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MPM Production Ltd., Mezilesí 718, 193 00, Praha 9, Czech Republictel.:+420 281923 910, fax:+420 281 923 892, e-mail: export@mpm.czofficial website and e-shop: www. cmkkits.com

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09/2012The summer's gone and the fall brings harvest. Our newsletter brings you harvest in the form of our new releases.

We will please especially those modelers who prefer 1/72 scale kits this month. But the others may not be upset

at all since during this fall we will release other scale kits, too. During this fall we will release 1/48 scale kits of Heinkel

He 115 and the first version of Fairey Firefly family, highly detailed Spitfire Mk.XII and F-86K. Also 1/32 scale lovers

will not be ignored. We are working on 1/32 scale Jak-3 and T-2 Buckeye kits. We are still not able to release the A065

Caproni Ca.310 Peru, A103 Caproni Ca.310 Norway Service, SH72235 J-9 and SH72237 P-35A. The new mould is

being galvanized already but this technology is time consuming. Nevertheless we can cheer you up with the delayed

Jak-23 kits, in particular not only this one. September release comprise of: .

SH72233 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.24 „Last of Best“ 1/72

The very last version of the famous Spitfire, Mk.24 was produced after the end of World War 2. This version originates from

Mk.22 versions that were modified on the production line. The modification comprised of additional fuselage fuel tanks (for

longed range) and installation of different rocket racks; some of the new machines even featured new cannon types with

short barrels. Only RAF No. 80 Squadron received this new version except of the training units. However, this squadron

operated from two different continents. This

unit was deployed within the British Air Force

of Occupation in Germany until March 1949

and from August 1949 was deployed in Asian

Hong-Kong. Eventually, the unit's Spitfires

were handed over to the Royal Hong-Kong

Auxiliary Air Force in 1952.

The kit of this aircraft contains four sprues

with detailed plastic parts and sprue with

clear parts.

Decals included offer two machines from RAF No. 80 Squadron based in Germany within BAFO in 1948. Of note is the

commander's mount W2-P that featured unusual national roundels, drop shadowed code letters and commander's

pennant (can be seen on the boxart painting). Other two machines map the No. 80 Squadron's deployment in Hong-Kong.

Machine W2-A was also commander's mount and it featured black and white identification bands on the wing and fuselage.

Decals for the last one are included for three subsequent appearances of this machine. Originally camouflaged W2-F, later

received silver dope and new codes, this time W2-E and eventually as plain “E” that served with RHKAAF. Except of the

common markings the decals also include many stencils.

SH72229 Supermarine Seafire Mk.45 1/72

The Seafire development was delayed during the World War 2 compared to the Spitfire one. However, all the Spitfire

modifications were eventually adapted to

Seafires and some versions were even

modifications of particular Spitfire

versions. The first Spitfire version that

featured new, re-designed wing was

Spitfire Mk.21. The design changes were

so large that even new name Victor was in

consideration for this aircraft. The

development of this version ran from 1942

till the beginning of 1945 and the first

production machines were delivered to

No. 91 Squadron. When the development of the Spitfire Mk.21 had begun in 1943, the Admiralty expressed its interest in

naval version of the aircraft. To speed up the development this version should retain its fixed wing and only a few

modifications were to be done. In 1944 Air Ministry specified the requirements for the new version, which got the

designation Seafire Mk.45. Three Spitfire Mk.21 aircraft were handed over to Cunliffe Owen for conversion into Seafire.

The first converted aircraft, originally Spitfire Mk.21 (serial no. TM379) was ready in the end of October 1944 and it was

handed over for the trials as the first prototype of Seafire Mk.45. During the end of 1944 and at the beginning of 1945 it

went through aircraft carrier trials on board of HMS Pretoria Castle. The trials also involved modified aircraft with contra

rotating propellers.

