Special Hobby has several releases slated for February. Some new, some (re)newed. See them in our preview...
Preview: Special Hobby & CMK kits for February
The January newsletter brings three plastic models, all in 1/72 scale. In addition to the unique Czechoslovak Letov Š.328v seaplane, there is an A-20G Havoc with very attractive nose art and an excellent Mirage IIIC kit wearing the colours of operators from the southern hemisphere. Among the resin and 3D-printed sets, you will find some more sets for the 1/48 Barracuda and Lysander kits. We have prepared three 3D-printed sets for the 1/48 SMB-2 Super Mystère kit in French colours (for the kit released in December last year). The loader figure for the M35 Jackson will perfectly complement the new 1/35 kit from Tamiya.
A-20G Havoc ‘Over Europe and Pacific’
1/72nd Scale
Art. no. 100-SH72533
The American A-20 Havoc/Boston twin-engine bombers were deployed on many battlefields of World War II. They were very successful in the Pacific. The A-20G version was equipped with large-calibre machine guns in the nose; the rear hemisphere was guarded with a gun turret with a pair of machine guns of the same calibre. This armament was used in ground attacks, along with bombs dropped from low altitude. In addition to the American ones, RAAF Bostons were also deployed in the Pacific. Australian Bostons organised popular bomb ‘tea parties’. In Europe, the A-20G operated from bases in Italy and Great Britain as tactical bombers in large formations. They were mostly led by A-20Ks with a glass nose and Norden sights. After the invasion of Europe, the A-20G also operated from French bases. This also applies to one of the machines offered in these kits.
The machine with invasion stripes was decorated with a drawing of a beauty inspired by the famous Vargas. Three more aircraft operated in the Pacific. Two American ones were decorated with nose art, one with a fierce beast mouth on the nose. The last aircraft flew with No. 22 Sqn. RAAF.
The kit offers detailed A-20G parts, broken down into five sprues of grey plastic and a sprue of clear parts.
- interesting schemes
- wide variety of accessories (maska, resin detail sets, figure sets)
Letov Š.328v “Czechoslovak Floatplane”
Art.no. 100-SH72330
1/72nd Scale
The Czechoslovak Military Aircraft Factory, known under the trade name Letov, was one of the main suppliers of military aircraft to the Czechoslovak army. At the end of the 1930s, the main focus of Letov's production was the supply of Letov Š.328 multi-purpose biplanes. The Czechoslovak army ordered the first batch in 1934 and received the machines the following year. Seven Š.328 production batches were ordered in succession, but the last one was already ordered by the German occupiers. The individual series differed in equipment and armament. The main change, first implemented on the III batch, was the replacement of the aluminium-made turtledeck with a plywood one covered with fabric. The Avia VR-36 inline-engined Š.428 remained just a prototype. The Czechoslovak army considered, in the intentions of the time, Š.328 as a multi-purpose aircraft, capable of pursuit (bombers or night pursuit), bombing, reconnaissance or combat operations. Until the occupation of the republic in 1939, they formed the main armament of observation and light bomber squadrons. At that time, they were of course already obsolete and their replacement with more modern types was expected.
However, four examples of the Letov Š.328 differed significantly from the others. In the entire history of the Czechoslovak Air Force, these machines were exceptional. They were intended for towing targets. However, because, due to the agreement with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the gunnery exercises took place over the Adriatic in the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), these machines were equipped with a pair of Short floats. In the winter months, they were used in Czechoslovakia with a classic wheeled undercarriage.
- rare and interesting version
- only limited quantity re-release
Mirage IIIC ‘Southern Hemisphere Fighter’
1/72 Scale
Art.no. 100-SH72534
The Mirage IIIC was the first Western European aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight. It became the basis of the Mirage IIIC, IIIE and 5 family of aircraft that still keep flying today. It was a symbol of Israel's superiority in wars with its Arab neighbours. Israeli Mirage IIICs participated in the War over Water, the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War and many smaller conflicts. Many Israeli pilots became aces in the Mirage IIIC. But of course, the Mirage IIIC was also introduced to the Armée de l'Air's inventory. Another export customer that purchased the Mirage IIIC was South Africa. The SAAF Air Force received 15 examples of this version, and later, other machines were delivered in the IIIE and IIIR versions. In South Africa, Mirage IIICs were used for a long time and were deployed in conflicts with neighbouring countries. Not even the UN embargo prevented this. Argentina also faced an embargo after losing the Falklands War. Therefore, the country purchased nineteen Mirage IIICs from Israel in 1982-83 and used them until 1990. The kit contains seven styrene sprues and one with clear parts. The decals offer three SAAF machines, each in a different colour scheme (two camouflaged and one natural metal finish) and two FAA machines, one in two different camouflages from two different units.
