News from Special Hobby 02/2023

Dear business friends,     This year’s first big event in a modeller’s calendar, the 2023 Nuremberg Toy Fair is over. We had been considering our participation this time as, after all, the fair was cancelled twice the previous years due to the global pandemic. And in the end we chose to attend it and it was a very good decision indeed. Even though there were fewer exhibitors than usually, mainly those from Asia, it was clear that Nuremberg is the very place where the best of trade deals are made. So, I would like to thank you all who visited our booth  and I also hope you have returned to your, and often quite distant, homes safely after the event. It was definitely a great pleasure to be able to meet you all. And to those of the customers who did not make it to Nuremberg this year, I cannot but recommend to visit next year. In connection with the fair, we have made announcements of the majority of our new models coming to the market in 2023. The list also attached to this Newsletter. That said, I also would like temp you to a few more coming projects that have  not been unveiled yet as they remain a surprise, yes we do like to bring several surprises to our custmers and partners throughout the year.     And one tiny suprise is here for you right now as this month’s Newsletter is going to announce not the usual trio of models but as many as five of them! Two of these five are 1/48 scale models, the Oxford with a gun turret is a representative of WW2 aeroplanes while the SK-37 Viggen belongs to much more modern times, the jet fighter aeroplanes era. Next we have a trio of 1/72 scale models for you, the Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1/B is a fighter-bomber subverison of the Emil fighter and the kit also contains a resin made bomb carrier with four bombs, then the P-40D Warhawk/Kittyhawk Mk.I is a quite rare and in very low numbers produced version of the iconic Warhawk fighter. The kit is also limited edition and has really interesting scheme options, so do not hesitate with your orders. And lastly in this scale is the DB-8A/3N commemorating the brave Dutch airmen defending the Netherlands in 1940.    From all our resin cast and 3D-printed sets, let me now focus on the 3D-printed 1/35 scale MG3 machine gun which is a contemporary weapon in use with many armies worldwide, it also makes the secondary armament of tanks, armored and also non-armoured vehicles. And sadly, in many a kit of such vehicles, the weapon is repicted rather poorly. So we would assume that modellers will appreciate this piece of military inventory. And on the very top of our accesorries in the 1/48 scale arguably is the 3D-printed Centaurus engine with the covering panels removed. This power plant set is designed to fit the Eduard/Special Hobby Tempest Mk.II kits. In 1/72, we also have for you two sets for Revell’s PT Boat kits. And we hope that the other new items mentioned in this Newsletter will be of interest to you. So we do look forward to your orders.    We would like inform you that as of 1 April 2023 we will have to adjust our prices. It is not going to be just an increase, the prices will change in both directions, up and down within a maximum range of 10%. Unfortunately, this way we need to respond to the changes of raw materials and energy prices. The new price lists will be ready by the March Newsletter release date, however all orders received before 31 March 2023 will be invoiced at the original prices. A. Riedel SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC MODEL KITS

P-40D Warhawk/KittyhawkMk.I ‘FourGuns’ 1/72 – Limited Edition Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72367 1/72 8594071089085 The P-40B/C Hawk/Tomahawk Mk.I/II fighter planes produced by Curtiss in the early war years and delivered both to the USAAF and their forces of the Allies lacked the performance of British fighters and most importantly of the German opponents. So the designers at Curtiss were faced with the necessity to improve the plane rather extensively and power it with the new vesion of the Allison engine, the V-1710-39 type. The emerging P-40D Warhawk/Kittyhawk Mk.I was to be the first type of this second generation of fighters. A total of only slightly above 40 was eventually produced, being armed with four wing machine guns. On the production line, the type was soon replaced by a futher improved and mass-produced P-40E Warhawk/Kittyhawk Mk.Ia which mainly differed by having six gun armament.  Despite onl very few P-40Ds were produced, our kit set is still very atrractive. It offers a mount of Neville Duke, the highest-scoring RAF pilot of the Meditteranean, a plane that wore the famous shark teeth on its nose, the second option is another MTO based Kittyhawk, this one as operated by the 3 Sqn RAAF. The third option is an ex-US machine captured by the Japanese on the Philippines island of Mindanao which therefore wears Japanese markings, a yellow nose section and also a very nice looking shark mouth. The final scheme is that of a US machine as flown during a pre-war military exercises and bearing temporary applied markings.  -    limited edition -    interesting schemes -    excellent styrene parts, 3D-printed parts plus an etched template to adapt the machine bays panel lines -    also separately available is a pre-cut masks set plus large variety of other detail sets. Read more

