Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Beacon Models - Kickstarter Campaign NOW OPEN!!

 


 Beacon Models - Kickstarter Campaign

The kickstarter campaign for Beacon Models WII Battle of Britain (Part 1) collection is now open and ready to accept your pledges.




KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN IS NOW OPEN

(Shipping November 2021)

 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beacon-models/the-few-part-1

Follow on: 

https://www.facebook.com/beaconmodels 

https://www.instagram.com/beacon_models/


Beacon Models presents; The Few - Part 1; the first part of a collection of plastic 1/144 scale model kits, featuring iconic aircraft that fought in the Battle of Britain. Beacon Models want to create world class plastic hobby kits, and Beacon Models need your help to bring the vision to life. 

Help Beacon Models exceed our funding goals to unlock stretch goals, including extra plastic parts included with all kits, and more decal sets as free bonuses. 


BEACON MODELS VISION

2020 marked the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and Beacon Models want to produce model kits that will allow scale modellers and tabletop gamers to build a collection of these aircraft with the assurance that the models will be of the highest quality, fidelity and consistency while also being user friendly. The first two aircraft  developed for Part 1 of this collection are the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1 and the Messerschmitt Bf 109E. 

If this campaign is successfully funded and delivered, Beacon Models hope to develop more kits depicting aircraft from the Battle of Britain in the future, then more famous aircraft from the Second World War and beyond into the Cold War and modern eras. 

You can see more about our plans for Part 2 and Part 3 of The Few on https://beacon-models.com/index.php/kickstarter-launch/the-few-roadmap/


THE KITS

The kits will be injection moulded High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) plastic, as is typical for hobby kits. A sprue of clear polycarbonate canopy parts is also provided, which will be polished to a high transparency. We will produce three separate kit boxes if this campaign is successfully funded:

Kit 1: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1a, Twin Set.

Kit 2: Messerschmitt Bf109E-3/E-4, Twin Set.

Kit 3: Spitfire Mk.1 Vs Bf109E, Dogfight Set.

If we reach our stretch goals, we will also add extra parts to the plastic frames to include more variants of each aircraft, and we will develop more decal sets as Bonus Items to suit these other variants. 






STRETCH GOALS

Beacon Models  hope that you will support us and help fund our campaign, and if we exceed our funding goals, Beacon Models  want to thank you by giving you more rewards options and bonus rewards in exchange for you pledge! Every time Beacon Models  reach a stretch goal, it will unlock more options for the kits such as decals and extra parts. The more you help spread the word and encourage your friends to pledge, the more extra bonuses and rewards Beacon Models  will be able to send to everyone when the pledges are fulfilled, and it will provide us with the development budget to make these kits the best they can be.




ABOUT BEACON MODELS

Beacon Models was founded in 2020, and is a collaboration between two expert plastic model kit designers. Will Jayne has been designing model kits for over ten years, and is best known for his plastic kit designs for Flames of War and Team Yankee by Battlefront miniatures. Prior to this new venture, Bryan Wall worked as lead designer at Wingnut Wings for over a decade, one of the most prestigious producers of model aircraft kits in the world. Additionally, renowned aviation artist Mark Postlethwaite (GAvA) has kindly offered his expertise in historic aircraft as well as his extensive library of oil paintings and books, which will feature in our packaging and other rewards. Which will feature in Beacon Models  packaging and other rewards.

SHIPPING INFORMATION

This Kickstarter will ship to backers anywhere in the world. In order to give our backers the best value and a reliable fulfilment experience, Beacon Models  have chosen to work with ShipQuest, who are am  expert logistics partner. They have years of experience with running and fulfilling hobby and gaming product projects on Kickstarter, and Beacon Models  know that with them our project will be in great hands. Their logistics solution is Brexit Proof, so shipping to Europe will be hassle free with no unexpected customs charges or handling fees for our EU backers. They will of  course ship to backers anywhere else in the world. Shipping with be charged through a third party pledge manager, after the campaign has finished.













