News from Special Hobby November 2025

Dear business friends,        The November Newsletter brings three plastic models and this time a larger number of accesory sets. We have prepared a re-edition of the 1/72 Blackburn Skua Mk.II and Fairey Barracuda MK.II ‘Pacific Fleet’ kits. The last plastic kit is the Bf 109E-4/E-4B/7 with the subtitle ‘Staffelkapitäne’. Among the detail sets you will find more of the accessories for the 1/48 Stuart M5A1, including a conversion set for the British version of the Stuart Mk.VI. For the 1/48 Lysander from Airfix we offer bomb armament, an ASR equipment set and other accessories. We have prepared several sets for the Barracuda kit offered.    We are also preparing sets for the Barracuda in 1/48 scale, for the Trumpeter kit. We are also preparing sets for 1/48 Marder IIIM (Tamiya kit) and 1/72 Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer (Vespid Model kit). We are preparing more sets for 1/48 Lysander in the future.    By the end of the year we will definitely offer you plastic models of 1/32 Morane Saulnier MS-406 and maybe even 1/48 SMB-2 Super Mystere in French colours. For the beginning of next year we are preparing a new release of the  1/72 A-20G Havoc with very attractive markings, 1/32 JB-2 Loon or 1/72 TP-40N Warhawk.   We look forward to your orders. A.Riedel SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC MODEL KITS

Blackburn Skua Mk.II 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72140 1/72 8594071081553    In 1934, the Air Ministry issued specifications O.27/34. They contained requirements for a multi-role aircraft for shipboard service. The aircraft was to be operated as a fighter as well as a dive bomber. A fighter for aircraft carriers in the British concept of the time was a two-seater aircraft designed for long operational flights and combat with enemy reconnaissance aircraft. Combat against enemy bombers, let alone fighters, was not envisaged. The B.24 project by the chief designer of the Blackburn company, Eng. G.E. Petty, was chosen as the best one. Petty designed an all-metal low-wing aircraft with folding wings and retractable landing gear. Under the fuselage, the aircraft had a arresting hook and a recess for a bomb of up to 226 kg. The first prototype, later named Skua Mk.I, took off on 9 February 1937. After successful tests, serial production began immediately. The production aircraft were powered by Bristol Perseus XII engines and were designated Skua Mk.II. They were delivered to fighter squadrons Nos. 800, 801, 803 and 806, and were also supplied to training squadrons and target towing units. Despite the rush in production, they were considered obsolete in the fighter role. With the outbreak of war, Skua aircraft quickly entered combat, operating from both aircraft carriers and land bases. In the first bombing attack on a German submarine on 14 September, two Skuas from a three aircraft section were lost to their own low-quality bombs. On 26 September, two aircraft from No 803 sqn shot down an enemy Dornier Do 18. This was the first confirmed British aerial victory of the Second World War. The Skua is closely associated with more firsts. During the Norwegian Campaign on 10 April 1940, sixteen Skuas sank the German cruiser Königsberg. No 800 Sqn., led by Capt. R.T. Partridge, and No 803 Sqn., led by Lt. W.P. Lucy, took off from Hatston in the Orkneys. This was the first successful air attack on a battleship during the Second World War. Skuas took part in the Battle of Dunkirk and on board HMS Ark Royal they intervened in the fighting in the Mediterranean. Here the Skua achieved another first, on 3 July 1940, a Skua from Ark Royal fought against fighters from a former ally, France. It became the first British aircraft to fight against the French and also the first to be lost in this undeclared war. The last Skuas were withdrawn from HMS Ark Royal in April 1941. They then served only with non-combat squadrons. Their combat career was relatively short, but despite the low performance of the Skuas as a fighter, several aces with more than five kills were achieved on them. As bombers they could have been much more successful, but they were not properly used by the Admiralty, to the detriment of the Royal Navy. We are returning the model to the offer after several years. Two ssprues made of grey plastic are joined by a sprue of clear parts, etchings and detailed PUR parts. Decals are offered for three machines in FAA camouflage scheme. Read more

Fairey Barracuda Mk.II 'Pacific Fleet' 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72343 1/72 8594071086565    The Barracuda model kit is made using  three metal-type moulds. The sprues are made of grey plastic, joined by a sprue of clear parts. The Barracuda could be armed with a torpedo or a 1600 lb bomb on a belly rack. The model also includes wing pylons. The model offers a total of four camouflage schemes of Barracudas operating in the battles against the Japanese with several types of markings used in that area. Three served on board of aircraft carriers, the fourth machine operated from a land base in Ceylon. Probably the most interesting is the machine flown by Sub-lieutenant Robert McCandless (author of the book Barracuda from the cockpit). His machine underwent field modification, when the ASV radar was removed to increase the performance and the bulged side windows of the observer were replaced with flat ones. In addition, the colours waer also rather non-standard. Read more

