Tag: Special Hobby

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Special Hobby to Release New Tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II Kit

Special Hobby has announced an upcoming new tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Baltimore Mk.I and Mk.II were early versions of the twin-engine light attack bomber built for British use in World War II. The Mk.I entered service mainly as an operational training aircraft, while the Mk.II kept the same basic airframe and engines but improved defensive armament, including a revised dorsal gun position, and both were later used in combat in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Details are limited, but the upcoming release (SH48160) will feature box art by Antonis Karidis and decals for B/AG781 from No.55 Sqn. RAF, as well as three other interesting Baltimore Mk.I/IIs.

(via Special Hobby and Scalemates)

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First Look: Detail Images of Special Hobby’s New Tool Fairey Albacore Kit

Special Hobby is preparing to release a new tool Fairey Albacore model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Fairey Albacore was a British single-engine biplane torpedo bomber developed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish, but it ended up serving alongside it rather than supplanting it. Used by the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, it carried a three-man crew and handled torpedo attacks, bombing, reconnaissance, and anti-shipping work before being withdrawn from frontline service in 1945.

Deatils about the upcoming kit (SH72152) are currently scarce, although the company states that it is nearing completion and will offer four marking options. Images of the decals and cockpit renderings have also been released. Click below to check them out.

Continue reading First Look: Detail Images of Special Hobby’s New Tool Fairey Albacore Kit

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Special Hobby Releases Images Detailing Progress on “Family” of Hawker Tempest Kits

Special Hobby has released a new series of images detailing the 3D modeling progress on their upcoming Hawker Tempest kits.

The Tempest is one of the legendary British WWII fighter aircraft. It was developed as an evolution of the Hawker Typhoon with a refined laminar-flow wing, powerful Napier Sabre engine, and four 20mm cannons for superior speed and firepower. Introduced in 1944, it shone in low-level intercepts, destroying over 600 V-1 flying bombs and engaging Luftwaffe jets like the Me 262 while supporting ground operations.

The company states that they are working on a family of Tempest kits in 1/72 scale, reportedly including the Tempest Mk.II, Tempest Mk.V and Tempest Mk.VI. As of this writing, no timeframe for launch has been announced.

Click below to check out additional images.

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Special Hobby to Release CAC Boomerang Mk.I/II With Five Liveries

Special Hobby is preparing to release a CAC Boomerang Mk.I/II model kit in 1/72 scale.

The type was designed and built in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation from 1942 to 1945, marking the nation’s first domestically produced combat plane. Hastily developed after Japan’s entry into World War II using components from the CAC Wirraway trainer, the stubby, maneuverable Boomerang achieved a top speed of about 305 mph but underperformed in altitude and speed compared to contemporaries. Armed with two 20mm cannons and four .303 machine guns, it saw limited air-to-air success, instead excelling in ground attack, reconnaissance, and army cooperation roles in the Pacific theater, including New Guinea and Bougainville, where its rugged build absorbed heavy damage.

The upcoming release (SH72539) includes resin cast wheels and exhaust and two sprues consisting of plastic and clear parts. Marking options will be included for five machines, one machine from each RAAF squadron that flew the Boomerangs in combat. Four machines are camouflaged in green and brown scheme with light blue undersurfaces, the fifth machine is green all over.

As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles.

Continue reading Special Hobby to Release CAC Boomerang Mk.I/II With Five Liveries

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At Long Last: Special Hobby Releases New Tool 1/32 Westland Whirlwind Mk.I

After years of development, Special Hobby has released their new tool Westland Whirlwind Mk. I “Cannon Fighter,” making this the first example of the type ever kitted in 1/32 scale.

The offering (SH32047) is described as “highly detailed” with “accurate and well researched decals.” The model portrays the fighter variety of the type, and includes ten styrene sprues and one with clear parts. Marking options are provided for four machines ranging from the earlier green and brown camouflage to the later grey and green schemes:

1. P6985, HE-J, No.263 Squadron RAF, Exeter Air Base, March 1941
2. P7061, HE-A, No.263 Squadron RAF, Charmy Down Airfield, September 1941
3. P7118, HE-F, “Bellows Argentina No.2,” Pilot S/L Eelse, No.263 Squadron RAF, Colerne Airfield, Wiltshire, Winter 1941/42
4. P7081, HE-E, “Bellows Argentina No.3,” No.263 Squadron RAF, Charmy Down Airfield, October 1941

Click below to check out an additional photo and a product link.

