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Fran

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  1. yes... there`s several almost most wanted models for me, in 1:35 and in 1:48!! Love to get me hands in some like the He-111 H8 Paravane, Ki-21 Sally, the Hs-123 and the Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe... The B_26 too but I would prefer in 1:32!
  2. Upcoming news from DK Decals The P-39 is in 1:32, and the A-20 and B-25 in 1:48. They also have for the end of the moth new decals sheets for the 1:24 for the Spifire and Hurricane.
  3. Breda 65A-80 ‘Aviazione Legionaria’ 1:48 Special Hobby Catalogue number SH48226 Price range: €35,91 “Intended as an aeroplano di combattimento, capable of fulfilling the roles of interceptor fighter, light bomber, or reconnaissance/attack aircraft as required, the prototype Breda Ba.65 (MM 325) made its initial flight in September 1935, piloted by Ambrogio Colombo. It was a cantilever low-wing monoplane with main landing gear units retracting rearwards into underwing fairings. Basic structure of the fuselage and wing was of chrome-molybdenum steel alloy tubing, covered overall with duralumin sheet, except for the trailing edges of the wing, which were fabric-covered. The wing incorporated trailing-edge flaps and Handley Page leading-edge slats. A single fin and rudder tail assembly was strut- and wire-braced, and was of steel construction with light alloy skins. An initial production order for 81 Ba.65s was placed in 1936, all powered by the French Gnome-Rhône K-14 engine of 700 hp (522 kW) as had been installed in the prototype. A batch of 13 aircraft from this production series equipped the 65a Squadriglia of the Aviazione Legionaria, the Italian air contingent sent to support the Fascist cause in the Spanish Civil War .The unit took part in operations at Santander in August 1937, then at Teruel, and in the battles for the River Ebro. Like the prototype these were single-seat aircraft, with the pilot's cockpit fully enclosed by a glazed canopy which tapered to the rear. Experience in Spain indicated that the Ba.65 was suited only to the attack role, and the type served thenceforth with most of the eight squadriglie attached to the two Regia Aeronautica assault stormi (wings), the 5° and 50°. A second series of 137 aircraft was built by Breda (80) and Caproni-Vizzola (57), before production ended in July 1939. They differed from the first production batch by having Fiat A.80 engines. Six Fiat powered Ba.65s and four more of the Gnome-Rhône powered version were sent to the Aviazione Legionaria in Spain in 1938. Following Italy's entry into World War II in June 1940, Ba.65s were involved in the fighting in North Africa against the British. They had a low serviceability rate in desert conditions and put up an unimpressive performance. The last serviceable aircraft was lost during the British offensive in Cyrenaica in February 1941. A large number of the Ba.65s serving with Italian units were of two-seat configuration, with an observer/gunner in an open cockpit above the trailing edge of the wing. A smaller number of the type had a Breda L type turret, but in either case the observer/gunner operated a single 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine-gun. While offensive armament could theoretically comprise up to 2,205 lbs (1000 kg) of bombs, the load usually carried was up to 661 lbs (300 kg) in the fuselage bomb bay or, alternatively, up to 441 lbs (200 kg) on underwing racks. Exports included 25 Fiat powered Ba.65 two-seaters to Iraq in 1938, two of them dual-control trainers and the remainder with Breda L turrets; 20 Ba.65s with Piaggio P.XI C.40 engines to Chile later in the same year. 17 of them single-seaters and three dual-control trainers; and 10 Fiat powered two-seaters with Breda L turrets to Portugal in November 1939. A single Fiat powered production aircraft was tested with an American Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine in June 1937 in anticipation of an order from the Chinese Nationalist government, but this failed to materialise. The Iraqi Ba.65s saw limited action against the British during the 1941 insurrection in that country. Type: Single Seat Ground Attack Design: Breda Design Team Manufacturer: Societa Italiana Ernesto Breda and also built by Caproni-Vizzola (57) Powerplant: (Ba.65 A.80) One 1,000 hp (746 kW) Fiat A.80 RC.41 18-cylinder radial piston engine. (Ba.65 K-14) One 700 hp (522 kW) Rhone-Gnôme K-14 radial engine. Performance: Maximum speed 267 mph (430 km/h); maximum speed (two-seat) 255 mph (410 km/h); service ceiling 20,670 ft (6300 m). Range: 342 miles (550 km) on internal fuel. Weight: Empty equipped 5,291 lbs (2400 kg) with a maximum take-off weight of 6,504 lbs (2950 