Sunday, April 9

A Ship the Size of Alaska, a Springbok Mustang, the T-18 & a Soviet Captured Car Make Up Hobbyboss' April Assemblies

Hobbyboss have provided sprue shots, colour schemes and some lovely box art for their April releases - It would be almost churlish not to have a look at them don't you think? Let's see what's new from them this month in our preview...

New items from Hobbyboss in April

USS Alaska CB-1
Model #86513
1:350th scale
 USS Alaska was the first in three "Alaska" class Battlecruisers, it entered service on June 17, 1944, with a total length of 246.43 m, and a displacement of 34253 tonnes, horsepower was 150000 that gave it a maximum speed of 32 knots. At a speed of 15 knots, its range is 12000 nautical miles. After the completion of the Alaska, it became the squadron flagship, and the ships in this class usually provided protection for an aircraft carrier. After the Japanese surrender, USS Alaska joined the seventh fleet, and on February 17, 1947, USS Alaska was retired from active duty, and she was later to be scrapped in the 1950's.
Model Dimensions Length: 704mm   Beam: 80.4mm 
Total Plastic Parts 1150+
Total Sprues 17 sprues, hull, decks and stand
Metal Parts anchor chain
- hull made from multi-directional slide moulds.
- Deck wood pattern finely rendered
- Contains 2 SC-1 plane
- Contains display stand and engraved name plate 
- Photo-etched frets included


Soviet BA-20M Armored Car
Model #83884
1/35th scale
The BA-20 armoured car was developed in 1934 for use by headquarters, staff, reconnaissance and communications units. It was derived from the civilian GAZ-M1 car using its chassis, which was itself a modified version of a Ford design, produced by the Nizhny Novgorod-based vehicle manufacturer GAZ. 

The markings in this kit depict a captured Soviet armoured car used by the Germans.
Full production of the BA-20 started in 1935. The chassis was built at the Nizhny Novgorod factory; the body was built at the Vyksinskiy plant, where final assembly of the BA-20 occurred as well.
Model Dimensions Length:128 mm   Width:50.8mm   Height: mm
Total Sprues 7 sprues, upper hull and tires
The kit consists of over 150 parts
>multi-slide moulded turret and hull
>photo etched parts included
>rubber tires

Soviet T-18 Light Tank MOD 1930
Model:83874
1/35th scale
T-18 light tank,(also called MS-1 Russian: Maliy Soprovozhdeniya-Perviy, meaning "First Small Support") was the first Soviet-designed tank. Produced from 1928–31, it was based on the Renault FT, with the addition of a vertically sprung suspension.
The T-18 and its derivatives were essentially unsuccessful designs, but they gave the Soviet industry its first experiences in designing armoured vehicles, and in the meantime, a number of foreign tank designs were available for production.
Model Dimensions Length: 113mm   Width: 67.8mm 
Total Sprues 7 sprues, lower hull and turret
The kit consists of over 250 parts
>multi-slide moulded lower hull
>photo etched parts included
>individual track links


P-51D Mustang IV
Model #85806
1/48th scale
The P-51 Mustang, designed in 1940 after Great Britain requirements and the merging of a Merlin engine saw this to be one of, if not the most important fighters of WII. Mustangs served in nearly every active combat zone, including the Pacific where they escorted B-29s from Iwo Jima to Japan. Between 1941 and 1945, the Army Air Force ordered 14,855 Mustangs (including A-36A dive bomber and F-6 photo-reconnaissance versions), of which 7,956 were P-51Ds with the "bubble" canopy and heavier armament.  P-51Ds played the role of interceptors and for close support of ground forces during the Korean conflict.  P-51s served with Reserve and National Guard units until 1957 and extensively with other airforces all around the world.

Camouflage Schemes USAF & South African Air Force
Model Dimensions Length: 205mm   Wingspan:236 mm
Total Sprues 5 sprues
The kit consists of  over 40 parts, includes 2 clear parts
Fuselage & wing with finely engraved panel lines
All of these four kits should be available now from your LHS or check out the Hobbyboss Webpage for Distributors to your taste...