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Here's my offering - the Special Hobby MD-500E, or in this case the license-built version, Kawasaki OH-6DA, used as a trainer by the JMSDF. I'll probably be building 8779, c/n 0593E, based at Kanoya Air Base, though the decal sheet has options to depict some of the other machines in this series. It looks like nice plastic, a little bit of etch and resin are included, and it will make a nice change from the old school builds I have been doing lately. No start until the 6th of July earliest, as I am trying to progress some Airfix 109s in the Kit Built As A Kid GB.

Hi all, I am finally able to get the second member of the Sarcife trio rolled out and RFI for your delectation . It follows my earlier AD-4N, The link being the French pilot, Jacques Borne. Jacques had 663 hours on the Magister. The Groupment Aerient Presidentiel de Gabon (GAP) received four of these machines, while the Gabon Air Force is reported to have also received three (to be confirmed). While their role was formally to protect the head of state in practical terms it was ceremonial to a very great extent. These aircraft came from Austrian stock and, following Gabonese service, this machine – TR-KFJ/368 – went to the Congolese Air Force as 9Q-CPC. It was previously 4D-YQ in Austrian service. https://fougastribute.forumgratuit.org/t192-le-fouga-au-gabon-entre-1975-et-1990 The kit used here is the exceptionally fine Special Hobby offering. It is super-detailed, and I’d venture to suggest that it is the best in scale for this machine. There are a few fit issues but essentially it is a nicely engineered kit. My main area of angst was the upper nose gun section – which is slightly narrower than the lower section. To correct that I inserted a small shim after halving the section vertically (thanks for the encouragement @Wez). For anyone contemplating a similar build be aware that there are many minute parts! Also, the French liking for complex canopy mechanisms did not help, either. Having said that I managed to corral them and get them in the intended locations. Note also that the nose guns do not fit too well. I replaced them with Plastruct rod. For the markings I used the Max Decals set Fouga Magisters Part 1 (7205). The decals settle beautifully but I quickly discovered that they are not accurate in dimensions. The wing roundels are too small, the side pennants are too big, for example. In fairness it was a set that was designed before the SH kit came along. Anyhow, as it is the only option (to my knowledge) I soldiered on and got a nearly decent representation of the aircraft early in its Gabonese career. What did I use? 1. Kit – Special Hobby Fouga CM.170 Magister (72284) 1/72 2. Aftermarket – none 3. Decals – Max Decals (7205) See above, some kit stencilling and warning marks, 4. Paints – Humbrol Polished Aluminium (27002), Matt Black, Steel (27003), Gunmetal. Model Masters Fluorescent Orange-Red undercoated with white and yellow. Various other Humbrols. All enamel. Finished with Humbrol Satincote. 5. Other – broom bristle for the dorsal aerial. 6. Weathering etc – Flory Dark dirt to accentuate the numerous hatches etc, kept to a minimum plus a few wipes with Tamiya Weathering Powders here and there. I hope you like her. Now on with the third part of the trio Martin PS: now to get the Harvard III done

After the 1/72nd kit (link) Special Hobby (SH) is to release 1/48th SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 kits. First boxing - ref. SH48207 Sources: https://www.specialhobby.info/2020/09/siai-marchetti-sf260-new-148-and-172.html https://www.facebook.com/specialhobby/posts/1010336579406702 V.P.

source: czech forum A.R. from Special Hobby confirmed Mosquito project publicly announced some time ago is in progress and people from AZ/KP know it. The next battle in the war.

Special Hobby is to release a new variant from it's 1/72nd Boomerang kit as CAC CA-19 Boomerang under - ref. SH72426 Source: https://www.specialhobby.net/2020/08/sh72426-cac-ca-19-boomerang-172-boxart.html box art V.P.

Two different 1/72nd families of Cobra kits in view by AZ Models and another one by Special Hobby. The Czech ennemy brothers! A 1/72nd Bell AH-1G Cobra kit (early & late versions) is to be released in July by AZ Model. Soon also AH-1Q and TH-1G. Source: https://modelweb.eu/2013/12/23/172-ah-1g-huey-cobra-az-model/ - ref. AZ7450 Another family of 1/72nd Cobras (G and Q/S) is also to be released this summer by Special Hobby. Source: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234939769-new-72nd-scale-ah-1-cobra-available-soon/)1/72 3D renders V.P.