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4/7 ‘Staffelkapitäne’ 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72496 1/72 8595593133492    The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is one of the synonyms for a fighter aircraft. The machine, which was in service from 1936 to 1954 in many versions, lasted on the front line from the war in Spain until the end of World War II. The Emil, the Bf 109E version was the first One-Oh-Nine with the DB 601 engine. It is inextricably linked to the beginning of World War II with the attack on Poland, Western Europe and Scandinavia. The Battle of Britain was one of the pinnacles of the Emil deployment, followed by deployment in the Balkans, Africa and over Malta. Until 1941, the Messerschmitt Bf 109E was the best fighter in the world, along with the Spitfire. For this kit, we have selected the machines of four Staffel capitans, interesting in colour schems and the fates of their pilots. Decals are offered for Bf 109E-7, black 1/Wr.N. 2030 Oblt. Herbert Ihlefeld, Stafelkapitän 2.staffel I. (J)/LG2 in several forms. Furthermore, the decals contain the markings for Bf 109E-4, white 13/Wr.N. 1432, of Oblt. Walter Oesau, Stafelkapitän of 7.staffel/JG51, two different Bf 109E-7, yellow 5/Wr.N. 4187 and and Bf 109E-7, yellow 1/Wr.N. 1326 of Oblt.Erbo Graf von Kageneck, Stafelkapitän of 9./JG27. The last machine is the c Bf 109E-7/N, white 12/Wr.N. 3826, of Oblt.Joachim Müncheberger, Stafelkapitän of 7./JG26. The model parts are broken up into two sprues of gray plastic and one sprue with clear parts. It is possible to build it with the engine and fuselage machine guns uncovered, with the flaps down and the slats extended. For the machine of Oblt. Herbert Ihlefeld, the kit also includes the ETC500 bomb rack and the SD 250 bomb.    - ultra accurate and detailed model - easy assembly - the engine can be shown with cowl panels open - control surfaces, wing flaps and slats can be also posed open, down or extended - accurate decals for four machines, the sheet also include a full set of stencils - separately sold clear parts and wheel mask set - several detail sets and figures also on offer Read more

SPECIAL MASK

WH-3 / model 166 bomber Mask 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-M72066 1/72 8595593133287 Pre-cut paint masks for clear parts and wheels of Azur/Frrom and Special Hobby WH-3 / model 166 kit. Read more

RESIN AND 3D MODEL KITS & SETS

Lysander ASR Equipment 1/48 / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-4500 1/48 8595593133294 Larger racks known as the Universal Carriers with SBCs (Small Bomb Carriers) containing  a pair of dinghy boats. For Airfix's Lysander and other British planes such as the Walrus etc. Read more

Lysander Bomb Ordnance Set 1/48 / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-4501 1/48 8595593133300 This set offers the Universal Carriers with 250lb (or about 133kg) General Purpose bombs (both the Mk.I/III and Mk.IV variety)  plus the smaller Light Series Bomb Carriers with eight 20 lb (10kg) High Explosive bombs. For the Lysander kit made by Airfix. Read more

Fairey Barracuda Wheels 1/72 / for Special Hobby kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-7531 1/72 8595593133317 Detail resin cast wheels with 3D-printed hubs, both with or without their covers. Designed to fit Special Hobby's Barracuda kit. Read more

M5A1 Stuart Late (British Stuart Mk.VI) Conversion set 1/48 / for Tamiya kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-8072 1/48 8595593133140 Nicely detailed conversion set enabling the modeller to turn his M5 Stuart kit into the British Stuart Mk.VI variety. The parts are 3D printed and the set also contains a sheet of decals for two machines of the Czechoslovak ČSOB, one as used by Polish 2nd Pulk Pancerny and one belonging to the Irish Guards. Read more

WWII British CW Tank Commander / Half Figure 1/35 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-F35409 1/35 8595593133324 British tank commander half figure, late WW2 period. 3D printed, the detail level and natural pose stand out. Read more

M5A1 Turret Machine Gun Mount and Gun Barrels 1/48 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P48035 1/48 8595593133331 3D-printed barrels for Tamiya's M5A1 kit, the set also contains the mounting of the turret mg, which is absent from the original kit. Read more

Antena Base for Wireless set No.19 1/48 (6 pcs.) Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P48036 1/48 8595593133348 3D-printed antenna bases for British WW2 tanks and AFVs. Read more

WWII British Fire Extiguishers 1/48 (6 pcs.) Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P48038 1/48 8595593133355 3D-printed fire extinguishers as used on British tanks and afvs in WW2. Read more

Lysander Exhaust (2 types) 1/48 / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P48039 1/48 8595593133362 The production Lysanders were fitted with two types of exhaust tubes, both of which come now in our 3D-printed set. Read more

Fairey Barracuda Exhausts 1/72  / for Special Hobby kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P72047 1/72 8595593133379 Nicely detailed, 3D-printed exhausts for Special Hobby Barracuda model kits. Read more

Fairey Barracuda Correction Propeller Set 1/72  / for Special Hobby kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P72048 1/72 8595593133386 Finely detailed, 3D-printed propeller of the correct diameter and shape, made for Special Hobby Barracuda kits. Read more