1/148 BP 42 and BP 44 Armored Trains Series - By Panzer vs Tanks

1/148  BP 42 and BP 44 Armored Trains Series  - By Panzer vs Tanks
(also available in 1/160)

After making an initial introduction on the KG144 BBS Panzer Vs Tanks is continuing to expand his range of BP42 and BP44 items to include other components of the train. Currently the items appear to be static models and as such would be at home with your Dragon Panzer Korps or Brengun.cz items. I image with some ingenuity and adaption you might be able to get these to run on 9mm N-Gauge track?

Items can be purchased via Shapeways: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/panzervstanks

1/144 Dornier Do-27 - Miniwing

1/144 Dornier Do-27 - Miniwing
This latest release from Miniwing brings us a nice little light utility aircraft that has been widely used by military forces around the world. Also of interest, is regard as the first mass produced aircraft by German industry following the WWII at around 630 aircraft. Notable (or infamous?) users as covered by one of the decal schemes were the Portuguese with their retreat from empire colonial wars of the of 60s. It would appear that Miniwing have stayed away from the playful Zebra scheme as used by naturalist and campaigner Bernhard Grzimek who contributed to the Serengeti National Park being created!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_27
http://www.do27.com/do27_en/

The kit conforms to the Miniwing signature format and feel being cleanly cast and no obvious air bubbles, panel lines on fuselage are finely cast and provide a good balance between finesse and detailing.

This kit comes with two schemas:
Bundesmarine,  MFG-5 Kiel-Holtnau, January 1967
Força Aérea Portuguesa, Nambuangongo, Angola 1968

1/144 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar (Tateyama AFB) - Sankei

1/144 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar (Tateyama AFB) - Sankei

Sankei have added another stunning card model to their existing range of airfield and air base buildings and structures. If you are going to purchase a hanger (opposed to using one of the free downloads) then this should be it, certainly for the modern era of jets.

The detailing of this hanger is spectacular and will take some time to put together, of course all this design and detail come with quite a serious (eye watering) price at 20,000 Yen, 200USD, 150 Euro or 130GBP

So, deep pockets will be required!!!

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/sankeishop/mk08-07/

1/144 World Tank Museum Kit - Planned Releases

1/144 World Tank Museum Kit - Planned Releases 
The June 2013 edition of Armour Modelling magazine has an interesting feature on upcoming releases (Late 2013?). I think at this stage they will follow the recent format of WTM kits of being issued unpainted but in various colours of plastic, though if this was a return to the prepainted WTM items of old then all the better!?

Images used with permission of Dameya (Source)

It is interesting that the 8t was first spotted way back in 2006 and reported on this blog
http://kampfgruppe144.blogspot.co.uk/2006/07/takara-wtm-10-part-2.html, it would be interesting to see some of the items on that post also released one day.

While this 88mm does not have the sophistication and quality of the Strategist 88mm, it will be a more economic and could allow for some interesting customisations.

Also do not forget there are KG144 and CGD figure sets that would complement this release!

1/144 F-16C/D Block 52+ Advanced - Foxone

1/144 F-16C/D Block 52+ Advanced - Foxone

Foxone has slipped a couple of F-16 C / D Variants out under the radar.
I do not know much about these but both come with Hellenic (Greek) Airforce schemes even though wiki suggests that Poland and Pakistan also use similar aircraft ( see wiki here ) and a wider choice of decals might have helped sales?

F-16D Block52+ advanced 
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/o43/original_43.html
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/air_gallery/F16/he613/he613.html

F-16C Block52+ advanced 
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/o42/original_42.html
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/air_gallery/F16/he538/he538.html

Available from Radjapan

1/144 JU-52/3m "Operation Mercure" Crete, May 1941 - Hobby Master

1/144 JU-52/3m "Operation Mercur" Crete, May 1941 - Hobby Master
Hobby Master are extending their line of excellent Ju-52 with what looks to be a more usual but interesting paint scheme compared to many of the usual 'splinter' or 'winter' schemes we have seen from other producers.

This scheme is for a Ju-52 participating in Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury) otherwise known as the Invasion or Battle of Crete.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

JU-52/3m g4e 4U + NH "Operation Mercur" Crete, May 1941

Released Date:  June 2013?
Further Images availanle from Source:  http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/HA9010.html

Others may like to be reminded that this scheme also features in the Eduard Ju-52 kit
http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Plastic-kits/Super44/Aircraft/1-144/Ju-52-1-144.html

1/144 US Navy Collection Vol.2 - F-Toys

1/144 US Navy Collection Vol.2 - F-Toys
Expect the usual mix of item and series special plus the newer extra of limited edition lottery item

Available: July 2013


A-4E / F Skyhawk (U.S. Navy / Marine Corps),
F-8E / J Crusader,
FA-18E Super Hornet.

Source: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10224248

1/144 Eastern Express "Future releases" Mi-4, Mi-6 and AN-22

1/144 Eastern Express "Future Releases" Mi-4, MI-6 and An-22
A quick post to provide early warning of some new releases almost the two extremes of Soviet helicoptor production (see Anigrand for the actual Largest and Smallest Soviet Helos)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-4

and another Soviet Heavy Lift aircraft
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-22

1/144 Panzer Depot Releases

1/144 Panzer Depot Releases 
Panzer Depot has been keeping up its releases with this month seeing the 'Mickey Mouse' T-34 and some Sd.Kfz 250 Variants.

