caughtinthemiddle

Inbox review: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-krupp-raumer-vs-kfz-617-takom/

Inbox review of the kit: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-reggiane-re-2005-special-hobby/ and dedicated aftermarket products: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-special-hobby-reggiane-re-2005-waloryzacje/

Exito Decals are proud to announce the release of the first two decals sets in 1/32 scale. There have been a lot of requests for these, and they have decided to give them a try, preparing the large scale versions of some previous releases. This includes the set entitled “Sexy Spitfires”, which contains markings for three aircraft: - Spitfire LF Mk.Vb (EN921), coded YO-A of No. 401 Sqn RCAF, flown by F/O Jack Sheppard, Redhill / Staplehurst / Biggin Hill, UK, July-October 1943. - Spitfire LF Mk.VIII (MT841), coded U of No. 2 Sqn RIAF, Kohat, British India, spring 1946. - Spitfire LF Mk.IXe (TA864), coded LW-L of No. 318 (Gdanski) Sqn RAF, flown by P/O Zdzisław Uchwat, Risano near Udine, Italy, May-June 1945. Illustrations were created by Janusz Swiatlon. All aircraft feature sexy nose art which is rarely seen on Supermarine Spitfires. For the very first time, artwork and markings of MT841 are correctly reproduced in decal form. This 1/32 scale set is available directly from the manufacturer: https://exito.site/en_GB/p/EXITO-DECALS-ED32003-132-Sexy-Spitfires-Supermarine-Spitfire-LF-Mk-Vb-VIII-IXe/56657 The second 1/32 scale release is entitled “Eastern Front Fighters” and covers three different Messerschmitts flown by notable Luftwaffe aces in the East: - Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7, ‘White 2’, flown by Lt. Heinrich Ehrler of 4./JG 5, Alakurtti, Finland, late April 1942. - Messerschmitt Bf 109 F-4 trop, WNr. 10266, flown by Maj. Gordon Gollob, Kommodore of JG 77, Oktoberfeld, Crimea, Soviet Union, between June 2 and 6, 1942. - Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6, ‘White 10’, flown by Oblt. Robert ‘Bazi’ Weiß, Kapitän of 10./JG 54, northern sector of the Eastern front, USSR, January 1944. Illustrations were created by Janusz Swiatlon and Anders Hjortsberg. The markings for Ehrler’s ‘Emil’ and G-6 of ‘Bazi’ Weiß have never been reproduced in decal form before, whilst Gollob’s Bf 109 F-4 trop did not receive enough attention from other manufacturers. This appears to be the first decal set on the market that contains the 4./JG 5 emblem (including a bonus one). This set is available directly from the manufacturer: https://exito.site/en_GB/p/EXITO-DECALS-ED32010-132-Eastern-Front-Fighters/56658 As previously, the decal sheets are printed by industry leader, Cartograf of Italy, which ensures top printing quality and ease of application. These are complemented by instructions that differ from the plain market standard. What you get are essentially high quality posters with accurate and inspiring illustrations. Each subject is presented on an A4-sized sheet, with large side aircraft profiles printed on the front, and the remaining artwork, reference photos and all necessary information laid out on the rear side. This way you not only get some cool decals for your model kit, but also attractive posters to adorn your man cave, at the same time! Further releases are already in preparation – you may follow Exito on FB not to miss the latest news: https://www.facebook.com/Exito-Decals

For what it's worth:

Inbox review of all three boxings: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-tbm-3-avenger-sword/

Boxart and marking options:

Detail is nice?? This thing looks like cast from plasticine in a soap mould, or the other way around.

Inbox review of DW48035 - Percival Proctor Mk.1: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-percival-proctor-mk-i-dora-wings/

He meant that the 1/48 Bis was released 2 years after other variants, and they are going to follow the same path with 1/72 rendition.

