Eduard has recently released a number of kits in their new 2023 September lineup, including a new 1/48 scale iteration of the Bristol F.2B Fighter. Eduard’s new Bristol F.2B Fighter includes tooling from 2005 with an addition of new parts added in 2015 and a variety of waterslide decals that are new and exclusive to this kit.
The parts included with the kit are molded from light gray plastic and do not include any resin materials. Four paint/marking schemes can be created with the decals included with the kit, and all depict the aircraft in RFC (Royal Flying Corps) service. There are a number of fairly small and complicated parts in this kit, so it may not be suited for modelers who are just getting into the hobby.
If you are interested in learning more about Eduard’s new 1/48 Bristol F.2B Fighter, I highly recommend visiting both Eduard’s website and Scalemates.com, where additional information and high-resolution photographs of the kit can be found. If you are interested in purchasing the kit, it can be found at a number of online retailers, including Eduard ($29.95 USD), Super-Hobby ($25.13 USD), and Berliner Zinnfiguren (18,05 €).
New Release: ICM 1:35 'Kozak-2' Ukrainian MRAP-Class Armoured Vehicle
ICM has very recently released a brand new 1:35 rendition of the Ukrainian ‘Kozak-2’ MRAP-Class Armoured Vehicle, a vehicle that is currently being used by Ukrainian forces in the Russo-Ukrainian War and has proved to be a very successful design. The kit features completely new tooling and parts, in addition to a number of other features.
Included with the kit are a fully detailed interior and exterior composed up of a total of 448 parts, photo-etch and clear plastic parts to add additional detail to the model, highly detailed and easy-to-understand colored instructions, decals for at least four paint schemes, and a painting/decal guide to assist with the decoration of the model kit. Overall, a very good kit, considering its price range.
If you're interested in purchasing ICM’s 1:35 ‘Kozak-2’ MRAP-Class Armoured Vehicle, I highly recommend buying from any of the following retailers: PM-Store ($51.99 USD*), Super-Hobby ($41.91 USD*), and Plastmodel (171,99 PLN*). For more information, including high resolution photographs, model specs, and information about the ‘Kozak-2’; consider visiting both ICM’s website and Scalemates.com, where everything listed above can be found.
Tamiya has recently released a new 1/24 iteration of the Lancia Stratos Turbo, featuring tooling from 1977 alongside new parts introduced this year. The kit showcases a number of advanced features including a detailed interior, the inclusion of a full body figure, as well as steerable front wheels.
Features of the vehicle such as the chin spoiler, roof spoiler, and rear wing are accurately depicted. The kit also includes decals and a painting/decal guide which can be used to create a stunning red and green paint scheme on the vehicle. A variety of sponsorship markings are also included in the kit.
If you are interested in purchasing Tamiya’s new 1:24 Lancia Stratos Turbo, consider buying from some of the following retailers: Tamiya ($37.00 USD), Hobbylinc ($29.19 USD), MegaHobby ($31.45), and Der Sockelshop (€29,25). If you would like detailed photographs, specifications, and more information about this model kit, I recommend visiting both Tamiya’s website and Scalemates.
Happy Modeling!
Coming Soon: Das Werk 1:35 Kanonenjagdpanzer/ Beobachtungspanzer
Das Werk has recently announced the upcoming release of an all new 1:35 2 in 1 Kanonenjagdpanzer/Beobachtungspanzer scale model kit. Featuring completely new tooling and extravagant detail, this kit is sure to satisfy any serious scale modeler.
The kit will include highly detailed instructions, expertly molded plastic parts which allow for the construction of either the Kanonenjagdpanzer or Beobachtungspanzer, decals for four paint schemes, as well as a painting and decal guide. Also featured in the kit are link & length tracks which will help to simplify the construction of the tracks and running gear of the vehicle.
The kit is set to release in October of this year, however it is currently available for preorder on multiple online stores including: Tasmodelshop (€42,50), HobbyLink Japan ($60.30 USD), and Airdesign.SK (€46,90). If you are interested in learning more about Das Werk’s upcoming 1:35 2 in 1 Kanonenjagdpanzer/Beobachtungspanzer, I highly recommend visiting both Das Werk’s website and scalemates.com.
Heller recently released a 1:72 rendition of the Sukhoi Su-27, featuring the same tooling and parts from previous Heller kits but with the addition of modern-day Ukrainian Air Force markings. The kit’s tooling was originally built in 1990, with the addition of extra parts introduced in 1992.
The kit contains parts for two versions of the Su-27; the Su-27UB, a double-seat fighter/trainer aircraft, and Su-27P, a single-seat fighter. Fully-colored instructions and decals for six marking schemes are also included with the kit. Some of the marking schemes available include markings depicting aircraft from both the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade and the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Force.
If you are interested in learning more about Heller’s new 1:72 Su-27 UB/P Ukraine, I highly recommend visiting scalemates.com, where detailed information regarding the kit can be found. The kit is also available for purchase on Heller’s website for 24,99 €.
Happy Modeling!
