Sunday, July 10

Preview: Barracuda's six new products in three scales just in time for the "Nats"

Barracuda Studios have made a lot of modellers happy today with the release of their 32nd scale "Kahu" set and two others to suit your A-4 Skyhawk. combine these and three other sets to make six just in time for the US nationals this year. See them in our preview...

Preview: Barracuda's six new products in three scales just in time for the "Nats"

Barracuda Studios is proud to announce 3 new sets for the much loved A-4 Skyhawk in 1/32 scale, including an extensive, yet easy to install, conversion set to produce the A-4K Kahu Skyhawk as flown by the RNZAF. 
They have also released a new 3D printed Bf 109 mass balances in 1/48 and 1/72. Anyone who has built a few 109s knows that these mass balances are frequently broken off and lost. These simple sets solve that problem. Last but not least, we released our 1/32 Hawker Hurricane 4 slot wheels back in 2020, but somehow, they have disappeared from our website. This set has been added back to the website now.

All sets are in stock on the Barracuda website and ready to purchase from the links below.

A-4K Kahu Skyhawk conversion. 
Product Number: BR32386 
1/32nd scale
Contains all the (mostly 3D printed) parts to convert the A-4E/F into a RNZAF Kahu. Cockpit upgrades include a new, modern instrument panel with multi function displays and instrument decals, a new throttle and stick top, rudder pedals, and gunsight with clear cast HUD glass. 
New external details include a new fin top, a number of blade antennas, early and late parabrake housing, cooling intakes and a clear cast high intensity strobe light. Designed for the Trumpeter A-4E or F kit, but can be modified to fit the older Hasegawa Skyhawk. 

The 3D Cad of the instrument panel
Master patterns by Kerry Carlyle, Mike Swinburne, and Craig Sargent. Research assistance from Craig Sargent and Anthony Galbraith.
This set is mostly 3D printed, but there is one sprue of resin cast blade antennas and a clear resin molded gunsight glass and beacon. A two part Cartograf decal for the instrument panel rounds out this set. At last, a proper Kahu can be built in 1/32 scale.


A-4 Skyhawk Intake and Exhaust Set
Product Number: BR 32480 
1/32nd scale 
These 1/32 A-4 Skyhawk Intake and Exhaust Set Contains a new, accurate engine compressor face clearly visible through the kit intakes and new engine rear. The kit part does not capture the look well. Also included are a new turbine face and complete jet exhaust pipe with detailed nozzle. This set, as well as the A-4 droptanks, are applicable to all versions of the A-4 Skyhawk family, including the two seaters. Designed for all Trumpeter A-4 Skyhawk variants. Can be made to work with the Hasegawa A-4 as well. Master patterns designed by Mike Swinburne. Research assistance by Craig Sargent.

All parts are 3D designed and printed, as you can see below.
Contains a new, accurate engine compressor face clearly visible through the kit intakes and new engine rear. The kit part does not capture the look well. Also included are a new turbine face and complete jet exhaust pipe with detailed nozzle. 


Aero 1D 300 Gallon Droptanks. 
Product Number: BR32477 
1/32nd scale
Price: $24.95
The Aero 1D 300 gallon tanks were widely used, and were carried in this configuration by all variants of the Skyhawk as well as the F4D Skyray. This set consists of a pair of highly accurate and detailed 3D printed droptanks, complete with separate shackles for mounting to pylons. Drop tanks are printed hollow, so they will not weigh down an already large and heavy model. 
This set consists of a pair of highly accurate and detailed 3D printed droptanks, complete with separate shackles for mounting to pylons. Drop tanks are printed hollow, so they will not weigh down an already large and heavy model. These tanks replace the inaccurate and less detailed tanks found in most 1/32 kits.
These tanks replace the inaccurate and less detailed tanks found in most 1/32 kits. Master pattern by Kerry Carlyle, with research by Craig Sargent.

These tanks were widely used and were carried in this configuration by all variants of the Skyhawk as well as the F4D Skyray. Below are the CAD drawings of the droptanks...


Bf 109F,G and K Aileron Mass Balances
 1/48th scale
Product Number #BR48486 
Contains 4 pairs of accurate and detailed 3D printed aileron mass balances. Balances are cast in a strong resin to reduce the chances of breakage. They require much less cleanup and have detail that no kit parts have. 
Also useful to replace lost or broken kit parts on finished models. Can be fitted to any 1/48 kit of the Bf 109F, G or K. Designed by Mike O'Hare.


Bf 109F,G and K Aileron Mass Balances
Product Number: BR72487 
1/72nd scale 
Contains 5 pairs of accurate and detailed 3D printed aileron mass balances. Balances are cast in a strong resin to reduce the chances of breakage.  They require much less cleanup and have detail that no kit parts have. Also useful to replace lost or broken kit parts on finished models. 

If you build 109s, these tiny mass balances require much less fussy cleanup, are seamless, and have a surprising amount of fine detail to them. They are also stronger than the kit parts. These can be fitted to any 1/72 kit of the Bf 109F, G or K. Designed by Mike O'Hare.


Hawker Hurricane 4 Slot Mainwheels
Product Number: BR72487  
Price: $10.95USD
This set contains a pair of resin cast accurate mainwheels, featuring fine tire beading, readable tire data, and a super detailed wheel hubs with separate uplock lugs that most other kit and aftermarket wheels miss. Designed to replace the kit wheels in the available kits. 
A fast and easy upgrade for the Fly Models, PCM and ancient Revell Hurricane kits. Patterns designed by Gerry Mos

Barracuda at the "Nats"!
Barracuda Studios will be in Omaha, Nebraska at the IPMS/USA National Convention from July 20th through the 23rd. If you will be there, please stop by and say hello. They will have all the new products for sale at their booth.
All of these products are now available on the Barracuda Studios website directly at the links in the article.