Wednesday, September 24, 2025

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 1:144th 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.

Saturday, September 6, 2025

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.