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1/B ‘Hit and Run Raiders’    1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72474 1/72 8594071089016 In 1940, the Messerschmitt Bf 109E was among the very best fighter planes of the world. Its main role was to achieve the air superiority, nevertheless at the same time, some of the airframes were being adapted for carrying bombs on a rack under the fuselage which resulted in a multi role, fighter-bomber variety. At first, the E-1 subtypes were adapted to this role as they were armed with machine guns only and so could carry more bomb load. Two styles oof bomb racks were used, one for four smaller, 50kg bombs, the other capable of carrying a 250kg or even a 500kg bomb. Such machines were then operated by so called jabo staffel units and saw service over the Western and Eastern front, in the Mediterranean as well as in Afrika.   The kitset brings the excellent-looking styrene parts of the Bf 109E-1 version, topped with a 4xETC 50 bomb carrier with four bombs. The decals cater for three Luftwaffe scheme options, one as operated in Greece in 1941, the other two as flown against Britain in 1940. -    Limited release -    Top quality styrene parts with equally fine looking resins -    Eye-catching version bearing interesting markings Read more

DB-8A/3N ‘Outnumbered and Fearless’    1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72465 1/72 8594071089023 The DB-8 bomber aeroplane was produced by Douglas in the USA, however, the type was first developed and initially produced by Northrop, whose designers had come with a two-seat, ground attack type known as the Gamma 2F and which had been delivered to the USAAF with the military designation A-17. As Douglas bought the Northrop later, the production was moved to its facility instead, and an improved variety of the A-17 with a more powerful engine was developed and produced for many customers worldwide. One of them was also the Dutch air force which showed interest and in 1939 bought the DB-8A/3N version of the type. In 1940, the Dutch machines were put to service, rather paradoxicaly, in the fighter role in which they managet to shot down some of Luftwaffe’s Ju 52 transports, before being shot down themselves by the escorting German fighters. A few of the Dutch airframes were also captured and flown with the Luftwaffe.   The DB-8A/3N kit set comes with a decal sheet catering for three machines, one of which bears the markings of the Luftwaffe. One of the original Dutch machines can be built in two different markings. Contained in the kit are also photo etched details and resin bomb rack. -    Limited release -    Etches and resin parts in the box -    Breathtaking history of the portrayed machines Read more

Airspeed Oxford Mk.I ‘Gunner Trainer’    1/48 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH48227 1/48 8594071089139 The Airspeed Oxford was a British aeroplane developed early in the war and mainly used in training of multi-engine aircraft crews – pilots, navigators, gunners. The Oxfords saw service with the RAF as well as with air forces of other Commonwealth countries (RNZAF, RCAF, RAAF and SAAF). In the post war years, many Oxfords were also delivered to even more other countries. The Mk.I version of the Oxford was produced with the dorsal gun turrent and was mainly used for gunnery training.   And this is the version that our model represents. The styrene parts come with resin items and etches, and the decals offer markings for war time machines operated by the RAF, RNZAF and RCAF and a post war, yellow and blue machine of the RNAF – Royal Norwegian Air Force.  -    Etches and resin cast parts already in the box Read more

