Editorial

Good Day, Dear Friends,

This October, for the first time in my life, I attended the International Engineering Fair in Brno. My colleague Jakub Nademlejnský had arranged a meeting there with a potential supplier as we are looking to purchase new equipment to manufacture both our existing product line and some new items. Given the specific nature of our production and our objectives, an off-the-shelf, mass-produced machine won’t suffice. We seriously need a machine tailor made for what we need done. There is a strong chance this plan will succeed; we returned from the fair with two potential suppliers, and just recently, in early November, we received test samples of our intended products for our consideration from one of them. And they look quite promising. While at the fair, we also explored other halls to check out various machines and technologies. We concluded that, judging by what we saw, the Czech economy certainly doesn't resemble a mere ‘assembly plant’, a characterization often used by various economic commentators and supposed and definitely biased experts. Joining our group was Standa Archman, who, unlike Jakub and me, attends the engineering fair every year. This time, however, he was without his usual partner, Herbert Seifert, with whom he traditionally attended trade fairs and professional conferences. Herbert, known to everyone here as ‘Bertík’, retired in August after nearly thirty years with Eduard. For the last decade or so, he served as the head of our tool shop. Beyond managing it effectively, he played a major role in the gradual evolution and improvement of our plastic kits. Herbert was—and remains, even in retirement—an expert in machining utilizing CAM. His collaboration with Standa Archman was crucial from my perspective as their manager. Without them, our model kits would never have become what they are today. Together, they managed to reconcile two distinct perspectives on the production of molds and the final molded parts: the designer’s vision and the machine’s execution—the process of translating a designer’s ideas and intentions into a tangible product. Given their different personalities, things could occasionally get a bit tense, yet they always found common ground and a way to move forward together. As a seasoned practitioner who values established standards and proven technological procedures, Bertík often acted as a balance to Standa’s innovative enthusiasm, and vice versa, keeping it within the bounds of technical feasibility. At the same time, however, he would actively seek out solutions to push those very boundaries further. Standa, for his part, knew how to integrate Bertík’s constraints with fresh ideas—recalculating and brilliantly synthesizing the two into new technological processes that continue to expand our manufacturing capabilities.

Bertík’s departure triggered some organizational changes within the tool shop, in the course of which Standa became the department’s chief technologist. This is not a new role for him, as he has long exerted a significant influence on our technological evolution as a whole. In his previous position as chief designer, he learned to lead a design team. While this meant he did less hands-on designing himself, he supervised the design departments, provided guidance, and occasionally refined specific design projects. Several projects, such as the Zero, Wildcat, P-40, and most recently the MiG-15, were developed in this manner. The primary difference now is that the responsibility for the technological setup of both design and production processes will rest solely with him. We also took advantage of our trip to Brno to clarify the path forward and determine how we will proceed with the design of the 1:48th scale Ju 87 Stuka project.

New releases for 2027

In addition to upcoming kits for which the designs are not yet complete, most notably the 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.VIII, the 1:48th scale Spitfire Mk.XII and Mk.XIV, the 1:32nd scale Fw 190D, and all versions of the 1:48th scale Ju 87 Stuka, we need to maintain a concentrated focus on finishing projects for which the designs are already complete. Foremost among these is the 1:48 scale MiG-15 project. The first release, the MiG-15 Royal Class boxing,  is scheduled to hit the shelves in December, and we are working hard to ensure everything is ready on time to make it happen. While four molds for the MiG-15 are currently in operation, the remaining two are awaiting final completion and fine tuning. Although this is a December release, everything must actually be finished and molded by mid-November so that we can begin shipping the kits to those that ordered the kit and to retailers. Similarly, we need to have the 1:72nd scale Spitfire Mk.I ready for the ‘Spitfire Story: The Few’ Limited Edition kit, another December release. Everything for this is already complete; the Spitfire Mk.Ia version debuted as a Profipack release in October, and the only remaining component to finish was the mold, or rather, the mold insert, for the Spitfire Mk.I fuselage (the version featuring the original, flat-topped canopy). At the same time, we are currently working to ensure the timely shipment of the plastic parts for the 1:48th scale A-20G Havoc from China. They will be traveling by train, a journey fraught with pitfalls and dangers, not the least of which is because a significant portion of the route passes through Russia. We also have another shipment on the way from Asia: the plastic parts for an Academy 1/72 scale F-4J Phantom. These are being transported by sea, though that hardly means the route is any safer. At the moment, the ship should be approaching the Gulf of Aden, roughly halfway through its voyage to Hamburg, and may well be passing through the most perilous stretch right now: the waters between the northern coast of the Horn of Africa (Somalia) and the southern coast of Yemen. Good times!

The 1:72nd scale F-4J Phantom will be a Limited Edition kit, scheduled for release in February of 2027. We are preparing two Limited Edition kits for February; the second one will be the next in a series of kits developed in collaboration with the publisher Plastic Invasion. It will follow up on the Battle of Britain/Spitfire Mk.I kit, which was released this past June. Titled ‘Dieppe 1942/Fw 190 A-3’, this release will focus on the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-2 and A-3 variants deployed against the Allied landings at Dieppe in August, 1942. In addition to the model kit, it will include a book covering the construction of the Fw 190 A-3 model, the history of the Fw 190 A-2 and A-3, and the equipment and gear used by German pilots on the Western Front in 1942.