kg). Dimensions: Span 39 ft 8 1/2 in (12.10 m); length 30 ft 6 1/4 in (9.30 m); height 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m); wing area 252.96 sq ft (23.5 sq m). Armament: Two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) and two 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT fixed forward firing machine-guns in the wings, plus up to 661 lbs (300 kg) of bombs in fuselage bomb-bay and up to 441 lbs (200 kg) of bombs on underwing racks. Variants: Ba.65 (MM 325 prototype), Ba.65 (single seat), Ba.65 (two seat), Ba.65 (trainer). No official version designations were used since all aircraft were technically identical, and aircraft were identified simply by the engine used. Avionics: None. History: First flight September 1935; (first deliveries) 1937. Operators: Italy (Regia Aeronautica), Iraq, Portugal, Chile. Historical text from http://www.pilotfriend.com/photo_albums/timeline/ww2/Breda Ba.65 A.80.htm It`s the first I look to this model kit, even knowing that it has been around since 2010 and this particularly one is a Special Hobby rebox with new decals. Being a limited run kit, there are none of the little luxuries such as locating pins and tabs, so take time when aligning and gluing the plastic parts. But, as you can see the dry fitting is quite good, even being a limited run model. There are a few raised ejector pin circles that look like they will interfere with wing parts joining (especially on the inside of tail planes), so you'll need to clean these up prior to assembly. But that`s a quite easy job in fact. The surface textures on the wings and fuselage are quite good with fine recessed panel lines and very subtle stretched fabric effect on control surfaces, are all well done. In total you will get 3 sprues in grey plastic and one sprue of clear plastic. A ziplock bag with resin parts and a PE sheet. The plastic parts, while being a limited run plastic, I only found some flash plastic on small parts and the cockpit tubular structure. The Sprue A you have the fuselage, tail wings, cowling, wheels etc. The sprue B, wings and landing gear And sprue C all small pieces including cockpit tubular structure, instrument panels, wheels bay, etc Checking up all the parts and their detail. Raised structural detail is molded onto the inside of the fuselage but its given also the internal cockpit tubular structure (like a small cage) with plastic parts. The fuselage halves have detail molded into their interiors, with extra details add by several panel sections on the port side with PE levers, plus a side console on the starboard along with other dials, equipment and an oxygen cylinder. The cockpit is quite well detail out of the box with PE seatbelts, PE chains, PE foot rest. It’s a quite busy cockpit with the bomb racks tubular structure right behind, made by PE where the resin bombs will be in. I really like the cockpit and bombay detail. Even so, I think that there`s still space for some aftermarket details like the instrument panel even with those lots of PE levers on it. Leaving the plastic, the resin is top notch, which is nothing odd considering that Special Hobby ownes CMK. The engine is in full resin with 18 cylinders cover with a resin cowling and with a exhaust ring collector and two exhausts, one in each side of the fuselage. The PE sheet, as said, is for several cockpit details but also to exhaust support. The clear plastic sprue does have some tricky design parts for the cockpit. I must say that I will get the Special Hoby mask as it is a timesaver and could be a work saver. On the box you get two markings from the same period: Spanish Civil war. The decals do have great color pigmentation and look quite thin. However I can`t say who make them. I - 16-35 65a Squadriglia Assalto, Aviazione Legionaria, Puig Moreno, Spain, Winter, 1938 16-35 65a Squadriglia Assalto, Aviazione Legionaria, Puig Moreno, Spain, Winter, 1938 Both markings are the same concerning to badge and insignia. The Only thing that chance is the aircraft serial number. The instructions are a small booklet with 11 pages, quite good and clear drawings with quite precise part indication. And also some Special hobby AM ad suggestion for this kit and to other Italian aircraft model kits. The color are given in Mr Hobby Gunze color. I would prefer the color reference in Tamiya or AK Real Color as they are must easy to find. Conclusion It´s great to see this reedition of this limited run kit. So it`s not a beginner but with patience, work and skill it can be achieved a very nice looking model. It`s quite an unusual subject in 1:48, but a very welcome one when it was release and still is now that has being release.! VERY Highly recommended. My trully Thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample.
