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Hello everyone ... Im posting this for now, as I am still planning on joining in. That will be delayed to some degree due to a temporary loss of modeling space. Im hoping to be back at it in 3-4 weeks. This kit was a gift from a fellow member who had seen a post by myself about wanting to build one. He decided due to the complexity of Special Hobby kits, it would be best to give it to an established modeler. Rather than a new builder who may be frustrated and turned away from the hobby. I give you the interesting and quirky looking B-18 Bolo. Im still of two minds as to markings I would like to do this in. Originally I was planning on an early war Submarine hunter like this one. The plane in the center of the formation is the same as this Plane. another example of an early war Bolo. However doing research for this i found a few in Neutrality patrol markings, such as in this photo. That is now starting to pique my interest. Here are the remainder of sprue shots. Not a duplicate photo just a duplicate sprue. The kit is the RCAF Digby version thus the British markings. I could still opt to do that as a markings option as well ? The kit has a small fret of etch and resin as well. This is all the decals collected to do any of the versions i am undecided on. My plan is to move and rebuild my office asap, then get back to building. Dennis

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 SH72262. Wait and see. V.P.

I got this a couple of weeks ago and rashly dived straight in. I do like Fulmar's and have quite a few done and more than a few in the stash. Although criticised as being a bit slow and not terribly aerobatic, it was a very effective fleet defence fighter. Remember, it was never designed to dog fight against fighters but defend the fleet against long range bombers and reconnaissance aircraft as well as acting as a spotter for gunnery. It did had a long range and could stay in the air for a long time, as well as being a stable and effective gun platform. Fulmars shot down more enemy aircraft than any other FAA fighter so it wasn't a failure and certainly was a major factor in the success of the Malta convoys. A nice set of well moulded sprues, although there is a little flash. Good cockpit and wheel well detail. There is a bit of paint on them already. I did say that I had dived straight in. Nice nice instructions but in traditional SH manner some locations are a bit vague. Clear sprue, a little bit of resin and some etch. Good transfer sheet from Cartograf for four versions I am going to do this version as it's a bit different. Happy modelling to come hopefully. I have also got a masking set. I recall the time it took to mask my previous attempts.

"Czech wars" is not over. After the surprise re-release announcement from the AZmodel 1/72nd SMB2 kit (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235011686-172-dassault-super-mystère-b2-smb2-by-azmodel-re-release-box-artschemessprues-release-december-2016/ Special Hobby is to release, in cooperation with Azur-FROMM, a new tool 1/72nd Dassault Super Mystère B2 (SMB2) kit - ref. SH? Armements and fuel tanks will be included in the box. Different boxings will offer the opportunity to reproduce the original SMB2 as well as the Israeli re-engined variant. Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2016/11/super-mystere-172-pripravovany-model.html CADs Special Hobby, do you hear me, true scale modellers need a 1/48th SMB2 kit... V.P.

Hi all With work on the house going on a pace , I have not had much time for modelling unfortunately. However whilst waiting for the electrician to attend I have had to stop until he has completed his work so I have had some rare modelling time, so I made the most of it. I have made a start and progressed this little beauty, as well as doing some of my 32 Spitfire build also. I bought this some time ago and it will hopefully sit well with the Sea Fury T20 and Airspeed Oxford T2 I have already built. It is a nice Kit, although being a short run Kit some preparations are needed along the way for fit in later stages. The Kit has a combination of Injection moulded plastic, some resin parts and some Photo etched parts. Box shot The resin cockpit parts really do look nice under a coat of paint A Test fit revealed work was needed o the wing to fuselage joint at the front end to get it to sit right and all the mating surfaces were flatted to ensure as good a joint as possible. Resin cockpit pieces assembled wand glued in place, fitting was checked regularly and all went in fairly well, although the resin seemed to be resistant to CA at first. I have got a bit of a gap along the top of the rear cockpit area but I did not have enough hands at the time !!! Undercarriage bays in place, I thinned off the top of the bays until I daren't take any more off and then took a small amount off the bottom of the front cockpit floor lug and they now go together well. That's it for now, I can't wait to get on with some ore now. Thanks for looking All the best Chris

The Royal Australian Navy operated Wirraway trainers from HMAS Albatross, Nowra from 1948 through the 1950's. This is the Special Hobby "First Blood over Rabaul" kit with the "Boring Old Silver" decal set from Red Roo Models. It's basically out of the box apart from scratch-built undercarriage doors (the originals being rather thick). This is my first completed model in well over a year.