In March, we plan to release our final Zero variant, the A6M5 Model 52c. As is customary, the debut release will be either a Limited Edition or a Royal Class kit, while the final format is yet to be decided, a Royal Class release seems more likely. Also arriving in March should be a 1:48th scale MiG-15 in the ProfiPack line. For April, we plan on releasing a 1:48th P-40M ProfiPack kit, along with another Limited Edition re-boxing, this time an Avenger in 1:48th scale. It will feature plastic parts originally from Accurate Miniatures, supplied to us by Academy. Looking ahead to May, we are preparing a 1:72nd scale Limited Edition project entitled ‘Spitfire Story: Southern Star,’ which will focus on tropicalized Spitfire Mk.Vs. This set will include Spitfire Mk.Vb and Mk.Vc variants equipped with tropical filters, covering aircraft flown from bases in Africa and Italy, as well as Australian Spitfire Mk.Vs from the South Pacific.

June will see the premiere of another project in the Hybrid series, the 1:32nd scale Spitfire Mk.IX. Once again, we are launching with a ‘Royal Hybrid’ edition, which includes a book, a pilot figure, wheel well mask inserts, photo-etched parts, and marking options for the Spitfire F Mk.IX and LF/HF Mk.IXc variants.

I have something else to tell you about the Spitfire. In October, I also headed to Točná Airfield for an ‘open hangar’ day, which included the unveiling of a new addition to their collection of historic aircraft, a Spitfire Mk.IXE. Other machines were flying as well—most notably a Hurricane Mk.I. I’ve seen all sorts of aircraft fly over the years, often resulting in truly unforgettable experiences. But seeing these two majestic birds in the air, sporting Czechoslovak markings above a Czech airfield, and effectively over Prague itself, was a profoundly moving experience. Honestly, twenty years ago, who among us could have imagined that a Hurricane, one originally built in 1940, would be flying in the Czech Republic, accompanied by a Spitfire Mk.IX? And not just any Spitfire, but one of the very aircraft flown back home by Czechoslovak pilots who had served in the RAF during the war! There was a huge crowd at the airfield that Saturday, so I didn't manage to get into the hangar, despite its having been open until the evening. I took the opportunity to say hello to the pilots, Radim Vojta, who looks after the Spitfire, and Jirka Horák, who takes care of the Hurricane. I was genuinely struck by the level of historical precision, approaching the obsessive detail of a scale modeler, with which they ensure that every single component of their aircraft is historically accurate. And because it had been quite a while since we last met, we spent some time hatching a few schemes together. I’ll tell you next time about what we’ve been cooking up, and I’ll also share some details regarding E-Day 2027, as well as new releases being prepared or planned for the second half of 2027. To clarify the distinction between these two terms, ‘being prepared’ versus ‘planned’ items, ‘being prepared’ are those we are already actively working on, while ‘planned’ items are those we haven’t even touched yet and are more of a concept stage thing for now. Consequently, you should be prepared for the possibility that things might change in some cases. But you’re already familiar with that...it’s nothing new.

New Releases for November, 2026

Our November releases are now on sale. We are introducing another kit from our Hybrid line: the P-51B Mustang equipped with the Malcolm Hood (Catalog Number 932013). Compared to our October release, Kit no. 932012 (P-51B Birdcage Canopy), the new kit features 3D-printed parts related to the Malcolm Hood style canopy, and five marking options, all of which feature Malcolm Hood equipped airplanes. If anyone feels like complaining that we’re releasing yet another Mustang, suggesting we should have chosen a different subject instead, well, yes, we are indeed releasing another Mustang, the third one in this scale and series. We’re doing this because, while it is the third kit, it represents a second, slightly distinct variant of the P-51B. We wanted to cover both of these versions, which we consider the two fundamental types, in our product range, allowing modelers to choose the one they find more appealing. Of course, we certainly won’t mind if someone decides on buying both! We won’t be releasing any more 1:32 scale P-51B variants for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, modelers who appreciate the release of a complete series covering every version of a given aircraft often ask when we will be introducing a P-51B with the dorsal fin—and they ask even more frequently about the release of the British Mustang Mk.III. The answer is that we will release them sometime next year.

In addition to the 1:32nd scale Mustang, we have also added the Bf 109 G-5 (Profipack series, 1:72nd scale) and the A6M5 Zero Model 52a (Weekend series, 1:48th scale) to our product range.

