News from Special Hobby 03/2025

Dear business friends,      the March newsletter will offer you three plastic models, two new items and one re-edition. The kit of the night fighter Mosquito NF Mk.XXX, SH72508, had been completely sold out. However, there were still orders for it. That is why we have returned it to the offer as soon as possible. The two new items mentioned are the 1/72 Mirage F.1CT and the CAC Boomerang. The latter with new 3D printed parts. Among the sets, I would definitely like to highlight the seats for the Fw 190 1/32, the second set for the 1/48 Marder IIIM and the resin kit with 3D printed parts of the US-made CW 24-B experimental aircraft.      For April we are preparing another version of 1/72 Mosquito, a never-before-released high-altitude version, the Mosquito NF Mk.XV, 1/32 JB-2 Loon - the American version of the German V-1 and 1/72 WH-1 which is the Martin model 139 for the Dutch East Indies. Among the models we are preparing you will also find the 1/48 Heinkel He 177. We do not yet know whether we will be able to release it in April or May. In any case, you can find details about this kit in the April newsletter and you can pre-order it now. We look forward to your orders.   A. Riedel SPECIAL HOBBY PLASTIC MODEL KITS

Mirage F.1CT 1/72    1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72357 1/72 8594071089627    The Mirage F.1 owes its creation to a private initiative by Dassault. The Armée de l Air ordered the construction of two prototypes designated Mirage F.2 and F.3 with JTF10 engines. However, Dassault built another prototype with smaller dimensions and an Atar 9K engine at its own expense. This prototype, which flew for the first time on 23 December 1966, was selected and the production machines were introduced into the Armée de l'Air's inventory as the Mirage F.1C single-seat fighter and the Mirage F.1B two-seat trainer fighter. During the service, some Mirage F.1 machines were modified by attaching an IFR probe to the Mirage F.1C-200 version. The French Air Force also used two reconnaissance versions, the Mirage F. 1CR and the Mirage F.1CT converted from the Mirage F.1-200. The Armée de l'Air received a total of 246 of all Mirage F.1 versions. The Mirage F.1 also became a successful export item. In Europe, it was operated by Spain and Greece. In South America, Ecuador was the only operator, while in Africa and Asia, the Mirage F.1 flew in Gabon, South Africa, Morocco, Libya, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait. As a result, the Mirage F.1 was involved in many conflicts around the world, from mock duels between Greek fighters and Turkish opponents, through French actions in Chad, Ecuadorian border conflicts with Peru, battles between South African Mirages against Cuban aircraft from Angola, to participation in the war against Iraq, where Mirage F.1s were flown on both sides. Even today, the Mirage F.1 is in service with several countries. The Mirage F.1CT version flew only within the Armée de l Air and was intended for ground attacks. This was made possible by modified electronics, a laser rangefinder and other equipment. Outside France, Mirage F.1CTs were deployed in Chad or over Kosovo. The last Mirage F.1CTs were retired in 2012. Compared to previous models, this model has one more sprue. A sprue with parts typical for the CT and CR versions has been added, including the Corail decoy launchers and a large belly fuel tank. The decals offer four French machines, each from a different unit. Two machines flew in France, one was deployed in Chad and one in Kosovo.   -        the very best kit of the Mirage F.1 in 72nd scale -        wide range of our accessory sets, from pilot seats to various figures interesting colour schemes Read more

CA.13 Boomerang ‘Australian Emergency Fighter’ 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72539 1/72 8595593133836    The Boomerang was the only indigenous Australian fighter aircraft to see action in World War II. The Boomerangs defended Australia and were used in New Guinea and other islands. They were produced in three serial versions: the CA-12 Boomerang Mk.I, the CA-13 Boomerang Mk.II and the reconnaissance CA-19. They were operated by five RAAF combat squadrons and other units. The model consists of one sprue of plastic parts and a sprue of clear parts which come with a set of detail 3D-printed parts for both the inside and outside of the model. The instructions and decals offer one machine from each RAAF squadron that flew the Boomerangs in combat. Four machines are camouflaged in green and brown scheme with light blue undersurfaces, the fifth machine is green all over.   -        a model of the only Australian-built fighter to be operated during the war -        decals cater for as many as five interesting schemes -        contains resin cast wheels and exhausts Read more