Hi All, Flushed with the success of my recent Chesapeake build, what better than to follow up with another single engine, twin seat FAA aircraft?! This one was decidedly more successful than the Chesapeake, however. I have the Trumpeter kit in my stash, but following @85sqn's advice (thanks Nick!), I'm leaving the Trumpy kit where it is and building the Special Hobby kit instead, which looks to be a far superior offering (and largely accurate, unlike the former ). I'm planning to build it as Z1830 of 1770 Sqn FAA, which flew from HMS Indefatigable in July 1944. This aircraft participated in Operation Mascot, which was the unsuccessful attack on the Tirpitz at anchorage in Kaafjord, Norway. And so to the kit. Here's the box artwork: And here's the sprue shots - detail looks good! There's a few resin pieces, including the undercarriage bays and some beautiful exhausts: The transfers look pretty good (although the IP decal is complete bobbins) I wouldn't say that bears too much resemblance to the real thing - have to do something about that! Anyway, on to the build. The kit only provides for a closed canopy, so I bravely decided to see if I could separate the canopy components. I started with the pilot's canopy, as if I stuffed it up I could always build the other version - I'm not as daft as I look I used masking tape over the joint, and after a few nerve-wracking minutes with the razor saw ended up with this Next I taped up the Observer's canopy - the stakes were somewhat higher for this one as there was only the one component: The first cut is the deepest (cue the music): And here's the lot after cleanup: I was this relieved! Next I primed all the cockpit components and gave them a squirt of interior green: Lastly I turned my attention to the instrument panel. Here it is after painting and drybrushing: Out came the trusty Airscale instrument transfers: And here's the final result after Microscale Gloss over each instrument (it's not quite dry so is a little milky): Not unhappy with that. Anyway, that's all for today, Thanks for looking, Roger

I finished my Deltas and am not happy with the result, they will be done again at a later date. The doctor said I have depression. I can't seem to concentrate on one thing for long, this build will be an attempt to clear my head of weird scenes and get myself back on track and hopefully finish my other WIPs. Enough of the sad stuff and get on with it. Sometime ago Navy Bird did a yellow and black stripped Anson. Love black and yellow strips. I didn't want to build an Anson and found this little Northrop. Love a Northrop. Some pics. Resin bits - Exhaust and propeller hub Decals Masks Thanks for having a look. Stephen on the mend