- highly detailed model kit
- attractive colour schemes and decals
- also available – pre-cut masks M72041, accessory sets Q72401 Mirage IIIC Wheels, Q72402 Mirage IIIC Mirage IIIC Atar 9B Engine Nozzle and Q72403 Mirage IIIC Seat
RESIN AND 3D-PRINTED MODELS AND SETS
Fairey Barracuda Wheels for Trumpeter kit
1/48 Scale
Sku No: 129-4505
Finely detailed resin -castwheels with 3D-printed hubs, one plain and the other one with a cover. The set also offers the tailwheel.
Vickers K machine gun (two – with ring/bead and reflector gun sights), 1/48 Lysander for Airfix kits
Art. no. 129-4506
1/48 Scale
The set brings two Vickers machine guns as used on the Lysander; the earlier variety had the standard ring and bead sights, while the later one used more modern reflector gunsights and had the ring/bead removed. Ammo magazines on the turntable are also included.
Tempest – Armament set for Port Side Wing / for Special Hobby kit 1/32
Art. no. Barcode: 129-5147
1/32nd Scale
Nicely detailed open armament bay in the Tempest port side wing (so far, only the starboard wing set has been available) that also contains a pair of Hispano Mk. V cannon and open ammunition magazines with 20 mm shells. The set is 3D designed and its prototype made on a 3D printer. Along with the detailed resin cast parts, the set also offers a fret of etches.
M5A1 Stuart Late (US Army) Conversion set 1/48 / for Tamiya kit
Art.no.129-8073
1/48th Scale
Detail conversion set enabling the modeller to turn his M5A1 Stuart into the late variety. The set parts are made by direct 3D print and come with a decal sheet containing markings for two US vehicles and one as used by the French.
M36 Tank Destroyer Loader
1/35 Scale
Art.no. 129-F35410
Breathtakingly rendered figure of a tank loader designed for the M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. The loader, standing upright in a natural pose, holds a 90 mm calibre round. The set comes with two types of the shell; the other is placed in a case.
Mosquito Dinghy Box 1/48 / for Tamiya kits
Art.no. 129-P48042
1/48th scale
3D-printed dinghy compartment that was located on the upper fuselage just behind the cockpit, so it is quite a visible addition to your model.
SMB-2 Super Mystère Ejection Seat 1/48 / for SH and Azur/From kits
Art.no.129-P48043
1/48 Scale
3D-printed ejection seat with superb levels of detail, designed to fit Special Hobby's SMB-2 kit or as reboxed by Azur/Frrom. Comes with the control stick, too.
SMB-2 Super Mystère Wheels 1/48 / for SH and Azur/Frrom kits
Art.no. 129-P48044
1/48th Scale
3D-printed wheels with superb detail overall, direct replacements for styrene wheels from Special Hobby's SMB-2 kit or as reboxed by Azur-Frrom.
SMB-2 Super Mystère Air Brakes 1/48 / for SH and Azur/Frrom kits
Art. no. 129-P48045
1/48th Scale
3D-printed air brakes in the open position, for SMB-2 kits produced by Special Hobby and also reboxed by Azur/From.
The Czechoslovak Military Aircraft Factory, known under the trade name Letov, was one of the main suppliers of military aircraft to the Czechoslovak army. At the end of the 1930s, the main focus of Letov's production was the supply of Letov Š.328 multi-purpose biplanes. The Czechoslovak army ordered the first batch in 1934 and received the machines the following year. Seven Š.328 production batches were ordered in succession, but the last one was already ordered by the German occupiers. The individual series differed in equipment and armament. The main change, first implemented on the III batch, was the replacement of the aluminium-made turtledeck with a plywood one covered with fabric. The Avia VR-36 inline-engined Š.428 remained just a prototype.
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