First of all we have a new company called Kitty Hawk – They have released details (and instructions if you want to see them) of their brand new – and unexpected – 1/48th F-94C Starfire air superiority fighter and bomber interceptor.
The new kit comes with two choices of markings and features, such as photo etched parts and clear positionable canopies and detailed undercarriage and cockpit which frankly make the older kits of the Starfire look pretty ancient!
There has been a lot of great buzz about this kit, and I haven’t heard a bad word about it so far – and that is great news in the very hard to please modelling world (admit it – we all know exactly what we want) so the signs look great for this first model from Kitty Hawk!
Special Hobby/CMK have some great new releases set to land in March – the one which most caught our eye was the #SH48119 1/48 T-2 Buckeye "Red & White Trainer"
The US Navy T-2 Buckeye was the primary advanced trainer until the USN adapted and licence built the Hawk/Goshawk as their no.1 trainer, the little Buckeye jet trainer was also of course used by the US marines as well
This kit is much anticipated in 1/48th and includes six sprues or grey styrene and clear canopy, also resin and photo etched parts to further detail the kit are included. The decals are of three versions of USN and USMC versions of the aircraft – one with a three leaf clover and another with a gnarly looking shark’s teeth motif.
Latest and probably one of the pinnacles of the year for Czech manufacturer Eduard is the Royal class Bf 109E in 1/48th which is the latest new tool Bf 109 kit from Eduard but with a few extras. These kits come with two kits inside which include all of the usual extras you would expect - two large P/E sets, “Brassin” (super detailed resin) wheels, masking sheets and decals of twelve different options printed by Cartograf.
As a special addition and another part of what makes this kit “Royal Class” this kit includes a special 1/4th scale instrument panel of the Bf 109E in the kit! But don’t jump just yet! Also included is a stainless steel thermocup with the laser engraved Bf 109E line artwork on the front, and on the back of the cup is the engraved 4 cm long WWII style manufacture part number plate with the unique limited edition numbering engraved on it!
The back side contains the manufacture plate reproduction. This plate is a fiction of course, but looks like the WWII original. The style and described items are like as on a real Bf 109 from early 40’s - This manufacture plate is not like the aircraft manufacturer plate, but rather like an identification plate of a component part. From the Eduard Blog I found this information on the cup about the data plate:
1 + 2 – Bauart = constructed by
3 + 4 – Sach-Nr = item or component number (catalogue). We have selected this one number to looks like as a part of Bf 109E and also to show some details about the kit.
5 – Werk-Nr = manufacture number of the item. I believe that the R0007 actually used is not to be described. The second part of the Werk Nr will be described under point No. 8.
6 + 7 – Hersteller – a code abbreviation for the manufacture. We have slightly changed our company name, also as the place, to be more accurate in regard of 40’s…
8 – in final the most interesting inscription on the manufacture plate: right on this area you can see the limited edition number of the cup. Numbers are in a range 0001 – 1500.
The cup itself is made from the two-layer stainless steel, so any drink inside should keep its temperature and together it stands to be friendly (not to burn) to your lips. The capacity of the cup is 2.7 dl; it is 9 cm tall and some 7.5 cm on diameter. These extras and the kit make this the best April Christmas present anyone could give me!
The last of this week’s offerings is the new(ish) Model maker from Sweden called Tarangus – these guys from Scandinavia have recently brought out the graceful kit of the SAAB Lansen and now they let loose with one of my favourite aircraft the SAAB JA37 Viggen in 1/48th scale.
The Viggen or “Thunderbolt” is not just one of my favourite aircraft – on meeting some pilots of the “Gripen” at RIAT this last year the ones who had flown the impressive fighter all loved it still. Indeed even though this was only used by one Airforce it will still be a good selling kit. Think of all the schemes you could paint it in – silver experimental – splinter camo for STOL operation, grey/grey for the 2000’s and special editions towards the end of service there is still a lot of variety to the colours that can be applied to this kit.
The kit is currently in development and is expected to hit the shelves in the first quarter of 2013 – and I “can’t wait”!
Well what an impressive line-up for 1/48 fans! This lot make me want to change scales – and I might just do that for these kits – Anyway I hope all of you have a great week – check back the blog for more news and models reviewed and please do enjoy your modelling!
Adam Norenberg
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