Monday 10 August 2020

New releases by Fine Molds!

Bought two new Fine Molds kits yesterday in 1/48.
The first is kit #48994 and is titled "B-339 Buffalo "Japanese Army" w/ Ground Crew & Equipment #1". It is the Tamiya "Buffalo" kit with extra parts like the seat belts, the ground crew and the decals from Fine Molds.
The ground crew set is particularly interesting with many different options. For example, although tinny, they give different rank badge options and head gear. The ladder and the stool are especially welcomed.
The separate "Painting & Marking" sheet, details four different schemes.
Two with markings from the unit that overhauled the aircraft in Bandung, Java. Another with markings of the Akeno IJAAF Fighter School.And the last scheme showing an aircraft flown by the Utsunomiya School.The second kit I bought was number #48995 and is titled "Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 "Japanese Army" w/ Ground Crew & Equipment #2".As before it's the Tamiya kit with extra parts like the seat belts, the ground crew and the decals from Fine Molds.
The ground crew and equipment set is again very interesting with a variety of equipment. Made me wonder if Fine Molds took notice of our "Japanese Airfields, Equipment & stuff" series on this blog.The separate "Painting & Marking" sheet, details two different schemes.
The first of the 1st imported sample flown in Akeno or Fussa airfields.And the second of the 2nd imported aircraft flown in Kakamigahara.Both kits are very interesting releases and the first time, as far as I remember, that Fine Molds cooperated with Tamiya. Price for each kit was about $US35.

2 comments:

Dan Salamone said...

I bought the Buffalo kit and love it. The crew figures and ground equipment originally came in their Ki-10 kit when originally released. The Tamiya Buffalo kit, though "old", still stands up very well after all these years. The box and packaging are also very attractive.

Dan

Baronvonrob said...

Exciting news indeed ...now I will hold out hope for 1/72 versions :)