In sum, 50 aircraft of the Seafire Mk.45 version were produced. None of them was assigned to the combat unit stationed

aboard aircraft carrier. Most of the aircraft served for trials and testing purposes or were assigned to the second line

units. The performances of the Seafire Mk.45 were very similar to the Spitfire Mk.21, only the heavier naval equipment

affected the overall performances. The kit contains four sprues with detailed plastic parts and sprue with clear parts.

Decals included offer three machines in post war FAA camouflage patern.

SH72256 model 68 Hawk III “Over Siam and Argentina” 1/72

The last type of the Hawk family that served with US Navy was model 68, type BF2C-1 Hawk III. This aircraft was

powered by radial engine and was similar in resemblance to its earlier cousin, the Hawk II. Hawk III was equipped with

retractable undercarriage and wings with metal

structure. It was also equipped with bomb racks since

navy wanted multi-purpose aircraft capable of both

fighter and bomber roles. The order was signed only for

27 aircraft. Export version of model 68 from Curtiss

Company was more successful. This version featured

wing with wooden structure and was powered by export

version of R-1820 engine. One machine was sold to

Turkey. Much more successful was sale of 24 machines

to Siam (Thailand), 102 machines to China (90 of them were assembled in China) and 10 machines to Argentina.

Visual difference from the standard US version was the shape of the cowling, the upper wing lacked the floatation

bladders' compartments and some machines flew with tail wheel strut with removed covers. While the Argentinean

machines served until 1948 and never saw any combat, Siam deployed its machines in two conflicts. Partly in border

conflict against French Indo-China and shortly against Japan. The latter ended with Siam becoming Japanese ally.

The kit contains two sprues with grey plastic parts, clear sprue, detailed photo-etched and resin parts, including bomb

racks for Siamese machines. Decals included offer three Siamese and three Argentinean machines. Two Siamese

Hawks feature camouflage pattern and the last is overall in aluminium dope while for the Argentinean machines it is

reversed.

What really helped them were the war prizes from occupied Germany. Their hard work was sometimes speeded up by

the impossible directives issued by the Communist Party and Stalin. Thanks to these facts four jet aircraft prototypes

designed by A. S. Jakovlev design office were test flown during 1947. These were three fighters - Jak-19, Jak-23 and

Jak-25 and jet trainer Jak-21. Of the fighter prototypes only Jak-23 was approved for mass production. Like the previous

fighters Jak-15 and Jak-17, Jak-23 featured jet engine located in the nose in front of the canopy and the jet exhaust

below the fuselage. Unlike its predecessors that were converted from propeller driven fighters, this one featured new, all

metal structure of both fuselage and wing. The wing and tail planes were of straight design. The armament consisted of

two 23 mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannons located in the nose. According to the specifications this aircraft was to be a bomber

interceptor. The first prototype was test flown in July 1947 and in August it was sent to VVS (Military Air Force) Scientific

and Research Institute for comparative trials with other fighters. For standard VVS bomber interceptor was chosen MiG-

15 but Jak-23 was chosen for mass production, too. Except of its excellent maneuverability and climb rate thanks to its

straight wing it also eased the pilots' transition from piston engined types. The real handicap was non pressurized

canopy that didn't allow reaching the maximum climbing altitude of 14,800 m. Jak-23s were assigned to several

regiments of North Caucasus and Volga Military Districts. It was also delivered to former communist states in East and

Middle Europe that were under Soviet Union influence. The license production was to be prepared in Czechoslovakia to

where 12 machines were delivered and in Poland that received 100 machines from overall 310 aircraft produced in

Soviet Union. Nevertheless, the production preparation was halted on behalf of the more promising MiG-15s. Other

users comprised Romania and Bulgaria. One Jakl-23 flew with civil registration SP-KGL in Poland within Aviation

Institute and was used for various tests. Pilot Ing. A. Ablamovicz set two FAI Climbing World records in 1957. On June

24, 1953 Romanian pilot M. Dijakonu flew one Jak-23 to Yugoslavia. Due to then cooperation USA requested for loan of

this Jak-23 for evaluation. Jak-23 was secretly ferried to USA and trialed at Wright- Patterson AFB. When the trials

ended, the machine was returned.

