Production Newsletter MPM Production Ltd., Mezilesí 718, 193 00, Praha 9, Czech Republic tel.:+420 281923 910, fax:+420 281 923 892, e-mail: export@mpm.cz official website and e-shop: www. cmkkits.com 09/2012 The summer's gone and the fall brings harvest. Our newsletter brings you harvest in the form of our new releases. We will please especially those modelers who prefer 1/72 scale kits this month. But the others may not be upset at all since during this fall we will release other scale kits, too. During this fall we will release 1/48 scale kits of Heinkel He 115 and the first version of Fairey Firefly family, highly detailed Spitfire Mk.XII and F-86K. Also 1/32 scale lovers will not be ignored. We are working on 1/32 scale Jak-3 and T-2 Buckeye kits. We are still not able to release the A065 Caproni Ca.310 Peru, A103 Caproni Ca.310 Norway Service, SH72235 J-9 and SH72237 P-35A. The new mould is being galvanized already but this technology is time consuming. Nevertheless we can cheer you up with the delayed Jak-23 kits, in particular not only this one. September release comprise of:. SH72233 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.24 Last of Best 1/72 The very last version of the famous Spitfire, Mk.24 was produced after the end of World War 2. This version originates from Mk.22 versions that were modified on the production line. The modification comprised of additional fuselage fuel tanks (for longed range) and installation of different rocket racks; some of the new machines even featured new cannon types with short barrels. Only RAF No. 80 Squadron received this new version except of the training units. However, this squadron operated from two different continents. This unit was deployed within the British Air Force of Occupation in Germany until March 1949 and from August 1949 was deployed in Asian Hong-Kong. Eventually, the unit's Spitfires were handed over to the Royal Hong-Kong Auxiliary Air Force in 1952. The kit of this aircraft contains four sprues with detailed plastic parts and sprue with clear parts.
Decals included offer two machines from RAF No. 80 Squadron based in Germany within BAFO in 1948. Of note is the commander's mount W2-P that featured unusual national roundels, drop shadowed code letters and commander's pennant (can be seen on the boxart painting). Other two machines map the No. 80 Squadron's deployment in Hong-Kong. Machine W2-A was also commander's mount and it featured black and white identification bands on the wing and fuselage. Decals for the last one are included for three subsequent appearances of this machine. Originally camouflaged W2-F, later received silver dope and new codes, this time W2-E and eventually as plain E that served with RHKAAF. Except of the common markings the decals also include many stencils.
SH72229 Supermarine Seafire Mk.45 1/72 The Seafire development was delayed during the World War 2 compared to the Spitfire one. However, all the Spitfire modifications were eventually adapted to Seafires and some versions were even modifications of particular Spitfire versions. The first Spitfire version that featured new, re-designed wing was Spitfire Mk.21. The design changes were so large that even new name Victor was in consideration for this aircraft. The development of this version ran from 1942 till the beginning of 1945 and the first production machines were delivered to No. 91 Squadron. When the development of the Spitfire Mk.21 had begun in 1943, the Admiralty expressed its interest in naval version of the aircraft. To speed up the development this version should retain its fixed wing and only a few modifications were to be done. In 1944 Air Ministry specified the requirements for the new version, which got the designation Seafire Mk.45. Three Spitfire Mk.21 aircraft were handed over to Cunliffe Owen for conversion into Seafire. The first converted aircraft, originally Spitfire Mk.21 (serial no. TM379) was ready in the end of October 1944 and it was handed over for the trials as the first prototype of Seafire Mk.45. During the end of 1944 and at the beginning of 1945 it went through aircraft carrier trials on board of HMS Pretoria Castle. The trials also involved modified aircraft with contra rotating propellers. In sum, 50 aircraft of the Seafire Mk.45 version were produced. None of them was assigned to the combat unit stationed aboard aircraft carrier. Most of the aircraft served for trials and testing purposes or were assigned to the second line units. The performances of the Seafire Mk.45 were very similar to the Spitfire Mk.21, only the heavier naval equipment affected the overall performances. The kit contains four sprues with detailed plastic parts and sprue with clear parts. Decals included offer three machines in post war FAA camouflage patern.
SH72256 model 68 Hawk III Over Siam and Argentina 1/72 The last type of the Hawk family that served with US Navy was model 68, type BF2C-1 Hawk III. This aircraft was powered by radial engine and was similar in resemblance to its earlier cousin, the Hawk II. Hawk III was equipped with retractable undercarriage and wings with metal structure. It was also equipped with bomb racks since navy wanted multi-purpose aircraft capable of both fighter and bomber roles. The order was signed only for 27 aircraft. Export version of model 68 from Curtiss Company was more successful. This version featured wing with wooden structure and was powered by export version of R-1820 engine. One machine was sold to Turkey. Much more successful was sale of 24 machines to Siam (Thailand), 102 machines to China (90 of them were assembled in China) and 10 machines to Argentina. Visual difference from the standard US version was the shape of the cowling, the upper wing lacked the floatation bladders' compartments and some machines flew with tail wheel strut with removed covers. While the Argentinean machines served until 1948 and never saw any combat, Siam deployed its machines in two conflicts. Partly in border conflict against French Indo-China and shortly against Japan. The latter ended with Siam becoming Japanese ally. The kit contains two sprues with grey plastic parts, clear sprue, detailed photo-etched and resin parts, including bomb racks for Siamese machines. Decals included offer three Siamese and three Argentinean machines. Two Siamese Hawks feature camouflage pattern and the last is overall in aluminium dope while for the Argentinean machines it is reversed.