  4. Ernie, my friend, Sorry for your loss. Blue Skies Flash.
  5. Now this weeekend Das Werk showed their 2023 release plan. Love the Trippel And I wil get the Larc-V Early !!
  6. Fiat G.50B Bicomando 1:32 Special Hobby Catalogue number SH32083 Price range: €45,40 “During the thirties, Fiat Aviazione was one of the most advanced aircraft manufacturers in Europe. With the advent of new technology at the time, it was obvious that the next stage in the development of the aircraft industry, especially in military aviation, would be centered around all-metal monoplanes. Fiat’s Chief Designer, Ing. C. Rosatelli, had been designing mixed-construction biplanes and even an all-metal bomber. As the demand for a modern, all-metal fighter plane was high, Fiat officials made a decision to hire a young aircraft engineer named Giuseppe Gabrielli, who would later design the Freccia, the first operational Italian all-metal fighter. The history of the Fiat G.50 began in 1931, when Fiat formed a new Aircraft Technical Bureau – Department 2 (Ufficio Tecnico Aviazione – Divisione II). The main purpose of this bureau was designing and building brand new types of modern all-metal planes. The same year, a young Italian engineer, Giuseppe Gabrielli, was hired by Fiat Chairman Senator Angelli to work for the Technical Bureau. Giuseppe Gabrielli had gained some experience in aircraft design while working for Piaggio. When he moved to Fiat, he immediately began working on several non-military aircraft projects. All of his projects were marked by the capital letter ‘G’, his initial. First was the G.2, an all-metal, three-engined plane, then the G.8 biplane trainer, and later the twin-engine passenger plane G.18. During the thirties, the Italian Ministry of Aviation (Ministero dell Aeronautica) was interested in adopting a new, all-metal monoplane fighter and ground attack aircraft for the Italian Air Force. Some specifications for their request were: to use one radial engine, armed with at least two 0.5 in (12.7 mm) heavy machine guns with at least 300 rounds of ammunition and one 0.7 in (20 mm) gun or 1.45 in (37 mm) gun, and provisions for bombs on the ground attacker. A request was sent out to all domestic aircraft manufacturers. There were several proposals in response, but only the G.50 and the Macchi C.200 would be chosen for production. The others were either rejected (Ro.51 and A.U.T. 18) or built in limited numbers, like the Caproni F.5. In order to solve the problem of the lack of an adequate fighter design, Fiat officials even considered the acquisition of a license to produce the American Seversky SEV-3, but nothing came of this. In April of 1935, Giuseppe Gabrielli began working on a new low-wing, all-metal plane named G.50. According to his first plans and drawings, it was to be armed with two machine guns, powered by a 550 hp radial engine (with a diameter of 39 in/1 m), weigh around 3,395 lbs (1,540 kg), and equipped with a retractable landing gear. At the same time, Fiat was testing a new FIAT A 74 RC 38 14-cylinder radial piston engine, so it was logical that Giuseppe Gabrielli decided to use it for his work. The A 74, in principle, was a direct copy of the American Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp which powered a large number of US planes, including the Douglas C-47, Consolidated PBY Catalina, Douglas TBD Devastator and Grumman F4F Wildcat. The expected speed of the G.50 with this new engine was around 285 mph (460 km/h) at 11,500 ft (3,500 m). (…) The G.50 Freccia, Italian for Arrow, was a single-seat, low-wing, all-metal fighter plane. The main fuselage was made from four angular shaped longerons with 17 metal frames. The wing construction consisted of a center section which was made of a steel tube connected to the lower fuselage and two metal spars connected with ribs. The four flaps were hydraulically actuated and at certain speeds they would automatically retract to their closed position. The fuselage, wing, and tail were covered with duralumin sheets. The only fabric-covered parts were the movable control surfaces in the wings and the tail. This G.50 belonged to the 20th Group, transferred from Belgium to North Africa. [ea51.org] The engine was placed in a tubular shaped mount made of chrome-molybdenum steel that was connected to the fuselage by four bolts. The engine and the cockpit were separated by a fireproof screen in order to protect the pilot from any possible fire outbreak, either due to engine malfunction or damage. The plane was powered by the 840 hp (626 kW) Fiat A 74 RC 38, 14 cylinder radial piston engine. With this engine, the G.50 could reach a maximum speed of 293 mph (470 km/h), with an effective range of 276 mi (445 km) and a service ceiling of 35,000 ft (10,700 m). An all-metal three-blade propeller produced by Fiat was used. One of major disadvantages of using a radial type of engine was the massive drag due to its large cross-section. In order for ground repair crews to have easy access to the engine and the fuselage interior, several