NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016

*|MC:SUBJECT|*
Dear customers and fellow modellers - before you have a look at our latest newsletter, we would like to invite everyone to the Spielwarenmesse 2016 in Nurnberg. We will gladly meet you at our Special Hobby stand in hall 7, stand number E-52. Among others, you can have a look at our new February releases:

SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC KITS

SH72289
Mirage F.1CE/CH 1/72

 
The Mirage F.1C came to being as a private venture of the French Dassault company. The French Air Force, or the Armée de l´Air, had ordered two prototype aircraft named Mirage F.2 and Mirage F.3 which were to be equipped with a JTF10 engine. However, Dassault built on their own expenses yet another prototype, smaller than the two previous and fitted with an Atar 9K power  plant. This machine, which was eventually chosen, took off for its maiden flight on 23 December 1966 and production aircraft were put on strenght of the Armée de l´Air in single-seater fighter version known as the F.1C and two-seater F.1B trainer version. During their service, a number of the machines was upgraded by fitting of IFR probes which gave the F-1C-200 version. The French Air Force used also a dedicated reconnaissance and a ground-attack version, designated the F.1CR and CT respectivelly, the latter being converted from F.1-200 machines. In total, 246 of all versions served with the French, the type was exported abroad and enjoyed success with foreign air forces. In Europe, the Greeks and the Spanish flew the Mirage F.1C, in South America there was only a sole operator, the Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, but in Africa and Asia the Mirage F.1C an B were put on strenght of air forces of Gabon, South Africa, Morocco, Libya, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait and were used in many clashes around the world, including no-shot combats of Greek pilots against their Turkish adversaries,  as well as French military actions in Chad, Ecuadorian over-border skirmishes with Peru, battles of South African Mirages against Angola-based Cuban fighters and the list might end with mentioning the Iran-Iraq war in which the Mirages were used by either side. And even nowadays the type keeps on flying in several countries.
The parts for the detailed Mirage model kit come in six separate frames, it further contains one frame of clear parts and resin detail parts showing the different Mirage F.1 versions for Spain and Morocco – these have different launcher racks and flare dispensers.
The decals (made by Cartograf) offer three Spanish planes, each with a different camouflage and two Moroccan planes.

 
SH72193
Nakajima Ki-43-II Otsu
 1/72

The Imperial Japanese Air Force issued Nakajima Company, without the usual competition, in December 1937 with the development of a new fighter aircraft. This new fighter was supposed to replace the recently assigned Ki-27. The development was complicated and somewhat prolonged because of the modifications. Thirteen prototypes were built and subsequently the new fighter, designated Ki-43-I Ko with the combat name Hayabusa, was accepted by the IJAF on January 1, 1941, though the series production had started in September 1940. The prototype of the new version Ki-43-II with a more powerful Ha-115 engine, shortened and strengthened wing took off for the first time in February 1942. Soon this new version replaced the older in production lines. The part of the production was shifted to other companies. The development continued from Ki-43-II Otsu to Ki-43-III. The different versions sported different shapes of cowlings, oil coolers and subsequently the armament was changed to heavier. Hayabusa soon became the most widely used fighter by IJAF. It fought from the beginning of the war up to its bitter end. Hayabusas were assigned to forty regular Sentais and twelve independent Hiko Sentais. Except of the latter, Hayabusas were used by the puppet state Manchukuo, Thailand and after the war by Indonesia, communist China and French Colonial Forces in Indo-China. Hayabusa was considered highly a dangerous opponent at the beginning of the war. This suspicion was confirmed when a seized example of Ki-43 was tested. Allied pilots were then warned not to try to dogfight Hayabusas and instead use hit and run tactics. In the mainland CBI area allied intelligence issued for Ki-43 recognition code name Jim. In South East Pacific area it was named Oscar and this name was officially accepted for Nakajima Ki-43 of all versions.
The Ki-43-II Otsu version model kit comes in four frames of plastic parts, one frame of clear parts, an instruction sheet in colour and with high-quality decals made by the Italian Cartograf. You can choose between four very interesting camouflages.
 
