1:56 Hispano Suiza MC-36 Ultimate Design

The IndieGogo crowdfunding campaign we started one moth and a half ago has come to an end. It must be admitted that results have been far below our expectations, because no more than EUR 325.00 have been collected. Several explanations can be offered for this external funding failure but, anyway, it's clear that something has been done wrong by us --and it's our fault. We'll have to examine all factors and obtain a conclusion from these.

In spite of this, Hispano Suiza MC-36 AFV will be manufactured indeed, because such was our commitment. At this respect, I'm proud to show you the beast's final design --that will be used for making our casting masters:

Deviced at 1:56^th, the model will be quite large, up to 14cm long. In order to save resin and make it lighter, we've designed its hull inside as empty. This is why it will consist of two parts, upper and lower, this last including all four mudguards.

Windscreens are to be supplied in open and closed position, as separate parts:

In the next weeks, we're going to bring the design to the prototyping company we're usually working with, so that we can hear their opinion on the matter. As for releasing schedule, we're rather optimistic in that the vehicle can be ready for release before Summer --as initially expected.

Our warmest thanks to all those who have trusted on us and dropped your funding help. In the next few days, I shall personally get in touch with you.

Comparing our 1:100 Panzer I Ausf. A

When announcing our 15mm Panzer I ausf. A release last week, we promised to show a few pictures of it painted, along with some other German tanks from other brands. Well, here you are such photos:

First of all, our Panzer in company of some Peter Pig and Battlefront infantrymen:

Now, our Panzer I along with a Panzer II of Zvezda:

And here below, all Panzers from IV to I. They're respectively from Plastic Soldier Company, Zvezda (both III and II) and Minairons. Worth to be noted that nearly all decals shown in this collection are by an obscure German firm called Peddinghaus Decals:

Finally, the whole family together, including two Zvezda Pz II and a second Pz III --this one from Battlefront:

Hope this helps you decide! ;)

New Australian & German traders, and PSC carrying Minairons

We are glad to publicly announce that Platypus Publications, an Australian military bookseller and publisher, has confirmed its will to carry our 1:72^nd scale range --with a prospect to take the 1:100^th scale one too, depending on eventual demand. Thanks to such agreement, Minairons Miniatures will be finally able to land on Australian shores!

Also, our coverage area in German language countries is to get significantly widened from now on, thanks to the deal recently reached with Dragon's Cave games and hobby shop in Upper Palatinate (Bavaria), who are initially interested in our 1:72^nd scale range too.

Last but not least, we believe it most worthy to acknowledge you that Plastic Soldier Company, the renowned plastic miniatures manufacturer, who were already retailing our 1:72^nd plastic models, have just taken advantage of this TMP thread topics to confirm their will to carry the 1:100^th scale range at their own website too.

Wouldn't you agree these are actually encouraging news indeed?

15mm Panzer I Ausf. A, released

After a number of hard to explain accumulated delays, we are happy to announce our first 1:100^th scale fast assembly plastic tank to be finally ready for raiding enemy trenches!

Just as their 1:72^nd scale counterpart, our 15mm Panzer I Ausf. A tanks come in a sprue consisting of only 10 parts --2 of which are alternative turrets, the standard MG-armed one and the "modificado" 20mm Breda gun armed turret. These new tanks are available in a 5-sprues box, also including a decals sheet with national markings for not less than 6 early German, Kuomintang Chinese and Nationalist Spanish tanks. The whole set retails on our webshop at EUR 21.95.

Here below you can see how does one such small tanks look after some (still unfinished) painting:

And now close to a bigger cousin, the 1:100^th scale Panzer III of Zvezda:

I'm currently painting (as fast as I can!) a series of Panzer II to IV tanks from Zvezda, Plastic Soldier Company and Battlefront alongside to our own tank, in order to let you watch and compare all them. Most likely, I'll be able to show you pictures on next weekend.

Pz. Befehlswagen I B, in production

Good news for our 1:72^nd scale fans: the Pz. Befehlswagen I B command tank is about to be released, as a mixed resin + plastic kit as promised, and a first batch of them is currently being cast.

Model will consist of 4 resin main parts (hull, crew superstructure and both sides' wheel/tracks sets), as well as an optional upper dome allowing you to build the command panzer as it was used in Spain, or in the later WWII version; and upper hatchets (both open and closed) that can be fitted into either of those two sub-versions. besides, the kit will be completed with two plastic parts intended for optionally building the model as a regular fighting Panzer I ausf. B.

Except for the unprimed models picture above, the other captions shown correspond to the very first models already cast, some of which have been delivered to me for ultimate approval, while some other are in hands of Heresy Brush for some artwork. Naturally, I wouldn't be missing the chance to build and paint these by myself!

Please note that the stowage items that can be seen on mudguards (spare wheel, toolbox, helmet and rifle) are not included in the kit itself, but come from my own spares box. As for the crewman, it is just a crude prototype of that one to be ultimately included in our plastic T-26 sprue.

1:56 Hispano-Suiza MC-36 nearly finished

We are happy and proud to let you know that designing process is almost finished. All main features have already been outlined and approved by the resin caster. A few improvements were left for afterwards due to not being critical to caster analysis --such as hull rivetting, some detail on wheel tires and windshields... But, once this is done, the model will be ready for prototyping!

Perhaps some will have noted that the alternative cannibalized T-26 turret has not been shown here. But there is one such, indeed!

Please donate and help funding it! Crowd Funding campaign page: igg.me/at/minairons-28GEV008/x/2158183