Unfortunately, at the beginning of the March newsletter, I had to write about Putin´s unjustified attack on Ukraine, an independent and free state, under the grotesque pretext of denazification and demilitarization, and had started a war. A war waged by the Russians with brutality that exceeds human understanding. The massacre in Bucha, shelling of Mariupol, Kherson, Kharkov and Kyiv and the entire Russian invasion of Ukraine created a huge gap between the people of the two nations, a gap no-one will be able to get over. It has singled out Putin-led Russia from the civilized world. And yet, not only Ukrainians are the victim of the war, decent Russians are victims as well, those who have to live under the dictatorial regime which itself starts to resemble more than anything else cruel Nazi dictatorship. We must not give in to evil, the freedom of Ukraine is also our freedom. We, people living in Europe will have to tighten our belts we definitely will lose some of our comfort – for the very reason that Europe must rid of its reliance on resources and raw materials coming from the state which leaders lie to the face of the world and threaten all with their nukes. But compared to what Ukrainians have to live in now, it will definitelly still be a luxury. We have no other option than to continue our help and support Ukraine to defend its freedom. We at Special Hobby do not just talk, we also act – a week long event was prepared to raise some funds and with the help from our customers, we were able to hand over about EUR 5,500 to the Embassy of Ukraine. That was certainly not a last event to support the just cause. We would like to thank each and every customer who has contributed to that effort, and simply to all those who show their support to the people of Ukraine.
One of the models presented in this Newsletter closely relates to Ukraine – the limited release of he 1/35 SA35009 Panhard 178B model is based on the model produced by Ukrainian ICM and comes now with a wealth of resin conversion parts, turned metal barrel and a fret of etches. The quarterscale AJ-37 Viggen is re-released in a new guise and the 1/72 Meteor F.8/FR.9 in the colours of Middle East air forces is no doubt an attractive-looking model too.
So, what new products you can start looking for now? Many modellers will no doubt appreciate the new type of razor saw handle along with two new types of blades The one with triangular shape will be significant help in hard-to-reach areas while the so called multi shift type will allow cuts with variable depth. You can of course get a set combining the new handle with the new blades, it is called the Razor Saw Profi Set, but the saw can be obtained separately too.
Of all the new resin sets, let me point out the pilot and gunner figures set for Junkers Ju 87D/G kits and accessories for the 1/72 Airfix Wellington Mk.II model. As for the upcoming releases, the L-4 Grasshopper can be expected quite soon as well as the 1/48 Siebel Si 204E bomber type. In the 1/72 scale, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of the ‘Blue Bird on a Long Flight over Europe, Africa and Asia’ which depicts the Aero A-11, the first aeroplane of Czechoslovak origin to fly over all those continets during the 1926 long-distance circular flight. The still very popular twin-seat 1/72 Mirage F.1B will also see the re-release. Of the resin cast sets or the 3D-printed items, let me mention the 1/35 Javelin and NLAW 3D-printed missiles. Yes the very missiles now being used by the Ukrainian military fighting off Putin aggression. And these missiles sets will get an addition soon in the shape of a few troops figures. In the pipeline, we also have a few undercarriage wheels and a pilots seat for the new 1/72 IGB Fw 190D kits. O do hope you are pleased with the announced offer and we are looking forward to seing your response in the amount of your new orders.
A. Riedel