What really helped them were the war prizes from occupied Germany. Their hard work was sometimes speeded up by the impossible directives issued by the Communist Party and Stalin. Thanks to these facts four jet aircraft prototypes designed by A. S. Jakovlev design office were test flown during 1947. These were three fighters - Jak-19, Jak-23 and Jak-25 and jet trainer Jak-21. Of the fighter prototypes only Jak-23 was approved for mass production. Like the previous fighters Jak-15 and Jak-17, Jak-23 featured jet engine located in the nose in front of the canopy and the jet exhaust below the fuselage. Unlike its predecessors that were converted from propeller driven fighters, this one featured new, all metal structure of both fuselage and wing. The wing and tail planes were of straight design. The armament consisted of two 23 mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannons located in the nose. According to the specifications this aircraft was to be a bomber interceptor. The first prototype was test flown in July 1947 and in August it was sent to VVS (Military Air Force) Scientific and Research Institute for comparative trials with other fighters. For standard VVS bomber interceptor was chosen MiG15 but Jak-23 was chosen for mass production, too. Except of its excellent maneuverability and climb rate thanks to its straight wing it also eased the pilots' transition from piston engined types. The real handicap was non pressurized canopy that didn't allow reaching the maximum climbing altitude of 14,800 m. Jak-23s were assigned to several regiments of North Caucasus and Volga Military Districts. It was also delivered to former communist states in East and Middle Europe that were under Soviet Union influence. The license production was to be prepared in Czechoslovakia to where 12 machines were delivered and in Poland that received 100 machines from overall 310 aircraft produced in Soviet Union. Nevertheless, the production preparation was halted on behalf of the more promising MiG-15s. Other users comprised Romania and Bulgaria. One Jakl-23 flew with civil registration SP-KGL in Poland within Aviation Institute and was used for various tests. Pilot Ing. A. Ablamovicz set two FAI Climbing World records in 1957. On June 24, 1953 Romanian pilot M. Dijakonu flew one Jak-23 to Yugoslavia. Due to then cooperation USA requested for loan of this Jak-23 for evaluation. Jak-23 was secretly ferried to USA and trialed at Wright- Patterson AFB. When the trials ended, the machine was returned. We present you Jak-23 kit in two boxes: SH72242 Yakovlev Yak-23 Warshaw Pact 1/72 The kit contains one sprue with plastic parts, injected canopy, detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer two CSLA machines, one Polish Air Force and one Bulgarian machines. SH72248 Yakovlev Yak-23 Red & White Stars 1/72 The kit contains one sprue with plastic parts, injected canopy, detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer three VVS machines and the machine that was trialed in USA.
SH72242 Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora Warsaw Pact 1/72 SH72248 1/72 Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora Red&White Stars
During the 1930s Grumman Company was the sole supplier of the fighter aircraft to the US Navy. The first Grumman fighter aircraft to enter US Navy service was the series of FF-1 twin-seater fighters. Navy ordered 27 machines of FF-1 type equipped with two fixed machineguns and one on flexible mount for rear gunner. In addition, US Navy also ordered reconnaissance fighter designated SF-1. The latter was powered by R-1820-84 enclosed under wider cowling and using different types of exhaust tubs. Only 33 machines of the SF-1 version were produced and they were assigned to VS-3. The series produced FF-1s (unofficially called Fifi) were assigned to VF-5B stationed aboard USS Lexington. When FF1s became obsolete they were converted to FF-2 version equipped with dual controls. During the conversion the cowlings and exhaust tubs were also modified. These trainers served until 1940. In 1937 Canadian CC&F Company purchased production license for FF-1 and, eventually produced 40 machines designated GE-23 for fictive Turkish order. GE-23 differed from standard FF-1s by cowling and nose shapes. Their armament was similar to FF-1s. The machines were in fact ordered by Spanish Republicans Air Force. The production of GE-23 in CC&F continued until the start of Hurricane license production. Eventually 15 machines were sold to RCAF for dumping price.. RCAF redesignated these machines to Goblin Mk.I and assigned them to no. 118 Squadron of RCAF. Goblin Mk.Is served with RCAF until 1942. For short period of time they were also assigned to no. 123 Squadron of RCAF. Single machines were SH72244 SF-1/FF-2 US Navy Scout Fighter and Trainer 1/72 The kit contains two sprues with plastic parts, detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer four colorful machines. Two of them are for SF-1 version while the other two are for FF-2 version.
SH72247 G-23 Delfin Spanish Civil War 1/72 The kit contains two sprues with plastic parts that are similar to previous SH72247 but not the same. New parts consist of fuselage and engine cowling. Also included are detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Camouflage schemes and decals map the long service of this type in Spain. Originally Republicans machines that survived the War were used by Spanish Air Force deep into 1950s. Decals included offer four Republicans machines, one of them was seized by Nationalists and the last is a machine used by Spanish Air Force in 1950s featuring new national roundels. SH72247 G-23 Delfin 1/72
Next month new releases: SH48110 Heinkel He 115 1/48 SH72099 Supermarine Seafire Mk.47 1/72 SH48107 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII 1/48 SH32028 P-39 Soviet Guard Gegiments 1/32 SH48127 Fairey Firefly Mk.I Home Fleet 1/48 Forthcoming new releases: SH72245 Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora Two-Seater 1/72 SH48041 Fairey Firefly Mk.IV/V We would like to announce that the following kits are sold out: SH48081 Avro Anson Mk.I 1/48 SH48032 F2A-3 Buffalo 1/48 A047 IA-58 Pucará 1/72 Also we do have last 90 pcs of A047 Sea Otter, 54 pcs of A090 Sea Otter kits and last 60 pcs A076 PZL 24F/G 1/72 kits. 1/48