My original plan was a couple of jet trainers but whilst perusing EBay came across the little Bestmann, a side by side trainer from the Luftwaffe. Turns out the Swiss had some interned ones which were painted up in their red/white neutrality markings, so I am going with that. https://goo.gl/images/Q6Q3eZ

I’ve not built a kit or posted to the forum for quite a while now, having been pre-occupied by work, study and associated activities. I decided to make amends over Christmas holidays and made a start on the latest of my Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm collection. This time it’s a post-war Wirraway, most likely A20-168 (972) from HMAS Albatross as depicted in these Red Roo decals. There’s only a few photos I can find of RAN Wirraways online and markings and paint schemes are all different and ambiguous as to whether yellow training stripes on the rear fuselage and top wings were carried over from RAAF service, or over-painted with aluminium paint. I’m using the Special Hobby 1/72 First Blood over Rabaul kit. It’s been going together quite well, albeit with the usual checking and fettling in order to get the parts to fit nicely. I noted conflicting references about the cockpit interior colour and decided to go with a metal finish, rather than interior green. All pictures I see of Wirraways on the ground show the elevators slightly dropped so I cut these in order to give depict this in the build. Otherwise, it’s pretty much out of the box. The wing roots needed a fair bit of filling with plastic strip and putty and a moderate degree of fettling to sit properly around the wheel wells, and there was a bit of work tidying up the landing light recesses, but it’s looking very much like a Wirraway. One issue I’m yet to resolve is mounting the engine cowling as it appears to have nothing to physically connect it to the fuselage. Perhaps the trick is to mount it first to the engine and then mount the engine onto the fuselage. No pressure yet as that and the engine will go on after I’ve painted the fuselage and wings.

After the 2018 newsletters (link) here are the Special Hobby newsletters 2019  n°1 - January 2019 - http://www.specialhobby.info/2018/12/news-from-special-hobby.html V.P.

This little F3F will be my entry for the Group Build but I still have to make a decision on which version to build, hence the ambiguity in the topic title. I think that the main external differences between the -2 and -3 are to do with the cowling shape, so once I have chosen the version I will amend the title and include the unit details. I haven't built a Special Hobby kit before but it looks to be a nice kit and includes resin and etch parts for some of the details. Without further ado here are the obligatory box and content shots consisting of a small etch fret, a bag of resin parts, canopy, decal sheet and the plastic parts on a single sprue. All of that should make it a fun build. by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr

This Special Hobby boxing of the F3F-2 was the first of my weekend completions. It was built straight from the box with a couple of scratch details such as the aerial tensioning spring, though looking at that detail now it is probably a tad over scale, I must use a smaller shank drill to wrap the wire around next time. Grumman F3F-2 Bu.No 0976 2-MF-7 USMC, VMF-2 by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr by John L, on Flickr

Special Hobby is to release in 2018 a family of Armstrong Whitworth Meteor nightfighters kits incl. NF.11/12/13 & 14 - ref. SH72358, 72360, 72363 & 72364 Source: http://www.specialhobby.net/2017/12/sh72358360363364-aw-meteory-nf.html Canopies mould V.P.

Source: http://modelweb.modelforum.cz/2013/10/19/novinky-od-mpm-production-na-rijen-2013/?lang=CS MPM is working on 1/72nd Potez-Air-Fouga CM.170R Magister (& Tzukit) and CM.175 Zéphyr kits. Bad news for the Valom similar project: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234946157-172nd-potez-air-fouga-cm170r-magister-by-valom/?hl=magister V.P.

source: http://modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=77712&start=720#p1880503 "Dalšími v pořadí nejbližšími rozpracovanými projekty (ono je toho docela hodně) je moderní dvoumotorák s vrtulemi a druhoválečná stíhačka." next project is a twin-engine modern aircraft with propellers And next is WW2 fighter http://modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=77712&start=735#p1880919 "ne, nebude to Turbolet, lítá to nebo lítalo na západ od nás (a na jih, sever a možná i na východ)" No, not L-410 Turbolet. It flies or flew to the west of Czech Republic (and to the south, north and maybe to the east) type is still secret

Special Hobby is to re-release the MPM 1/72nd Breda Ba.88B Lince kit - ref. SH72397 Release is expected in May 2019. Source: http://www.specialhobby.info/2018/10/standa-hajek-new-paintings-for-sh72384.html Box art V.P.

Special Hobby is to release 1/32nd Fieseler Fi.103 kits. - ref. SH32071 - Fi.103/V-1 - release in October 2018 - ref. SH32074 - Fi-103R/V-1 Reichenberg - release in January 2019 Source:https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1882174765210712&id=256992114395660 V.P.

