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!

1:100 Miller-Ford racer & status update

I'm happy to share Minairons' latest release, the 1935 Miller-Ford racing car in 1:100^th scale. Once again, this new model comes as a 3D-printed product, so requiring no assembly except for the white metal driver to be attached in cockpit.

As for our family health issues, my wife is coping well with her lung chemotherapy treatment; also, she is making visible progress in her motor rehabilitation process (she was affected by a Guillain-Barré syndrome). This is going to take a long time still, but we both are optimistic at regard.

Nevertheless, over four months have passed now since this health issue started, so I'm likely still going to need to shut down Minairons' website from time to time, in order to perform all necessary housekeeping tasks while she is hospitalized. You know, a day is just 24 hours long!

As for the desired Minairons miniatures managament transfer after my retirement, I'm happy to let you know that a preliminary talk took place recently with a friend who had also been in the wargame business for some time, with satisfactory results so far. Hopefully exciting news in this matter to come within this year.

Minairons' status update

Some of you having recently visited Minairons miniatures website may have eventually noticed this was shut down for a period of time --one or two weeks, usually--, allegedly due to family health reasons. Such closure has happened two or three times in the last two months, and I must say it to be expectable for several months else, while Minairons miniatures still goes under my management.

The reason behind these intermittent closures is my wife's health; she's affected by a serious disease requiring both oncological and physiotherapeutic treatment, so that her full rehabilitation is probably going to take a long time. Therefore, the fraction of my time currently available for Minairons business has decreased significantly --enough for making me decide to close the website from time to time, if eventually overwhelmed by the amount of orders, in order to keep taking care of her as well as household stuff as a priority.

The current situation also affects our new releases schedule, as still shown in our blog's pipeline page. I'm not going to release any new item for a while, maybe one or two months; so everything in pipeline stands there in some kind of standby, even those items potentially ready for an immediate launching. Hopefully things may start to run better soon, as while as my wife's health starts improving and I become able to retake halted projects and serve customers as they deserve.

On the other hand, I recently started a conversation with someone interested in taking over the management of Minairons miniatures, now that I am actually retired --I hope to bring great news about Minairons survival soon!

Plans for 2018

As a continuation of my thread of last week, let me encourage you to download our updated Catalogue (either as an illustrated PDF file, or as an Excel speadsheet), rather than bore you by repeating news pieces.

* Illustrated catalogue, PDF version
* Spreadsheet listing, XLS version

FOR THE WEEKS TO COME

1/600 Age of Sail Ships: Such is the range we're planning to start this 2018 year. A first Early Galleon is almost over: hulls are done, rigging is being cast and box design is just awaiting some artwork to be finished. Shortly after its release we shall launch a second, Late Galleon; and in the meanwhile a third ship is already on designer's workbench --a Man-of-War.

I'm not 100% sure about their ultimate pricing, but I'm starting to believe we'll be able to keep them within the €15.95 range (just as the 1/100 aircraft kits or 1/72 figure sets).

As for how to expand the range after those three first ships, there is some uncertainty still. I might choose to continue the full rigged ships series with a frigate, or otherwise could start a range of galleys. It's up to you to help determine the range direction by using our Wishlist.

As for Spanish Civil War, I'm planning to still keep developing all the related ranges (mainly the 1/72nd scale one, but with some room to 1/100th too), although at a more calm speed than in past years. Minairons needs some breathe now, after the huge invest on SCW!

So I'm afraid there won't be any avalanche of SCW releases during 2018. What we currently have on workbenches is a small set of Motorcycle Dispatch Riders at both 1/100 and 1/72, L3/33 Tankette at 1/72, Trubia-Naval Tank at 1/100, and Assault Guards 20mm figure sets. Only if things do run very well during 2018 we shall dare to also release a Fiat-SPA Dovunque truck at 1/72 we are currently designing.

Due to this need of taking breathe, we are now working on some kind of partnership agreement with Early War Miniatures, many of whose ranges are simply ideal to complement ours own. Conversations are likely to end up as a crossed-retail, or crossed-distribution deal. Such is my wish, at least.

OTHER MAIN LINES

In accordance to the priority assigned to the upcoming Age of Sail Ships range, we're going to keep making some 1/600 Naval Flags sheets else, albeit starting to condition their release rate to the eventual success of model ships themselves (just for caution). The next batch we've forecast is to include, for the first time, two flag sets own to 18th Century rather than to 17th --both related to War of Spanish Succession.

Let me suggest you once again to influence the range development by using our Wishlist.

BTW, one user has recently written to me for suggesting a larger scale version of such sets --aimed at 15mm or even 28mm gaming compatible model ships. How would you see it?

1/144 and 1/100 aircraft ranges: Sorry for the delay our next planned aircraft (Breguet Br.XIX) is experiencing. Honestly, its 1/144 version is already done, but I've refrained myself from ordering a decals sheet for it so far, for the above commented 'taking breathe' reason. I'll do all my best to include it in pipeline within 2018! (no other would be my will).

