Another Mystery Model

Here you are a few lower hull previews of another mystery model else we're currently working in:

Can anyone guess what is this?

Mystery 1/72 model unveiled

Now that the thing is at an advanced enough state, let me acknowledge you what will be our next 1:72^nd scale SCW model: this is to be no other than the Catalan made IGC Sadurní d'Anoia assault tank, carrier and tractor, a model ever before released in any material --either metal, resin or plastic--, except for a hobby shop in El Vendrell town that dared, a lot of years ago, to make it as a vacuform model.

Here below you can see what does its assault tank version look like:

In spite of some advanced features, as well as it high mechanic reliability, the assault tank version was never approved for production, due to its designers not having foreseen a rotating turret capable of carrying a heavier weaponry than the standard-designed front machine gun. However, both its carrier and artillery tractor versions were produced in some numbers and delivered to the Aragon Front, where the Republican lack of armour was dramatic. A number of them were still active at the start of the Ebro Battle.

IGC Sadurní, assault tank version


IGC Sadurní, universal carrier version


IGC Sadurní, artillery tractor version

The artillery tractor version will come with a 155mm Schneider gun and crew.

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?

New Decals and Flags at different scales

We are pleased to announce the release of several decals and paper flags sheets at both 1:72^nd and 1:100^th scales. Our current full listing consists now of:

1:72^nd scale

• 20GEC002 - waterslide decals - Panzer I ausf. A markings (German, KMT Chinese, Spanish Nationalist)
• 20GEC003 - paper flags - Spanish Republic Institutional flags (Spanish Republic, Basque & Catalan Governments)
• 20GEC004 - waterslide decals - Panzer I ausf. B markings (German, Hungarian, Spanish Nationalist & VBCW* BUF)
• 20GEC005 - waterslide decals - T-26 A & B markings (USSR, Finnish, Turkish & Spanish (both Republican & Nationalist)

[*] Very British Civil War (or VBCW in short) is a trademark of Solway Crafts and Miniatures, used with their kind permission

1:100^th scale

• 15GEC002 - waterslide decals - Panzer I ausf. A markings (German, KMT Chinese, Spanish Nationalist)
• 15GEC003 - paper flags - Spanish Republic Institutional flags (Spanish Republic, Basque & Catalan Governments)
• 15GEC901 - paper flags - Anarchist Militiae flags ("Roja y Negra" Column, CNT's "Castilla Libre", unknown British battalion)
• 15GEC902 - paper flags - Spanish Foreign Legion flags (1927 first flag re-used 1936-1938, 1931-1936 republican period, 1938 onwards)

1:144^th scale

• 10GEC904 - waterslide decals - Nieuport-Delage NiD-52 Republican markings (suitable for other early aircrafts)
• 10GEC905 - waterslide decals - Heinkel He-51 Nationalist markings (suitable for other early aircrafts)

1:72 scale T-26 tank released and shipping!

After a good amount of co-operative hard work, we are immensely happy to acknowledge you all that our so long expected 1:72^nd scale T-26 tank mod. A & B is already coming out from factory!!

Minairons' T-26 tanks come in a sprue consisting of only 10 parts --3 of which are intended for an alternative build of the twin-turreted "A" version. Following recommendations issued by several sources including those from a well-known magazine significant contributor, this time the main gun turret includes a hatchet that can be opened, as well as an optional tank commander torso.

These new tanks are available in a 2-sprues box, also including a decals sheet with national markings for a good number of Soviet, Finnish, Turkish and Spanish (both Republican and Nationalist) tanks. The whole set retails on our webshop at EUR 13.95. Here below you have some captions of this new fast build tank!

A first batch of our newly born T-26 tanks is already flying toward Caliver Books HQ in England, so that they'll be hopefully awaiting YOU at Salute 2013 --in Caliver Books' own stand.

DON'T MISS THE CHANCE AND REINFORCE NOW YOUR FAVOURITE INTER-WARS, SCW OR EARLY WWII ARMY!

Frantic Race for Salute

Just a few days after our latest 1:72nd scale release, we are now hurrying as much as we can for having another novelty in that scale, in time for Salute 2013. It is no other than the model you can see below, a long awaited one.

This is what looks like one T-26 tank from our first tooling test batch. There are still some technical flaws to solve --a couple of undesired flashes, some detailing to be sharpened, a few fittings to be improved... and a sprue proper colour, naturally! In any case, the ultimate sprue will look pretty similar to these below:

All the rest of elements of this upcoming set are ready: decals sheet, boxes... it's now just a matter of injection refining. A matter of days.

New release: 1:72 Befehlswagen I B

Minairons Miniatures is delighted to formally present its latest production, the Pz. Befehlswagen I ausf. B in 1:72^nd scale. This is a kit mostly made in resin, albeit with a couple of optional parts in hard plastic, aimed at allowing you to build the model as a regular fighting Pz.Kpfw I ausf. B. The whole set consists of 10 resin parts, a couple of them also optional, besides of the above commented plastic pieces.

As a novelty with regard to prior releases, this new set is complimented with a decals sheet including not only the expected historical national markings (German, Hungarian and Spanish Nationalist), but also a fictional set. Indeed, sheet also includes BUF symbol roundels for the fictional Very British Civil War (VBCW) setting.

As many of you already know, Very British Civil War (VBCW) is a trademark owned by Solway Crafts & Miniatures and is used with their kind permission.

As a matter of fact, you'll be able to build the model not only as either a fighting or command tank, but will also have the option to build this last one as either its former or later version, as used in SCW and WWII respectively.

This our new kit retails in our website at EUR 10.95. As a number of aficionados may have already experienced, international shipping fees have become unsustainably expensive lately, so that this might prevent some from buying the model straightly from us --unless planning to do a significant purchase and thus to save postage expenses. Nevertheless, all those attending Salute 2013 in London will also be able to find it at Caliver Books' stand. Take advantage of the opportunity Dave Ryan is kindly bringing you!

PS: We've been holding for some days releasing of this new kit, in the prospect of having its own box properly designed and printed. However, as Salute 2013 date approaches, we've had to desist from such hope. Therefore, this very first batch of models is to be released in plastic bag with a header card --just as our 20GEV903 Bilbao AFV was.