There is a total of fourteen marking options, carefully

taking into account the physical attractiveness of the

markings, balanced with a strong consideration for

historical significance. This latter point focuses on

areas of operations, of which there were three for the

Bf 109 F, i.e., the Western Front over occupied France

and the English Channel, the Eastern Front over the

Soviet Union, and the Mediterranean theatre with

emphasis on North Africa. To be honest, it will not

be possible to build any combination that includes

one specific subtype from the two kits included in the

“Wunderschöne neue Maschinen” package. But this

is usual with such Limited Edition Combo kits, and

this is why the Overtrees option exists. These are of

course available.

The new Bf 109 – what´s next with it?

The future looks great for the Bf 109 in 1:72nd scale.

In August, we will release the ProfiPACK version

of the Bf 109F-4, and it will be available as a new

release at the US IPMS Nationals in San Marcos,

along with the FM-2 Wildcat in 1:48th, along with the

Limited Edition F-104C in the same scale (Kinetic

plastic). The ProfiPACK version of the F-2 will follow

in September, and at the end of the year, probably in

December, we’ll see “Wundeschöne neue Maschinen”

Pt 2, dedicated to the Bf 109 G-2 and G-4. After the

New Year, the G-6 will arrive, and this will lead is to

the G-14 and G-10 to K-4. This year, however, there

will be one more project dedicated to the Bf 109. This

will be the Bf 109 K-4 1:48th. Among other things,

it is interesting in that, just like the actual article,

it will bring significant changes to the original

design of the kit, in many ways similar to the 72nd

version released today. The new Bf 109 K-4 will

not include a single mold used for the Bf 109 F and

G kits. When introducing the 72nd Bf 109 F, we

received some disgruntled feedback on Facebook,

because according to their authors, it took a long

time, and we make promises that are hard to keep.

But without apology, we try our best to keep up with

our release schedules, and yes, our projects can take

a long time. That’s because we try to do them right.

You wouldn’t like them any other way, would you?

KITS

We are used to the fact that modelers are never

satisfied, and we understand that. One of the

favorite pastimes of modellers is that when we

announce something new, for example the Bf 109F

in 1:72, immediately there are statements made that,

great, but why not in 1:32nd ?, or why not something

completely different, like a Catalina in 1:48th. Or

even the currently active Bf 109 K-4 or G-12 in 1:48.

We would like to comply, but within the full range of

modelling demands, it’s just not humanly possible.

We are only people and Superman and Spiderman

already have ventures elsewhere, regardless of the

fact that we unfortunately could not afford such

capable people.

Nevertheless, we have one more kit premiere

for June, the naval Camel 2F.1 in 1:48th scale. It is

June 2023

the last of the Camels we are releasing as part of

the current Camel project. It is undoubtedly an

interesting machine, standing at the birth of naval

aviation. Among other things, its wing did not fold like

that of later and contemporary ship borne aircraft,

but the fuselage did. The path of progress is full of

dead ends, is it not? There are six marking options,

mostly of birds operating off of Royal Navy ships,

although not always carriers. You can read about

the 2F.1 Camel and their deployment in Jean Laffite’s

article in the historical section of today’s newsletter,

and about the most famous action of naval Camels in

the Boxart Story by Richard Plos. And if you buy the

naval Camel, remember we have a 3D printed wicker

seat. It’s a little older print, but still a little gem!

We still have a 48th scale ProfiPACK, a late version

Bf 109 G-6 reissue. This is an interesting kit for

several reasons. It is commercially one of the most

successful kits we have ever had, features a box

art by maestro Shigeo Koike, and it is a version that

the producers never paid too much attention to. In

short, even this older thing has something to it. And

while I’m on the subject of pointing out interesting

accessories, the simultaneously released printed

cockpit complements this kit very nicely. This

new printed item replaces the older cast resin

counterpart. I have already explained the advantages

of printed sets compared to cast resin ones several

times in the past, now you have a unique chance

to try them out in person. The new cockpit has the

catalog number 648843.