Continue reading At Long Last: Special Hobby Releases New Tool 1/32 Westland Whirlwind Mk.I

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Special Hobby Shares Liveries For Upcoming Westland Whirlwind Kit

Special Hobby has posted an update with marking options for their upcoming Westland Whirlwind Mk.I model kit in 1/32 scale.

As previously reported, the kit’s (SH32047) development has been talked about for some time in the modeling community and its release is anxiously awaited. Previous updates have focused on CAD renderings, test fittings and the molds, which were reportedly created using an electroplating process sometimes also known as galvanic deposition.

The company recently completed work on the 3D data, and released renderings showing early and late cockpits. The cockpit itself will reportedly be “very detailed” with the kit boasting both plastic parts and PE fret.

Click below to check out the newly released livery profiles.

Continue reading Special Hobby Shares Liveries For Upcoming Westland Whirlwind Kit

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First Look: Special Hobby Shares Sprue Photos For New Tool Bf 109E-4 Kit

Special Hobby has shared the first photos of their upcoming new tool Bf 109E-4 model kit in 1/72 scale.

In addition to the sprue photos, the company has also released CAD renderings of the model (SH72439) as well as livery profiles. It appears that four options will be available, including aircraft flown by Gerhart Schopfel of III/JG 26 and “Yellow 8” of III./JG 5. Two representations of W/N 4148 are also included, depicting the machine as flown by Oblt. Helmut Wick in August 1940 and Hptm. Wolfgang Lippert in April 1941.

Click below to check out a selection of the newly released images.

Continue reading First Look: Special Hobby Shares Sprue Photos For New Tool Bf 109E-4 Kit

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Special Hobby Shares Update For Upcoming 1/32 Westland Whirlwind

Special Hobby has shared new set of renderings for their upcoming Westland Whirlwind Mk.1 model kit in 1/32 scale.

The kit’s (SH32047) development has been talked about for some time in the modeling community and its release is anxiously awaited. Previous updates have focused on the molds, which are reportedly being created using an electroplating process sometimes also known as galvanic deposition, and test fittings of parts.

The company states that the 3D data is now ready, and has released new renderings showing early and late cockpits. The cockpit itself will reportedly be “very detailed” with the kit boasting both plastic parts and PE fret. Click below to see more.

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Special Hobby Shares Development Update on 1/32 Westland Whirlwind

Special Hobby has shared a new update on the development of their upcoming Westland Whirlwind Mk.1 model kit in 1/32 scale.

The kit’s (SH32047) development has been talked about for some time in the modeling community and its release is anxiously awaited. Previous updates have focused on the the molds, which are reportedly being created using an electroplating process sometimes also known as galvanic deposition, as well as test fittings of parts.

The newly released renderings detail the cockpit, which will reportedly be “very detailed.” According to the company, the kit will be plastic, with the gold parts being PE fret. Click below to see more.

Continue reading Special Hobby Shares Development Update on 1/32 Westland Whirlwind

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Special Hobby Shares First Test Shots of Upcoming 1/32 Westland Whirlwind Kit

Special Hobby has shared the first test photos of their upcoming Westland Whirlwind Mk.1 model kit in 1/32 scale.

The newly released images show the first test shot of wing and engine nacelle molds, as well as the first raw wing sprue fit test. According to the company, corrections are necessary, but it looks good.

As previously reported, the molds are reportedly being created using an electroplating process, sometimes also known as galvanic deposition. The kit’s (SH32047) development has been talked about for some time in the modeling community and its release is anxiously awaited.

Click below to check out a selection of images.

Continue reading Special Hobby Shares First Test Shots of Upcoming 1/32 Westland Whirlwind Kit