Wish me luck!

Minairons Plans for 2016 (II)

As a second part to the 2016 plans review written some days ago, I'd like now to let you know those other plans regarding 1:72 scale. I must admit these are our most extensive and ambitious plans; and this shouldn't catch anyone by surprise, for it is 1:72 stuff what actually keeps Minairons standing and holding the line. So that we are going to expand our Spanish Civil War range even further in 2016 - this involving both new white metal troop types and high quality resin vehicles.

As for figures, we'll go first for the Foreign Legion - this implying not less than two boxed sets, and quite probably up to three: legionary infantry, command and PaK 36 AT teams. Such will take us the first four to five months of 2016, likely. Once the Legion is done, it will be time to choose between the two best positioned sets behind: either Assault Guards or Requetes - or whatever is adviced by our wishlist status. BTW, I'm saying nothing about Militiamen because this is an upcoming set to be released very soon, still within 2015:

Going now for SCW vehicles, we are working hard to release Trubia-Naval "Euzkadi" tank soon, as already explained in a recent thread, so this will likely be our first AFV release in 2016. Other SCW vehicle projects in portfolio for 2016 are CV-33 Carro Veloce tankette and its Lanciafiamme version, Lancia Ansaldo IZ/IZM armoured car, Fiat-SPA Dovunque 33/35 truck and BT-5 fast tank; except for the truck, all of them are currently at various design stages. I'd also like to take a decision regarding BA-3/6 armoured car - a decision that must compulsorily have into account the excellent model already produced by Pegasus, which is nevertheless little known in Europe.

As for other ranges, we shall keep dropping a few WWII and Interwar models amidst, such as a Landesa improvised tank, or a OT-130 flamethrower version of T-26 tank, for instance - but we don't expect these ranges to grow significantly yet, for SCW is to be prioritary still for a long time. One important exception to this rule is our range of 1938 Grand Prix racing cars, that will be expanded further during 2016 with new racers, a ruleset and probably racing circuits too. At present, the British ERA type B car is already being designed at both 1:72 and 1:100 altogether.

A possible new range we are still pondering is related to War of the Spanish Succession - although little can be explained about yet, for it is currently at a very preliminary stage. In any case, it's in our mind to produce some 20mm items complementary to the plastics 1/72 GNW range already launched by Zvezda. Logically, we would then focus on the Peninsular theatre of WSS, making those troop types not covered by Zvezda plastics --such as southern European grenadiers, Spanish and French dragoons, Catalan Mountain Fusiliers, mounted personalities and so. Nothing at regard can be considered as final, though --not even year 2016 as a start.

New PDF, and Plans for 2016 (I)

First of all, let me acknowledge readers that an updated version of our full Catalogue has just been uploaded. It is updated as of today, October 28, and can be obtained by following the link provided in the side bar top box.

Next, I'd like to show you our plans for the 2016 first half --in this article, those regarding 1/100 scale. We are going to release not less than one model per season in that scale, different versions of IGC Sadurní AFV most of them. The one already being produced right now is the tank version you can see below:

It will be quite an easy to build model, for it will consist of just 3 resin parts and a hard-plastic MG. We have it scheduld for this Winter, and will be followed shortly thereafter by its carrier version, a pretty simple model too. It will be complemented by a 15mm white metal driver and passenger, that are still to be sculpted:

It has been scheduled for Spring, while we expect to release the tractor version in Summer, after having an accompanying howitzer re-scaled, and the above mentioned driver and passenger sculpted.

Last but not least regarding this scale, there are strong chances for a fourth model to be launched in the following months: the Japanese Ha-Go type 95 light tank. We are still struggling with its prototype!

End-of-August State of the Thing

Now that Summer is about to leave us, let me explain what we have been working on, all this time. Just for starting season, Our next release will be the 1/72 scale Interwar Renault TSF command tank, all of whose components are ready right now. Releasing date will fall around next weekend.

Little afterwards we shall launch the 1/72 scale version of Chevrolet 1.5 ton truck, most of whose components are ready too --this is a real SCW and WWII must! We're just awaiting box designing and printing, as well as metal casting of mudguards. Its release can be expected for the second half of September.

Good news for SCW 15mm gamers too --for our first release in 1/100 scale is going to be the UNL-35 armoured car. A first batch of this nice AFV is already cast, and a couple of samples has just been painted by Heresy Brush. Please watch them right below. We've planned to launch it just behind the above --so you can expect it for late September or early October.

That isn't all. Another model almost ready is the also SCW 1/72 Landesa artillery tractor --in our kit, it will be towing a Vickers 105mm gun. All parts and figures have already been cast, so that it is simply awaiting its turn for release. A first sample of it has been painted by Heresy Brush too:

Other two models that are currently waiting their turn are related to WWII, rather than to SCW. The one is the flamethrower version of T-26 tank, that will be released at 1/72 scale during Fall season. Again, take a glance at one of them superbly painted by Heresy Brush

The other one, deviced to be released at 1/100 scale first, is the Japanese Ha-Go light tank. first casting trials of this latter have recently started.

