Squadron has released the first in a new set of models – this one promises to bring something new to those who like their subjects a little more "Luft 50" over "Luft 46." A new "Haunebu II" in 1/72nd scale is the subject of today's new kit preview...
New from 1/72nd Haunebu II from Squadron Models
Haunebu II German Flying Saucer
From: Squadron Models
1/72nd scale
Product Number # SQM0001
Price: $79.99
Haunebu II - German Flying Saucer - The Back Story...
During World War II, a variety of unusual and anomalous aerial phenomena were witnessed by both Axis and Allied personnel. These were called "foo fighters" by the Americans. While some foo fighter reports were dismissed as the misperceptions of troops in the heat of combat, others were taken seriously, and leading scientists such as Luis Alvarez began to investigate them.
In at least some cases, Allied intelligence and commanders suspected that foo fighters reported in the European theater represented advanced German aircraft or weapons, particularly given that Germans had already developed such technological innovations as V-1 and V-2 rockets and the first jet-engine fighter planes, and that a minority of foo fighters seemed to have inflicted damage to allied aircraft.
Similar sentiments regarding German technology resurfaced in 1947 with the first wave of flying saucer reports after Kenneth Arnold's widely reported close encounter with nine crescent-shaped objects moving at a high velocity. Personnel of Project Sign, the first U.S. Air Force UFO investigation group, noted that the advanced flying wing aeronautical designs of the German Horten brothers were similar to some UFO reports. In 1959, Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, the first head of Project Blue Book (Project Sign's follow-up investigation) wrote:
"When WWII ended, the Germans had several radical types of aircraft and guided missiles under development. The majority were in the most preliminary stages, but they were the only known craft that could even approach the performance of objects reported by UFO observers."
This was the mythos that the "Haunebu" project came from.
About The Kit:
This new model from Squadron Models USA, is a newly tooled plastic model kit of the infamous German WWII Haunebu II project. This kit is a 1/72nd scale kit in injected plastic of one of the most top secret projects of Hitler’s Germany.
The kit includes a total of 125 parts, It features a completely detailed interior with three main operating consoles and nine crew seats
The interior and ramp floor is grated. The kit also has an electro-magnetic conductor
Also, a feature of this kit is a three piece upper exterior detail and forward bunker housing.
Two piece bottom disc, incorporating a fully retractable entrance ramp with extension. The kit also features a main turret with detachable (if desired) roof, housing 2 x 110mm canon.
Also featured in the kit is detailed landing gear with the choice of being closed or extended, 4 rotating ball turrets each displaying 2 x 80mm guns and 1 clear sprue with injection moulded windows.
Decals for the kit are provided by Cartograph. Here is the test kit (apparently) all finished up in one of the schemes.
The kit includes a nifty Instruction Manual with full-colour profile and painting guide.
A brief history of the Haunebu II also incorporated into the booklet. Packaged in a deluxe box with protective sleeve including original artwork suitable for framing.
Let's hope this kit is a promising as it looks – It is now available to pre-order from the Squadron Models Website – not sure if you can get it for X-Mas but here's hoping!
