Latest News

Problem with International Shipping Costs (May 13)
Please be aware that the less expensive First Class Mail International rate is not showing up as a shipping option. At this time the cause of the problem is not known (we are working on it) but we highly suspect it is related to the US Post Office rate change which was effective yesterday. In addition, a major changed change occurred yesterday as well with this First Class International rate whereby this rate is now based on the shape of the parcel in addition to the weight.

At this time, we can certainly still ship via First Class International. When you checkout, just include a note in the checkout comments that you want us to use First Class International and we will make the change and make any cost adjustments as well. Please note that this rate does have weight and size limitations so not all orders can ship via this method.

THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RESOVLED - please email us at sales@spruebrothers.com if you have still seeing this problem.

SB Decals New Release Announcement (March 14)
SB Decals (a collaboration between Steel Beach Accessories and Sprue Brothers Models LLC) is proud to announce today the release of:

1:48 SB Decals US Navy SH-3 Sea Kings in Hi-Vis Part 1 #48006

This is a limited edition release (only 250 printed).

Markings are included for: HS-4 Black Knights (Apollo Recovery bird); HS-9 Sea Griffins (as seen in The Final Countdown); HS-2 Golden Falcons; HS-3 Tridents; and HS-8 Eightballers.

Sheet includes markings for two full aircraft out of the five options.

Lower UPS Shipping Rates
We have just completed negotiations with UPS and secured rates now that are approximately 10% lower, on average. Our webstore has been programmed with the new rates.

Please be aware that if you qualify for half price shipping (orders with the merchandise totaling between $100 and $200 shipping to a continental US address) the shipping cost shown by the webstore is BEFORE the half price discount (to determine what the shipping total will be if you qualify, just divide what the website shows as a shipping cost in half). The half price discount is given when we pack and ship your order (the final total is included with the shipping notification email). We have to do it this way due to a limitation with our software. If you pay with a credit card, we will revise your total before charging your card. If PayPal, we will refund the difference within 1 business day of shipping your package.

How To Search
We have received several requests/comments recently about difficulties searching for particular items on our webstores. In most cases it was due to unfamiliarity with how our search functions work. We have prepared a one page "lesson" on how to use our search functions. To go to the Search "lesson", click here.

SB Decals Future Release Announcement (February 9)
SB Decals (a collaboration between Steel Beach Accessories and Sprue Brothers Models LLC) is proud to announce our next release:

1:48 SB Decals US Navy SH-3 Sea Kings in Hi-Vis Part 1 #48006

This is a limited edition release (only 250 anticpated to be printed) and is expected to be March 2008 release.. Pre-orders are now being accepted.

Markings are included for: HS-4 Black Knights (Apollo Recovery bird); HS-9 Sea Griffins (as seen in The Final Countdown); HS-2 Golden Falcons; HS-3 Tridents; and HS-8 Eightballers.

Sheet includes markings for two full aircraft out of the five options.

SB Decals New Release (February 4)
SB Decals (a collaboration between Steel Beach Accessories and Sprue Brothers Models LLC) is proud to announce our latest release:

1:48 F-14B Tomcat Feisty Felines Part 2 Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

featuring the VF-11 Red Rippers (St Patrick's Day markings); VF-102 Diamondbacks; and VF-101 Grim Reapers.

Warehouse Expansion
We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support and loyalty. As a result, today we decided to acquire the adjacent warehouse space which will result in a 50% increase of our warehouse. This additional space will allow for our continued expansion and increase in inventory.

SprueSALE - We just started a new ongoing sale called the SprueSale and the sale discount will be usually be at least 10 to 20% off and sometimes more. This sale will include items that may be overstocked on, are being discontinuing, a special purchase that we are able to pass on extra savings to you, or something that Gordon comes up with on a whim, etc. The sale items will go on sale without any notice and may end at any time, so check back often. These sale items will be listed in the Bargain Bin; and also may be found by searching for "SprueSale" on either of our site search methods (i.e. either the search pop up window or the search page). To get this started, we just put 65 various items on sale.

International Customers (May 14, 2007) - Please be advised that the US Postal Service has discontinued Surface Mail service. As a result any restricted shipping items (mainly certain glues and paints) we will no longer be able to ship outside the USA.

USPS Parcel Post - Effiective immediately, we have programmed our systems to use USPS Parcel Post shipping for lightweight packages (under 2lbs) containing items that are considered to be hazardous (certain paint lines, glues, etc.). Parcel Post is lower in cost (approx $2 to $5 lower than UPS Ground depending where you are located) however the main drawbacks are that Parcel Post is a little slower than UPS Ground and tracking is not available (only delivery confirmation). We decided to make this change to allow customers wanting to buy only a few bottles of paint or glue to have a much more reasonable shipping cost (some customers in rural areas were having UPS Ground charges in excess of $11 for a few bottles of paint). If you prefer us to use UPS Ground instead, just tell us in the checkout comments and we will be glad to ship your order by your preferred shipper (this is true anytime for any order - just let us know if you want to use someone different). If you have any thoughts about this, please feel free to let us know - email us at sales@spruebrothers.com. NOTE - We would prefer to list all of the shipping methods together and let you choose the one you want, however we are not allowed to do this by UPS and USPS which is why we have to pick one.

MODEL SHOWS - We will be vending at the following shows in 2008 (subject to change):

• May 16-17 - IPMS Region 5 2008 Convention, Omaha, Nebraska