1/144 C-57D Space Cruiser 'Forbidden Planet' - Polar Lights

1/144  C-57D Space Cruiser  'Forbidden Planet' - Polar Lights
A new(ish) saucer in 1/144! For those of you into old Sci-Fi movies, UFO, or just fancy to lineup against your Anigrand Hanebau, Atlantis TR-2/Bernalillo or Area-51 from Pegasus this could be the thing for you!?

Polar Lights have issued a plastic injection kit of the C-57D from the old "Forbidden Planet" classic movie (which is arguably based on Shakespeare's play The tempest').  I don't think you get the "Robbie the Robot" in this kit :(

http://round2models.com/models/polar-lights/forbidden-planet/product
When someone says the words "science fiction" nothing comes to mind quicker than a flying saucer. The most famous flying saucer in history was the iconic vessel featured in Forbidden Planet, the C-57D. The ship is offered for the first time in a medium scale model kit. At 12" wide, it is a perfect size to fit on any book shelf. The ship can be built in a flying or in a landed position. The lower dome comes injected in clear plastic to show off the inner engine detail.

Interestingly, a search on YouTube reveals people have already customised their C-57Ds with automated legs, lighting systems and even a rotating engine ring!

http://www.collectormodel.com/polar-lights/1742-polar-lights-model-kits-a-sneak-peek-at-the-new-1144-scale-c-57d/

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/pl/kit_pl_0895.shtml

http://round2models.com/files/instructions/pol895.pdf

modeller interested in real space and sci-fi models would do worse than to check out the following, which include a lot of reference material and even scale plans (I recommend shopping around for the best prices)
The Spaceship Handbook,
The Saucer Fleet, and
The Dream Machines: An Illustrated History of the Spaceship in Art, Science and Literature.

1/144 Airco DH-2 stripdown - by Brengun

1/144 Airco DH-2 stripdown - by Brengun
Another stunning release from Brengun, the iconic Airco DH-2 WWI aircraft in a mixed media resin and PE kit. I think it would be safe to assume that this is not a beginners kit!!?

http://www.brengun.cz/e-shop/1-144-construction-kits-18/airco-dh-2-stripdown-925

1/144 German 105mm LeFH18 auf B2 & French Renault FT-17 Tank - Panzer Depot

1/144 German 105mm LeFH18 auf B2 & French Renault FT-17 Tank - Panzer Depot

Panzer Depot is back with some new items:

The German 105mm LeFH18 auf B2, convervet from captured French Char bis B1 tanks, they were deployed in France to support the German Infantry. they were fitted with the 10.5-cm leichte FeldHaubitze 18/40.

It is available in two colour schemes
Camo - www.eshop.panzerdepot.com/catalog/products_id=263
Grey - www.eshop.panzerdepot.com/catalog/products_id=264

The  Renault FT-17 Tank is produced with the WWII turret, so will be useful for your early blitzkrieg campaigns.

It is available in two colour schemes.
Camo - www.eshop.panzerdepot.com/catalog/products_id=261
Grey - www.eshop.panzerdepot.com/catalog/products_id=262

1/144 Fat Man and Little Boy US WWII Atomic Bombs - Brengun.cz

1/144 Fat Man and Little Boy  US WWII Atomic Bombs - Brengun.cz

Brengun have released two kits of these history changing devices....

http://www.brengun.cz/e-shop/1-144-accessories-19/fat-man-a-bomb-922
http://www.brengun.cz/e-shop/1-144-accessories-19/little-boy-a-bomb-921

1/144 Boeing C-97 AWI (AEW) conversion - Freightdog Models

1/144 Boeing C-97 AWI (AEW) conversion - Freightdog Models

Resin cast conversion set (five parts) to 1/144th scale.
Designed for use with any of the Minicraft family of C-97 or KC-97 kits. The C-97 AWI was a 1945 British proposal for an Airborne Warning and Interception platform utilising its large forward fuselage to locate a 7 foot antenna in the nose. To do this the cockpit was to be relocated on the top of the fuselage, with smaller antennae located above and below the fuselage. A paper project only, more information can be found on this fascinating subject in The Air Staff and AEW by Chris Gibson, published by Blue Envoy Press. Decals not included, illustration by Adrian Mann.

Suggested schemes are Medium Sea Grey over PRU Blue to pattern No. 2 (with high demarcation) from initial service entry in 1951, overall painted aluminium 1952-58 and overall Dark Sea Grey from 1958 till retirement (mid 1960's?), with a white top fuselage added from 1959.

No decals included , but suggested options would be:
National marking upper wings 84in, fuselage and lower wings 54in, fin flash 36x24in. Serials would be 8 inch on fuselage, 36in if carried on fin (as per B-29 Washington) and 48in if carried under wings.

Available exclusively from: http://www.freightdogmodels.co.uk/

1/144 Luftwaffe Ground Crew & Accessories (Set C) and He.178 V1/V2 - CGD

1/144 WWII German Luftwaffe Ground Crew Set C Maintenance and Pilots
This set contains 4 Luftwaffe ground crew in maintenance duty, 3 Luftwaffe pilots, 1 Krupp Feldkran, 1 1.2-meter ladder platform and 1 2-meter ladder platform.

Figures are modelled according to average Caucasian of height 5' 8" to 5' 10" (1.73m to 1.78m). Figure measures approximately 12mm when standing upright. Highly detailed, highly realistic and in real human proportion. NOT big headed cartoon-ish wargame figures!