Special Hobby has announced for 2017-2018 a 1/72nd Blohm & Voss BV-155 V-1 kit - ref. SH72340. Source: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235016099-novelties-from-special-hobby/ V.P.

Following the 1/72nd scale kits (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973208-172-sg-38-schulgleiter-sk-38-komar-by-mpm-productions-test-shots/?hl=schulgleiter) Special Hobby is to release 1/48th SG-38 Schulgleiter kits. - ref. 48139 - SG-38/K-38 Schulgleiter/Komár Czech, Polish and DDR markings Source: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SH48139 - ref. 48141 - SG-38 Schulgleiter German and Slovak service Source: http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/SH48141 V.P.

Azur is to re-release the Special Hobby 1/72nd Vought SB2U-1/-2 Vindicator/ V-156B Chesapeake Mk.I http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F234950627-v-156b-chesapeake-mki-172-special-hobby%2F kit as a V-156F French Aéronavale Vindicator. Source: http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=97&p=1534238#p1534238http://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=97&p=1534238#p1534238 V.P.

Special Hobby is to re-release the Azur-FRROM (link) 1/72nd Breguet Br.693AB.2 "French Attack-Bomber" kit - ref. SH72396 Source: https://www.specialhobby.eu/vlastni-produkce-1/special-hobby/breguet-br-693ab-2-french-attack-bomber-1-72.html V.P.

Special Hobby is to release a 1/72nd Dornier Do.27 kit - ref.SH72327 Source: https://www.facebook.com/specialhobby/photos/a.458974014197468.1073741825.256992114395660/985391688222362/?type=3&theater Maybe next time in quarter scale... V.P.

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.

Just a quick note to say we still get new kits in stock whenever we can! Here's a few recent releases that are all available at discounted prices! Airfix 1/48 - Hunter (sold out but can be ordered) Airfix 1/72 - Phantom FGR.2, Me262B-1a/U1 Arma Hobby 1/72 - Hurricane Mk I (both Expert and Junior kits) KP 1/72 Ju52 (ex Italeri) Special Hobby 1/72 - Kittyhawk Mk III, Do27 (Israeli) https://mjwmodels.co.uk/ thanks Mike

I've got myself the new Special Hobby 1/72 Kittyhawk Mk III (P-40K) and I want to check the colours for the RNZAF one on the box art. The instructions say Foliage Green on top and Grey-Green (I think they mean RAF Sky Type S) underneath. Would this be correct? The Special Hobby P-40 kits are brilliant btw, everyone should make one! thanks Mike

WWII RAF Mechanic in India & Elephant with Mahout(F48345) 1:48 CMK by Special Hobby The mighty elephant is used as heavy plant even today in India, and it has been a beast of burden there for probably thousands of years. During WWII, they were used extensively in the war effort, which is why we have this set here. As usual with Special Hobby's larger resin sets, they arrive in the familiar long clamshell box, with the resin parts safely cocooned inside along with a few pachy-peanuts to keep it still, and the instructions sandwiched between the two halves, doubling as the header card. The set contains three figures, one of which is large and grey – in fact, they're all grey at this stage, and all a bit wrinkly too, but I digress. The elephant is moulded as a single large casting, with the remnants of the casting block left along its spine, which will need a little tidying up with a sander. There are a couple of bubbles on the high points of the head, but as these are usually pretty humpy, a little rod super glued into the hole and sanded back will solve that and it's a simple tusk, so they're Irrelephant. The rider, known as a Mahout or handler is sat astride the back of the beast, with separate arms and a narrow stick for guiding the elephant's movements. The British Mechanic looks a little like king George VI, and is standing with his hands in his pocket (a common pose for a mechanic), and a thin sheet of flash between his spindly, shorts clad legs. The two human figures also have a line of flash running from their chins, which can be quickly scraped off so isn't a mammoth job, and is there to prevent bubbles lodging in the lower halves of the faces, thereby ruining them. As usual with resin, take the precaution of wearing a mask when cutting or sanding resin, as the tiny particles are harmful to your health if breathed in. Washing ivory one of the parts in warm water will also improve the adhesion of paint, as there may still be some moulding release agent on the parts when you receive them. Don't be a dumbo – take precautions! Conclusion A 1:48 elephant isn't something you see every day, and will make an interesting addition to any diorama, so get thinking and join the herd. You could even use it humorously to trumpet your feelings about any military procurement, simply by painting it white and posing it next to the object of your ire. Makes a change from those boring grey….J... Err…. Pachyderms. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of