Special Hobby have sent us details of their latest releases. The 1:48 He 178 makes a welcome return, along with the Re 2003 and Me 163A in 1:72.

SH48175 - Heinkel He 178 V1 1/48
The Heinkel He 178V-1 is arguably one of the world´s pioneering aircraft designs. It became the very first aircraft to be powered solely by means of a jet engine. The engine designed by Hans von Ohain enabled the diminutive wood-winged aircraft with metal fuselage to reach a speed of up to 650km/h. On August 24, 1939, the taxiing trials of the aircraft were commenced and only three days later, an HeS-3b engine equipped prototype took off for the very first time from Marienehe airfield. In total, the He 178V1 made twelve flights, always with Flugkapitan Erich Warsitz at the controls, this making him the first jet pilot in the aviation history.

Model of this important aircraft had been in our Condor range of products for a really long time, kind of a perennial star. However, it eventually became sold out, so we have decided to make it available again and prepared a re-release of this successful product in a new type box under our current company name Special Hobby. The original plastic parts and PE-fret are accompanied by a new and up-graded full-colour instruction booklet.

SH72135 - Reggiane Re 2003 „1. Prototipo“ 1/72
In the early stages of WW2, the Regia Aeronautica´s reconnaissance capabilities depended mainly on the Breda Ba.37 type. These machines, being of a biplane configuration, were not able to stand successfully against the enemy´s fighter planes. Thus, the Regia sought a more up-to -date replacement machine and the Reggiane company was asked to develop a significantly faster reconnaissance aircraft. As a basis for this new design, a Reggiane Re.2000 fighter plane which possessed quite reasonable performance was used. The first prototype of the new version was developed directly from its fighter predecessor. The new plane´s performance seemed to be acceptable, however, yet another reconnaissance type was subsequently developed using more powerful Re.2002 fighter type and a production was also ordered. It never realised, though, as Italy capitulated on Sept 8, 1943.

The kit brings two frames of plastic parts, two resin fuselage halves specific to the Re.2003 version and several other resin parts as the interior, engine and some others. Furthermore, there are also photo -etched parts bringing extra detail to the model, vacuum-formed canopy and a decal sheet covering the first prototype markings.

SH72334 Messerschmitt Me 163A 1/72
The Messerschmitt Me 163A was the world´s first rocket-powered aircraft produced in larger numbers. Production aircraft were used for testing as well as for the training of the pilots who were to fly later with the true fighter version known as the Me 163B. On October 2, 1941, German pilot Heini Dittmar, flying in the Me 163A V1, became the very first man to exceed a speed of 1000 km/h (in fact, he reached 1003.67 km/h). The rocket powered Komet took off using a two-wheel jettisonable dolly and landed on a skid retracting from under the lower fuselage.

The kit comprises a frame of plastic parts, an injected clear canopy part, resin parts to enhance the cockpit area and a PE-fret. The decal sheet caters for three Me 163A machines.

At the last minute we decided, that the final kit is going to include also some accessories. Because of that we had to increase cost a little bit, so price is going to be about 1 euro higher. Thank you for understanding.

WE ARE PREPARING:
SH72333 - S.O. 4050 Vautour IIN "Cyrano"
SH72183 - Messerschmitt Me 163A with Sleuch Slepper

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