At the time of writing the prologue to this newsletter, the most followed posts on our facebook page were dealing with the moving in of new injection presses to our production premises and with the release the very first test shot build images of our 1/72 Super Mystere SMB.2 model. Both these events are a kind of promise of the things to come. The new injection machines will allow us to produce models from huge moulding tools directly here in our factory and they will also no doubt enable us to substantially increase our production capacity. The Super Mystere project will, apparently, find its place in our range besides other massively successful kits such as the Mirage F.1, Fouga Magister, Vampire or Gnat. At least, the levels of interest among the modeller community suggest so. The 1/72 model is expected to reach the market by the end of the year. And, as you might already expect, our team is also preparing a scaled up version of this plane, so the 1/48 scale buffs amongst you, do not worry, your time will come. Needless to say, if the larger scale SMB.2 sells as nicely as our current Viggen (the two-seater version of which is currently being distributed to our customers), we will be quite excited. In the month of May, we are going to bring you a reissue of our successful 1/72 Barracuda ‘Home Fleet’ kit, and as many of you have been asking also for a different boxing, you can expect the ‘Pacific Fleet’ variety too. The last kit to be mentioned now, but not with the least significance of couse, is the model of the iconic Vampire Mk.I jet fighter plane. Having already kitted the postwar Vampire Mk.3 and Mk.5 versions, we are focusing now on the wartime type which differred greatly from the later examples.In our CMK line of products, you can expect a really great deal of upgrade and correction sets for the new 1/32 Revell P-51D kit. And yet more for this one to come during June.

A. Riedel

SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC KITS

The Barracuda was a shoulder-wing aircraft fitted with a set of large Youngman wing flaps mounted at the wing trailing edge and featured also rather unusually looking L-shaped undercarriage legs. The aircraft was capable of anti-shipping torpedo attacks, level and dive (up to 70 degrees angle) bombing and was also used for long range reconnaissance duties. Its electronic equipment consisted of an ASV IIN radar set. Although the Barracuda had primarily been designed as a torpedo bomber, the number of actual attack missions with this weapon was rather low and these took place only in Norwegian waters. The Barracuda was most of the time used in the dive bomber role, saw action during the Allied landing in Italy, carried out attack against German battleship Tirpitz (some of the planes being equipped with ex-US 1600 pound AP bombs) and also, until the end of hostilities in Europe, saw many actions flying from land bases and aircraft carriers alike. It also flew missions against German maritime traffic off Norwegian shore and patrolled the sea against German U-boats. Since 1944 up to the VJ day, Barracudas were operated also within the British Pacific Fleet in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific wheer they fought the Japanese Imperial forces. Involved in the occupational forces too, Barracudas flew overseas up until 1946.

Fairey Barracuda Mk.II “Home Fleet” 1/72

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
100-SH72306	1/72	8594071085568

The Barracuda model kit is produced using three metal moulding tools and consists of grey injected styrene sprues and a clear plastic sprue. A torpedo replica or a 1600lb bomb can be fitted beneath the fuselage, the model also has wing armament racks. The decal sheet caters for two marking options, both of which saw action over the Atlantic, one of them is adorned with an interesting nose-art.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
100-SH72343	1/72	8594071086565

The Barracuda model kit is produced using three metal moulding tools and consists of grey injected styrene sprues and one clear plastic sprue. A torpedo replica or a 1600lb bomb can be fitted beneath the fuselage, the model also has wing armament racks. The kit offers four scheme options with various types of national markings. These Barracudas saw service fighting the Japanese aggressors, three of the machines were used aboard aircraft carriers, the fourth one flew from a land base located on Ceylon. The most interesting airframe of all these options might be the machine flown by Sub-Lieutenant Robert McCandless (Barracuda from the Cockpit book author). It underwent some in-field modifications to achieve better performance, the ASV radar equipment was removed and the bulged side windows of the observer were replaced by flat ones. Moreover, the colour scheme of the machine was also non-standard.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
100-SH72339	1/72	8594071085865

Development of a jet fighter later to be named the Vampire began in 1941 and related closely with the development of the H-1 jet engine, for which the engine section of de Havilland company was responsible. The engine was later to be known under its new name Goblin and its development turned out to be very successful. The Vampire was therefore ordered under Air Ministry specification E.6/41 calling for an experimental machine able to be converted to a fighter plane. The design of the plane was fully adjusted to the new engine, which resulted in overall tiny dimensions of the plane, very low undercarriage and the tail planes being carried by two slim tail booms. Unlike the later marks of the aircraft, the plane’s wing featured rounded tips. The first prototype, unofficially named the Spider Crab, flew for the first time on September 20, 1943 with G. de Havilland Jr at the controls. The trials were a success and an order for first 120 planes was placed in May 1944 and was continuously increased. The production planes were also licence-built by English Electric because de Havilland was much too busy producing the Mosquito. The original name Spider Crab, however, was rejected by the RAF and changed to the Vampire Mk.I. First operational squadrons got their Vampires in May 1945, but not early enough to take part in the war. The development continued with further versions, besides those with the DH Goblin engine, there were also versions with the Nene powerplant (airfames built in Australia), two-seat night fighter versions, two-seater training versions or even naval fighter versions (Special Hobby produce the Mk.3 Vampire, model #SH72279 and the Mk.5 Armée de l´Air & Aéronavale, #A117). The Vampire Mk.I also became the first jet aircraft to be used by two neutral countries, Sweden and Switzerland. Our model kit brings in total four marking options of these two neutral countries. Two of the featured airframes bear colours of the Swiss Flugwaffe, white crosses on red background. Machine J-1002 flew in Medium Sea Grey over PRU Blue whilst machine J-1003 was silver dope overall. In Sweden, the Vampire was known as the J-28A and got green camouflage above and grey below. The two Swedish machines were used by different units, the first options carries Red E tail code of No.1 squadron / Wing F13, the other has Yellow L of No.3 Sqn/Wing F3. The model comes on three sprues of grey injection styrene and one frame of clear canopy and wingtip parts.