Other recent releases you may have missed include

Jagdpanzer IV L70
Panzerwerfer 42
Munitionskraftwagen SdKfz 4
Einheit Truck /w field kitchen
Crusader Mk. III
Crusader Mk. III AA

Website: www.panzerdepot.com
Online shop: www.panzerdepot.com/eshop/catalog/
Ebay shop: http://stores.ebay.com/Panzer-Depot

1/144 Wehrmacht '46 German Panzer IV mit Schmalturm - CGD

1/144 Wehrmacht '46 German Panzer IV mit Schmalturm 

This is a new 1:144 Wehrmacht '46 German Panzer IV mit Schmalturm 7.5cm L/70 (KwK 42) from the new Wargame Armour series of CGD. This vehicle is fully painted in 3 Colour disruptive Camouflaged scheme. Weathered and no assembling required.

The model features a rotating turret and two detachable Schurzen. Infrared devices are also built into the commander's hatch and driver's view port.

"Panzer IV mit Schmalturm 7.5cm L/70 (KwK 42)" - Panzer IV was the most widely manufactured and deployed German tank in WWII since late 1930s. Facing ever increasing thickness of enemy armour especially the Russians, Panzer IVs were up gunned form the short barrelled low velocity gun to the long barreled 7.5 cm Kwk 40 L/43 high velocity anti tank gun. In Late 1944 to early 1945, Schmallturm (Small Turret) initially developed for Panther Ausf F was also considered to be mounted onto the Panzer IV chassis with a 7.5cm L/70 (KwK 42) used by the original Panther. The war ended before the original Panther Ausf F/Schmallturm project could get pass the prototype stage. None of the Panzer IV mit Schmalturm was ever built.

Available:
http://combatgroupdynamix.com/Diorama/WargameSeries/Armour/PzIVSchmallturm/WargameArmourPzIVschmallturmCamo.html

1/144 Panzer IV mit Schmalturm by CGD

1/144 Panzer IV mit Schmalturm by CGD


1:144 Wehrmacht '46 German Panzer IV mit Schmallturm 7.5cm L/70 (KwK 42)
Rotating turret and two detachable Schurzen. Infrared devices are also built into the commander's hatch nd driver's view port.

"BergepanzerIV" - Bergepanzer IV was an armoured recovery vehicle based on the Panzer IV chassis. Panzer IV was the most widely manufactured and deployed German tank in WWII since late 1930s. It has numerous variants and also was used as basis for other fighting vehicles including tank destroyers and Flakpanzers. 21 Bergepanzer IVs were converted from Panzer IV hulls returned for repair between Oct. 1944 and Jan 1945. Turrets were removed and turret ring covered with a wooden plank cover with access hatch. A 2-ton jib crane and rigid towing bars were added.

Available:
http://combatgroupdynamix.com/Diorama/WargameSeries/Armour/BergePzIV/WargameArmourBergePzIVGrau.html

1/144 Airport Service Vehicle Sets 1 & 2 - Eastern Express

1/144 Airport Service Vehicle Sets 1 & 2 - Eastern Express
I don't have too much information at the moment, but it would appear that Eastern Express are planning to release two sets of Airport Support Vehicles based upon the Zil-130 chassis.

They are plastic injection, with options on clear or solid glazing (with window decals - which is in common with a lot of airliner kits).

Prototype Images on BritModeller.com

Out the box Review (PAS Forum)

1/144 JU-52/3m "Operation Mercure" Crete, May 1941 - Hobby Master

1/144 JU-52/3m "Operation Mercur" Crete, May 1941 - Hobby Master
Hobby Master are extending their line of excellent Ju-52 with what looks to be a more usual but interesting paint scheme compared to many of the usual 'splinter' or 'winter' schemes we have seen from other producers.

This scheme is for a Ju-52 participating in Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury) otherwise known as the Invasion or Battle of Crete.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete

JU-52/3m g4e 4U + NH "Operation Mercur" Crete, May 1941

Available: April 2013
Source: http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/HA9010.html

Others may like to be reminded that this scheme also features in the Eduard Ju-52 kit
http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Plastic-kits/Super44/Aircraft/1-144/Ju-52-1-144.html

1/144 PB4Y-1 Liberator - Hobby Master

1/144 PB4Y-1  Liberator - Hobby Master
Hobby master are to release a US Naval version of the B-24D with a sensible paint scheme. If the other B-24 and Ju-52 releases are a benchmark this should be a high quality model worthy of any display cabinet.

PB4Y-1  Liberator BuNo. 32052, VPB-107 Natal, Brazil, early 1943
This and other of its type where based in Brazil and used in Anti-submarine work, sadly 'Galloping Ghost' came to quite an ignominious end when i crashed on take-off ( link )

Available: March/April 2013

Source: http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/HA9103.html

1/144 F-35A Lightning II - Doyusha

1/144 F-35A Lightning II - Doyusha 

More F-35s this time from Doyusha, not the most interesting of collections. The demonstrator has some colour, the rest are fairly derivative.

http://www.doyusha-model.com/list/figure/genyouki_collection/23_f35a.html

Expected Release: 23rd April  2013