MPM Production have released details of this month's latest releases:

SH48131 Fairey Firefly Mk.I „Pacific Fleet“ 1/48
Fairey Firefly Mk.I is a typical example of British naval fighter design. Even before the outbreak of the World War 2, Royal Navy asked for two seater long range aircraft designs. Nevertheless, the second crew member was a burden that deprived the performances of these machines. Firefly replaced its low performance Fairey Fulmar predecessor and even though its design handicap was able to oppose the enemy fighters. FAA begun to receive US naval fighters at the time Firefly was approved for active service. Firefly became the complement of the fighters delivered from USA and British Seafire fighters onboard Royal Navy aircraft carriers. Firefly fighters were deployed in Atlantic Ocean and also against Japan in Indian and Pacific Oceans. These became the first British aircraft to reach Japanese mainland and even Tokyo during World War 2. Fireflies were the only British fighters to use rocket armament in the Indian and Pacific oceans theatre of operations. The rockets bestowed heavy firepower and Fireflies used it mainly against ships and AA emplacements.

The kit of this version contains four sprues with grey plastic parts, injected clear sprue, resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included offer markings for four machines that operated from HMS Indefatigable, HMS Implacable and HMS Venerable. The boxart that depicts Firefly that had been just hit is not artistic license but it shows actual event that happened: Firefly piloted by Sub. Lt. Ch. D. MacLaren and observer W. Richard in the rear cockpit was hit during Strike 3 Operation on August 9. This operation comprised preventive attacks on the Japanese airfields located on the Honshu Island. When this machine attacked AA emplacements on the Matsushima it was hit by five shells that demolished radio equipment, torn off the sliding part of the pilot's canopy, pierced the left wing tip, left landing flap, fuel tank and set afire the ammunition. Despite the damage this machine managed to return to HMS Indefatigable. During the landing the tail wheel was also damaged so the machine was written off and thrown overboard into the sea. For his deeds was Sub. Lt. Ch. D. MacLaren decorated with DSC. Our decals include marking for this machine.

SH48136 Fairey Firefly Mk.4/5 “Korean War” 1/48
Fairey Firefly Mk.4/5/6 is the typical representative of British naval fighter concept. Even before World War 2 Royal Navy demanded two-seater long range aircraft for its use. The second crew member was a dead weight that declassified the performances of these aircraft. Firefly Mk.I (we produce a kit of this aircraft under cat. no. SH48127 and we are also preparing another box with Pacific markings under cat. no. SH48131) became the successor to the out powered Fairey Fulmar. Despite the handicap of its design it was able to outfight the enemy fighter aircraft.

The development of new and more powerful versions had been started during the war. While Mk.III version was a disappointment both in performances and handling characteristics, Mk.IV version (later re-designated to Mk.4) was accepted for production. The first machines reached the combat units after the war, though. Main purpose of this version was day and nigh fighter role but it should have been also deployed as fighter bomber. Externally subsequent version served for same purposes and thanks to its internal equipment it was capable of anti-submarine warfare. The need of the anti-submarine warfare led to the development of special version, designated AS.6 (Mk.6). Fireflies were widely used by Royal Navy but were also exported. They were used by aviation sections within Royal Canadian, Australian and Dutch navies. British Fireflies participated in suppressing the communists' squads in Malaya. But inevitable combat experience was the Korean War. During this conflict the Fireflies were deployed by British and Australian navies. Fireflies operated from carriers off the Korean coast and supported the ground troops. Thanks to its heavy armament load were highly commended. Decals included offer markings for Korean War deployed machines. Three of them served with FAA, one of them sports nose art. The last machine served with Royal Australian Navy (RAN). All four machines feature black and white ID stripes over the elegant post war British camouflage pattern.

A075 Morane Saulnier MS-410C.1 1/72
Even in 1939 the French Air Force HQ realized that the most common French fighter MS-406C.1 lacks the performance to outperform the German fighters. The possibility of replacing MS-406C.1 that was so widespread by another type was almost impossible. The production capacity of French companies were low a foreign exchange reserves were low to allow purchase of the new types from USA. Then Morane Saulnier Company offered modification of the already produced machines that should boost their performances. The modification was partially taken from the MS-406 produced for Switzerland. The new version was designated MS-410C.1. The modifications comprised new, fixed radiator, new exhausts, bullet proof windshield, Chavier propeller, four wing mounted machineguns instead of the two, moreover this time belt fed. Despite these modifications made MS-406C.1 far better machine that the previous MS-406C the production and assembly of the conversion sets in the warring France was slow that only few dozen of machines were converted till the Armistice. Moreover, not all of them received all components. Eventually, Finland prospered from the French modifications. Finland bought the seized MS-410C.1s from Germany and deployed them in the Continuation War against Soviet Union. They helped to liberate the territories seized by Soviets during the Winter War.

The kit contains two sprues with plastic parts, injected clear parts and resin parts including new wheels that were designed in 3D. Decals included offer marking for French and four Finnish machines. To allow the build of MS-410C.1 that were not fully modified our kit contains both MS-406 and MS-410 wings.

A109 Morane Saulnier MS-406C.1 “Battle of France” 1/72
Morane Saulnier MS-406C.1 was the widespread French fighter from the Battle of France. It was designed in 1936 but due to the delays the first machines were delivered to Armée de l' Air not before 1938. It was able to outperform the older Bf 109B/C but newer Bf 109E and Bf 110C were hard opponents for the slower but manoeuvrable Moranes. French and also Polish and Czechoslovak pilots fought with Moranes till the bitter end, the Armistice in summer 1940.

The kit contains two sprues with plastic parts, injected clear parts and resin parts including new wheels that were designed in 3D. Decals included offer marking for 4 French machines. All of them sport unit emblems they served with and these are excellent examples of French
aviation heraldry.

A060 Bloch MB.152C.1 “Battle of France” 1/32
Bloch MB 152C.1 aircraft were part of a quaternion types that created the backbone of the Armée de l´Air during the defense of France in 1940. Together with Morane Saulnier MS 406s, Dewoitine D.520s and US provenience Curtiss H 75s tried to fight back the overwhelming Luftwaffe aircraft. The difficult development and slow production led to the fact that only one unit, in particular GC I/I, received new Bloch MB 152s before the outbreak of World War 2 on 1st September 1939. During the Battle of France MB 152s were deployed to GC I/I, GC II/I, GC II/6, GC II/9, GC II/8, GC II/10, GC III/10, GC I/8 and GC III/9. Polish GC I/145 unit was still in training stage. Except these units, Blochs were assigned to many regional defense units Patrouilles Aériennes de Déffense and Navy fighter units. When the armistice was signed Bloch fighters were deployed to Vichy units operating from the homeland. These machines received colorful identification paintjob consisting of yellow and red stripes on the cowlings and tail planes. These identification colors were used until the rest of France was occupied in 1942.

Back in 2008 when we released Azur A060 Bloch MB.152C.1 kit we used resin casting to reproduce the complex engine cowling of this aircraft. That was mainly due to the fact that we didn't have technology allowing the cowling to be produced otherwise. Unfortunately, modelers experienced troubles mating the huge resin part to the plastic fuselage. Since we're still trying to improve the quality of our kits and we're frequently using 3D design and milling machines we decided to enhance this Bloch 152 kits with new sprue with plastic parts for the engine cowling.

The kit contains four sprues with grey plastic parts and injected canopy, detailed resin parts for engine and cockpit. Further details can be found in the photo-etched fret. Decals included offer three colorful machine, with interesting histories, that participated in the Battle of France. These machines were used by the most successful French pilot, Czechoslovakian and Polish pilot that flew Bloch MB 152.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.