De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk.XXX ‘Night Predator’ 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 100-SH72508 1/72 8595593132600 – reissue, the model kit was sold out and has been put back to the offer as soon as possible       The de Havilland Mosquito was a versatile twin-engine aircraft that was one of the best aircraft of World War II. It was not without reason that it was called the ‘Wooden Wonder’. It was used as a night fighter, fighter-bomber, bomber, reconnaissance, anti-ship or special transport aircraft. The first generation of Mosquitos were powered by Merlin engines with single-stage compressors. In the spring of 1943, two-stage Merlins with higher performance at higher altitudes were installed in the Mosquito. This concerned the reconnaissance and bombing versions. The night fighter versions did not receive the two-stage Merlins until 1944. In the second half of 1944, the RAF deployed a new version of the Mosquito NF Mk.30 for the night fighter role. It was used both in the defense of Britain against German bombers and V-1 missiles, and to escort its own night bombers. The new Mosquitos was more powerful than any Luftwaffe propeller-driven night fighter, including the He 219.   The new, highly detailed kit is broken down into five sprues of grey plastic parts and a sprue of clear parts. Decals are provided for the aircraft of British ace Walter Gibb, the aircraft of the Czechoslovak sqn. RAF, the Polish sqn. RAF, the aircraft of the RAAF squadron operating in Britain and the aircraft of the USAAF operating from Italy.   -        highly detailed model kit -        interesting version, not offered by any other model company  -        attractive colour schemes and decals -        detail accessory sets, figures and masks also available  Read more

RESIN AND 3D-PRINTED MODELS AND SETS

Fw190A Seat and Side Section Back Armour (w/ harness) 1/32 / for Revell kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P32005 1/32 8595593133669    Based on an private collection original seat, armours and most importantly with uniquely preserved cushions (a seat cushion and a back cushion with a cutout for the parachute), we have prepared a 3D printed seat. The seat is printed with the belts. Read more

Fw190A Seat and Side Section Back Armour (w/o harness) 1/32 / for Revell kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P32006 1/32 8595593133676    Based on an private collection original seat, armours and most importantly with uniquely preserved cushions (a seat cushion and a back cushion with a cutout for the parachute), we have prepared a 3D printed seat. The seat is printed without the belts. Read more

Hetzer Mid + Late ‘Saukopf’ Mantlet Correction (Short Type) 1/35 / for Tacom kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P35044 1/35 8595593133683    The Hetzer tank destroyer was equipped with a gun shield, or mantlet, called a ‘pig’s head’. This shield was modified during the production, its shape changed and was produced in several variants.  And the shield shape is also among the flaws of the Tacom kit, which is why we have prepared this correction set for you – and this set portrays the so called short variety of the shield. Read more

Hetzer Mid + Late ‘Saukopf’ Mantlet Correction (Long Type) 1/35 / for Tacom kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-P35045 1/35 8595593133690    The Hetzer tank destroyer was equipped with a gun shield, or mantlet, called a ‘pig’s head’. This shield was modified during the production, its shape changed and was produced in several variants.  And the shield shape is also among the flaws of the Tacom kit, which is why we have prepared this correction set for you – and this set portrays the so called long variety of the shield. Read more

Marder IIIM Fighting Compartment Detail Set 1/48 / for Tamiya kits Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-8075 1/48 8595593133706    3D-printed set that corrects and complete the interior of the Marder IIIM combat compartment. The set offers everything that the original kit lacks, i.e. the cannon shells, wireless set, crew intercom, the MG42 machine gun with ammo magazines, MP40 submachine gun with pouches, extinguisher and gas mask cylinder cases. Read more

Lysander Wing Slats - Outer Sections 1/48 / for Airfix kit Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-4509 1/48 8595593133768    The Lysander wing had two sections of the slats, the outer and inner one. While the inner pair of slats were interconnected with the wing flaps and deployed simultaneously (depending on the air speed / pressure), the outer section slats operated individually, again based on the air pressure. The Airfix Lysander kit offers only the inner slats and flaps in either up or down positions while the outer slats are left closed. So now you have the nice chance to have your Lysander with all the wing control surfaces deployed. The set also offers the new wing leading edge sections beneath the outer slats. Read more

Curtiss Cw 24-B 1/72 Art.no. Scale Barcode 129-PLT289 1/72 8595593133539     In 1939, the USAAF placed an order for the construction of unorthodox fiighter planes from three aircraft manufacturers based on the R-40C specifications. The Vultee XP-54, Northrop XP-56 and Curtiss XP-55 Ascender fighters were built to these specifications. Curtiss tested the XP-55's capabilities on a scaled-down flying model CW-24B. The plane had a steel-tube fuselage covered with fabris and a wooden wing. It was powered with a Menasco C68-5 engine. The overall yellow painted machine was tested at the Muroc Dry Lake in the first half of 1942.     We have prepared this unusual-shaped model in the cast resin format with the smaller parts made on a 3D printer. The kit set also includes a vacuum-formed clear canopy of the pilot's and technician's cockpit and a sheet of decals. Read more