As for accessory items, the November releases include a collection of sets for the 1:48th scale ICM Hudson, four photo-etched sets for the 1:32nd scale Italeri Macchi MC.202, and photo-etched as well as Space series sets for the 1:32 scale Hunter T.7. Within the Brassin line of 3D-printed sets, there is an interesting engine set for the 1:48 scale Hampden (containing both engines) released by ICM, while for the same manufacturer's 1:48th scale Hudson, we have four new mask sets and two photoetched sets. The 3D-printed range also features four smaller sets for 1:48th scale military vehicles, along with five sets of 3D-printed tank tracks in 1:35th. And speaking of tanks, the photoetched selection includes a set of fenders for the Tamiya 1:35 scale M-24 Chaffee. Two sets, one photo-etched and one Space, are dedicated to the 1:72nd scale Curtiss H-81A-2 by Arma Hobby. Also of note are a 3D-printed gun bay set for our 1:72 scale Spitfire Mk.Vb, as well as three smaller 3D-printed sets and one LooK set for the new 1:72nd scale Junkers Ju 52.

Upper Engine Cowling for the 1:32nd P-51B

Finally, I’ve saved three 3D-printed sets for the 1:32 scale P-51B, specifically for the kit from our new Hybrid line, for last. The announcement of a 3D-printed upper engine cowling in our Brassin range caused quite a stir online. A wave of criticism ensued, with accusations of dishonest practices on our part with claims that we had designed the engine cowling incorrectly in the original kit and were now  offering a fix by releasing a replacement as Brassin set. It is therefore worth clarifying the situation and explaining why we decided to release this engine cowling as a separate aftermarket accessory.

The impetus for releasing this set was a wave of criticism based on the premise that the kit’s upper engine cowling, molded as an integral part of the fuselage halves, was a poor design decision, and that the details in this area would be substandard, specifically lacking in definition. It was suggested that the upper engine cowling should have been molded as a separate piece, or that we should at least provide it as an alternative 3D-printed part.

First off, I will try to explain why we decided to incorporate the upper engine cowling into the fuselage halves in this kit from the beginning. The fact is that a separate upper engine cowling is not a superior technical solution compared to having the cowling split across the two fuselage halves, which is the approach we took for this kit. Both are perfectly valid solutions. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they share one common trait: there is always a surface perpendicular to the mold's parting plane. Such a surface invariably creates challenges for both mold making and the molding process alike.

The variant with the cowl as part of the fuselage halves is more complicated to develop a mold for. There involves a complex machining procedure, electroerosive machining, and is very demanding on precision and strict adherence to the technological procedure demanded by the process. By the way, we repeated the production of that fuselage mold three times before we were satisfied with the result. But during pressing, there is less risk of damaging the molding, because the panel lines on the molding are not perpendicular to the axis of removing the moldings from the mold. In the end, the surface on the cowl molded in this way is actually very good. If we produced the cowl separately, it would probably look a little worse on the sides around the exhaust area. Also, in this case, there would be a greater risk that the upper cowl would not sit quite right with respect to adjacent parts, either due to inaccuracy in the manufacture of the mold or inaccuracy of the modeler during assembly. It is also good to know that the technical solution for the connection of the two fuselage halves is made in such a way that a joint is formed on the upper part of the nose where the cowling is. It should be there, but you need to glue it carefully, don't cover the joint with glue or forcefully squeeze the halves of the fuselage together, and above all, don't putty the seam after gluing. It's a good idea to lightly put the halves of the fuselage together and brush the joint with a welding type glue.

Naturally, the modeler doesn't know this in advance and likely thinks over their approach differently. The problem is that, no matter which approach we take, there will always be someone who doesn't like our solution. People don't tend to give it much thought and they’d much rather just bitch about it because it’s easier. Or, they ask us to at least release something like the cowling in question as a separate part. We did that, but then we got criticized again, accused of messing it up in the first place, only to then profit by selling the cowl at a high price as a replacement part. But you still end up with two viable options to chose from.

However, this is not a correction part. The kit does not require any correction; the engine cowling as molded is perfectly fine. We released this set because modelers asked for it. To be honest, if we hadn’t already prepared it for the P-51B engine set, which we are planning to release in January 2027, we never would have released it as a standalone item. But since we already had it, I decided to put it out. I’ll admit that a large part of this was simply my own curiosity; I wanted to see how many modelers would actually buy the cowling, given how many had written to us about it. The result so far has been surprising. Among this year’s pre-orders, it ranks second in terms of volume, trailing only the weapons bay set for the 1:48th scale F-35A.

Edoween and Black Friday

In November, there will be two online events. The first is ‘Edoween’, held in conjunction with the Scale ModelWorld Telford Afterparty running from November 5th to 10th, and ‘Black Friday’, linked to the Bratislava Winter Afterparty, running from November 26th  to December 2nd. Additionally, we will open a pre-order window for two kits, the 1:48th scale Dieppe 1942 / Fw 190A-3 and the 1:72nd scale F-4J Phantom II. This pre-order window will be open from November 13th to 24th, with the kits scheduled to ship in the second half of February, 2027. Furthermore, the ‘Sweep’ promotion on selected items from the Brassin line is still ongoing.

And that is all I wanted to tell you today. We are flying to Telford on Friday, and on November 28th, we will be in Bratislava for the Plastic Winter (Plastiková zima) event. If you happen to be at either—or perhaps both—of these shows, do stop by and see us. We will have some interesting items on display such as, in Telford, we expect to have the complete plastic parts collection for the MiG-15, and in Bratislava, we will even have the MiG-15 available for sale.

Happy Modelling!

Vladimir Sulc