Hobbyboss have five new models ready for us in this month - From below to above the seas, from tracks to rail to in the air above in a large scale - They are shown in our preview that includes markings and sprues…
Hobbyboss’ new items for February 2018
AV-8B Harrier II
Model #81804
1/18th scale
The AV-8B Harrier II is a family of second-generation vertical/short takeoff and landing or V/STOL ground-attack aircraft of the late 20th century. It is primarily used for light attack or multi-role tasks, typically operated from small aircraft carriers and large amphibious assault ships.
The AV-8B is used by the United States Marine Corps. The British Harrier GR7/GR9 versions are used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Versions are also used by NATO countries: Spain, and Italy.
The first AV-8B Harrier IIs produced were commonly known as the "Day Attack" variant, and are no longer in service. Most were upgraded to Night Attack Harrier or Harrier II Plus standards, with the remainder being withdrawn from service.
Model Dimensions: Length: 806mm, Wingspan: 514mm
Metal Parts: screws, spring
The kit consists of over 280 parts with rubber tires
German Sd.Kfz.182 King Tiger “Porsche Turret” w/ Zimmerit
Model #84530
1/35th scale
In early October 1942, plans for production of the VK 45.03 were reviewed，Initially two designs were provided, one by Henschel and one by Porsche. Both used a turret design from Krupp; the main differences were in the hull design, transmission and suspension.
The Henschel version used a conventional hull design with sloped armour resembling the layout of the Panther tank. It had a rear mounted engine and used nine overlapping road wheels per side, mounted on transverse torsion bars, in a similar manner to the original Tiger. To simplify maintenance, however, the wheels were overlapping rather than interleaved as in the Tiger
Henschel won the contract, and all Tiger IIs were produced by the firm. Two turret designs were used in production vehicles. The initial design is sometimes misleadingly called the "Porsche turret" due to the belief that it was designed by Porsche for their prototype. In fact, this turret was simply the initial Krupp design for both prototypes. This turret had a rounded front and steeply sloped sides, with a difficult-to-manufacture curved bulge on the turret's left side, to accommodate the commander's cupola. Fifty early turrets were mounted to Henschel's hull and used in action. The more common "production" turret, sometimes called the "Henschel" turret, was simplified with a flat face, no shot trap (created by the curved face of the initial-type turret), less-steeply sloped sides, and no bulge for the commander's cupola.
The track system used on the Tiger II chassis was a unique one, which used alternating "contact shoe" and "connector" links—the contact shoe link had a pair of transverse metal bars that contacted the ground, while the connector links had no contact with the ground.
The Tiger II was developed late in the war and made in relatively small numbers. Like all German tanks, it had a gasoline engine. However, this same engine powered the much lighter Panther and Tiger I tanks. The Tiger II was underpowered, like many other heavy tanks of World War II, and consumed a lot of fuel which was already in short supply.
Model Dimensions: Length: 292.3mm Width: 107.3mm
19 sprues, lower hull and upper hull
The kit consists of over 550 parts
multi-slide moulded lower hull, turret
individual tracks
zimmerit included
photo-etched parts included
USS Hawaii CB-3
Model #86515
1/350th scale
USS Hawaii (CB-3) was the third and final member of the Alaska class cruisers to be launched. Six Alaska class ships were ordered in September 1940 and the first two were laid down in December 1941 and February 1942. Work on the other four was suspended on 20 May 1942 because of a steel shortage. Work on the Hawaii resumed after the suspension was lifted on 23 May 1943, but the other three ships in the class were cancelled on 24 June 1943.
The Hawaii was finally launched on 3 November 1945, by which time there was no need for any more cruisers. Work continued at a slow pace, and by September 1947 she was 84% complete.
Two possible uses were suggested for the Hawaii during her lifetime. The first was to turn her into the US Navy's first guided missile cruiser, armed with the US Navy's version of the German V-2 rocket. This plan failed to get past Congress.
On 9 October 1952, she was redesignated as large command ship 1 (CBC-1). She would have operated alongside the Baltimore class cruiser USS Northampton, which was completed as CLC-1 (light command ship 1), and served as a flagship in the 1950s and as a floating Presidential command post in the 1960s. This plan was also rejected, and she reverted to the CB-3 designation in October 1954. She was finally struck off the Navy List on 9 June 1958 and sold for scrap in 1959.
Model Dimensions: Length: 704mm Beam: 80.4mm
17 sprues, hull, deck and stand
Metal Parts: anchor chain
hull made from multi-directional slide moulds.
Deck wood pattern finely rendered
Contains 2 SC-1 plane
Contains display stand and engraved nameplate
5 Photo-etched frets included
German Molch Midget Submarine
Model #80170
1/35th scale
The Molch was based on torpedo technology and carried two G7e torpedoes attached externally on either side of the craft. It was fully electrical and was created for coastal operations, with a range of 64 km (35 nmi) at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph).
The front section of the boat held a large battery. Behind the battery was the operator's position, which sat between two small trimming tanks. Behind the operator sat the electric motor. The complicated system of tanks made it difficult to control during combat operations. The first of 393 boats were delivered on June 12, 1944, and were built by AG Weser in Bremen.
4 sprues
Model Dimensions: Length:310 mm Width: 62mm
The kit consists of over 70 parts
includes photo-etched parts
Soviet MBV-2 Armored Train 85514
Model #85514
1/35th scale
Since the invention of the railroad, trains have always played a major role in wars, particularly for troop transport. But even as early as the Civil War, specially armed armoured trains were used in active combat. For about a hundred years, ironclad trains were running the railroads of Europe. To this day, only a few survive.
The Motobronevagon MBV-2. Produced in 1938, this self-propelled vehicle was armed with three 76.2mm guns and ten machine guns, with a crew of fifteen. Only two of these heavy-class armoured trains were built, which saw extensive action in WWII against the Nazis. One of the trains is now on display at The Kubinka Tank Museum.
Model Dimensions: Length: 570mm Width: 94mm
26 sprues, hull and roadbeds
The kit consists of over 420 parts, including 5 section roadbeds
These kits will all be available from Hobbyboss’ Distributors this month...
