EDUARD JUNE 2007 RELEASES June 4th, 2007 Do you know Eduard’s date of birth? It’s June 1st, 1992. Yes, we are fifteen! Another year, and we can drive! And that means that our adolescence is nearing an end, and we can get down to some serious business. Don’t worry, we don’t want to stop kit or PE set production. On the contrary, we want to become more active through the remainder of this year, especially with our kit line. Although the first half of the year saw some releases that have been quite interesting, the best, as they say, is yet to come.

We are not ones to miss an opportunity to indulge in something other than standard kit and aftermarket accessory production. In the past, we had some chances to do parts for real aircraft, one of them having had its maiden flight last Friday, on June 1st. It’s a replica of the Avia BH-5, a Czech trainer from the twenties, and was built by the Historic Flight Group over some five years. And, man! She looks great! It is always a huge pleasure to see such a gem in flight! We had the privilege of doing some small parts for this beauty maybe you can recognize them in the pictures. It comes close to our standard photo-etched production, doesn’t it?

JUNE KITS

The more interesting of the Avia B.534s, the IV.serie, or the “Razorback” if you wish, is here. This IV.serie was the main production version, which was operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force before WW II. Later, after the German occupation of Czech territory, the aircraft saw service with the Luftwaffe and also the Slovak Air Force. It was used for fighter training by the Luftwaffe. The Slovak AF operated Avias as a front line fighter until 1942. Slovak pilots were quite successful in the cockpit of the Avias over the Eastern Front (Slovakia was a German ally until late 1944) with many kills to their credit, even a couple of I-16s, which were, without any doubt, an extremely dangerous foe not only to B.534 biplanes. The successful and interesting service career with the Slovak Air Force is also the reason why we will be releasing the Avia B.534 in a special “Slovak” boxing late this or early next year. When the Slovaks rose up in August 1944, declaring Czechoslovakia restored, and opening fire against the Germans, Avia B.534s were back in the fight, fighting on the side of the good guys. They were used mainly for ground attack ops, but also achieved the notable distinction of attaining the last biplane kill in history to their credit, shooting down a Hungarian Ju-52. I read somewhere it was the only rebel kill during the uprising period (Late August to early November 1944). This is not accurate, as there were other victories gained by pilots flying other machines. The Avias were not the only fighter in rebel service; there were two Bf 109G-6s and two squadrons with some 20 La-5FNs flown by Czechoslovak crews arriving from Russia on rebel territory. Especially the Lavochkins, used in the fighter as well as fighter-bomber role, were very effective. There were some Fw 190s, Ju 88s and Fi 156 Storchs downed by rebel pilots during two months of flight operations over Slovakia. This is very component to the air war over Europe during WWII, and there is no space here to explain all of the aspects of the complicated Czechoslovak part of it. However, there are many interesting and epic stories of Czech and Slovak nationals fighting in the war. It has a parallel to French WW II history. As there were Free French fighting on the allied side and Vichy French aligned with the German side, there were Free Czechoslovaks on the allied side and the “independent” Slovak state on the Axis side. What is important for now is the Avia B.534’s separate story, as the Avia is now a well fitting glove within the Eduard WW II line. Other aircraft are still in front of us, I can just to reiterate.

So, the Avia B.534 IV.Serie is out with the usual four marking option, three of them are pre-war Czechoslovak with various Czechoslovak AF regiment markings, and one Slovak B-534 used by rebel pilots during the Slovak Uprising in September 1944. Other marking options, to include German, Bulgarian and a couple of Slovak offerings, will be introduced in the third boxing of the Avia to be released later. The mask sheet and the color PE sheet are also included, of course.

We are back with our figure sets this month, with RAF Fighter Crew, 1940 (1/48th scale) as the kit re-opening the line. There are four pilots in scramble take-off mode, and two ground crew members in the set.

The third June release is the 1/48th scale Mirage IIIC in the WEEKEND edition.

I hope you didn’t mind the historic excursion in this section. I just read too many confusing information regarding the Avia B.534, that I decided that at least a small correction was warranted. Perhaps to some with a narrow window of aviation interest, Czech and Slovak aviation history may look boring, but it really isn’t. Czech and Slovak pilots flew plenty of interesting aircraft types, and because we would like to use this history as at least a partial template for our Eduard production schedule, some very interesting kits would result from such a production policy. Did you know that Czechs and Slovaks flew Liberators in WW II? And Slovaks on Bf 109s?

