Barracuda Studios Enters the Great War!

The modelling public is gobsmacked by our new direction, but fear not, we have not turned our back on WWII subjects.

Helloooooo modellers.

We are proud to announce that we have two new products up on the website and available for sale now. It is our first foray into the Great War. To paraphrase Yoda: Great War? Wars not make one great! Yes.....

Wing Nut Wings turned the modelling world on its head a few years ago with the launch of a growing line of absolutely heart stoppingly beautiful kits of World War One aircraft in 1/32nd scale. They are not only state of the art, but they have set new standards for quality, detail and accuracy.

So why are we doing parts for them? Because, like the Tamiya 1/32nd kits, there are always things that can't be done in injection molding, and many of us love to gild the lily. So, in that spirit, here are two new products that will help you make your masterpiece, even more masterpiece-ier. If that's not a word, it should be. Here's what we have wrought, or more accurately, my good friend Mike Braun, who did the lovely masters, has wrought:

BR32021 Pfalz D.XII Late Exhaust Price $6.95

This super-detailed resin exhaust manifold directly replaces the kit exhaust manifold in the gorgeous1/32nd scale WNW Pfalz. D.XII. Once removed from its casting block, it directly replaces the kit part. It has been upgraded with the addition of weld beading at the junction of its component parts, and the opening has been deeply hollowed out for a more scale appearance. A very quick and easy upgrade to your late production Pfalz model.

For more info and images: http://barracudacals.com/proddetail.php?prod=BR32021

BR32020 Mercedes D.III/D.IIIa Intake Manifold Price: $7.95

This simple two part resin upgrade set replaces the kit intake manifolds for the following kits:Roland D.IVa, Pfalz D.III, Pfalz D.IIIa, Albatros D.V and D.Va, Pfalz D.XII, Fokker D.VII. The parts are designed specifically for the above listed WNW kits in 1/32nd scale, but will work with Roden and others with a small amount of modification. The manifold has been detailed to include the asbestos cord insulation wrapped around the intake pipes. The sheet metal shielding has also been modelled and the mounting clamps are petitely reproduced. Castellated couplings, and additional details round out this simple upgrade. Once removed from its casting block, it is a drop fit for the original kit part. A quick and easy upgrade that will add a lot of detail to the already beautiful engine in these amazing kits.

For more info and images:

http://barracudacals.com/proddetail.php?prod=BR32020

We are accepting orders now, and will begin shipping by Wednesday. More resin is likely for this series of kits, depending, of course, on the popularity of these sets.

The onslaught of resin will continue shortly, with a number of releases in 1/48th scale, and more resin for the Tamiya P-51D Mustang including FOUR sets of new resin tires with different tread patterns.

For those of you that remember the old Cooper Details days, relax. We have not forsaken our first love. There are a number of 1/72nd scale sets in the pipeline. The next few months are going to see a definite upturn in the release of new resin for all scales.

Better get back to the workbench. This stuff ain't gonna do itself.... although it would be great if it did!

Happy modelling! Roy

The Reviews are in!

Large, well printed photos, like this one of Lt. Robert Thoman posing proudly on his P-47D-22 "Ma Cherie", most never published before fill the pages of this book. Interesting sidebars, like this one about a landing mishap, add human interest and a sense of being there.

Hi Guys.

"Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks" has been on sale for a few weeks now, and the reviews have been universally excellent. Here is what the pilots themselves have been saying:

Wow!!! What a book ! I expected to see mostly photos of planes and pilots but didn't put it down until I had completely thumbed through the whole book. I read mostly the highlights so I could get to the next page. You guys have done a masterful job with the info supplied and I thank you for the time, energy and dedication to get this book to completion.

- Jay Harrington, Hell Hawks, 388th Squadron

I got the copy of the book yesterday, haven't hardly put it down!

It is really great: the way t is put together is inticing; can't just read a page and put it down.

And all the photos! My Gosh they're great!

- Ralph Kling, Hell Hawks, 388th Squadron

The book arrived yesterday, and what a book it is. FANTASTIC is a gross understatement, but my vocabulary is limited. I'm truly Honored to see ELSIE at the beginning of the book. THANK YOU.