Heinkel He.162A Update Sets (for Special Hobby/Dragon) 1:72 CMK by Special Hobby The He.162 was the winner of the VolksJäger contest in the defence of the Reich once the war had turned against the Nazis. Special Hobby have a new tool kit on the books and have now released a small gaggle of upgrade parts for the detail enthusiast, broken down into three sets, plus another to update the older Dragon kit in the same scale. The two sets of wheels and the ejection seat are in the green-backed and bagged Quick & Easy series, while the two main sets for engine, gun bays and figures are in the usual yellow clamshell packs, all with instructions pinned to the rear. Wheels (Special Hobby Q72362 & Dragon Q72368) These two sets for their respective kits contain three wheel parts on a single casting block, with the mating point attaching to the slightly flattened contact patches. The sets are of course patterned to their kits, so select the one for you. BMW 003 Jet Engine (7443 for Special Hobby) This set contains six resin parts on their own casting blocks, complete with a fully detailed engine in two parts with two cowling parts plus intake lip and exhaust cowling, with the colour call-outs shown in the various instruction steps, and requiring a tiny piece of wire to portray the DF loop on top of the engine cowling. When complete, it drops into place on the upper fuselage of the model in place of the kit assembly. Gun Bays (7444 for Special Hobby) This set involves no cutting of the model, as Special Hobby have included the gun bay covers in the kit for the modeller to glue closed. This set fills that gap with six resin parts, two of those are the bays, two more for the MG 151/20 that inhabit each side of the nose, and two final parts provide in-scale bay doors with internal details to finish off. Ejection Seat (Q72361) The rudimentary ejection seat in the 162 was a simple affair with none of the crew-comforts we see in modern seats, and at 1:72 it’s a little thing. It is mounted on a casting block that needs cutting off, then the PE belts and additional seat parts in the shape of the foot-rests and hand-holds are attached, hopefully protecting the pilot from flail injuries in the event of an emergency ejection, providing the pilot didn’t lose grip. Three Pilot Figures (F72365) There are three pilots in the box, each in a different form of dress and pose. One is wearing a greatcoat and cap, looking skyward, the second is dressed ready to fly with helmet and parachute strapped to his back, adjusting his gloves. The final figure is dressed in typical pilot garb when off-duty, with breeches, leather jacket, knee-length boots and officer’s cap, doing a creditable impression of Adolf Galland from certain angles. You can use them individually or as a group, and they would be equally appropriate for any WWII German aircraft. Conclusion These sets take a modern kit and fill it with detail that will set it apart from the base kit, and give lots of scope for dioramas into the bargain. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Hawker Hunter Resin Upgrades (for Airfix) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby Airfix have a growing range of new tool Hunter kits in 1:48, which has pleased many, myself included. CMK have produced a series of sets for these kits individually so that the modeller can choose which areas they would like to upgrade and which to leave stock. We have four of these sets to review today, each of which arrives in a clearvac bubble pack with resin parts within and a header card that is folded over and stapled, trapping the instructions and parts within. Martin Baker Mk.2 Ejection Seat (Q48357) This set is part of the Quick & Easy line and contains just one resin part, the ejection seat that simply needs removing from its casting block with a razor saw, and a quick wash in warm soapy water to ensure the paint adheres well. The seatbelts are all moulded-in with excellent detail throughout, and it will provide a seriously good focal point for the cramped cockpit of the Hunter. Hunter F.6 Flaps (4389) This set contains two large resin parts and a sheet of Photo-Etch (PE) that requires a little cutting of the kit wings, thinning of edges, as well as moving the hinge cut-outs by first filling them and then cutting out new ones, as they are slightly out of position on the kit, all of which is documented in the instructions. The bay roof is made up from PE with additional parts fixed to the main skin. These are glued into the kit’s thinned upper wings, then the resin flaps with PE detail parts are fitted to the periphery, with some paint clearly interspersed with the building portion. Hunter F.6A/FGA.9 Flaps (4390) Almost identical to the above, this set has a curved cut-out in the outboard end of the flap to accommodate large fuel tanks under the wings. Hunter F.58A Flaps (4402) Another variation on the sets above, this one has a slightly smaller cut-out in the outboard end of the flap to accommodate fuel tanks under the wings. Conclusion Another set of extremely well-detailed resin upgrades from Special Hobby’s CMK line that will make your model shine just that little bit brighter. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Special Hobby & Azur-FRROM are working on a 1/72nd Martin (Glenn L.) B-10/B-12 family Source: https://www.facebook.com/specialhobby/photos/a.579303855843312/747141085726254/ V.P.

Reggiane Re.2000 Resin Upgrades (for Special Hobby) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby We reviewed the new kit from Special Hobby here in July, and they’ve also created these extra detail sets in resin for those that would like to take the level of detail up a bit. These sets from CMK’s Quick & Easy line arrive in small poly bags with a stiff green header card and a set of instructions behind the resin parts, with the top flipped over and stapled closed to keep the parts from running away. We have four sets in for review that give a boost to small areas hither and yon. Main Wheels (Q48371) Two drop-in replacements for the kit wheels, attached to their casting blocks at the bottom where a slight flat-spot is moulded to portray the weight of the aircraft on its tyres. Detail is excellent with Pirelli brand name and tyre specification on the sidewalls, and other than sanding smooth the contact patch, they just need a little wash in warm water to aid paint adhesion, and a dab of super glue to attach them to the kit axle. Tailwheel with Strengthened Leg (Q48372) This is another straight-forward replacement for the kit parts, made in a tough black resin, and consisting of four parts. The tyre slips between the two arms of the yoke, which slides into a pivot that is heavily riveted, and has a bracing arm that reaches forward to the next frame, which in this case is the forward bulkhead of the tail-wheel bay, then the rest of the bay encloses the whole replacement assembly before being trapped within the fuselage at closure time. Exhausts (Q48373) There are just two parts in this set that replace the soft kit exhausts and adds more detail around them, fixing to the underside of the trailing edge of the engine cowling. They have fine lips and a deep recess to give a hollow appearance to the real thing. Headrest (Q48374) This two-part set replaces the simplified kit headrest with a highly detailed resin one, that is supplied with a separate rear to allow easy reaming out of the flashed-over lightening holes, and a hollow frame just like the real one. A huge improvement over the kit part. Review sample courtesy of