Digitally mastered, the soldiers are fabricated with state of the art "3D Printing" technology in ACRYLIC RESIN. Ladder Platforms are also 3D printed with Acrylic resin. Krupp Feldkran is 3D printed with Nylon.

The resin material is like regular resin and should be handled as such.
Nylon material is durable and flexible.

Available FULLY PAINTED in European Theatre uniform Colour Scheme, or unpainted.
http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/Diorama/WargameSeries/Soldiers/LuftwaffeGroundCrewSetCPainted.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-144-WWII-German-Luftwaffe-Ground-Crew-Set-C
http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/eShop/eShopNew.html
http://stores.ebay.com/Combat-Group-Dynamix/

1/144 Dameya X CGD Luft 46' WWII Heinkel He 178 v1 Display Model
1/144 Dameya X CGD Luft 46' WWII Heinkel He 178 v2 Display Model
These 1:144 WWII German He 178 v1 and v2 Display Models are designed by renown Japanese garage kit manufacturer Yuunagi-Dameya, and licensed to CGD for marketing. These kits are painted and assembled by CGD. It comes with detachable CGD Flight Stand which are CGD designed exclusives.

Also available is an unpainted version required assembling of wheels and canopy.
This is a easy to assembly version specially licensed to CGD and is "relatively" easier to assemble than regular Dameya products.

These aircraft are fabricated with state of the art "3D Printing" technology in ACRYLIC RESIN with exceptional detail. Flight stand is 3D printed with Nylon.

The resin material is like regular resin and should be handled as such.
Nylon material is durable and flexible.

http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/Diorama/WargameSeries/Special/He178/Luft46He178V1.htm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-144-Dameya-X-CGD-Luft-46-WWII-Heinkel-He-178-v1

http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/Diorama/WargameSeries/Special/He178/Luft46He178V2.htm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-144-Dameya-X-CGD-Luft-46-WWII-Heinkel-He-178-v2

http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/eShop/eShopNew.html
http://stores.ebay.com/Combat-Group-Dynamix/

The Heinkel He 178 was the world's first aircraft to fly under turbojet power, and the first practical jet aircraft. It was a private venture by the German Heinkel company in accordance with director Ernst Heinkel's emphasis on developing technology for high-speed flight and first flew on 27 August 1939

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_178

Also compatible with:  with Matti's Miniatures Me-163s, Dameya's He.178 aircraft, on a CGD airfield dio, though also compatible with almost any 1/144 brand such as Kampflieger, Miniwings, Foxone or F-Toys , Tomtec, Revell etc

1/144 Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D - Foxone

1/144 Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D - Foxone

Foxone has released nice model of the X-47B UCAS-D (Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration) which is a testbed to develop shipborne UAV capabilities. The kit comes with parts to enable you to configure the wings, undercarriage and weapons bays to suit your need. Additionally, there are  decals options for the current two demonstrator airframes.

Details of the Kit: http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/o44/original_44.html
Gallery images: http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/air_gallery/X47B/100_0529/x47b2.html
Available: http://radjapan.ocnk.net/product/662

X-47B info : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_X-47B

1/144 "Zero Aces" Wing Kit Collection from F-Toys

1/144 "Zero Aces" Wing Kit Collection from F-Toys

Coming this Autumn (2013) a new series of Zeros from F-Toys,  to be honest I can't quite discern if this is to be a range of Zero Aces, a range of aircfrt for Tetsuzō Iwamoto, or just another batch of Zeros with this being the most notable? More information will be presented when I find it.

However there are '12 themes' which probably translates into a combination of Model Types and Decals, unless F-TOys are going to produce the Zeros series of the century.....

The machine featured in this promo inmage is a Model 52, Serial 53-104 which was the mount of the Tetsuzō Iwamoto (岩本徹三) the top scoring IJN Ace.

Source: F-Toys Blog

1/144 Jagdpanzer JgPz E-100 "Krokodil" - CGD

1/144 Jagdpanzer JgPz E-100 "Krokodil" - CGD

Available in Camouflaged, Dunkelgelb or unpainted.

This model has six parts: chassis (pre-assembled with tracks), gun (detached for shipping), two mid section track covers and two rear section track covers (which are removable).

Jagd Panzer E 100 "Krokodil" - In 1945, the German war machine initiated a development program (Entwicklung, or E) aimed at categorizing the development of AFVs in 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ton weight brackets.

The E 100 was the heaviest in the series and was developed at the same time as the Porsche Maus. Only the chassis of the prototype was discovered after the war which was evaluated by the British Army and then scrapped.

If the development of the E 100 had continued, a tank destroyer version that will probably carried a 170mm main gun on a fixed superstructure based on the E 100 chassis will follow.

Available now (nylon version) from our website:
http://www.combatgroupdynamix.com/eShop/eShopNew.html

and acrylic version form Dameya:
http://www.dameya.net/

For those who hated EvilBay, get the nylon version here with discount from this new platform   :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CombatGroupDynamix

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152784200/1-144-scale-3d-printed-wargame-armour

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152789155/1-144-scale-3d-printed-wargame-armour

Kit-Shop.com - New Site Launch

Kit-Shop.com - New Site Launch
The guys over at Miniwing have have launched a new website www.kits-shop.com stocking not only their range of kits, but also a wide range of Czech based manufacturers.

Currently Miniwing and FLY are the only 1/144 brands, but if you fancy branching out there are other scales available from the other manufacturers.

It is early days for the site, but be sure to keep checking back for new ranges and products as the site develops.

The best bit of all is that worldwide postage is free!

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