At earlier, design workbench stages, there are still a few models else: Trubia Naval "Euzkadi" tank, Lancia Ansaldo armoured car, CV-33 tankette along with its flamethrower version, and Landesa tracked "tiznao" (an improvised tank). As you can imagine, not all them can be expected to appear altogether, but slowly in the few next months, as while as we can get funded by your kind purchases ;)

A last word regarding figures: no I'm not forgetting them. We have just started the process of defining our new 1/72 SCW Militiamen set. Pictures of it soon!

Not that good news

We're experiencing a serious setback, that threatens to prevent us from releasing the new models we had forecast for this month. Such obstacle consists of an unexplainable delivery delay of the decalsheets that must accompany those models. There are up to 4 new decals sheets affected --those of 1/72 Hispano Suiza armoured truck, 1/100 and 1/144 Fiat CR.32 fighter, and 1/100 Panzer I ausf. B / Pz. Befehlswagen.

According to what we've been told, all 4 sets were printed by Fantasy Printshop (UK) on Wednesday 12, March and shipped to us that very same day --roughly accordingly to deadlines, then. However, they haven't been delivered to us yet, as for today March 21st.

Quite of a worrying situation, because we have no suitable alternatives at hand at the short term. Wish next week begins with better news.

New traders, and schedule changes

We are happy to acknowledge our American followers that Internet Hobbies stores do now carry Minairons Miniatures products in their huge catalogue. Also, that Jordi Rubio renowned hobby shop in Barcelona has just started trading our 1/72nd scale models, both plastic and resin ones.

On the other side, we've had to re-adjust our next releases expected schedule, due to a previously unexpectable issue related to the decals sheets that were to complement the affected sets. In the end, we've been compelled to delay releasing of some models. In exchange, we expect to be able to push forward in the pipeline a couple of models that had been left for the first months of 2014. Please take a glance at our updated pipeline by clicking here.

Glad to assure you that our forthcoming first SCW infantry set hasn't been affected by such schedule changes, as you can appreciate below. Greens will be brought to casting on next week.

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?

Spain Distributor and some news

We are happy to acknowledge our Spanish fans that the well-known e-Minis distribution company has just reached an agreement with us for carrying all our ranges. This partnership comes to fill one of our most moaned gaps on map --that of Spain, precisely. Our current list of committed Distributors and Stockists can be seen in the following page of our website, www.minairons.eu.

Now, some space for explaining in a few words what is going on behind the scenes:

• Our 1:100th scale Bilbao armoured car will be released within this week. We're just awaiting the plastic accessories to be finished.
• The 1:100th scale version of Panzer I A is also progressing fast. Admittedly, we're pressing the plastic factory for delivering the first sprues in time for Hamburger Tactica show.

• Our second 1:72nd scale plastic tank, T-26 mod. A & B has just entered the toolmaker's workshop. Naturally, the ultimate model will show a crispier detail than this one shown at right, which is no more than a testing prototype.
• Our third project --no other than Befehlswagen I B-- has seen its design finally approved, so that it will enter 1:72nd scale production in the next days.
• Two new models have now occupied their place in the pipeline, just come from the Wishlist. One of them has been chosen to be our first 1:56th scale project, while the second one will be made in 1:100th scale first. Let me keep a bit of mystery for some days still before unveiling them.

More news coming pretty soon!

First poll closed

Well, our first orientative poll is already closed, after 7 seven days open to users opinion. There weren't as many votes cast as to give us an unequivocal guide on trends, but they allow us to get a broad confirmation of our previous intuitions --with some latest hour surprise, as it will be seen.

A total of 37 votes have been cast, of which: - 17 asked for the PzKpfw I A in 1/100^th scale,
- 14 would like to see a Republican AFV instead,
- 4 would prefer the PzKpfw I A in 1/56^th scale, and
- 2 asked for another Nationalist AFV.

Worth to be noted that all the 4 votes for the 1/56 version have been lightning-like cast in one single afternoon, after having been announced the birth of our firm at Lead Adventure Forum. Most of the rest have been dropped along the week, likely coming from The Miniatures Page and Wargames Spain mainly.

So what, now?

As said, these are actually few votes --quite a logical response for a just born firm. However, thanks to them we cant now feel assured enough in our forthcoming planning, that is:

- First of all, let's schedule releasing of the 1/72 version of Panzer I A for mid-October.
- Next, the 1/100 version of Panzer I A will be released by Christmas. Its design is already under study by the mould maker.
- The ubiquitous T-26 has already been entrusted to our designer. Which scale to be produced first, yet to be decided.
- Our initial prejudice toward 1/56 range will be revised thoroughly (again, it's a matter of demand; mould making is so expensive than you have no other chance than refrain yourself until getting assured. Apologies for such an excess of caution).

BTW, some eye candy coming soon. Please spread the word and help our fans list grow!