Free downloads listing updated

Some of you already knew that, besides of model kits, figures and gaming accessories, my former Minairons website also hosted a decent number of basic painting guides related to both WSS and SCW; as well as a few campaign booklets and other gaming aids --all them downloadable for free.

Their complete listing is shown on this blog's 'free stuff' page; which, as a novelty, now allows for users to download such stuff right from there --by just clicking on the corresponding image.

Most of these files are in PDF format, while a few others are just JPEG images. When their size so required, some of them have been compressed as a ZIP file. All you are free to download them as anonymously as desired --although, honestly, it would be warmly appreciated any kind of comment to be dropped in that page's commentary box.

Stocks updated for 1:100 scale

Just as already done with other scales, I've managed to inventory what number of each 1:100^th scale model I still have in stock --with a few pleasant surprises, that can be checked on the corresponding page of this very same blog.

Also, I've taken advantage of such update for setting on sale the production prototypes of two SCW models that already existed in 1:72^nd scale, but not in 1:100^th scale yet: the armoured carrier and unarmoured tractor versions of IGC Sadurní tank. Both are sold as they were cast --i.e. with no driver included. Don't miss the chance, because both models are truly unique!

Now I'm going to figure out how to keep available to public our free download PDFs.

Stocks updated for 1:600 scale

just as already done with 1:72^nd and 1:144^th scales, I've spent the last days at inventorying what I have left in 1:600^th scale --one devoted entirely to the Age of Sail. Here, small numbers of almost everything are still available; these can be checked on the corresponding page of this very same blog, which will be properly updated at every eventual change.

Next will be the turn of our 1:100^th scale ranges.

Stocks updated for 1:144 scale

After 1:72^nd scale, it was now time for me to update remaining stocks of 1:144^th scale stuff --basically aircraft and WSS flags. Once again, there happens to be some more items than accounted for --mainly due to already mentioned latest hour order cancellations. In accordance to previous announcements on this matter, such updated stocks have been listed on the 1:144^th scale page of this very same blog, that will be properly updated at every eventual change.

Next will be the turn of our 1:600^th scale ranges, all related to Age of Sail.

Stocks updated for 1:72 scale

After Minairons' website closure, I've spent the week performing a thorough inventory of what 1:72^nd scale stuff was still left on shelves. Not too surprisingly, I've found out to have some more items than accounted for --mainly due to latest hour order cancellations. In accordance to what I already announced before, all these stocks have been listed on the 1:72^nd scale page of this very same blog, that will be properly updated at every eventual change.

In the next few weeks, I'm going to perform similar inventories on all our other ranges. Stay tuned!

On Minairons' future

Minairons miniatures will definitely cease to exist as a brand in March 2026, when the current minairons.eu web hosting and domain name contracts expire. However, commercial activity will come to an end long before, because I'm going to shut that website down permanently in October 31^st, 2025. There is no turning back here.

The good news for our dear customers is that most of our 20mm SCW figure range is going to resurface to market pretty soon, under the management of Xan miniatures --which is the brand owned by the sculptor of said figures. I haven't learnt a timeline for such relaunch, but it will likely happen over this month or the next one --depending on their own logistic needs. A few sets lay aside of this agreement, though: namely, Militiawomen, Nationalist horse, Foreign Legion and Moroccan mortar and cannon teams, which are still my property. Same for my incipient 1:72^nd scale WSS range, too.

Nothing is carved on stone yet about our 1:72^nd and 1:100^th scales vehicle ranges, but there is a real chance these can survive too, under another brand's name. It's too early for disclosing anything else at regard, but I shall keep you all acknowledged using this very same minairons-news.blogspot.com blog --which by the way is going to be still alive for a long time, unlike the webshop itself.

As for the 1:144^th scale SCW & WWII aircraft ranges, I have been making and selling them so far as an authorized dealer of Plane Printer creator via Patreon sponsorship. When the next month I cease to operate as such, our customers will be able to still find these models in one of two ways: if enjoying themselves 3D printing skills and hardware, they can apply for Plane Printer membership and download the models from Patreon. Otherwise, customers can get in touch with Caliga accesorios, who are also authorized dealers for this range and can print them for you.

Regrettably, I've found no perpetuation chance yet for our 1:600^th scale Age of Sail ships range --and this makes me feel quite sad, because I was really proud of it. Therefore, I'm most likely going to keep selling them until they come out of stock, and afterwards will keep the STLs for my own use. There were a couple of contacts from third parties to acquire the range, but they retracted at the last minute. However, I'm still glad to discuss proposals at regard.

Other ranges not mentioned here are most probably going to be dropped --particularly, the 1:56^th scale vehicle range, which I've been admittedly neglecting for a long while now. Flags and decals will be available still for a long time, though.

Last but not least, this minairons-news.blogspot.com blog is going to stay alive for long, in order to keep Minairons' friends duely informed on what future is deserved to each particular range, as well as to let them know whom to address to in every case.

As already stated at some point before, it was exciting while it lasted. Thanks to you all for your kind support!

New 1:144 Avia S-199 fighter

This one is probably going to be the last release from Minairons miniatures. Today's subject is a new 1:144^th 3D printed aircraft model --that of the Czechoslovak Avia S-199 fighter, produced in postwar times using the Messerschmitt Bf-109 G airframe. It was powered by a Junkers Jumo 211F engine instead of the original Daimler Benz DB605 one.

This aircraft was notable as the first fighter obtained by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and was extensively used during the first stages of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Although officially nicknamed 'Sakeen' (=knife in Hebrew) by the IAF, israeli pilots used to call it 'Messer' instead (this word also happening to mean knife both in Yiddish and German).

Upcoming update: Later this week I'm going to post a thread explaining the timeline for Minairons miniatures shut down, as well as the destiny deserved to each of their main ranges, the website itself and this very blog too. Stay tuned!

New 1:144 HA-1112 'Buchón'

As stated some time before, I am committed to a few releases before Minairons ultimately shuts doors down. These were projects already in pipeline before the events leading to closure, so I think it fair to give them a chance. Such is the case of this one release, the Spanish post-war fighter Hispano Aviación HA-1112 M Buchón (=Pouter), that we've just released as a 1:144^th 3D printed model, designed by PlanePrinter for us.

Spain had obtained in 1942 a German license to build the Messerschmitt BF-109 G, with some components to be supplied by Germany. As WWII progressed though, Germany became increasingly incapable of meeting such needs, so Spanish engineers started using local components --such as a 1,300 HP Hispano-Suiza engine replacing the original Daimler-Benz 605A, so giving birth to a transitional model which was named Bf-109 J at first and later renamed HA-1109.

After WWII ended, Hispano Aviación created the HA-1112 K, which was powered by an Hispano-Suiza engine while the international embargo against Spain was in force. Such engine was replaced by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in 1957 --thus giving birth to the final HA-1112 M version, with its characteristic Spitfire-Messer hybrid look.