The range of new kits is complemented by two older

items in 1:48th scale. There is the Tempest Mk.II, and,

perhaps more significantly, the A6M2 Zero Model 21.

We paid a lot of attention to this, especially the boxart

image and the color scheme and marking options.

Even though the Zero may, perhaps, be considered, at

least in terms of the service schemes, to be a rather

boring aircraft. I dare say that there are some damn

interesting machines in the new Weekend version

of the kit. And in addition to these there are also

interesting stories to go with them to boot, the most

epic of which is the boxart subject. You can also read

about that specific aspect of the kit in the Box art

story in today's edition of our newsletter. I would also

like to remind you that you can buy the new Zero 21

in our e-shop with a bonus, the Space set, just as

you can have the “Wundeschöne neue Maschinen” kit

with printed exhausts. The event is on while stocks

last.

ACCESSORIES

With respect to the new accessory sets, I would

like to draw your attention to several large 3D

printed sets. In addition to the already mentioned

cockpit for the Bf 109 G-6, there is a new Fw 190 F-8

cockpit and a radio equipment set for the Bf 110 G.

All sets are designed for the appropriate Eduard

kits and are in 1:48th scale, as is the engine for the

F4F-3 Mid Production Wildcat. In June we are also

releasing a printed cockpit for the Tamiya F-35A,

also in 1:48th. The objection I often encounter with

accessory sets for stunning models like this F-35

is that these virtually perfect models don't need

any improvements and aftermarket items for them

are unnecessary. However, our sales results argue

differently. Modellers tend to invest in aftermarket

accessory items for the best kits of a given subject

matter available The reason, I think, is that wellmade accessories are almost always better than

top-of-the-line plastic, and will potentially push the

model to absolute perfection. Often, in fact, little is

enough for this, perhaps just an exhaust nozzle or

a well-made seat. The cockpit is just a higher league.

To the large set category, I would add the engines for

the equally high-quality B-25J Mitchell from HKM.

In addition to these, there are also a number of

smaller sets on offer, including for the new Bf 109F

in 1:72nd and 2F.1 Camel in 1:48th.

Interesting new releases are not limited to the

prints, and can also be found among photoetched

sets, masks and Space sets. Among them are sets

for the 32nd Spitfire MK.I from Kotare, the 48th scale

Mi-8MT from Trumpeter, the F-4E Phantom II from

Meng and the 72nd MiG-29 from GWH. There are also

new kits for the old but still excellent Do 335 kit from

Tamiya and the PV-1 Ventura from Academy.

HISTORY

In the historical article section of this month’s Info,

in addition to the already mentioned article about

the 2F.1 Camel, we have a historical-technical article

about the development of the Messerschmitt Bf 109

F. I wrote it myself. It follows in the footprints of

other similar articles, such as the one outlining the

technical development of the Spitfire. Series on Air

Combat over Ukraine by Miro Barič continues with

another two continuations, as we had to skip the

No. 14 part in the previous English issue. So, there

is double batch of the information about what was

happening over Ukraine during the last months.

Things are getting interesting in Ukraine, and I think

Miro’s series has interesting times ahead of it as

well. Large articles are complemented by smaller

but no less interesting Boxart Stories. Richard Plos

writes aforementioned story about the raid from the

aircraft carrier HMS Furious on the Zeppelin base in

Tondern, Jan Zdiarsky describes the fate of Major

Eberle, the Bf 109 G-6 pilot from the boxart by Shigeo

Koike, and Jan Bobek describes the epic story of the

downing of Major Swenson’s B-17 during the landing

at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 which is the

event depicted on the boxart of the Zero 21. This was

an event that was a scene that even made it into the

famous movie Tora! Tora! Tora!. It’s a scene that still

runs chills up and down the spine!

I won’t keep you anymore. You’ve got some reading

to do!

Happy Modelling,

Vladimír Šulc

INFO Eduard

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