We present you Jak-23 kit in two boxes:

SH72242 Yakovlev Yak-23 Warshaw Pact 1/72

The kit contains one sprue with plastic parts, injected canopy, detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included

offer two CSLA machines, one Polish Air Force and one Bulgarian machines.

SH72248 Yakovlev Yak-23 Red & White Stars 1/72

The kit contains one sprue with plastic parts, injected canopy, detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Decals included

offer three VVS machines and the machine that was trialed in USA.

SH72248 1/72Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora “Red&White Stars”

SH72242 1/72Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora “Warsaw Pact”

During the 1930s Grumman Company was the sole supplier of the fighter aircraft to the US Navy. The first Grumman

fighter aircraft to enter US Navy service was the series of FF-1 twin-seater fighters. Navy ordered 27 machines of FF-1

type equipped with two fixed machineguns and one on flexible mount for rear gunner. In addition, US Navy also ordered

reconnaissance fighter designated SF-1. The latter was powered by R-1820-84 enclosed under wider cowling and using

different types of exhaust tubs. Only 33 machines of the SF-1 version were produced and they were assigned to VS-3.

The series produced FF-1s (unofficially called Fifi) were assigned to VF-5B stationed aboard USS Lexington. When FF-

1s became obsolete they were converted to FF-2 version equipped with dual controls. During the conversion the

cowlings and exhaust tubs were also modified. These trainers served until 1940. In 1937 Canadian CC&F Company

purchased production license for FF-1 and, eventually produced 40 machines designated GE-23 for fictive Turkish

order. GE-23 differed from standard FF-1s by cowling and nose shapes. Their armament was similar to FF-1s. The

machines were in fact ordered by Spanish Republicans Air Force. The production of GE-23 in CC&F continued until the

start of Hurricane license production. Eventually 15 machines were sold to RCAF for dumping price. . RCAF re-

designated these machines to Goblin Mk.I and assigned them to no. 118 Squadron of RCAF. Goblin Mk.Is served with

RCAF until 1942. For short period of time they were also assigned to no. 123 Squadron of RCAF. Single machines were

SH72244 SF-1/FF-2 „US Navy Scout Fighter and Trainer“ 1/72

The kit contains two sprues with

plastic parts, detailed resin and

photo-etched parts. Decals included

offer four colorful machines. Two of

them are for SF-1 version while the

other two are for FF-2 version.

SH72247 G-23 Delfin 1/72

SH72247 G-23 Delfin „Spanish Civil War“ 1/72

The kit contains two sprues with plastic parts that are similar to previous SH72247 but not the same. New parts consist of

fuselage and engine cowling. Also included are detailed resin and photo-etched parts. Camouflage schemes and decals

map the long service of this type in

Spain. Originally Republicans

machines that survived the War were

used by Spanish Air Force deep into

1950s. Decals included offer four

Republicans machines, one of them

was seized by Nationalists and the

last is a machine used by Spanish Air

Force in 1950s featuring new national

roundels.

SH48110 1/48Heinkel He 115

SH72245 1/72Yakovlev Yak-23 Flora Two-Seater

Forthcoming new releases:

SH48127 1/48Fairey Firefly Mk.I “Home Fleet”

SH48041 1/48Fairey Firefly Mk.IV/V

Next month new releases:

SH72099 1/72Supermarine Seafire Mk.47

SH48107 1/48Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XII

SH32028 1/32P-39 “Soviet Guard Gegiments”

We would like to announce that the following kits are sold out:

SH48081 Avro Anson Mk.I 1/48SH48032 F2A-3 Buffalo 1/48A047 IA-58 Pucará 1/72Also we do have last 90 pcs of A047 Sea Otter, 54 pcs of A090 Sea Otter kits and last 60 pcsA076 PZL 24F/G 1/72 kits.