As we approach the end of the year with 2009 becoming just memories of the past, we thought we would take you for a ride down this year’s new releases that First Gear has been pleased to share with you.
We started the year off with a bang by introducing the largest Komatsu piece in our product line, the 1/50 scale Komatsu 960E Mining Dump Truck, which towers over all of the other 1/50 scale Komatsu construction pieces we have in our line. This unit was a much talked about piece with worldwide excitement and anticipation.
In January we also introduced our first vintage refuse model to our product line, the 1/34 scale Mack L Rear Load Garbage Truck. The original release was for Allied Waste Services and with its success and anticipation we also released two versions in 2009 – Department of Sanitation and City of Chicago Streets & Sanitation. Be sure to add one to your collection!
Our February release coincided with the beginning of First Gear in 1992. The 1/34 scale 1951 Ford Dry Goods Van was our first model ever produced and with the success of the model 17 years later we are still adding to the line with our latest release of the 1/34 scale 1951 Ford Tow Truck. This was a popular model from the beginning and it never fails when you stick to the basics with your original plan.
As we moved to the March releases we took a much more contemporary and modern approach. The
1/34 scale Peterbilt Model 367 Dump Truck was not only an addition to our vocational construction models, but it also introduced a new OEM to our family of replicas.
In addition to the modern Peterbilt model, we also released the Stamped Steel Dry Erase Whiteboard.
Over the years functional products have proven to be successful, so with the release of our dry erase board with customized designs including the International Trucks Pictoral History, and the Ford ‘N’ and Farmall Letter Series versions, we knew we had a much wanted product to add to your collection.
Now moving forward to April with the approach of spring and construction season, we released another 
new addition to our ever growing 1/50 scale Komatsu line. The 1/50 scale Komatsu D51 EX Crawler with Blade & Ripper that was released this year was a variation of the previously released Komatsu D51 PX Crawler with Blade & Winch. You’ll find similar features between the two models, but the overall end purpose of each model in the real construction or forestry scene has its own distinctive job, which makes each replica unique in its own way.
The May release brought a BIG construction piece to our growing line. The 1/25 scale International TD-25 Crawler has brought us another great model with the addition of a Clearing Blade and Winch with 
Integral Arch design. This new version is our lucky number seventh extension to the popular International TD-25 product line.
In May we also announced the option of purchasing our famous 1/34 scale Mack Granite Tri-Axle Tractor as a single unit. This was an exciting twist on things because it was the first time we have offered a 1/34 scale tractor as a single unit.
With the recent addition of Peterbilt to our list of OEMs, we didn’t waste any time coming out with another Peterbilt model. In June we released the 1/34 scale Peterbilt Model 367 with 
Bridgemaster Mixer to our vocational product line. We also noted that the 1/34 scale Peterbilt Model 367 cab could be paired with our Standard Mixer. So, maybe another new model for the future showcase product line? Only time will tell...
As we turn the corner to the second half of the year, we already start thinking about the holiday season. Christmas in July has become a well known phrase, so why not celebrate with the release of our holiday 
set. For the first time we have paired our 1/34 scale Mack B-model cab with a Delivery Truck body. In adding the figures and accessories, we have given the feel of the true holiday spirit. With our snowman friend at stake we found this set to be reminiscent of our childhoods when all we had to worry about was letting our imagination take us to wherever we wanted to go – ah, those were the days!
Getting back on track now… In August we released a new, limited run FIRST CASTING SERIES. The new series was special in that the models were serialized with a matching Certificate of Authenticity and they were the first limited production run off the new tools. The first two models introduced for this FIRST CASTING SERIES were the 1/50 scale Allis-Chalmers HD-21 Crawler with Blade & Ripper and the 1/50 scale Allis-Chalmers HD-21 Crawler with Ejector Scraper. Two lucky winners of our FIRST CASTING SERIES drawing are now enjoying serial #0001 of each of the models, so watch for your chance to win a future FIRST CASTING SERIES release.
In August we also released a completely new concept to our product line, a 1/34 scale International 
DuraStar Armored Truck. The spin on this new tooling is that with the focus of protecting money, as armored trucks do, we have given our customers the option of making the model into a bank. This new model was also the 29th release in our 1/34 scale Tread Marks Collectors Club Series.
Once again in September we turn to our newest OEM, Peterbilt. With the popularity of our growing 1/50 scale construction line, we couldn’t leave Peterbilt out of the picture. Therefore, we released two new
models, the 1/50 scale Peterbilt Model 367 Dump Truck and the 1/50 scale Peterbilt Model 367 with Tri-Axle Lowboy Trailer. The Peterbilt Model 367 has proven to be as popular as all of our releases over the year and we trust the popularity will grow as we continue to expand the construction line.
Rounding out the year, our October and November issues gave 
you some light into how our company works. We gave you all the inside “scoop” on how a replica is made – starting from the brainstorming and research, to the sample and modifications, adding the paint and the logos, down to the shipping of the goods. We hope you enjoyed learning some of the tricks of the trade.
As we wrap up 2009 we hope you enjoyed your new models throughout the year and trust that you are just as excited for 2010 as we are. So, enjoy the holiday season and the last few days of 2009 and watch for some exciting new things to come in 2010.
