News from Special Hobby 04/2023

Dear Business Friends,    In this April Newsletter, we are happy to be bringing you another 1/72 F-84F release that besides offering Bundesluftwaffe schemes and decals also contains a metal fragment of the actual F-84F airframe that crashed on the Dyleň hill in Czechoslovakia in 1959. Our another new release is also an interesting one, the 1/72 Show Must Go On! AJS-37 Viggen with a colourful boxtop and striking scheme. The following two styrene model kits are re-releases, the F-84F SH72395 is already sold out completely and due to popular demand we have decided to offer it again and the Biber German Midget Submarine model kit had been out of production for quite a long time and so now is back on offer.       Our range of sets, both resin and 3D printed, gets very welcome addition this month in the  form of some more correction sets for Airfix’s 1/72 Typhoon model, nicely detailed MG15 machine guns sets in 1/32 and 1/72 and resin cast detail sets for the 1/48 TBF/TBM-3 Avenger and 1/72 P-39Q Airacobra.    The month of May will see the release of one of the most important models of the spring, the SMB.2 Super Mystere ‘Sa’ar – Israeli Storm In The Sky’ Hi-Tech format kit. This kit set will be available either as a kit only and also in limited numbers with a very nice publication. The upgraded release of the 1/72 Westland Whirlwind Mk.I SH72201 is also due this May with revised decal sheet along with resin cast and 3D-printed parts. We are also going to prepare for you another reboxing of the new and very nice F-84F Thunderstreak kit. Further, you might expect already mentioned 1/48 SF-260 model, one more variety of the 1/48 L-4 Grashopper, this time as flown in the PTO, the 1/32 Fiat G.50bis in the fighter bomber version or even 1/72 Meteor Mk.4. Work on the 1/72 DH Mosquito has also progressed significantly, but this one is more likely for the autumn. And before we get there, this year is surely to bring many more newsletters and even more new models... We look forward to your orders.     A. Riedel SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC MODEL KITS

F-84F Thunderstreak ‘Reborn Luftwaffe’ 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72505 1/72 8594071089771    The F-84F Thunderstreak swept-wing jet fighter was a development of the Republic F-84G straight wing aircraft. Using a wing with the sweep along with a more powerful jet engine improved the performance to that of the F-86 Sabre. At first, the F-84F experienced several trouble with their power units, manoeuvrability as well as with corrosion. Later, after the outbreak of the Berlin Crisis and subsequent need to make the NATO forces more powerful, the F-84F jets started to equip many NATO air forces, including that of Germany and France, while earlier these planes were used mainly by the USAF and US Guard units. The first combat deployment the F-84F saw was during the Suez Crisis and the only air victories gained by the type were achieved by Turkish machines taking on Iraqi Il-28 bombers violating the Turkish air space.    The German Luftwaffe acquired 450 Thunderstreaks and operated the aircraft within NATO between 1957 and 1966 when the remaining airframes were sold to Greece and Turkey. Two of the German jets crashed due to loss of orientation on Czechoslovak territory, their pilots managed to eject in time. Each of the SH72505 model kit contains a tiny piece of those two wrecked airframes along with a certificate. The decal sheet caters for the markings of four Luftwaffe machines, one of which was the one crashed in Czechoslovakia. -    each kit set contains a piece of metal from the actual crashed F-84F -    a trully excellent and finely detailed model -    very easy assembly -    interesting camouflage schemes and decals -    pre-cut mask set also available -    resin cast wheel set available plus more to come Read more

AJ-37 Viggen ‘Show Must Go On’ 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72497 1/72 8594071089740    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 laid om it and in some parameters even surpass these. The Swedish Air Force placed order for several versions of the Viggen, its basic design formed an universal platform which, using specialised equipment, enabled the plane to be used for various roles. The aircraft was powered by a Volvo RM8 turbofan, licence-built varian of the Pratt and Whitney JT8D with added afterburner and thrust-reverser unit, which in additio to the double-delta wing design enhanced the aircraft's performance on take offs and landings on short airstrips. For better handling with the Viggen on makeshift airfields, while towing them to their hangars or even to conceal them easily, the fin could be folded. At the time, the avionics used in the Viggen was among the best in the world and the VIggen was also the very first aircraft with avionics equipped with integrated circuits. At first, the Swedish military received the AJ 37 version, gradually followed by the SK 37 two seat trainer, SF 37 – reconnaissance aircraft with cameras in the modified nose section, the SH 37 anti-shipping version with different avionics and able to carry air-to-sea armament. About ten years after the first Viggens had entered the service, the second generation airframes followed in the form of the JA 37 fighter. The first of Viggens to serve in the ground attack role was the AJ 37 Viggen, later modified to the AJS 37 Viggen. One of these was painted in red overall anniversary scheme, plenty of white spook figures and was named “Show Must Go On”. This highly attractive plane is now depicted in our latest Viggen release. -    highly detailed model kit -    attractive colour scheme -    wide variety of separately offered detail set, figures and paint masks Read more

