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MiniArt Announces Fw 190D-9 (Early Production) Advanced Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a Fw 190D-9 (early production) advanced kit in 1/48 scale.

The early-production Fw 190D-9 was the “long-nose” development of the Fw 190A, reworked around the liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine to improve high-altitude performance and interceptor capability. It entered Luftwaffe service in 1944 and was valued for its stronger climb and speed compared with earlier Fw 190 variants.

The kit (48044) captures the distinctive long nose profile of the “Dora” and includes additional details for an enhanced building experience, including PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and decals with three marking options.

Click below to check out additional images, including livery profiles.

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First Look: MDesign’s 1/32 Roland D.III Test Build

Following the release of their Roland D.II kit MDesign has released the first test build images of their upcoming Roland D.III in 1/32 scale.

The Roland D.III was a German single-seat fighter of World War I, developed as an improvement over earlier Roland fighters with a revised wing-and-fuselage arrangement meant to give the pilot better forward visibility, though it still had handling and visibility limitations. It was a sturdy but only modestly successful design, built in limited numbers and overshadowed by more capable contemporary German fighters, and it typically carried two synchronized machine guns with performance around 175 km/h and an Argus As.III or Mercedes D.III engine.

The test build checked alignment, fit and overall geometry, and everything came out looking clean. Additional details, including a release date, have not yet been announced. Click below to check out additional images.

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New A6M2-K Zero Trainer Model Kit Released by Eduard

Eduard has released a new “Weekend Edition” A6M2-K model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mitsubishi A6M2-K was a two-seat trainer version of the famous Zero, built to help Japanese Navy pilots transition into flying the highly maneuverable A6M fighter safely. It kept much of the Zero’s light, agile design but added a second seat for an instructor, along with trainer-focused modifications such as a lengthened cockpit area and reduced combat equipment.

The new offering (84211) incudes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft.

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Kinetic Model Developing Model of Experimental F-104G CCV Testbed

Kinetic Models has announced the development of a F-104G Starfighter Control Configured Vehicle (CCV) in 1/48 scale.

This interesting looking aircraft was an experimental F-104G modified to test advanced flight-control ideas, including an early digital fly-by-wire system used to artificially stabilize an intentionally unstable aircraft. It flew without relying on natural stability, and the program became an important stepping stone toward later control-system designs, including technology that influenced the Eurofighter.

The upcoming release (48182) is touted as a new member on the Kinetic Gold F-104 Family (eBay product link) and will include 3D parts. As of this writing, it appears that no release date has been announced. Click below to check out additional renders.

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Eduard Releases ProfiPACK Spitfire Mk. Vb With PE Parts, 7 Liveries

New this month from Eduard is a ProfiPACK edition Spitfire Mk.Vb model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Mk.Vb was powered by the Merlin 45 engine and distinguished by its B-type wing with two 20mm Hispano cannon and four .303 Browning machine guns. It served as an important stopgap in 1941, giving Britain a highly capable interceptor before being overtaken by later Spitfire marks.

The new Eduard release (70206) represents mid-production versions with armored glass before the windshield and asymmetrical wing bulges. It includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for seven aircraft.

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Eduard Releases New Bf 109F-2 Model Kit

New this month from Eduard is a Weekend Edition Bf 109F-2 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Bf 109F-2 was an early “Friedrich” variant of Germany’s famous Messerschmitt fighter, introduced in 1941 with a much cleaner airframe, refined aerodynamics, and a more powerful DB 601N engine. It was widely regarded as one of the best-handling and best-performing 109s, though its concentrated nose armament of one 15 mm cannon and two machine guns gave it less total firepower than some earlier versions.

The new kit (84212) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft: W.Nr. 12914, Oblt. Wolfgang Späte, 5./JG 54; W.Nr. 8239, Lt. Hans Strelow, 5./JG 51; W.Nr. 8165, Hptm. Karl-Heinz Leesmann, CO of I./JG 52; Hptm. Hans Hahn, CO of III./JG 2.

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Eduard Announces Limited Edition Spitfire Mk. I Kit With 11 Liveries, Book

Eduard is preparing to release a special, limited edition Battle of Britain Spitfire Mk. 1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The offering represents the iconic Spitfire in the early stages of its development and during the most notable stretch of its service: the Battle of Britain. It will include Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted photo-etched parts, die cut painting masks and a whopping 11 marking options. The kit will also include an English language book about about the Spitfire Mk.I in the Battle of Britain.

As of this writing additonal details are scare, but itas the image shows, it is slated for release in June.

(via Eduard)

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MiniArt to Expand Line of P-47 Kits With Long Range P-47N Model

MiniArt is continuing their line of P-47 kits with the announcement of a new P-47N-2RE Thunderbolt basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

This particular variant was a long-range version of the famous American fighter. Designed for extended operations, the P-47N featured a distinctive wing shape and increased fuel capacity, making it well suited for late-war escort and ground attack missions.

The upcoming kit (48068) is described as highly detailed and accurate with photo-etched parts and marking options for two aircraft. As of this writing the kit is said to be “coming soon,” although an exact release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles and box contents.

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Arma Hobby to Release Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new tool F4F-3 Wildcat in 1/72 scale.

The offering (70090) represents the early Wildcat from the opening months of the Pacific War and is made from completely new molds created specifically for this version. It includes plastic parts, canopy and wheel masks, and a 3D print digital file containing seat with harness, exhaust pipes, landing gear opening mechanism chains, cockpit control lever set, and gun barrels. Decals are also included with marking options for three aircraft: “F-5”, VF-2, USS Lexington, flown by Lt. Albert O. Vorse Jr.; BuNo 4019 “211-F-11”, VMF-211; “F-13”, VF-3, USS Lexington.

The kit is currently set for release sometime in May. Click below to check out livery profiles and kit contents.

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Arma Hobby Announces “Next Generation, Highly Accurate” P-51D VLR Kit

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new P-51D Mustang “Very Long Range” model kit in 1/72 scale.

The VLR – Very Long Range standard included additional fuel tanks as well as revised radio and navigation equipment, making long over-water missions possible. The typical escort configuration used 110-gallon underwing tanks, giving sufficient range for flights from Iwo Jima to Tokyo and back. These tanks were characteristic of Pacific operations and differed from the more common European configurations.

Described as a “modern next-generation Arma Hobby kit” and a “highly accurate” representation, the offering (70073) includes an additional VLR sprue with Pacific-specific equipment: 110-gallon underwing drop tanks, 150-gallon streamlined drop tanks from the P-38 Lightning, and rockets for strike missions. Additional features include a detailed cockpit, canopy masks and high-quality Cartograf decals with marking options for two aircraft: “Snortin’ Phyllie” (1st Lt. Herb Straughn, 531st Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group) and “Little One” (1st Lt. Francis J. Pilecki, 458th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group). The kit also features a free 3D file with seat with harness, exhaust pipes, and gun barrels.

Release is currently set for some time in May. Click below to check out livery profiles and box contents.

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