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MPM News: February Releases & More

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

MPM's newest list of releases is out for February 2011, along with information on the progress of some upcoming projects. Here's what we can see in February:

Azur 1/72 Breguet Br.693A.2 „May - June 1940" A053

On May 12, 1940 the advancing Wehrmacht forces were attacked by brand new ground attack Breguet Br. 693A.2 aircraft from GBA I/54 and II/54. The first attack on enemy with heavy anti aircraft defense caused heavy losses on the French side. Also GBA I/51 and II/51 units participated in May fights. French attack aviators were eager and brave since they attacked enemy merely in self-sacrifice attempts and learned the ground attack tactics on the run. The attackers Breguet Br. 693A.2s proved worthy in fights but the effort to stopGermans advancing to the inland France waspaid by high losses. When the Armistice was signed Breguets Br. 693A.2 together with Br.695 served in Vichy Air Force, were used by Luftwaffe for training and other were seized by Italy. The kit contains three sprues with grey plasticparts, clear sprue, detailed resin parts for engine and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer four markings of machines that fought against Germans in spring 1940.

Special Hobby 1/72 SAAB J-21R SH72207

Since Sweden was neutral during World War II they faced serious troubles obtaining suitable aircraft for their air force.The efforts for self-sufficiency led, among others to development of SAAB J-21A powered by DB605 engine in twin fuselage boom pusher configuration. When the info about first jet engines was available SAAB decide to modify the airframe for jet engine. Even though new J-21R had less common parts with J-21A than already presumed it led to the first jet engine powered fighter aircraft produced in neutral country. The prototype took off in March 1947. Since the thirsty jet engine shortened the endurance and optimal performances were achieved in low altitudes the new machines were used as ground attackers. J-21R served with Swedish AF till the end of 1954. The injected kit of this aircraft was never produces, yet. Special Hobby kit contains two sprues with plastic grey parts, opened injected canopy, resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer three markings of Swedish AF's machines specified by numbers on the nose and letters on the fin (Blue "D" has half the wingspan in white color) and red "N" machine as exhibited in Linköping museum.

Special Hobby 1/72 Model 339C/D Buffalo „Dutch and Japanese“ SH72218

As the title can reveal we prepared Buffalo in Dutch and Japanese markings. When Holland was seized by Germany in 1940 Dutch East Indies was a solitary territory and tried to obtain suitable equipment to strengthen its air force. The new aircraft were ordered in USA. Among others Buffalo model 339 C and D versions. Buffaloes were assigned to 2 fighter units and participated in desperate effort to defend Dutch East Indies. Several Buffaloes were captured by Imperial Japanese Army and were trialed in Java prior sending to mainland Japan, later. There they also served during shooting propaganda film about Japanese Imperial Eagles army fighter pilots.The kit contains on sprue with plastic parts, injected canopy and resin parts. Decals included offer 5 markings; three Dutch machines that were used by the best Dutch pilots Lt. Guus Deibel (3 victories), 1e Lt. J.P. van Helsdingen (3 victories) and Sgt. J. P. Adam (1 victory). Deibel and Helsdingen participated in the last fight before Dutch East Indies fell to Japanese hands. The other 2 machines are in Japanese marking as were tested by Koku Gijutsu Kenkyujo (Air Technical Research Laboratory) at Java and later at Tachikawa in Japan mainland.

Forthcoming Kits

We are working on the long awaited and wanted Vautour kits. You can take a look at the photos of the master pattern here. Due to the complexity of the kits, each particular version will contain considerably large number of parts. That's the fate of complex aircraft. We are also keen working on 1/72 Sunderland but have no photos right now. The soon to be ready in 1/48 scale is CAC Boomerang in CA-13 version. The early version CA-12 is sold out so with the new version we'll be able to please all fans of this beautiful aircraft with mid production version of Boomerang. The kit will also contain excellent resin "hedgehog" exhaust pipe and decals will include interesting machines with nose arts. 1/72 scale Boomerang will be apparently ready in September 2011. Together with 1/48 Boomerang we will release 1/72 scale Meteor Mk.I and 1/48 scale Martin 167A.3 alias Maryland in French colors including 1940 and 1945 camouflages. In 1/32 scale H-75 Hawk with fixed undercarriage (M, N, O versions) and new version of Claude, this time A5M4 will be released.

Visit the MPM website for more information.