1:56 Hispano Suiza MC-36 is back, too

This SCW huge beast is available back again too, as a set of STL files for 3D-printing. It has been simplified so as to have less small parts, so it's easier to build now than previously as a resin model kit; although it still requires a little assembly job. Also, we've taken advantage of this re-release for remodeling and improving its optional T-26 turret, in order to make it look better.

Worth to be pointed out that Minairons has also opened a store in Wargaming3D website, where you will find all our digital products too.

1:56 Hispano Suiza MC-36 AFV fully available

We're glad to announce that, once sorted out some unpredictable issues with decals, our first 1:56^th scale Spanish Civil War model kit is fully available at last!

And we've got a nice surprise to you. Decals sheet will not just include the announced markings for 2 dfferent Nationalist vehicles, but those for 1 Republican car too!

Also, please note that we've performed a slight change in our blog, so that we have now two separate pages for already released models and those others in the pipeline. We believe that, at this stage where our firm has grown enough for showing a significant catalogue, it was better to separe both lists --thus allowing users a conveniently easy checking.

Pre-release of 1:56 Hispano Suiza MC-36

A first batch of forty (40) resin Hispano Suiza MC-36 Armoured Trucks at 1:56th scale is to come out of caster's workbench this week.

Not just pretty soon, but a little too soon in fact –for unfortunately we haven't expectations for their packaging box or accompanying decals to be ready in time for the event. This is why we've decided to put that early 40-models batch on a special pre-release offering while awaiting those boxes and decals can finally be printed –for a next batch at least...

Any of you who might be interested on this stylish, somewhat pulp-ish Spanish Civil War AFV, but wouldn't mind having to do without such boxes and decals, you can now pre-order your Hispano Suiza for just EUR 21.95 –instead of the EUR 24.95 it will retail later!

Model itself consists of 17 parts –two of which, an optional T-26 turret along with a separate hatchet. Also, set includes two different windshield options --either open or closed.

For pre-ordering your Hispano Suiza, please go to our www.minairons.eu website.

Please remember, EUR 21.95 for a limited period of time –until the supplementary components above are finished up, or all the starting forty (40) models are sold out!

That's what a painted Hispano Suiza looks like!

Some eye candy, thanks to the excellent work of Rubén of Heresy Brush:

Isn't it lovely?

Hispano Suiza MC-36 in production

We are delighted to acknowledge you all that a first batch of around 50 units of this superb 1:56^th scale model is already on the way. They're being cast in the finest resin in market --an actually flexible, easy to work one. You won't be deceived by it!

While this first batch is being cast, now it's time for boxart designing and printing. It all should be finished up in a few weeks --certainly within this June.

Now, some good news for 1:72^nd scale fans too --for this huge, stylish beast is already being re-sized into your favourite scale!

Our first 1/56 SCW model!

We are proud to show you the master prototype of our first Spanish Civil War model in 1:56^th scale: the stylish (and somewhat pulp-ish) Hispano Suiza MC-36 armoured truck, a huge beast measuring some 13cm long at this scale! Thanks to the picture above, you can see what it looks like with its MG-armed standard turret...

...and below, its dreadful look when improved with the turret of a cannibalized T-26!

The prototype will be delivered tomorrow to the resin caster, for starting the master moulds making --after some slight polishment, likely. I wouldn't look as too optimistic at forecasting, but it seems quite probable for us to be able to have the ultimate resin model available within this month --or June, probably.

Our most sincere thanks to all those who have been supporting us so far. You won't be deceived.

(Apologies for the so obvious faulty alignment of wheels --I could only use BlueTac for a provisional assembly before sending the prototype to the mould maker!)

So what's next, right now?

After the huge financial effort due for releasing up to three new models in so a short period of time around Saint George's Day (1:100 Panzer IA, 1:72 Pz.Befehlswagen IB and 1:72 T-26 tank), we should better stop for a while and breath...

...but we won't, though. As our firm slowly grows and earns a reputation of its own, we've committed ourselves to keep a pace that maybe some would judge a bit slow, but otherwise is willingly a steady one –as regular and firm as we can.

What will be first, then?

Accordingly to our previous commitments, there's no way out: it's turn for our first 1/56 scale model: the stylish (and somewhat pulp-ish) Hispano Suiza MC-36 armoured truck. Masters' first pictures to follow next week, hopefully.

And what's on the workbench right now?

Hard to answer in few words –but we'll try: our T-26 tank has already been re-scaled into 1/100 . It will be our next model in plastic, for sure.

Along with it, we've started to design a new model, to be released in resin at 1/72 scale first. Please allow us to still keep some secrecy around this new AFV id. For the moment, we can just say it will be a vehicle never before produced in any scale or material. Oh, and it will include a couple of surprise accessories –for if the model itself wasn't a surprise enough...

Oh, some other designs have also been started, naturally: who wouldn't give a chance to good old Renault FT-17, for instance? Following our philosophy of allowing several assembly options for every model, we shall include Berliet and Renault turrets in sprue, as well as the command casemate version. Also, such is the case of another model we've been often asked for: BA-6 armoured truck, of course. We're still studying design as to give the model several assembling options –that might go either around the alternative BT-2 turret some BA-6 were fitted, or to allowing it to be built as an early BA-I.

Additional 1/56 models, when?

Soon, pretty soon... Some patience is still needed. Once the above commented Hispano Suiza is released, we shall see. Apologies for that much caution, but finance is a risky business nowadays...

Any other plans?

Oh yessssssss, lots of these. Up to three new period ranges, for instance. A first design will be started soon regarding one of these. Some talking has just begun on a second one, and (last but not least) a third project is currently being pondered –what about some Lace Wars, for instance?

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.

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

Hispano-Suiza Project 3rd update

Design keeps progressing fast, after some issues detected have been solved. Please check the pictures below:

Next step will be designing turrets and other accessories, such as headlights and the pegs-and-holes system to attach parts to each other.

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

Hispano-Suiza Project 2nd update

Our first 1:56^th scale beast is progressing fast. Here you can watch some captions of it:

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

Hispano-Suiza Project 1st update

Just started working on the thing --and finding first issues!

In short, there are no blueprints of the beast, not even a data sheet specifying its dimensions; so we've had to use a little imagination for guessing the vehicle's main dimensions. So good that someone back in the 30s had got the idea of fitting a T-26 turret on a Hispano!! Thanks to such improvement, we'll be capable now of calculating vehicle's length and height. The rest of its dimensions will be deduced by comparing pictures showing different views of it with this one.!

Thanks to the T-26 turret, it can already be said that the 1:56 scale model will be 13.90cm long!

(Indiegogo funding campaign page)