as Schuco series of 1:600 planes that later became Schabak.