Special Hobby is to re-edit the Azur 1/48th Vought V-156F Vindicator "Aeronavale Service" kit under ref. SH 48213 This kit will contain the original Accurate Miniatures SB2U sprues (link) with new plastic wing for French version, new windshield, big PE parts and detailed PUR part. The decals will offer markings for four a/c instead of three as in the Azur boxing. Sources: https://www.specialhobby.net/2020/09/v-156f-vindicator-aeronavale-service.html https://www.facebook.com/specialhobby/posts/1015138792259814 V.P.

F-104 Starfighter Resin Updates (for Kinetic) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby We’ve just reviewed the new boxing of Kinetic’s F-104G/TF-104G in 1:48 right here, and CMK have been johnny-on-the-spot and produced these new resin sets for the kit, which actually arrived before the kit. We’ve got three of them so far, and each one arrives in a clear blister pack with a yellow header card and instructions behind the parts. Photo-Etch (PE) parts are secured behind a piece of clear acetate to protect them from damage during transit. F-104G/J Electronics Box (4400) Suitable for the single-seat fighter only due to the different contours of the fuselage around the nose of the two-seater, this set provides six resin parts to create the electronics bay on the starboard underside of the nose next to the nose gear bay. Firstly, the panel that is to be removed is marked in red on the instructions, with the bay shell fitted into the aperture with some fettling to get it snug and well-placed. The bay has detail in one half and an insert completing the details, then a pair of edge-inserts fitted to the top of the bay, and the new open panel in scale-thickness resin is attached to the bottom lip with a stay included for the front corner. F-104 Starfighter Engine (4401) This set allows opening the engine bay in the belly of the aircraft, which straddles the two fuselage halves and will mean removal of two sections, one from each half, marked in red in the instructions. The underbelly strake must also be cut in half carefully, retaining both halves for later. Inside the fuselage are placed two internal skins for the area, then the engine insert can be installed during the fuselage closing process. Two ribs are placed in the front and rear of the bay that hide the thickness of the fuselage, then a new highly detailed in-scale bay door is fitted out with the front half of the kit strake, while the rear section is glued to the kit on the centreline. A resin stay is included to hold the bay open to the correct angle. Detail to the engine insert is superb as can be seen below. F-104G/J Port Side Cannon Installation (4405) This set will require the removal of the gun bay panels on the port side, as shown in red on the instructions, then inserting the bay from behind. The resin breech mechanism is fitted with six resin barrels held at the front by a PE spacer and a perforated muzzle, and it is noted that the barrels have closed muzzles, and could be replaced by some ultra-fine tubing from Albion Alloys for example. PE edges to the bay with etched holes for the fasteners are supplied and fitted around the major edges, then the two bay doors are glued in place as per the instructions, with a small stay holding the aft section to the correct angle. Conclusion These sets offer a simple upgrade path for the detail aficionado without requiring extensive modifications, and should be relatively easy for your average modeller. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

My entry for the whirlybird GB. I'm hoping this may be a quick long weekend build...but we will see as things rarely go as well as planned. Setting the stage for a Vietnam themed second half of 2020, with an OV-1B earmarked for @trickyrich's Vietnam GB, and a likely F-4J for @Col.'s Interceptor GB. The all important starting pic!

Newsletter January 2020 http://www.specialhobby.info/2020/01/news-from-special-hobby-012020.html Thread about the 2019 newsletters: link V.P.