1/32 P-51D Mustang – Radio set, for Revell kit

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32315	1/32	8595593125794

Finely detailed radio set located behind the pilot’s seat and beneath the sliding canopy hood, designed to fit the new 1/32 Revell P-51D kit.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32316	1/32	8595593125800

This set contains a new, superbly detailed and accurately shaped control column, perfect for your new Revell P-51D kit.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32317	1/32	8595593125817

This set consists of a pair of accurate and finely detailed rudder pedals which can be fitted to the 1/32 Revell P-51D kit. The pedals directly replace inaccurate kit parts and they also feature the manufacturer’s logo.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32318	1/32	8595593125824

The later P-51D blocks were equipped with the K-14A gunsight, which was also used in several other fighter planes such as the P-47, F-80, F-84 and F-86. Even some of the early P-51D machines got this gunsight installed in field. Nicely detailed cast of the gunsight comes with a piece of clear film representing the reflector glass. It is designed for the new Revell P-51D kit, but can also be made to fit other kits as well, eg. the Special Hobby F-80 and T-33)

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32319	1/32	8595593125831

The P-51B/C and early batches of the P-51D were fitted with the N-9 gunsight unit. Now, CMK offer you a cast resin replica of this gunsight that feature very fine levels of detail. Although the gunsight was designed to fit the new Revell P-51D kit, it can be used with other kits as well as the original unit was often found, besides the Mustang, also in the A-26, P-63 and some of the F-84F and F-86D.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-5124	1/32	8595593125848

This set contains a pair of new mainwheels with oval tread pattern tyres.This type of tyres was used on the P-51D mainly in the ETO. The wheel hubs and brake details come as separate parts which makes the painting process easier for the modeller. The wheels are designed for the Revell P-51D kit and fit precisely onto the pivot of the kit’s undercarriage legs or that of CMK correction set no. 5123 1/32 P-51D Main Undercarriage Strengthened Legs (made of heat-treated resin strong enough to deal with the weight of the model). The master pattern was 3D designed and produced using a 3D printer.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-5125	1/32	8595593125855

This set contains a pair of new mainwheels with cross tread pattern tyres. The wheel hubs and brake details come as separate parts which makes the painting process easier for the modeller. The wheels are designed for the Revell P-51D kit and fit precisely onto the pivot of the kit’s undercarriage legs or that of CMK correction set no. 5123 1/32 P-51D Main Undercarriage Strengthened Legs (made of heat-treated resin strong enough to deal with the weight of the model). The master pattern was 3D designed and produced using a 3D printer.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-5126	1/32	8595593125862

This set contains a pair of new mainwheels with diamond tread pattern tyres. The wheel hubs and brake details come as separate parts which makes the painting process easier for the modeller. The wheels are designed for the Revell P-51D kit and fit precisely onto the pivot of the kit’s undercarriage leg or that of CMK correction set no. 5123 1/32 P-51D Main Undercarriage Strengthened Legs (made of heat-treated resin strong enough to deal with the weight of the model). The master pattern was 3D designed and produced using a 3D printer.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-5127	1/32	8595593125879

This set contains a pair of new mainwheels with diamond and hole tread pattern tyres. The wheel hubs and brake details come as separate parts which makes the painting process easier for the modeller. The wheels are designed for the Revell P-51D kit and fit precisely onto the pivot of the kit’s undercarriage leg or that of CMK correction set no. 5123 1/32 P-51D Main Undercarriage Strengthened Legs (made of heat-treated resin strong enough to deal with the weight of the model). The master pattern was 3D designed and produced using a 3D printer.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32320	1/32	8595593125886

This set consists of an all new pilot’s armour plate with nicely detailed head rest and also a new pilot’s seat, which has been moulded with the backpad.Perfect for your new Revell P-51D kit.

Art.no.	Scale	Barcode
129-Q32321	1/32	8595593125893

This set consists of an all new pilot’s armour plate with nicely detailed head rest and also a new pilot’s seat, which has been moulded with the backpad and seat belts. Perfect for your new Revell P-51D kit.