[New and restocked items]

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

 

 

[New and restocked items]

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

[New and restocked items]

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

[1:144 Vickers Valiant B2 conversion]

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.

[1:144 Vickers Valiant B2 conversion]

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

[B-58 crew steps - 3D printed version]

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.

[B-58 crew steps - 3D printed version]

4 hours ago, TheyJammedKenny! said:

I can't wait until you do the same with your Heston Steps, if that's in the cards for you!  These look promising.

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.

[B-58 crew steps - 3D printed version]

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

[Titan Models (USA) 1:72 A380 kit]

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/

 

 

 

 

[XB-70 CREW ACCESS STEPS]

AIM - Ground Equipment - this is the link: https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/GE72113

 

They currently have 3 left in stock.

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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.

 

[1:72 Vulcan tow bar - 3D printed version]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[XB-70 CREW ACCESS STEPS]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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)

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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.

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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.

[RAF Bedford V-bomber crew bus]

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

[1:72 Mandator Blue Steel Transporter kit delivered to Hannants]

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

 

 

[Meteor BVRAAM]

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.

 

 

 

 

[1:72 Mandator Blue Steel Transporter kit delivered to Hannants]

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

[1:72 Mandator Blue Steel Transporter kit delivered to Hannants]

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.

[1:72 Mandator Blue Steel Transporter kit delivered to Hannants]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VULCAN GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT]

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