Coming Soon: Tamiya 1/48 Dornier Do 335 A Pfeil w/ Kubelwagen Type 82
The model set includes a number of interesting features, including a budget-friendly price ($46.00) as compared to other kits in Tamiya's lineup as well as a focus on capturing the visual feel of these machine's 1:1 counterparts.
Some of the most notable features found in this kit include three scale figurines that are based around the appearance of WWII German personnel, realistically styled decals, metal nose weights, and detailed plastic parts for the interior and cockpit of both vehicles.
You can learn more about Tamiya's 1/48 Dornier Do 335 A Pfeil w/ Kubelwagen Type 82 on tamiyausa.com as well as scalemates.com.
Featured: Trumpeter 1:35 Scale Soviet D-74 122mm Field Gun
If you’re a fan of large Soviet artillery, I have a kit that may pique your interest. I’d like to introduce you all to Trumpeter’s 1:35 scale D-74 122mm Field Gun, a scale replica of a very successful artillery piece produced by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. This appears to be a high-quality kit and features a very large amount of parts, so I recommend that beginners stay away from this kit until they gain more experience.
The kit is very detailed, featuring over 240 parts spread amongst nine sprues. Also found with the kit are several photo-etched detail parts and two rubber tires, items that will help to add an extra level of realism to the model.
When assembled, the kit will be around 303 millimeters long and around 78 millimeters wide. Pretty impressive! This kit’s tooling dates back to around 2014-2015 and still holds up to modern kits.
If you are interested in learning more about Trumpeter’s 1:35 scale D-74 122mm Field Gun, I highly recommend that you visit both Trumpeter’s website and scalemates.com, where additional information regarding kit specifications and where it can be sourced may be found.
Final Touches: Tamiya 1/35 Scale German Wehrmacht Mounted Infantry Set
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive way to add depth and detail to your future modeling projects, I highly recommend looking at Tamiya’s 1/35 scale Wehrmacht mounted infantry set, a classic scale figure that is easily available for any and all modelers to purchase.
The set includes three 1/35 scale figures, all of which are depicted in authentic WWII attire. The set is divided into a total of two sprues, with around 45 parts in total. The set comes with two German soldiers and a fairly large horse. The figures are depicted as if they were on patrol and have several scale accessories such as binoculars, handguns, rifles, pouches, canteens, and submachine guns.
All of the figures included in the set are very well-detailed and posed in various ways. The horse is depicted at rest, one soldier is depicted in a riding position, and the final soldier can be seen resting as he surveys the land around him.
If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about Tamiya’s 1/35 scale Wehrmacht mounted infantry set, I highly recommend that you visit both Tamiya’s website, where this product can be found for around $7.50, along with scalemates.com, where additional technical information about the figures can be found.
New Release: Dragon Models 1/35 Scale 10.5cm K.Pz.Sfl. IV Ausf. A "Dicker Max" Kit
In mid-October of this year, Dragon released a brand new, 1/35 scale rendition of the… uh… one second… …10.5cm Kurz Gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette IV Ausführung A, also known as the “Dicker Max”. For obvious reasons, I will be referring to the vehicle as the Dicker Max for the rest of the article; I hope you understand.
Anyways, looking at the kit itself, it can be seen that the kit is rather detailed. Plastic parts are expertly molded, the suspension and drive wheels are made up of complex parts that add a more realistic feel to the vehicle, and a number of scale accessories can all be found with your 1/35 scale Dicker Max.
Also included with the kit is a number of upgraded parts, including both photoetch detailing and MagicTrack track links that use realistic methods to connect the track links to one another. Overall, Dragon’s new Dicker Max is a very complex kit, not only with a lot of small details, but also with individually linked tracks that need to be assembled by hand. I would only recommend this to very experienced modelers looking for a challenge or sadists with little to no experience with scale modeling.
If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about Dragon’s new 1/35 scale Dicker Max, I highly recommend that you visit both Dragon’s website and scalemates.com, where additional information regarding technical details and where the kit can be purchased can be found.
New Release: IBG 1/72 Scale MiG-29 in Polish Air Force (Early Service)
Recently, IBG released a brand new, 1/72 rendition of the iconic MiG-29, a fourth-generation jet fighter designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau. The kit contains a variety of new features that are sure to pique any scale modeler’s interest, in addition to a fantastic set of decals that will allow you to dress up your mini-MiG in a plethora of Polish markings.
One of the most notable features of IBG’s MiG-29 is the inclusion of 3D printed elements that accurately represent the cockpit details of the aircraft, something that is uncommon to find in most scale model kits in 2022. It is very nice to see the implementation of 3D printed elements in modeling, as many, including me, see it as an integration of new technology with an age-old hobby, bringing together the best of both worlds.
Also included in the kit is several clear plastic and detailed parts, both of which will add an extra touch of realism to the finished product. And lastly, as previously stated, the kit also includes an array of Polish marking decals, allowing you to create various schemes seen on early Polish MiG-29s.
If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about IBG’s all-new, 1/72 scale, early Polish MiG-29, I recommend that you visit both IBG’s website, where the product can be found for 32 euros and scalemates.com, where additional information regarding the product can be found.
