Special Hobby News Apr 2025

X-15A-2 ‘White Ablative Coating’ 1/32

A model of a hypersonic aircraft from the 1960s. It still holds the world speed record as the fastest manned aircraft. It was also the first aircraft to reach the edge of space. It was used in the preparation of the Apollo programme and the results of the test flights were invaluable for aviation and space research.

This boxing features the X-15A-2 as it was on its last flight when W. J. ‘Pete’ Knight achieved the world speed record. It can be built on a transport cart or, using the stand, in flight configuration with a ramjet mock up suspended underneath. Includes detailed resin parts, including a ramjet model, etchings, a plastic stand and decals for the machine in white ablative paint.

–        the only 1/32 scale X-15A-2 model

–        detailed resin parts and etches contained in the kit

–        optional stand or transport cart configuration

–        limited quantity release

Romeo Ro.57bis ‘Italian Fighter-Bomber’ 1/48

The twin-engined IMAM / Romeo Ro. 57, powered by Fiat A 74 R.C.38 engines, was designed as an interceptor. During development and testing, the purpose was re-evaluated and the aircraft was modified for operational use as a fighter-bomber. The modified design was designated Ro.57bis. Originally, 200 production machines were ordered, but this quantity was reduced to 90, and only 60 were produced in total. The aircraft were operationally deployed within the 97° Gruppo from February 1943.

The kit consists of three sprues of plastic parts, and a sprue with clear parts. The plastic parts are supplemented with detailed resin parts and etches. The decals offer three machines in fighter-bomber configuration.

–        one of only very few Italian twin engine fighter types

–        fret of etches and resin cast parts included

Blackburn Roc Mk.I 1/72

In 1935, the Air Ministry ordered a two-seat airborne fighter aircraft from Blackburn under specifications O.35/35. Similar to the land-based Defiant, the new fighter was to have its armament concentrated in a turret and operated by a gunner. The B.25 project by Blackburn’s chief designer, Eng. G.E. Petty, closely followed the previous design of the B.24 known as the Skua Mk.II. Similar to the Skua, it was an all-metal low-wing aircraft with folding wings and retractable landing gear. The aircraft took over the fuselage from the Skua, including the Perseus XII engine. Only behind the pilot’s cockpit was the fuselage extended to accommodate the fully rotating Boulton Paul Mk.II turret with four machine guns. Long before the prototype took off, 136 airframes were ordered on 28 April 1937. The first prototype took off on 23 December 1938. It was tested without a turret, which was only fitted to machine L3058. However, since the Blackburn company was busy with the production of Skua fighters and the preparation of the Botha bomber, the production was assigned to the Boulton Paul company. They built 133 production examples. They were given the combat name Roc Mk.I. The first were produced at the beginning of 1939 and from April the new machines were taken over by 800th and 803rd sq. FAA. Later, 801st and 806th squadrons also received them. However, none were armed only with Rocs. They always formed only a supplement to the more combat-capable Skua Mk.II. Some Rocs were delivered, but before the outbreak of war they were modified and went straight to training units and target towing units. The Roc was 300 kg heavier than the already underpowered Skua due to the gun turret. After the outbreak of war, three Rocs of 801 and three more of 803 Squadrons served from Ark Royal and later from Hatson Airfield in the Orkneys. Later, in 1940, Rocs of 801 and 806 Squadrons were briefly deployed over Western Europe. During this deployment, there was only one combat loss and also the Roc’s only success as a fighter. Roc serial number L3065 achieved, in cooperation with two Skuas, a probable shootdown of a Ju 88. In June 1940, the Rocs were withdrawn from combat units and assigned to second-line squadrons and civil units. The others were used by target towing units. In early 1940, Great Britain wanted to sell thirty-three of them to Finland as part of the aid to Finland attacked by Stalin’s Soviet Union. The machines were given Finnish markings and serial numbers. They were ready for delivery, but by the end of the Winter War they had not been delivered and then there was no interest in them. However, they were flown in Britain wearing the Finnish scheme, only with taped up markings.

The Roc model offers three sprues of grey plastic and one with clear parts. They are joined by PUR parts of the engine and small parts and also fret of etches. The decals offer four machines. One is in natural metal scheme, two camouflaged, of which machine L6R was one of the few Rocs to take part in combat operations. The last machine is also in FAA naval camouflage scheme, but has Finnish markings. It was intended to be sold to the Finns as part of aid during the Winter War.

–        quite a reare fighter type

–        interesting colour schemes

–        fret of etches and resin parts included

HobbyLink International
eBay Store