access doors were added. The maximum fuel capacity was 83.5 gal (316 l.) There were two fuel tanks located in the wings 11.9 gal each (45 l) and two more in the fuselage, one larger with 26.4 gal (100 l) and a smaller one with 18 gal (68 l) with an additional auxiliary tank 13.75 gal (52 l) also located in the fuselage. The first G.50 series had an enclosed cockpit design but as this created many issues, it was later changed to an open cockpit. Despite its disadvantages, the enclosed cockpit had an excellent rear view. Many different open cockpit designs were tested before the final design was chosen. The later version with the open cockpit had two smalls door installed to help entering or exiting the plane. The seat was adjustable, so it could be adapted to the pilot’s needs. In front of the pilot, the dashboard was divided into three sections. On the upper section were the navigation instruments, reflector sight, fuel indicators and engine instruments. The middle section had the ammunition counter, warning lights, the position of the landing gear, compass and oxygen control panel. The lower section had the engine starter, cowling controls and compressed-air system indicator. The radio in the pilot’s cabin was the ARC 1, but the quality of the batteries was poor. A fire extinguisher system was also provided. There was also the possibility of installing one OMI FM62 camera gun. The G.50 was equipped, like most modern aircraft of the time, with inward retracting landing gear, but the rear tail wheel was fixed. In the G.50 bis version, the rear tail wheel was changed to a retractable type. The landing gear could, if necessary, be manually operated. At first, it was of a Messier type, but it was later replaced with a Magnaghi design. The retracting landing gear was hydraulically operated, and pneumatically during lowering. In case both systems did not work for any reason, it could be manually operated. For easier and more pleasant landing, hydraulic shock absorbers were provided for both telescoping legs. The main armament consisted of two forward-firing 0.5 in (12.7mm) Breda-SAFAT heavy machine guns, with some 150 rounds of ammunition for each machine gun. The guns were placed behind the engine top and both were synchronised in order not to damage the propeller. It is interesting to note that this gun used oil lubricant for faster firing and thus a lubricant tank was added on top of the engine. Some G.50 planes were armed with bomb racks and used in North Africa. (…) Trainer G.50 B The Fiat G.50 B version with the longer cockpit design for the instructor and the student. As the G.50 was entering production and the first operational units were formed, a trainer was needed for new pilots. As most army pilots were accustomed to flying older biplanes, retraining them for flying the monoplanes was required. For this purpose, in late 1936 the Italian Air Ministry placed an order for Fiat to developed a two seat dual control plane based on the G.50. After the mock-up was built and inspected in March 1938, it was deemed sufficient for production. By April, an order for the first prototype was placed. But due to the constant changes to the design, the production of the first prototype was frequently delayed. It was not until June 1939 when the final design with an enclosed cockpit was chosen. The plane was named G.50 B. The capital ‘B’ stands for ‘bipost,’ the Italian word for two-seater. This version was recognizable by its long glazed canopy with the rear cockpit being open from the top. The first prototype, marked 3615, would be ready in late April 1940 when it was tested by Enzio Guerra. After only a few test flights, it was deemed adequate and was put into production. The first ten were built in 1940, with the last one built in 1943. In total, some 108 (or 100, depending on the source) G.50 B trainers were built during the war. Production by years was: 10 in 1940, 82 in 1941, 11 in 1942 and 5 in 1943. The first series of G.50 planes produced had an enclosed cockpit design, but this was later replaced with a semi-open design. [warbirdphotographs] The G.50 B was, in essence, a modified single-seat version with a new cockpit and dual controls. The front part of the cockpit was fully enclosed in contrast with the rear which was open. The main armament was removed on the G.50 B. This version was very successful, as it was easy to build and offered almost the same flying performance as the single-seat version. These were used mostly by the Regia Aeronautica Fighter Schools. Smaller numbers were operated as liaison planes or even in some front based fighter units. After the Italian capitulation, small numbers, possible 20 or more, were used by the National Republican Air Force. At least one was given to the Croatian puppet state in the Balkans. The last G.50 B were used by the Flying School in Lecce for a few years after the war, up to 1948. Historical text and pics from https://plane-encyclopedia.com/ww2/fiat-g-50-freccia/ Now that`s look to the kit. This model is a different version of