Fw 190A-8 ROYAL CLASS Overture

There are still the three special boxes of the Fw 190A-8/R-2 Royal Class in my office. These three kits, #001, 002 and 003, contain an original engine hatch clip, a some 15x15cm wide original Fw 190A plate, Knight’s Cross replica with original Iron Cross ribbon, and the other accessories consistent with the standard Royal Class kits. The auction of the first piece will start on June 20, 2007. You can get more info in the AUCTION section of the Eduard website (link will be available soon).

WHAT MORE?

After fifteen years in the modeling industry I know very well, that the past releases are of little interest to modelers. What commands attention are future releases, something not yet available, to be released! So, there will be plenty of good news for all those who live on future releases, trust me!

The 1/48th scale Fw 190A-6 is our July frontman. There has been no other A-6 ever released by any other company. Or at least a correct A-6, better said. The Eduard A-6 is coming out with many alternative parts; there are two types of wing with old style of undercarriage wells with inner doors (A-5 type) and with alternative A-8 type wells. Actually, the newer type wing is used for three of the four marking options, the old one for the fourth. It means that the wheels will also have an alternative option as well as the radio equipment and other small details.

The 1/48th scale Mirage 2000D/N in the Limited Edition line will come together also in July. This is the Heller Mirage modified with Eduard PE sheet and Aires resin parts. Third July release will be the next figure set, in this case Soviet VVS 1944 crew.

In August, we will come out with the I-16 Type 29 (1/48). It is similar to the Fw 190A-6, in the sense that the I-16 Type 29 was never released by any other manufacturer before. This is an interesting final version, equipped for the ground-attack role to go with the traditional fighter role originally planned for the I-16.

We will be back with the 1/35th Hetzer tank destroyer in August. In this case, and I must say this is most probably the final Hetzer edition, we are going to release the Royal Class boxing with some special bonuses. As is typical for a RC edition, you may expect some extra PE sets, aluminum barrel, the MBI book, and some award. “Some award” refers to an Iron Cross for this boxing.

We will also continue with Limited Edition kits in August, with a new 1/48th scale Albatros D.V. There will be also more figure sets; a US Navy Crew 1942 set in 1/48th scale is slated as the August figure set.

August will also see the introduction of the Bf 110. The first version, the Bf 110E, will be introduced at the IPMS USA National convention in Anaheim in late August, to be in regular sale from September 1st, 2007. I already have couple of test shots on my desk, and I must say it is really nice kit with great details. I think it looks even better and more sophisticated, than the Fw 190A. I expect to have all frames tested by the end of June, when we will show them off at the Model Brno exhibition in late June, and we will spend July and early August for final tuning.

So, September will be “Messerschmitt month”, apparently. We will also continue with the refreshing of older kits, and September will see the 1/72nd scale Fokker Dr.I in a Dual Combo boxing, and another figure set, that month being reserved for the RAF WW II personnel set. This will be the second RAF set over the course of a couple of months, so don’t mix this item up with the RAF Fighter Crew ,1940 set released now!

October? Well, October is the end of this preliminary kit info Fw 190A-8/R2 in 1/48th scale, Albatros D.V 1/72nd scale (Dual Combo) and a new 1/48th scale P-39 in the Limited Edition line are scheduled for that month.

PHOTOETCHED SETS IN JUNE

We worked hard to improve our release schedule and plans early this year, to eliminate the less interesting, marginal sets, and follow up with sets for the more attention grabbing releases. I think the June list of new

releases brings many highly interesting items, revealing a hint of future list planning. I don’t want to say too much about all of the items planned now, but I will direct your attention to the USS North Carolina in 1/350t scale is one of them. Another set, or group of sets, is made for the new 1/32nd scale P-51D Mustang from Dragon. There are also three new sets for the Wellington Mk.III in 1/48th scale (Trumpeter) and interior set for the B-26 Marauder from Hasegawa in 1/72nd scale, which follows on the heels of the exterior set for the same kit released in May. Four new sets are now available also for Italeri’s 1/72nd scale C-130H Hercules. And speaking of 1/72nd scale, check out the color set for Revell’s EF-2000 Typhoon. This is a very nice kit, and the set will be will suit it well, I’m sure.

53018 USS BB-55 North Carolina 1/350

32168 P-51D Mustang exterior

73285 C-130H Hercules interior 72461 C-130H Hercules exterior 72470 C-130H/J Hercules cargo floor

73292 B-26B/C Marauder interior

73289 EF 2000 Typhoon Double seater

Turning to AFV sets, note the Centurion sets for the AFV Club kit, and the Panther Ausf.A set for Dragon’s kit. Also the Bego’s Kübelwagen is a pretty nice kit, and I can say the same about it as for Revell’s Typhoon.