- Dave Harmon, Hell Hawks, 365th Group Command

Here are three more of the 98 color profiles found in this book. Don Barnes spent hundreds of hours pouring over photos, trying to match up hundreds of shots of aircraft to put together the incredible 98 profiles, all complete down to serial numbers, codes, crew names and mission marks. All aircraft are also attributed to a pilot in the unit.

Modelers and aviation history buffs have also been weighing in:

" I consider the book an indispensable source for 365th FG Thunderbolt documentation"

- Gerry Asher

I got your book today. All I can say is wow. It is very well done. I guess I am going to order a second copy to actually read and keep the signed copy for the future (not for sale). Thanks for putting out such a great reference.

- Rex Driscoll

If you treat yourself to just one aircraft book this year make it "Thunderbolts of the Hell Hawks". I received my copy today and can tell you this book is a first class effort.

Last year I read "Hell Hawks!" by Robert Door and Thomas Jones. A great book, highly recommended. But despite the well written text it left me wanting for more pictures of the men and machines known as The Hell Hawks.

Roy's new book answers the mail! It is packed with photos of the pilots and their P-47s, artifacts, nose art, maps and best of all, beautiful color plates of the Hell Hawks' P-47s. From a modeler's standpoint, Roy's book fills in the blanks and answers all of the questions I had after reading Door and Jones' book.

Roy, your book leaves me wanting for just one thing; DECALS. I have several P-47 kits set aside and waiting for Hell Hawks markings. I would love to add "Miss Dream Girl", "Ma Cherie", "Screemin' Weemie" and of course, "Turnip Termite" to my collection. How about it?

Thanks,
Rich from Mojave

Thanks for the kind words, guys! It's not really MY book. It's Don's passion and vision that made this happen. John and I helped, but none of this would ever have happened without Don's single minded drive to pay tribute to the men of the 365th FG. Don Barnes, John Crump and I are really thrilled that you find this book to be a worthwhile reference. Thanks also for keeping me from having to write more than a few sentences for this Blog entry!

Happy modelling! Roy

Warbird Radio's plastic modelling podcast.

Haven't had your fill of my BS? And by that, I mean, of course, Barracuda Studios. I was a guest on Gerald Voigt's show a few weeks back. Now you can relive it over and over again!

Hi Guys,

The new book is selling well, and it has kept me away from my blogging responsibilities. I will try to do shorter posts more often, to keep you up on what's going on over here in BarracudaTown.

Back in early March, I was the guest on Warbird Radios's excellent modelling podcast "The Plastic Scale Modelling Hour", hosted by my good friend Gerald Voigt. He of Hawkeye Hobbies and SNJ paint fame.

I believe this is the first and still only podcast on the subject of model building. He does a great job keeping it moving and making it interesting.

Gerald wisely invited me on (knowing what a fascinating public speaker I am), and the resulting show has been saved for posterity on the the world wide interweb thing. If you would like to listen, its a little less than an hour in length, and Gerald asks me about Barracuda Studios, Cooper Details, the state of the hobby, my work in movie model making, my days at 21st Century Toys, and my theory on dinosaur extinction (a dinosaur version of the internet that kept them all so preoccupied and distracted with funny prehistoric cat pictures, that they forgot to mate, and well, you can imagine). OK, I made that last part up.

It is actually reasonably interesting, and you might find it worth a listen.

Here is a link to the page:

http://www.warbirdradio.com/2012/03/the-plastic-scale-modeling-hour-barracuda-studios-ep-15/

Right above the little gold MP3 icon, there is a grey play button. Click on that button to hear the podcast.

There are, I think, 20 shows available now, including the latest one featuring modelling rock star Brett Green. He of Hyperscale fame. Brett has also written a surprising number of modelling how-to books. We have collaborated on the ADH "How to build" books on the 1/32nd Spitfire and Mustang from Tamiya. Brett is a great guy.

I said I would keep it short, yet once again, I've gone on too long. OK. back to what you were doing.

Drop Gerald a line and let him know what you think of his show. Tell your friends to give it a listen. I think you will enjoy it.

Happy modelling! Roy