the one-seater Fiat G.50, also from Special Hobby, with new parts. So I check the 1:32 Special Hobby one-seater version instructions and compare with this version, and we immediately can see that the sprue A are different, with a new fuselage and new cockpit flor and there is an extra sprue, the sprue E. Sprue A Sprue E And as obvious, the clear parts are also different. As for the resin and PE parts, all is equal but you get two PE sheets (and not just one, as you have two cockpits to make. So the box is a standard top-opening box in the Special Hobby style, and as I said 5 sprues in plastic grey, a clear sprue, two PE sheets and quite a few resin parts. Being a limited run kit, there are none of the little luxuries such as locating pins and tabs, so take time when aligning and gluing the plastic parts. But, as you can see the dryfitting is quite good, even being a limited run model. There are a few raised ejector pin circles that look like they will interfere with wing parts joining (especially on the inside of tail planes), so you'll need to clean these up prior to assembly. But that`s a quite easy job in fact. The surface textures on the wings and fuselage are quite good with fine recessed panel lines and very subtle stretched fabric effect on control surfaces, are all well done. Raised structural detail is molded onto the inside of the fuselage. The fuselage halves have detail molded into their interiors, with extra details add by several panel sections on the port side with PE levers, and other details. The cockpit is made up from the floor section, rear bulkhead, two seats, two instrument panel, control columns, and several sidewall instruments made of resin. Moulding of the plastic and mainly the very good detail of the resin parts will pop out with careful painting and weathering. The instrument panel is a single plastic part with recessed circles and raised switches and two decal sheet with instrument dial. Passing to the resin parts, they are mainly for the engine and engine cowlings (and several small bits for the cockpit) The resin is top noch quality as Special Hobby isthe home of CMK. The resin are in gray color has no distortion or bubbles and very good casting and detail in every single one. Very impressive casting Most of it if for the engine that has a central core, and each cylinder must be add. There are sixteen cylinders in all so patient will be need. Here, as a typical limited run kit, you will need to make push-rods with 0.3mm diameter wire and 8mm long The main wheels. Well each is built from two halves. As always, I will get the resin wheels from CMK. The PE sheets. As it is a bi-seater, you get two PE sheets identical one with seatbelts for both seats, and some small details for the cockpit like handles and levers. The clear parts are very well molded with good frames delimitation and also good clearance and transparency. As for the markings, it offer four disparate markings options on the decal sheet: Black 136, MM6425, Advanced Flying School, Regia Aeronautica, Italy, 1941 No.3510, MM6477, 1 Sqn., 1 Group, Air Base, No.1, Croatian Air Force, Zagreb-Borongaj, Croatia, June 1942 MM unknown, Luftwaffe, Italian Social Republic, Mid 1943-early 44 Black 1, MM6843, 3ᵃ Squadriglia, 2° Gruppo Scuola Volo, Aeronautica Militaire, Brindisi, Italy, 1946 The decals look quite good with good definition and color pigmentation. I don’t know who printed them as its no reference at all of the manufacture so I don’t know how they will work out. The instruction are a booklet with 13 pages (and two of Special Hobby products), in satin paper, with good drawings and location parts and even with aftermarket suggestion (of their brand) along the way (nice Special Hobby) Conclusion It´s a limited run kit so its not a beginner but with patience, work and skill it can be achieved a very nice looking model. In fact, having build the early Special Hobby back in the 90, this one looks like almost a “Tamigawa” comparing to them. It`s quite an unusual subjecti in 1:32, but a very welcome one after the single seater and Special Hobby has done a very good job with this one! VERY Highly recommended. My trully Thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample.
  7. Canfora Publishing just announced the new Wingpsan 5. All dedicated to WWI!! Take thechance to get it a 21,60€! https://canfora.se/wingspan-volume-5/ and to complete your personal livrary, just get also the Aircraft Weapons of World War One!! Perfect - https://canfora.se/.../wingspan-5-aircraft-weapons-of-wwi/ Perfect to all WWI modelers!
  8. Well, one Fw-190 A-6 in 1:35 scale!!! And the crazy 1:32 HpH Me-323 D.6 - about this one, its quite odd that for some (probably world region) is around 1575€ and for other (me) it appear €1906....
  9. Love it my friend!! Another masterpiece!
  10. I was just posting this sad news when I saw your post Vince14. Thanks so much for posting Rowan was a true gentleman and trully passionate about WWI and a great name of the hobby. My condolences to his wife Sabine and his family.