Biber ‘German Midget Submarine’  1/72 / reissue Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SN72006 1/72 8594071086176    The Biber was one of the weapon systems developed during the Second World War at the time when the situation on both fronts was gradually becoming worse and worse for Germany. In 1943 it became clear that the Allied invasion would take place soon somewhere on the Atlantic coast of the continent and the German military began to seek and develop new and rather unorthodox weapons to avert the invasion. Along the Neger, Marder and Hai manned torpedoes, also the Biber and Molch midget submarines were to stop the invasion fleet.    The original idea of the Biber sub came from Korvettenkapitän Robert Bartels and first prototypes were built and the production took place at Flanderwerke in Lübeck, the development being led by Hermann Bunte. Allegedly, Bartels was influenced by captured British Welman W46 midget sub. The Biber’s displacement was 6.6 tonnes, on the surface it was powered by a 32 HP Otto Blitz petrol engine and while submerged, the propulsion was provided by a Siemens SSW GL231 electric motor. The Biber could submerge down to 20m, in emergency to 30m. It could carry either two G7e torpedoes or mines. The hull was so diminutive that its operator (only a crew of one was possible) did not have much space in the conning tower.    The Biber prototype, known also as Adam, was put to tests on 29 March 1944, though the tests were not quite successful and several improvements had to be implemented before German admiral Karl Dönitz approved building of further four prototype Bibers and later also the large scale production, which gave a total of 324 Bibers from Flanderwerke, Ansaldo and Klökner-Humbolt-Deutz plants.    Bibers were put into so-called K-flottillen numbered 1 to 9, which saw action in the English Channel during the Allied invasion, in the North Sea off Norway, in the Scheldt estuary and also in the river Waal during the attack on the Nijmegen bridge. Bibers did not enjoy much success in the torpedo-carrying role, mine-laying missions suited them better. Some trouble also occured due to the exhaust fumes getting into the operator’s station and many Bibers were lost just to this reason. The conning tower lacked in height causing the submarine pilot, who was equipped only with wrist compass, difficulties in finding his way to the target. Moreover, the Biber although being rather manoeuvrable and stable on the surface, was clumsy while under the water. Several Biber submarines were captured during the war, but the Allies did not seem to find interest in them and tested them only very briefly. Some of the surviving machines have been put to display in museums.    The kit, which has been over a year and a half unavailable, is 3D designed and injection moulded using metal moulding blocks. The kit’s components come on two grey styrene sprues and one with clear parts. The A sprue offers the fuselage halves, B sprue has the torpedoes. The decal sheet brings markings for four overall grey Bibers and one bearing a camouflage scheme consisting of four colours. The latter and also one grey Biber were also decorated with a shark mouth. The rest of the machines in the kit have only numbers on the tower. Read more

F-84F Thunderstreak ‘US Swept-Wing Fighter’ 1/72 / reissue Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72395 1/72 8594071089573    The first batch of SH72395 model kit is long sold out and due to huge demand and the orders still coming, we had to decide to prepare a re-edition of this excellent model as soon as possible. Kit no.SH72395 brings three USAF machine options, two of which saw service overseas in the UK and the third one flew over the USA. The kit is superbly detailed, offers the option to have the canopy hood either open or closed and the four styrene sprues also contain wide variety of underwing ordnance.    The F-84F Thunderstreak swept-wing jet fighter was a development of the Republic F-84G straight wing aircraft. Using a wing with the sweep along with a more powerful jet engine improved the performance to that of the F-86 Sabre. At first, the F-84F experienced several trouble with their power units, manoeuvrability as well as with corrosion. Later, after the outbreak of the Berlin Crisis and subsequent need to make the NATO forces more powerful, the F-84F jets started to equip many NATO air forces, including that of Germany and France, while earlier these planes were used mainly by the USAF and US Guard units. The first combat deployment the F-84F saw was during the Suez Crisis and the only air victories gained by the type were acieved by Turkish machines taking on Iraqi Il-28 bombers violating the Turkish air space. -    highly detailed model -    excellent fit -    striking schemes and decals -    pre-cut paint masks sold separately -    accessories sets currently being developed Read more

RESIN MODEL KITS & SETS

TBF-3/TBM-3 Avenger Control Surfaces Correction Set 1/48 / for Acc. Miniatures / Academy and Italeri kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-4471 1/48 8595593131221    Resin cast control surfaces with nice detail level, the new parts can be posed in deployed position. The set also corrects the flaws of the original styrene items. Read more

P-39Q Airacobra Nose Armament 1/72 / for Arma Hobby kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-7516 1/72 8595593131344    The set brings the Airacobra nose section open to show the internal armament of a 37mm cannon and and twin 7.65mm machine guns to good advantage. Read more

3D printed Parts Typhoon Mk.I Gun Bays Correction Set 1/72  / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P72015 1/72 8595593131368    The Airfix Typhoon Mk.I kit offers the wing armament and ammo compartments open. Sadly, they are completely wrong and so also the wing cannon are placed in incorrect position. This set offers new ammo boxes and correctly positioned cannon breaches, covering panel with the right dimensions and also a new leading edge section of the wing so that the cannon barrels are allowed in the right place. Read more

Typhoon Mk.I Standard Exhausts 1/72  / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P72016 1/72 8595593131375    3D-printed exhausts for the Typhoon model, without the aerodynamic shaped shrouds. Read more

MG 15 Machine gun 1/32  (2 pcs.) Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P32002 1/32 8595593131351    The MG15 machine gun was developed in the 1930s by Rheinmetall-Borsig company and become the standard Luftwaffe machine gun that was used as hand manipulated weapon in many Luftwaffe aircraft types (He 111, Ju 86, early Ju 88s). In 1942, the new MG81 begun to gradually replace MG15 machine guns. Read more

MG 15 Machine gun 1/72 (2 pcs.) Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P72018 1/72 8595593131382    The MG15 machine gun was developed in the 1930s by Rheinmetall-Borsig company and become the standard Luftwaffe machine gun that was used as hand manipulated weapon in many Luftwaffe aircraft types (He 111, Ju 86, early Ju 88s). In 1942, the new MG81 begun to gradually replace MG15 machine guns. Read more