35977 Panther Ausf.A late

WEB STORE POSTAGE

I’ve read some agitated and upset feedback concerning the new postage price in our web store. I’m very sorry this had to happen, but this is not a trick to get more money. I think a quick assessment of our pricing structure, and the very positive adjustments made over the past while at no compromise to quality, should tell you that we are intent on keeping our modeler friendly reputation. The increases in question never reach our pockets, and they end up, and are dictated by, the local mail delivery system. Simply said, the postage to the USA as well as to other overseas countries is quite expensive, and we can’t continue to subsidize these shipments. The distance from our office to overseas destinations discriminate these shipments, unfortunately. There are two options open to you, I guess. The first is to find a mail order company closer to your home, or, alternately, to do bigger orders shared among your friends, allowing you to split the postage costs amongst yourselves.

E-DAY 2007

June is a good time to notify you of the upcoming E-Day/Czech Republic National convention. The date is September 15th - 16th, 2007. This would also be a good reason to see Prague, as well as other interesting places in the Czech Republic, and to meet with Czech and Middle European modelers.

That’s all for June. I’m looking forward to July, to have a chance to show you the complete set of test shots of the Bf 110 here. I don’t expect to have a test built kit here, but to see the sprues should be nice, wouldn’t you think?

JUNE 2007 RELEASES / AVAILABLE JUNE 5th, 2007 PLASTIC KITS 8192 AVIA B-534 IV serie $29,95 8495 Mirage IIIC 10-RF 1/48 Weekend $22,95 8507 RAF FIGHTER CREW 1940 $12,95 PHOTOETCHED SETS SHIPS sets – various scales 53018 USS BB-55 North Carolina 1/350 Trumpeter $54,95 1/48th scale AFV sets 28063 GAZ-67B 1/48 Tamiya 32542 $14,95 1/35th scale AFV sets 35973 Centurion Mk.5/2 105mm NATO AFV Club 35122 $24,95 35975 Kübelwagen Typ 82 Bego $19,95 35976 Tiger I Ausf.E early Tamiya 35216 $24,95 35977 Panther Ausf.A late Dragon 6358 $14,95 35978 Zimmerit Panther Ausf.A late Dragon 6358 $14,95 35983 Centurion Mk.5/2 105mm NATO arm.shields AFV Club 35122 $22,95 35985 German Rocket sWG 40 WWII Dragon $29,95 1/32nd scale aircraft sets 32168 P-51D Mustang exterior Dragon $29,95 1/32nd scale color aircraft sets 32569 P-51D Mustang interior Dragon $29,95 32597 P-51D Mustang wings armament Dragon $22,95 1/48th scale aircraft sets 48570 Wellington Mk.III Mid.fuselage interior Trumpeter $24,95 48571 Wellington Mk.III bomb bay Trumpeter $54,95 1/48th scale color aircraft sets 49355 ACH-47A Chinook interior Italeri $29,95 49379 Wellington Mk.III cockpit interior Trumpeter $29,95

1/72nd scale aircraft sets 72461 C-130H Hercules exterior Italeri $24,95 72470 C-130H/J Hercules cargo floor Italeri $29,95 1/72nd scale color aircraft sets 73285 C-130H Hercules interior Revell $29,95 73289 EF 2000 Typhoon Double seater Revell $19,95 73292 B-26B/C Marauder interior Hasegawa $24,95 73299 C-130H Hercules seatbelts Italeri $6,95 ZOOM SETS 1/48th scale color aircraft sets FE355 ACH-47A Chinook interior Italeri $7,95 FE379 Wellington Mk.III cockpit interior Trumpeter $7,95 1/72nd scale color aircraft sets SS285 C-130H Hercules interior Revell $6,95 SS289 EF 2000 Typhoon Double seater Revell $6,95 SS292 B-26B/C Marauder interior Hasegawa $7,95 MASK SETS aircraft 1/48 EX218 Skua 1/48 Special Hobby $6,95 BIG-ED sets /various scales BIG4877 Fw 190A-5 EDUARD $42,95 BIG4878 Wyvern S.4 TRUMPETER $52,95 BIG3252 Bf 109G-6 COLOR SET HASEGAWA $74,95 BIG3546 PANTHER Ausf.G LATE DRAGON $49,95