  11. Wingspan 4 1:32 Aircraft Modelling Several authors Publisher: Canfora – Graphic Design & Publishing 128 pages Landscape format (A4 size with softcover) 10 full features build Price tag: 27 euros [ Canfora Publishing has several book of Aircraft, AFV and diorama modelling as historic book. This book is a collection of several buildings aircraft, specifically articles 10 with properly completed models. And at proper scale - 1:32. The whole structure between the various items is identical in approach to the subject, but with different modellers with distinctive styles. On first reading, is the clear sense that the text is fluid, easy to read with some very good modelling information This book is not a FAQ or a pure SBS as full-page close-ups are combined with step-by-step but an informative and mojo up to modeler. The works are inspirational and can effective have a positive effect in modeler motivation. All models are inspiring, with the precise purpose: to inspire and motivate the modeler. The book format is quite unique, in its landscape form, that allows to have big and detail picture of the step-by-step parts and very good picture of all the detail. All the builds are flawless and simply amazing. The index: Focke-Wulf Fw-190 A-8 Hasegawa – Tomas Banic P-51A Mustang HobbyCraft – Ralph Riese F-5E Tiger II Kitty Hawk – Oto Drobík Douglas C-47 “SkyTrain” HpH Models – Zdenek Sebesta Knowing this model kit, this work is epic. Dornier Do-335 Hong Kong Models – Brian Criner PZL- 11 C IBG Models – Toni Canfora F-35A Italeri – Jan Kopecky FE. 2b “Early” Wingnut Wings – Mikael Terfors Mig-23MF Flogger Trumpeter – Henrik Redin Polikarpok I-16 “Type 24” ICM – Anders Isaksson All features have a small side table, with main information: the model kit used, the aftermarkets, and paints brands (and not the references). Also every single work has a color label to identify all articles, to a quick search. It's a display of beautiful works, with a few tips and some photos of WIP with spectacular photographs of fantastic models. Several techniques are presented throughout the several builds, it is told how to do, with several pictures of the step to take and to achieved that goal. Also show up the use several aftermarkets items on the builds Every single work is top quality, the best you can see in magazines an modelling books . Conclusion This book is one of the best modelling book on market. Not being a FAQ book, neither it intended to be, it`s full of pictures, of fantastic builds, with landscape format photos with every single detail at view of the reader. The book has a fantastic color registration and print quality, with some excellent model photography reproduced on 128 glossy pages. The main goal of this book is being an inspiration to other modelers, to get up your mojo, to get you motivated, and also to learn the techniques and tricks with some of the best aircraft modelers in the world. The next one will be epic – a special WWI wingspan. Very Highly Recommend Thanks to Canfora Publishing for the review sample.
  12. B-25 J Mitchell “Glazed Nose” Catalogue Number AK35503 Price Tag: 99,99$ “In January 1931, Chief of Naval Operations William Pratt and Army Chief of Staff General Douglas MacArthur signed an agreement that gave the Army Air Corps the primary responsibility for operating land-based aircraft in defense of the United States and other overseas possessions, while the Navy focused on mobile operations with the fleet. As a result, during the 1930s the Army procured a number of bombers, among them the B-25 Mitchell. Design work on the medium bomber, which in final form was named for air power advocate Major General William “Billy” Mitchell, began in 1938, with the first production order for 184 airplanes placed in September 1939, the same month that German forces invaded Poland, beginning World War II. The Mitchell served as the forefront of many campaigns in the wide-ranging global conflict, but its greatest fame came in a unique operation its designers certainly never envisioned. Following the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese military conquered wide swaths of the Pacific region. America sought a way to strike back at Japan, but it was out of range of land-based aircraft. A carrier strike was thought too risky—the short range of single-engine Navy aircraft would require a ship to approach close to shore. Navy Captain Francis S. Low proposed the use of Army Air Forces bombers. Captain Donald Duncan and Army Air Forces Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, who was chosen to lead the mission, figured out how to make it work. The B-25B Mitchell medium-bomber fit the requirements with its range, bomb load and, most importantly, ability to take off in a relatively short distance. It would require the entire latter attribute to launch from the deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV 8), which was the unorthodox launch platform chosen. Doolittle assembled his aircraft and crews at Eglin Field, Florida, in February 1942, with the Navy dispatching Lieutenant Henry Miller, a flight instructor from Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, to