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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