Friday, May 14, 2021

1/144 Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa 隼 "Army Type 1 Fighter" - SWEET Models



1/144  Nakajima Ki-43-I Hayabusa 隼 "Army Type 1 Fighter" - SWEET Models

Shizuoka Hobby Show announcement, the first new Sweet Mold since 2015?


Source of images:  ume_retire https://twitter.com/ume_retire/












Augusta-Bell 47 J Ranger / H-13 by LF Models

 





Augusta-Bell 47 J Ranger / H-13 by LF Models

New range of Helicopter kits in plastic coming from LF models.

http://www.lfmodels.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_47

Saturday, May 08, 2021

1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘In Africa’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) - MARK I Models

 


1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘In Africa’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) (Italian AF, South African AF) - MARK I Models

The Fiat G.50 was an Italian fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s, which became the most advanced fighter to be produced in Italy at that time. The prototype flew in February 1937, while the first production aircraft were delivered to the air force two years later.

In the autumn of 1940, an improved version with an extended combat range was introduced and designated the G.50bis. In total, production of the G.50 reached 784 aircraft in seven production series; 426 of which were manufactured by Fiat (Aeritalia) and another 358 were built by CMASA. 58 aircraft were exported: 13 G.50s to Spain, 35 aircraft to Finland and 10 went to Croatia.

It was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane featuring an open cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a Fiat A.74 two-row radial engine and was fitted with a Hamilton-Fiat propeller. The first versions of the G.50 were fitted with different configurations of armament: either a single or a pair of 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and an additional pair of 7.7mm guns in the wings. The Fiat G.50bis can be distinguished by the redesigned tail, addition of a larger rudder and relocated tail wheel.

The Fiat G.50s were extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including deployment in Belgium, North Africa, in the Balkans, in the Aegean and the Italian mainland. In Finland they served with distinction during the Winter War of 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941 "44 against the Soviet Union.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (CMASA-built), Black 378-Red 8 (MM unknown), 378th Flight (378a Squadriglia), 155th Fighter Squadron (155° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), Independent Wing (Stormo Autonomo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Tripoli-Castel Benito airfield, Italian Libya, July 1941

2) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (Fiat/Aeritalia-built), Black 352-Red 9 (MM 5936), 352nd Flight (352a Squadriglia), 20th Fighter Squadron (20° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 51st Wing (51° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Martuba airfield, Italian Libya, July 1941

3) Fiat G.50bis Srs.VII (CMASA-built), Black 151-Red 2 (MM 6385), 151st Flight (151a Squadriglia), 20th Fighter Squadron (20° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 51st Wing (51° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Sidi Rezegh airfield, Italian Libya, November 1941

4) Fiat G.50bis, Grey WR, No. 40 Squadron, South African Air Force, Castel Benito airfield, Libya, spring 1943

 

Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 36 parts and one clear part (the cockpit windshield). 

A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

Manufacturer:Mark I Models

Code Number:MKM144129 

Estimated Price: TBC

Estimated Release Date: TBC

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144129 

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=&art=179105




1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘Initial Series’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) - MARK I Models (updated)




1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘Initial Series’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) Italian AF, Finnish AF) - MARK I Models

The Fiat G.50 was an Italian fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s, which became the most advanced fighter to be produced in Italy at that time. The prototype flew in February 1937, while the first production aircraft were delivered to the air force two years later.

In the autumn of 1940, an improved version with an extended combat range was introduced and designated the G.50bis. In total, production of the G.50 reached 784 aircraft in seven production series; 426 of which were manufactured by Fiat (Aeritalia) and another 358 were built by CMASA. 58 aircraft were exported: 13 G.50s to Spain, 35 aircraft to Finland and 10 went to Croatia.

It was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane featuring an open cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a Fiat A.74 two-row radial engine and was fitted with a Hamilton-Fiat propeller. The first versions of the G.50 were fitted with different configurations of armament: either a single or a pair of 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and an additional pair of 7.7mm guns in the wings. The Fiat G.50bis can be distinguished by the redesigned tail, addition of a larger rudder and relocated tail wheel.