train the Army Air Forces in carrier take-off. By April, the airmen who would forever be known as the Doolittle Raiders were at sea on board Hornet steaming towards Japan On April 18, 1942, with Hornet having been observed by a Japanese vessel short of the intended launch point, Doolittle led his sixteen B-25Bs aloft 650 miles from Japan. The crews bombed industrial targets before setting course for China, with most bailing out or crash landing. One crew landed in the Soviet Union. Of the eighty Doolittle Raiders, three were killed in action during the mission and seven were captured by the Japanese, four of whom died in captivity. The material damage inflicted was minor, but the psychological impact on the Japanese was great. As a direct result of the raid, Japan decided to go forward with an operation against Midway Atoll, the resulting naval battle in June 1942, helping turn the tide of the Pacific War for the Allies. Just two months after the Doolittle Raid, the Navy contracted for a percentage of North American’s B-25 production, and in February 1943 began receiving the first of over 700 Mitchells produced for naval aviation. Designated PBJs, the aircraft became a mainstay in Marine Corps medium bombing squadrons, seven of which flew combat missions in the Pacific. Marine Bombing Squadron (VMB) 413 flew the aircraft’s first sorties in the Solomon Islands on March 14, 1944, and subsequent flights included daylight bombing over Rabaul, as well as night heckling missions. While most PBJ squadrons operated in the South Pacific, VMB-612 supported the drive across the Central Pacific. Specializing in low-altitude night attacks against enemy shipping, “Cram’s Rams” operated from airfields on Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa during 1944-1945. All told, twenty-six Mitchells fell to enemy fire. Navy use of the PBJ was mainly experimental in nature, including catapult and arresting gear trials aboard the carrier Shangri-La (CV 38) in November 1944. The last Mitchells were stricken in 1948. The museum’s B-25J Mitchell flew in both the Army Air Forces and the civilian market. It is painted in the markings of the airplane flown by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle on the raid from the aircraft carrier Hornet. Specifications Manufacturer: North American Aviation, Inc. Dimensions: Length: 52 ft., 11 in.; Height: 16 ft., 4 in.; Wingspan: 67 ft., 7 in. Weights: Empty: 19,490 lb.; Gross: 35,000 lb. Power Plant: Two 1,700 horsepower Wright R-2600-92 engines Performance: Maximum Speed: 272 M.P.H. at 13,000 ft.; Service Ceiling: 24,200ft.; Range: 1,350 miles Armament: 20 forward-firing and flexible-mounted .50-in. guns, provisions for up to 3,000 lb., of ordnance” (history from National Naval Aviation Museum - https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/b/b-25j-mitchell.html) A brand new 1:48 B-25J!!! We are in fact in the Gold history of modelling!! The B-25 J was only represented in this scale by the ancient monogram model from 1981. The other version B/C/D and G have the venerable Accurate Miniature to represent them in a very satisfactory way but those molds already have more than 20 years. But the J version has in fact the most needed one in 1:48, for an actual new XXI century technology. And here enters Hong Kong Models with their brand new B-27 J “glazed nose” (basically is the glass nose version) with a curious detail on the box: “The Mitchell series”. So, I bet that a H version and a J solid version will be next on the row. Let´s see the model itself. The boxart is a very good and attractive one making what it mean for: convince modeler to buy it… and this boxart is a very good one. Its has an extra inside. A full and color drawing poster of the boxart. It’s a very nice touch from Hong Kong Model. Inside the box, all the sprues are packaged separately and the clear parts, as it should be, are also separately with a cardboard backing. Nice way to protect them. As an extra, in protect bag with carboard backing there two small photo etch brass frets are included in the kit, containing seatbelts, the cockpit exterior armour plating and some interior detail. Honestly, I don´t like these seatbelts. Honk Kong Model has included a pre-shaped metal nose weight. Don’t know if will be enough for avoid tail sitting but it will help to keep it on the right stand. Let´s check the plastic! I start with the fuselage. These are already removed from the sprue but you still need to clear the sprue connections remains. The plastic texture and molding are the best I ever see in a Hong Kong Model. The fuselage have all the negative rivets present with perfection and not overdone. I just love surface detail. The injection molding is very good and all the parts have sharp and well defined surface details. The wings and the fuselage have, in fact, top noch details. Speaking of wings, a nice details is given to the modeler, straight from the box: separate elevators and wing flaps. So, the modeler can choose the position of theses. Keeping in the wings the connection system to the fuselage is the same that I saw in the Grand Slam Lancaster, so the join