SK-37 Viggen ‘Trainer’ 1/48 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH48209 1/48 8594071088989 The SAAB 37 Viggen was an aircraft ahead of its time. Its designers used an unorthodox construction which enabled the plane to meet all requirements which had been laid on it and in some parameters even surpass them. The Swedish Air Force ordered several various versions of the Viggen jet fighter, its basic design formed an universal platform which, using a specialized equipment, enabled the plane to be used for different roles.    The first of seven prototype machines took off for its maiden flight on 8 February 1967 with E.Dalström at the controls. The aircraft was powered by a Volvo RM8 turbofan, a licence-built variant of the Pratt & Whitney JT8D with an afterburner and thrust  reverser which, in addition to a double-delta wing design, enhanced the plane’s performance the take offs and landings on short airstrips. The avionics of the Viggen was state-of-the-art at the time, the Viggen was the first type to be equipped with a computer with integrated circuits.     The first version of the Viggen to see service with the Flygvapnet was the AJ 37 strike fighter followed consequently by the SK 37 two-seat trainer, the SF 37 reconnaissance version with cameras in a redesigned nose section and the anti-shipping SH 37 with much differing avionics, capable of carrying a range of anti-shipping weapons. Ten years after the first Viggen version entered service, the second generation of the SAAB, the JA 37 dedicated fighter machine came into being. Up to date avionics was used and also a more powerful engine in a slightly longer fuselage. The earlier version got this updated avionics too and this way the AJS, ASFS and ASHS 37 versions were created. A certain number of the two seat airframes were converted to the SK 37 E electronic warfare trainers.     The training version kit contains eleven sprues accompanied by photo-etched details both for the exterior and interior of this version. The decals and marking schemes allow you to build three various airframes which cover all three styles of camouflage schemes worn by the Viggen. We have for you a natural metal Viggen, a standard splinter scheme as well as a two-grey machine. Read more

MASKS

A-17 / DB-8Mask 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-M72045 1/72 8594071089146 Pre-cut painting masks for the clear parts and undercarriage wheels of the A-17/DB-8 attack/bomber aircraft Read more

RESIN KITS & SETS

2000 Lb Bomb AN-M66A2 equipped with Conical Fin Assembly M130  (2 pcs.) 1/48 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-4459 1/48 8595593130040 The 2000 Lb M66A2  bomb was developed during WW2. However, both the US army and naval air forces  kept using it in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, too. The new conical shaped M130 tail section was developed so that these bombs could be used on modern, fast military aircraft. Our finely detailed resin cast bombs have 3D printed stabilising fins. Read more

PT Boat Weapon Set No.1 - Mk.4 20mm Oerlikon cannon 1/72 / for Revell kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-N72030 1/72 8595593130118 20mm cannon that was used on PT Boats as well as on other types of vessels. The resin cast cannon offers much more detail that the styrene item in the Revell kit. Read more

PT Boat Weapon Set No.4 - Mk.50 Rocket Launcher  (2 pcs.) 1/72  / for Revell kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-N72040 1/72 8595593130125 The later PT Boats were armed with Mk.50 Rocket Launchers which gave the boats a punch comparable to that of a cruiser salvo. Our resin cast launchers come with etched details and directly replace styrene items of the Revell kit. Read more

3D printed Parts Stugna-P - Ukrainian anti-tank guided missile 1/35 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P35010 1/35 8595593130132 The Stugna is a contemporary guided missile made by the Ukraine military industry and in use by the Ukraine army in defending their country against the Russian aggressor. The missile is usually used against tanks, armoured vehicles and low-flying helicopters. Our 3D-printed set contains a complete missile on a tripod and its remote control panel which is connected to the missile via long wire so that the launch itself would not reveal the position of the operator. Read more

MG 3 MachineGun - vehicle-mounted variant (2 pcs) 1/35 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P35008 1/35 8595593130149 The 3D-printed set brings two varieties of the MG3 and can be used to replace those machine guns in many various model kits as those styrene items usually lack many detail and are quite simplified. Read more

Tempest Mk.II Engine (Centaurus) 1/48 / for SH and Eduard kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P48005 1/48 8595593130156 This 3D-printed set portrays the complete Centaurus engine installation including all the open covering panels and is designed to fit both the Special Hobby and Eduard kits. The engine itself features excellent levels of detail and is flawlessly printed, too. The assembly is very easy and straightforward.  Read more