The Fiat G.50s were extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including deployment in Belgium, North Africa, in the Balkans, in the Aegean and the Italian mainland. In Finland they served with distinction during the Winter War of 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941 "44 against the Soviet Union.


Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Fiat G.50 Srs.IV (CMASA-built), Black 352-Red 13 (MM 5403), 352nd Flight (352a Squadriglia), 20th Fighter Squadron (20° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 56th Wing (56° Stormo), Italian Air Corps (Corpo Aereo Italiano, CAI), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Ursel airfield, Belgium, autumn 1940

2) Fiat G.50 Srs.IV (CMASA-built), Black 354-Red 3 (MM unknown), 354th Flight (354a Squadriglia), 24th Fighter Squadron (24° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 52nd Wing (52° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Tirana airfield, Albania, January 1941

3) Fiat G.50 Srs.III (CMASA-built), FA-27 (MM 4944), Black FA-27, 3/LeLv 26 (3rd Fltight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Kilpasilta airfield, Finland, 1942

4) Fiat G.50 Srs.I (CMASA-built), FA-17 (MM 3599), Black FA-17/White 1, 1/LeLv 26 (1st Flight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Lunkula airfield, Finland, summer 1941







Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 38 parts and one clear part (the cockpit windshield). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

 Code Number:MKM144127

Estimated Price: TBC (17Euro)

Estimated Release Date: TBC

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144127

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=&art=179103





1/144 FIAT G.50/50bis ‘Italian Arrow’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) - MARK I Models



1/144 FIAT G.50/50bis ‘Italian Arrow’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) (Italian AF, Finnish AF, Luftwaffe) - MARK I Models

The Fiat G.50 was an Italian fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s, which became the most advanced fighter to be produced in Italy at that time. The prototype flew in February 1937, while the first production aircraft were delivered to the air force two years later.

In the autumn of 1940, an improved version with an extended combat range was introduced and designated the G.50bis. In total, production of the G.50 reached 784 aircraft in seven production series; 426 of which were manufactured by Fiat (Aeritalia) and another 358 were built by CMASA. 58 aircraft were exported: 13 G.50s to Spain, 35 aircraft to Finland and 10 went to Croatia.

It was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane featuring an open cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a Fiat A.74 two-row radial engine and was fitted with a Hamilton-Fiat propeller. The first versions of the G.50 were fitted with different configurations of armament: either a single or a pair of 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and an additional pair of 7.7mm guns in the wings. The Fiat G.50bis can be distinguished by the redesigned tail, addition of a larger rudder and relocated tail wheel.

The Fiat G.50s were extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including deployment in Belgium, North Africa, in the Balkans, in the Aegean and the Italian mainland. In Finland they served with distinction during the Winter War of 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941"44 against the Soviet Union.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (Fiat/Aeritalia-built), Black 367-Red 2 (MM unknown), 367th Flight (367a Squadriglia), 151st Fighter Squadron (151° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 53rd Wing (53° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Turin-Caselle airfield, Italy, spring 1942

2) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (Fiat/Aeritalia-built), Red 163/3 (MM 5943), 163rd Flight (163a Squadriglia), 161st Fighter Squadron (161° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), Independent Wing (Stormo Autonomo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Taranto-Grottaglie airfield, Italy, February 1943

3) Fiat G.50 Srs.I (CMASA-built), FA-25 (MM 3614), Black FA-25/Yellow 1, 3/LeLv 26 (3rd Flight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Kilpasilta airfield, Finland, October 1942

4) Fiat G.50bis Srs.VII (CMASA-built), White 352 (MM 6352), 3./JG 108, Luftwaffe, Wiener-Neustadt airfield, Austria, summer 1944


Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 40 parts and one clear part (the cockpit windshield). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

Code Number:MKM144128

Estimated Price: TBC

Estimated Release Date: TBC

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144128

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=&art=179104