In February 1942, My wife’s grandfather, (400057 Sergeant Byron Lewis RAAF) was posted to 203 Squadron. Between February and June 1942 he flew as a Wop/AG (in the crew of P/O (later F/O) Fox and post the 22 June 1942 ‘mine incident’ he flew as a member of F/LT (later S/Ldr) Manford’s crew) until he was posted out to 70 OTU in October 1942. Thanks to being able to access the records of 203 and download them for free, I am piercing together his flying record for 1942 (through cross Referencing narratives with serial numbers) to determine aircraft he flew in. For this groupbuild (and our son, my wife and her family) I will build a 1/48 Maryland as a tribute and touchstone to the family link to the Mediterranean Theatre in WW2. Actual aircraft to be modelled TBC Placeholder image of box top art as kit still on it’s way to me:

Special Hobby is to release a family of Allison engined 1/72nd Curtiss P-40 Warhawk kits from P-40E to N. Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2017/02/info-z-norimberku-no2.html V.P.

Special Hobby is to release in 2020 1/48th Reggiane Re.2000 Falco kits - ref. SH48204 - Reggiane Re.2000 Falco - Serie 1 - released https://www.specialhobby.eu/en/our-own-production/special-hobby/reggiane-re-2000-i-serie.html - ref. SH48205 - Reggiane Re.2000 Falco - ref. SH48208 - Reggiane J-20 Héja I - "Re 2000 Falco Export Birds" - released https://www.specialhobby.eu/en/our-own-production/special-hobby/j-20-heja-i-re-2000-export-1-1-1-1-birds.html Source: http://www.specialhobby.info/2019/09/news-from-special-hobby-102019.html?m=1 V.P.

Special Hobby (SH) is to re-release its 1/32nd North American X-15A-2 "White Ablative Coating" (link) kit under ref. SH32081 Source: https://www.specialhobby.net/2020/08/sh32081-x-15a-2-white-ablative-coating.html Box art V.P.

This will be my entry for this GB, I won't actually get started until after I finish my studies in September. The aircraft is BuAer No.89411, 3.F.10 of the Aeronavale's 3F based at Bach Maï during the battle for Dien Bien Phu in 1954. I'll be using the Special Hobby SB2C-5 kit which is itself based upon the Academy SB2C-4 kit with some extra goodies to make up for the differences in the two sub-types. While the kit has markings for an Indochina based aircraft I'll be using the Model Art decals for the unit markings and serials at least. Whilst the aircraft was assigned to 3F, the Allied Wings book has a picture of this aircraft at Bach Maï and it still wears the badge of the Khourigba Station Flight, Kourigba being in North Africa, fortunately the Model Art set includes these markings. The aircraft got into quite a tatty state and was scrapped on its return to France, so I'm aiming for the well worn look with this one! Here's the kit and decals: And here are the references, the SAMI article has a useful build article for the Academy SB2C-4 which I'll be leaning on during the build. This will be my first build post studies so I'm hoping to be able to do it justice, it's so good to have time to return properly to modelling! Thanks for looking and good luck to all in this GB!

MPM is to re-release its 1/72nd A-17 kit as Northrop A-17 Nomad Mk.1 - ref.SH72292 Source: http://www.mpmkits.net/2015/10/sh72292-nomad-mki.html Box art V.P.

Special Hobby is to re-release the Azur (link) 1/72nd Supermarine Sea Otter Mk.I "WWII Service" kit - ref. SH72429 Source: https://www.specialhobby.net/2020/07/sh72429-supermarine-sea-otter-mki-wwii.html Box art+schemes+decals V.P.

Special Hobby is to re-release (link) or new tool (?) a 1/72nd Lockheed Vega model 5 "Lady Lindy" - ref. SH72422 Source: http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2020/Nuernberg_2020.html V.P.

Despite the recent release of the Italeri's Sunderland Mk.I (review: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=234927542), the Special Hobby Short Sunderland Mk.V project seems going on. Some CAD drawings are proposed in ModelForum: http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=97&p=1362198#p1362198 Future kit reference is SH72162. Wait and see. V.P.