A Bearcat, Dana & Hurricane - all new from Hobbyboss in March...

Three smaller scale kits for release this month from Hobbyboss. A 72nd scale Bearcat, the "Dana" SPG & a new 48th scale Hurricane Mk.I. Art, sprues, colours, decals & even a built test shot Hurricane in our preview...

A Bearcat, Dana & Hurricane - all new from Hobbyboss in March...

HURRICANE Mk.I

Model:81777

1/48th scale

Price: $ 63USD from Hobbylink Japan

The Hawker Hurricane was a combat aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s, designed by the British aircraft manufacturer Hawker Aircraft Ltd. The Hurricane was one of the principal combat aircraft that defended the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain. This fighter plane played a pivotal role in the Second World War, primarily serving with the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Soviet Air Force. The Hurricane was mass-produced, with over 14,000 examples manufactured from 1937 to 1944.

The colour schemes presented in this kit

The decals in the box

Window masks are included for transparent parts

Compared to the all-metal Spitfire that appeared around the same time, it had the advantage of being lightweight and robust, which reduced damage when it was hit; however, it also had a structure similar to aircraft from the previous era, such as a fabric covering over the rear fuselage. It had great success in the Battle of Britain in shooting down Luftwaffe bombers one after another.

The sprues of the kit

Model Length: 199mm / Wingspan: 253mm

Total Sprues 6 sprues and tires

Photo Etched Parts 1 piece

The kit consists of over 70 parts

Detailed fuselage & wing w/accurate design

Photos of the built up test short are here. The rivet detail is prominent isn't it?

152mm ShkH DANA vz.77

Model:82941

1/72nd scale

Price: $ 70USD from Hobbylink Japan

The Dana was developed in the late 1970s by ZTS for the Czechoslovak army, instead of purchasing the Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya. It is based on the Tatra 815 (8x8) truck, and was accepted for service in 1981. By 1994, over 750 units had been produced. The driver and commander are seated in the front cabin. The turret consists of two halves, with the gun mounted in between. 

The colour schemes presented in this kit

The decals in the box

Turret traverse is limited to 225 degrees to either side, due to cables. The gun has a fully automated loading system. All the optics are located in the left half of the turret. The gunner and loader operator are on the left, the ammo handler is on the right side, which also has a DhSK on the turret roof. There are 60 projectiles in the turret and chassis. The Dana is currently in service with the Czech Republic, Libya, Poland, Russia, and Slovakia.

The parts of the kit:

Model Length: 183.6mm / Width: 43.4mm   

Total of 6 sprues , cab , chassis and tires

The kit consists of over 100 parts 

-Newly tooled parts in accurate detail

-Rubber tires & transparent prts

F8F-2 Bearcat 87269

Model:876269

1/72nd scale

Price: $ 23USD from Hobbylink Japan

The F8F Bearcat was the last of Grumman's piston-engine carrier-based fighters. Two XF8F-1 prototypes were ordered in November 1943, and the first of these was flown on 21 August 1944. Grumman decided once again to utilize the most powerful engine available at the time, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp -- the same engine that had powered both their Hellcat and Tigercat designs. This time, the engine was fitted to the smallest, lightest airframe that could be built. This resulted in a highly maneuverable, fast airplane with a rate of climb 30% greater than the Hellcat. 

The colour schemes presented in this kit

The decals in the box

The F8F Bearcat is a U.S. Navy carrier-based fighter developed by Grumman. Equipped with a high-output engine in a sophisticated, compact and lightweight aircraft, it is also described as the strongest reciprocating carrier-based fighter. However, the Pacific War ended just before its deployment, and since jet fighters had advanced so much in the meantime, the operation ended early. This model kit from Hobby Boss precisely and accurately models the F8F-2 with its extended vertical tail and enhanced armor. 

The parts of the kit:

These new kits are (or should soon be) available soon from Hobbyboss' Distributors Worldwide...