will be perfect with no glue required with will be perfect to all of those that don’t have much display space or to transport the model to model show or convention. The high injection mold quality detail is present in all the model with rivet and panel lines very well defined. The cowling flaps in the open position and are quite thin. Yes, for the rivet modeler, a PE or thin more the plastic will do the job and give it a realistic scale thickness. The engines, the Wright R-2600, fourteen cylinder, twin-row radial engine. These, despite not being very visible (only from the front), the detail is inferior to all the rest of the kit. They are engines with a basic detail that is not in the parameters of the remaining kit. It is the weakest point of the kit, however given its visibility, it does not compromise the final result of the kit. This is the engine fully build (the PE is not totally glue and is from Eduard old PE set fro B-25J)... Not at the standart of the rest of the model but its more than enough to most modellers. The Hamilton Standard three-bladed propeller however is, for me, perfect in shape and detail. The wheels have some quite good external detail but they are in two parts so sanding the seam on the tire you will lose the diamond tread. I really don’t like wheels in two halves. Here, once again, the AM guys will come to the rescue. The armament are very well detail, directly from the box. Now the interior detail. Hong Kong Models give interior detail in the cockpit, front nose, tail and bomb bay. The cockpit is quite well detailed. No perfect but a good one directly from the box. Two things I think that could be better: the seats and the seatbelts given in PE. . So I think that AM companies have room here to give the modeler new seats and new seatbelts (I really dont like the seatbelts). The instrument panel is molded with recessed instrument faces and the decal sheet contains a single piece decal for the dial faces. The detail is very good. The bomb bay has a very good detail. I don’t particularly like bomb bay in general (I almost never leave it open) but this bomb bay was some crispy detail and a very busy look so I recommend to leave it open to show all that beautiful detail. Curious it`s that the bombay doors don’t have great detail inside with no double metal sheet recreation…. So here`s also a good point to improve with AM set. The tail gun has good and sufficient detail. The canvas boot that cover all the tail is very good detail, with some very nice texture simulating canvas! Nice one Hong Kong Models. The waist gun does have almost any interior detail expect the gun itself. Moving to the clear parts. These are in perfect shape, with no damage or distortion being perfectly clear. The general surface detail in all parts is very good even in small detail like the gun barrels. Sprue G contains all the parts, which are specific to the J model. So has we suspected and already said, new variants are coming in a near future for sure. So this sprue have the extra specific guns, ammo boxes, seat cushions needed to model the J variant. The instructions. It`s a booklet with 20 page on large format glossy paper with good and clear drawings being easy to follow all the indications. Colour are provided using AK, Tamiya and Gunze/Mr Hobby paints. The decals have very good registration and color pigmentation as it will be expected from Cartograph. Hong Kong Models give us two markings - "Cactus Kitten", a B-25J-11-NC, s/n 43-36041 from 501th BS./ 345th BG. - "She's Engaged", a B-25J-2, s/n 43-27559, flown by Lt. John W. Allen of he 380th BS, 310th BG and based at Ghisonaccia, Corsica. Conclusion: The B-25 is one of the most epic aircraft of WWII, at least for me. And if we wereqite well served with the Accurate Miniature molds of the B.25 B/C and D version, the J version only had its best representation in 1:48 with the old Monogram one. Now, Hong Kong Models came to the rescue and give us an state-of-art B-25 J in 1:48 (as its had given in 1:32) being the best one in this scale. Its perfect? Well, no model is and this one is no exception but it’s a fantastic model kit that I already build it and all the build has being flawless and I will make almost OOB (also there`s no AM itens yet) and the details are more than enoguht to get a fantastic B:25 J replica in 1:48. So do you self a favour, buy at least one! Very Highly Recommend. Our thanks to Honk Kong Model for the review samples and all the support given. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.
  13. Hope that is not true... I would love a Kate in 1:32...
  14. I love the Cutlass! Its quite a unique looking airplane! Its a shame that the Fisher`s one is the only game in town in 1:32. Ernie mate, if you ever want to sell one then, just let me know.
  15. Nice re-release to light up 2023 modelling year! Looking forward to se what Special Hobby and MPM group will have to offer in 2023. Cheers Fran
  16. Thanks Petr. A 2023 full of sucess to you and all Special Hobby team!
  17. Be positive. This year, the Helldiver is almost at the finish line... so at least one!
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