July 17, 2026

Preview: A flying porcupine & a tracked donkey are next up from Roden...

Roden has sent news of two of their new releases: the Short Sunderland Mk III/V in 1/144th scale, plus the Borgward B3000 Maultier – this one in 72nd scale. We have a look at them both in our preview...


Preview: A flying porcupine & a tracked donkey are next up from Roden...

Roden has sent news of two of their new releases: the Short Sunderland Mk III/V in 1/144th scale, plus the Borgward B3000 Maultier – this one in 72nd scale. We have a look at them both in our preview...

Short Sunderland Mk. III/V
From Roden
Kit No #353
1/144th Scale
Developed from the 1930s «Empire Class» civilian aircraft, the Short Sunderland emerged as a premier all-metal maritime patrol flying boat. Following its initial flight in 1937, the aircraft underwent continuous wartime upgrades to enhance its combat capabilities. Early advancements introduced dorsal turrets and experimental radar, while the definitive Mark III version streamlined the hull shape for better water handling and integrated teardrop-shaped wing radars. The final Mark V variant adopted powerful American Pratt & Whitney engines, which critically allowed the plane to maintain altitude even if both engines failed on a single wing.
Entering active service in 1938, the Sunderland became a vital asset for Allied forces across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Its heavily armed defensive setup earned it the formidable nickname "Flying Porcupine" from German pilots. The aircraft played a decisive role in the Battle of the Atlantic, successfully destroying numerous enemy submarines and securing vital convoy routes through its immense flight endurance. Production finally concluded in June 1946 after hundreds of units had been built to defend global shipping lanes.

The kit:
This kit in 1/144th scale represents the aircraft from the WWII Era in RAF service.

Sprue Layout: CAD drawings of the sprues here show grey plastic sprues plus a clear sprue for transparencies.
Marking choices – there are three different-looking choices of marking supplied in the kit.
The decal sheet provides markings for the three Sunderlands, with national markings and individual codes and tail markings only. 


Borgward B3000 Maultier
From Roden
Kit No #742
1/72nd Scale
The subject: The Borgward B3000 Maultier
The Borgward B 3000 was a standardised 3-tonne medium-duty truck produced by Carl F.W. Borgward GmbH in Bremen-Sebaldsbrück, Germany, with production spanning from 1938 to 1944. Originally designed for commercial use, the vehicle was heavily requisitioned by the Wehrmacht starting in 1939 to support military logistics across Europe, North Africa, and the Eastern Front. Built under the Einheits-Lkw 3t standardization program, it was constructed on a robust ladder-frame chassis, achieving a top speed of 80 km/h and an operational range of 500 km. The truck was manufactured in both rear-wheel drive (4x2) and all-wheel drive (4x4) configurations, utilising either a 78-horsepower 3.7-litre inline-six petrol engine or a 75-horsepower 5.0-litre inline-six diesel engine. Specialised versions were also developed, including tankers, ambulances, and mobile radio workshops like the Kfz. 42 and an extremely rare half-track prototype known as the Borgward B 3000 Maultier, designed for extreme mud and snow.
Throughout World War II, approximately 30,000 units were produced to operate alongside contemporary supply vehicles like the Opel Blitz and Mercedes-Benz L3000. The B 3000 successfully transported ammunition, fuel, personnel, and cargo during early campaigns in Poland, France, and the Balkans and was also utilised by the Luftwaffe for airfield towing. However, its 4x2 variants struggled significantly with off-road navigation, particularly during the harsh winters on the Eastern Front. To conserve vital wartime materials, later production models were simplified by replacing the early rounded all-metal cab with a standardised wooden cabin (Einheitsführerhaus) and removing the trademark diamond-shaped radiator grille. Following the war, the rugged engineering principles and inline-six powerplants derived from the B 3000 directly influenced the development of the heavier 4-tonne Borgward B 4000, which served as a commercial platform truck and bus during Germany's economic recovery.

The kit:
This kit in 72nd scale represents one of a pair of options of the Borgward trucks from the WWII era.

Sprue Layout: CAD drawings of the sprues here show grey plastic sprues plus a clear sprue for transparencies.
Marking choices – there are two marking choices provided for this kit, both pioneer company trucks that fit the chassis.
The decal sheet provides markings for the two with number plates and unit markings, the only decals for such a small kit.

You can find out more about Roden's kits on their website