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It is nice to see the 1:72 Huck Starter at No. 1 on the Hannant's best sellers list.

Tuesday 9th April 2024 - all the above are now with Hannants.

We have been busy. I expect to deliver a lot of models to Hannants next week - as a summary, the delivery includes Paveway III Bunker Busters and Paveway IV UK spec bombs, a couple of Jaguar tow bars in 1/48 & 1/32, and ground equipment to compliment the Airfix & Trumpeter Stuka kits in 1:24, and to wrap it up, some WW I ground equipment. Photographs are on the Hannants web site, and here is a list: Part Number Description NEW ITEMS GE32084 Jaguar tow bars – wheels up & down GE48084 Jaguar tow bars – wheels up & down GE48139 Huck starter - RFC circa 1918 GE48140 Clayton Crawler tractor - RFC circa 1917 GE48141 Leyland Subsidy A type fuel lorry - circa 1916 GE48142 Leyland Subsidy A type flatbed lorry - circa 1916 GE72139 Huck starter - RFC circa 1918 GE72140 Clayton Crawler tractor - RFC circa 1917 GE72141 Leyland Subsidy A type fuel lorry - circa 1916 GE72142 Leyland Subsidy A type flatbed lorry - circa 1916 GEL24001 Anlasswagen - Luftwaffe External Power Supply Unit - WWII GEL24002 Ölwagen - Luftwaffe Oil Service Cart - WWII GEL24003 Ladewagen LWC 500IX - Luftwaffe bomb loader - WWII GEL24004 Kettenkrad tractor (Sd Kfz. 2) - Luftwaffe Half-track Tractor - WWII TWC32080 GBU-28B Paveway 3 (pack of 2) TWC48080 GBU-28B Paveway 3 (pack of 2) TWC72080 GBU-28B Paveway 3 (pack of 2) TWC32081 Paveway IV – UK Specification (pack of 2) TWC48081 Paveway IV – UK Specification (pack of 2) TWC72081 Paveway IV – UK Specification (pack of 2) RESTOCKED ITEMS GE72037 Lincoln and Lancaster Crew Ladders GE72050 RAF Sentinel Tugmaster tractor GE72057 Bedford V-bomber crew bus GE72058 TSR-2 Tow Bars - wheels up & down GE72113 XB-70 steps TWC72060 AN/ASQ-236 Dragon's Eye Radar pod TWC7201E USAF B61 early nuclear weapon

The wing pods for the landing gear have a good chance. The three variables on the fuselage plug are fuselage outside diameter, wall thickness, and how they have treated the nose landing gear bay. So at the moment there is no way of knowing.

This conversion set was delivered to Hannants on 19th February 2024.

HESTON STEPS As a result of the comment on the Heston steps yesterday the new design is shown below. As always, it was possible to add more detail, and the new steps are adjustable for height. Now we need to do a test print. Without CAD it would have taken much longer.

Now that is a good idea !!! Later - having looked at the files, it will make assembly much easier. The only down-side that I can see is that the treads will not be truly horizontal, other than in the median position. The 3D printed version will consist of the base, steps, steps support and the tow bar.

We are replacing our etched brass steps with 3D printed steps, and putting left and right side versions in one pack. 1:72 and 1:48 versions are planned. The improvements will include correct cross sections, plus derricks to hoist items up to the platform. Plus there is little assembly other than removing all the supports, smoothing off the burrs and painting the model

An interesting kit arrived during the week - a pre-release version of their new multi-media kit of the Airbus A380. Basically a vacform kit with 3D printed engines, flap tracks, landing gear bays and undercarriage. Their website is at https://www.titanmodelkits.com/

AIM - Ground Equipment - this is the link: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE72113 They currently have 3 left in stock.

Delivered today (all 3D printed): GE32074 - 1:32 Hunter tow bar..........................................................................................................£10.80 GE48125 - 1:48 Rockwell B-1 tow bars – two pack (wheels up & down............................£16.20 GE72054 - 1:72 Vulcan tow bar...........................................................................................................£13.95 GE72057 - 1:72 Bedford V-bomber crew bus................................................................................£29.70 GE72084 - 1:72 RAF Jaguar tow bars – two pack (wheels up & ............................................£10.80 GE72094 - 1:72 B-36 tow bar...............................................................................................................£..9.00 GE72113 - 1:72 XB-70 crew access steps.........................................................................................£21.60 GE72125 - 1:72 Rockwell B-1 tow bars – two pack (wheels up & down)............................£10.80 GE72180 - 1:72 fighter revetment set................................................................................................£39.60 TWC32070 - 1:32 Gulf War Tornado Full Load (8 bombs & 4 carriers).................................£36.90 Plus ten other restock items. The Vulcan tow bar is a huge improvement on the photo-etch one of about 12 years ago. The wonders of 3D printing!!! Delivery date Monday 2nd October 2023 Photographs of all items are on the Hannants web site.

Because Hannants had sold out of the etched brass version, I did a new design for a 3D printed version - I was happy with the results. I still believe 3D printing is the biggest improvement in production methods in decades. Here are some photos of the result.

Here are some photos of another item of USAF ground equipment. These will go to Hannants at the same time as the crew bus and a lot of other things.

It should be with Hannants on the next delivery (late September/early October 2023).

Here are a few photos. The bus Front view - note provision for the starting handle 3D printed body, showing the supports Even down to a correctly shaped handle on the drivers door, in 1:72 Body removed, to show the interior (steering wheel not fitted here)

Hopefully we will post a link soon to photos on the Hannants web site.

Update - 25 August 2023 The test build was completed satisfactorily, and we are now working out the best way to protect delicate parts during shipping. We are also putting a block of spare parts (lights & mirrors) in each kit, to replace the dainty parts people tend to knock off. The built model looks nice.

As an update, as of 11 Aug 2023, the first test model has been produced and in general is satisfactory. Some changes to body/chassis interface, and test model two was building yesterday.

The production man is engaged elsewhere until later in the year, when I hope he will have time to get the test files built.

UPDATE - 28th March 2023: Another batch of Mandator kits was delivered to Hannants yesterday, 27th March 2023.

Thanks for the suggestion - an interesting shape to model, and this is the result. They will be available from Hannants in 1:72, 1:48 & 1:32. The screen shot shows the seeker with its cover on. We supply six each of seeker heads with and without the cover, to allow for dropping it on the carpet.

UPDATE - 3rd March 2023: The Mandator has sold out at Hannants, but another batch is in production, and will be delivered later this month.

Glad you like it, Pete. I am glad it is finally finished, but 3D printing has given a far more detailed model than was possible with traditional methods.

We have delivered the kits to Hannants, and here are a few photos of the test build. The link to Hannants is https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE72062 It has taken a long time and some redesigns - the arrival of 3D printing meant starting all over again, and it was quite a learning curve.. It can be built with working articulation of the derrick, while the outrigger legs are movable unless you add the retraction jacks. We have also included multiples of some small parts to allow for breakage or loss in the carpet.

The first batch of 1:72 Mandator kits were delivered to Hannants today, 20th February 2023, Ref: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE72062