Inbox review - ref. 4004 - Nakajima A2N2: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-nakajima-a2n2-a-b-k-models/ Related accessories - Kotobuki Ha-1 engine, Type 97 bombs & Type 89 machine guns: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-nakajima-a2n-dodatki-a-b-k-models/

A new brand from Czech Republic is offering a range of 3D printed aircraft accessories, including ladders, wheel chocks and exhaust nozzles: http://lpmodels.eu/index.php?id_category=2&controller=category These products aren't particularly cheap, but the quality is impressive, especially considering they sell actual prints, and the required clean up is minimal. Here's an inbox review of their 1/72 and 1/48 MiG-21 ladders: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/mig-21-ladder-and-chocks-lp-models/

Inbox review with lots of photos: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-ural-4320-apa-5d-kittyhawk/

Besides, Panda doesn't have a Shilka in their range. The Meng kit had a competitor (or, as some said, a supplement, as I recall reading that to make an accurate Shilka one should mix Hong and Meng kits) from a brand called Hong Model, for which was the first and the last release and it doesn't seem widely available now. Furthermore, both Meng and Hong kits had/have a 50-60 euro price tag, whilst Zvezda's rebox of Dragon kit will probably cost circa half of this, which for many people will be decisive factor...

Dedicated F-4A-1 and F-5A Recon Lightning conversion sets (resin + decals) from CMK: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-recon-lightning-konwersje-cmk/ Exito Decals sheet for P-38F/G:

Inbox review: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-35-challenger-2-tes-ryefield-model/

The company that announced the Helldiver is Vespa Model Kits, apparently from Lima, Peru. Vespid Models is from Shanghai, China. Two different entities.

I must admit that I obtained ‘Swedish Bomber Colours 1924-1958’ from Mushroom/Stratus to complete the collection of books from their White Series rather that due to any special interest on the subject or the aircraft covered. However, it was a nice surprise to discover that Swedish bombers carried a fairly nice selection of insignia and nose art, which even included some pin up girls! The painting schemes were also different and interesting. On a total of 296 pages, ten aircraft types are described: FIAT BR and BR 1, Junkers Ju 86 K, Hawker Hart, Northrop 8A-1, Seversky/Republic 2PA Model 204 Guardsman, Fokker G.1B, Caproni Ca 313 R.P.B./S, SAAB 17 and 18. In each case a description of the particular aircraft’s origins and service in Sweden is provided and complemented by a table with technical data and characteristics and a listing of all examples of the type used (inc. serial numbers, contract numbers, units/codes, acceptance and SOC dates, hours flown and other remarks).This is, of course, followed by a detailed description of painting finishes and markings applied to the particular type (interestingly, in the case of SAAB 17 the aircraft in Danish, Ethiopian, Finnish and Austrian service are also covered) and colour profiles which depict various examples of the latter, coupled with photos of the actual aircraft as usual in this book series. Speaking of the photos, their number is great and their quality in most cases ranges from very good to excellent. In addition to dozens of black and white pictures, 31 period colour photos are also included. Overall, I’m impressed with this book and despite some glitches (to name a few: I’m not convinced to the idea of including Fokker G.1 considering none were ever delivered to Sweden; also the FS equivalents of RLM colours are rather off) I can highly recommend it to any aviation aficionado. Video preview courtesy of the publisher: Some sample photos I've taken:

Polish company Hobby 2000 has added the first two 1/35 scale kits to their range. Both are reboxed Takom kits with additional decal sheets printed by Cartograf (original decals are also included). The prices are lower than of the original Takom offerings, though. #35001 ZSU-57-2 1955-2017 Inbox review: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-35-zsu-57-2-hobby-2000/ #35002 T-55AM2B Kladivo

Inbox review of the Special Hobby 72407 boxing - Potez 25 TOE: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-potez-25-toe-special-hobby/

Inbox review of #72028 Vietnam Aces vol.2 (F-4D): https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-f-4d-phantom-ii-vietnam-aces-vol-2-hobby-2000/

Inbox review: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-48-mq-8c-fire-x-brengun/ Note that this is not a re-release - Attack Squadron never released this subject in 1/48 scale.

Inbox review of both boxings: https://www.kfs-miniatures.com/1-72-dewoitine-d-520-hobby-2000/

Never released, as many other announcements from AZ/KP. BTW, the boxart shown on the previous page follows the old mistake of yellow putty lines on the panel - they were actually grey.

Wingsy production runs are limited by the moulding technology - these are great kits, but still short runs. Their distribution (and therefore product availability -> sales) is also fairly limited and this won't get better until they change trading terms, improve communication and reduce the shipping cost (the latter may be the most difficult due to their location).