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.

New 1:144 Fieseler Fi-156 'Storch' & orders from USA

Perhaps some of you weren't aware that the otherwise renowned WWII German reconnaissance plane Fieseler Fi-156 Storch (=Stark) was already present in Spanish Civil War, albeit in very limited numbers. About 6 of these STOL aircraft were dispatched to Spain in 1938, for their use by the Condor Legion. As such, they displayed the usual green grey livery with Spanish Nationalist markings. Our model kit is 3D printed, so it needs no assembly, and has been designed by PlanePrinter as usual.

Besides of the orders traffic jam (over 100 of these in a couple of weeks!) experienced lately, that I'm steadily diluting, there is another issue affecting my American customers. A few days ago, all European postal services resolved to temporarily suspend shipments to the States while awaiting more clarity on the new USA issued tariffs. As a consequence, I'm compelled to also temporarily withhold USA orders processing, until all this f*cking mess is ultimately fixed. My most sincere apologies for this unexpected inconvenience.