SH72284
Fouga Magister "Exotic Air Forces"
 1/72

The successful  French  Fouga CM.170 Magister lightweight  jet trainer found its origins in a powered  glider design of all-metal construction called  the C.M.8.15 which sported a butterfly style tail empennage and was designed by P.Mauboussin and J.Szydlowski. This turbojet-powered glider flew for the first time in 1949 and during development of this design a number of test machines emerged including a unique twin-fuselage aircraft designated as the Gemeaux. The final stage of  development  of the C.M.8.15 glider led to the CM.170 Magister which was designed to meet an Armée de l´Air specification and like the powered  gliders which preceded it this also sported a distinctive butterfly-type empennage.
An initial order for three prototype Magisters was made, the first of which made its maiden flight on 23 July, 1952 and as the performance was found to be acceptable  this led to a follow on order for a batch of ten pre production aircraft. As per usual most of the prototype and pre production aircraft were used for testing of various components and improvements which  would later be incorporated  into full production airframes, the only exception to this was the second prototype which at the request of the military was modified to accept a standard fin and tailplanes. However as the flying characteristics in this configuration were found to be no better, all subsequent machines continued to feature the trademark butterfly tail. As well as serving with the French military the Magister was also an export success for Fouga which sold the type to a multitude of foreign operators and it was even built under licence in three countries. The first licence-built Magisters entered service with the air forces of  Germany and Finland in 1958 where they also joined French-built Magisters and the third licence producer of the Magister was Israel, which produced its first aircraft in 1960. The Israeli Magisters were known locally as the Tzukit (or Thrush) and as well as basic training they were also used in the light-attack role where they proved successful during several of the Israeli-Arab conflicts. In the ground attack role the Magister could carry a pair of machine guns fitted in the nose section and various weaponry was mounted  under the wings in the form of bombs and unguided rockets.
   Within Europe the Magister was flown by France, Belgium, Austria and Ireland but there were also many other operators  worldwide in Africa, Asia and South America, many of whom were no doubt attracted by its lightweight design and low operating costs. Among these far flung operators  were countries such as Algeria, Bangladesh, Biafra, Brazil, El Salvador, Libya, Morocco, Togo and Uganda. Some Fougas are still flying these days, many of them in civilian hands.
   Besides the standard trainer and light attack versions there was also a navalized variant of the Magister known as the Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr which was operated solely by the French Navy to carry out deck landing training for its trainee fast jet pilots. This airframe was stronger to cope with the rigours of deck operations and the main external differences were  a set of strengthened undercarriage legs, a different nose section incorporating  rear-sliding canopy hoods  which could be opened in flight to aid swift exit in case of emergency during  take off and landing at sea and of course it was also equipped with an arrester hook. Further variants of the basic Magister design concept were also proposed but most remained on the drawing board as paper projects or did not proceed past the prototype stages.
 
WE ARE PREPARING:
SH72334 Messerschmitt Me 163A 1/72
SA35001 kanón 3,7 cm KPUV vz.37 (3,7 cm PAK 37(t)) 1/35
SA35002 7,5 cm horský kanon vz.15 (7,5 cm Gerbirgskanone M.15 / 7,5 cm  1/35
CMK KITS:
3139
Škoda P-II „Turtle“ – 1/35 Austrian Police version conversion set
for Tacom kit

This set contains detailed casts of the air-chamber wheels and the Schwarzlose M.07/12 machineguns. These parts allow you to convert the Škoda P-II into the verion that was used by the Vienna police and later by the German order police. The police armoured vehicles were used in the heavy fights during the suppression of the leftist coup in February 1934 and during the nazi coup in June of the same year. After the Austrian annexation the Škoda P-II were handed to the German order police and served in Vienna, in 1944 they were deployed in Croatia.
AFFILIATION: Austria / pre-war / WWII
B48 098
88mm Flak Ammo Boxes / Opel Blitz load set
for Tamiya kit 

The 88 mm grenades in transport boxes are cast in one piece and can be used as cargo not only for the new Opel Blitz model but also for other transport vehicles or dioramas.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WW II
F48 299
1/48 German WW II Motorcycle Rider
for Tamiya kit

Detailed figure of a German motorcyclist for the new BMW motorcycle model from Tamiya. The soldier carries a Mauser 98 carbine.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WW II
F48 301
German WW II Soldier with Fuel Cans 1/48

A detailed figure of a German soldier carrying a gasoline canister in both hands. The arms, the head and the canisters are cast separately.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WWII
F72 288
Soviet Tank Desant Troops WW II (4 figures),  1/72 scale
for a T-34 and another tanks

The first of two sets that deal with Soviet submachine-equipped tank desant soldier figures riding atop a tank hull. The figures´ arms and heads are cast as separate pieces.The second one of the two tank desant infantry sets. One of the soldiers stands holding a tank turret handle, the other one sits atop the tank hull. The arms and heads are separate pieces.
AFFILIATION: USSR / WW II
 
7335
Harrier GR.3 – 1/72 Control surfaces set
for Airfix kit

This set of flight control surfaces offers separate ailerons, flaps and a vertical tail surface with a separate rudder. The casts feature detailed panel lines and inspection panels engraving.
AFFILIATION: UK / modern
 
B48 099
German WW II 88mm Flak Ammo Spent Cartriges (15ks) 1/48

Fifteen 88 mm grenades in protective cases that can be used in dioramas, as cargo for transport vehicles etc.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WW II
F48 300
1/48 German SG-38 Glider Pilot
for Special Hobby kit 

This pilot figure is for the new detailed model of the German SG-38 glider. The uniformed pilot is cast in one piece with his seat to which he is fastened through seat-belts. The figure’s head and arms are separately. You can choose between a head in a hat or in a helmet.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WW II
F48 302
German WW II Soldier with Grenade Case 1/48

A detailed figure of a German soldier carrying a box with handgrenades in one hand. The arms, the head and the box are cast separately.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WWII 
F48 303
German WW II Soldier with Mauser 98 Rifle 1/48

A detailed figure of a walking German soldier in winter coat and helmet. The soldier carries a Mauser 98 rifle in one hand. The arms, the head and the rifle are cast separately.
AFFILIATION: Germany / WWII
Q72 256
Walter Pegas II-M2 – 1/72 Czechoslovak Aircraft Engine WW II

A detailed, one piece cast of the Walter Pegas II-M2 engine (a licence-built Bristol Pegasus) serves to improve models of the different planes that used this engine.
AFFILIATION: Czekoslovakia: pre-war
Share
Tweet
Forward
+1
Read Later

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Very first 2023 surprise for you from SH - the 1/72 F-84F Thunderstreak aka Super Hog

News from Special Hobby 03/2024

News from Special Hobby 02/2024