About Ciro Models
Ciro Models was established in 1997. We started
with producing the ground support equipment, to make your collection of aircraft
more alive. The choice was logical – the best-known truck of the Czechoslovakian
Armed Forces – Praga V3S. This truck was designed in 1953 and is still used with
our armed forces even on NATO duties. We first prepared three versions – the
load truck, the external pressurised air supply truck and the external electric
power supply truck SUEZ-M. The models have been upgraded in between times, so
the latest ones are quite different from the first ones. These models were later
augmented by maintenance truck and emergency landing light truck APM-90. Two
small trailers augment the collection of V3Ss. The battery 24V trailer is still
used on Czech airbases, the second is Russian service trailer AMZ53M. We would
like to do some more of these support vehicles, especially those of Russian
origin, unfortunately their design is very difficult. .
The second of our
areas of interest is conversion sets and detail sets for classic plastic models.
The first choice was Mi-8PPA electronic countermeasure helicopter. The first
idea was just to offer a conversion set for the KP model, without taking care of
the model mistakes done by KP. But, when we built that model, we found that it
took a lot of effort to build the model well. We then prepared set C004, where
the main mistakes of KP model were corrected. The set contains the right
engine/gearbox cowling and the right appearance of the fuel tanks. This set was
retrospectively added into Mi-8PPA set and also to other Hip sets. Mi-9 – the
flying command post is not a very attractive helicopter from the external view.
More interesting is its interior. We believe that there is no other model with
such a detailed interior on the market today. You can find such detail as a
small pillow on the bed. But before Mi-9 the set for Mi-17Z-2 electronic
intelligence helicopter was revealed. This helicopter has a very interesting
exterior. This was the first of the series of Mi-17s. The set C005 has the
rather confusing name Mi-8MT, which is actually the original Russian name for
Mi-17, which is used for export only. This set contains all details necessary
for repairing all KP model mistakes and also all Hip weapons options. Mi-17 SFOR
is an exclusively Czech version used in Bosnia, which is very similar to Czech
version used by the Rapid Reaction Force helicopter unit. During the preparation
we ran into the problem of which fuselage number to use. The helicopters use
different equipment, some of them use standard fuel tanks, when some of them
have bigger tanks, borrowed from Mi-8PPA/Mi-9. The canopy set C009 is now the
latest Ciro Models set and repairs the most apparent mistake of KP model – the
front part of fuselage – the pilot canopy. We decided not to add it to other
sets, because it would be unfair for modellers who bought our sets prior to this
one. Also some people also do not like to work with vacu canopies. We are quite
often asked – „What do I have to buy to be able to build a good Mi-8 Hip?" This
is our answer:
1) KP model, to have a basic
2) Any of our
set C001, C002, C003, C004, C005 or C006, depending on the version you would
like to build.
3) The canopy set C009, essential to make the model look like
a Hip.
4) Photo etched parts from Extratech company (which are designed by
Ciro Models), if you want good external details like rotor head.
We would
like to continue with the Mi-8/9/17 family by introducing two new sets and to
continue with two sets for the Mi-24. You can find further details in our news
section.
Ciro Models also produce conversion and details sets for 1/48 scale
aircraft. This scale has to be the best scale for showing real detail. The first
was set C402 with tail surfaces for MiG-15, because what Tamiya produced was not
good to look at! At first sight it did not even look like a MiG-15. When I
thought that I wanted to make more of these models, I decided to prepare a
conversion set. It might be possible to overlook the mistakes on the wing, but
the mistakes on the tail are impossible to overlook. At the same time we
released a conversion set for trainer MiG-15UTI. When the twin-seater was out,
it was not a problem to prepare single cockpit detail set. We would like to
continue quarter scale production and there is more detail in our News
About older news
The last month brought up more news than
usual.
The SPS-141is an interesting, although not so well-known,
electronic jamming pod. Because of its huge size (comparable with a fuel tank)
on the model it looks just great. To put it on the MiG-21 fuselage pylon it was
necessary to lift the aircraft on jacks. The set also contains a control panel
for the cockpit. Finally, here’s a tip for you: the side antenna pylons may be
installed with antennas either to the front or to the rear, depending where the
jamming had to aim.
The gun pod
GP-9. (cat. nr. C411) carried the twin-barrelled gun GSh-23 and was
dedicated for MiG-21PFM. The Academy model contains the pod, but it is 1,5 cm
shorter than it should be. The problem was that the Academy designers were
afraid that the pod would overlap the rear air brake. In fact when the GP-9 was
carried, the air brake was disconnected.
We have prepared three new sets
for the MiG-15.
The first one is the attack version MiG-15SB.The
set contains a complete cockpit, the correct tail surfaces, the parts for
conversion of the rear fuselage and the air brakes - as you know it from
MiG-15UTI. But now there are also a brake chute, JATO rockets and four underwing
pylons. The armament consists of the LR-130 unguided rockets, the box-like
10-round rocket pod for LR-55 rockets, bombs and different fuel tank
attachments. There are also four photo-etched sheets.
When we were deciding
whether to prepare a MiG-15SB or MiG-15bisSB, we chose the classic MiG-15SB,
because the MiG-15bisSB is easily achieved by not using parts from the rear
fuselage. In addition, theMiG-15bisSB could not carry JATO rockets…
The Classic MiG-15, was
predecessor of MiG-15bis, designated as S-102 in the Czechoslovakian Air Force.
The set contains the cockpit, the correct tail surfaces, the parts for
conversion of the rear fuselage and the air brakes, again as you know it from
MiG-15UTI; in addition, the set includes the bottom part of fuselage with guns
and the old-type fuel tanks. The set was born according to my experience with
building MiG-15UTI, because MiG-15bis differs from older MiG-15 not only by
different air brakes, but also by diameter of the engine exhaust pipe and then
by reshaped rear fuselage.
The edition of set for
reconnaissance MiG-15bisR closes our collection of MiG-15 sets. Again it
contains the cockpit, tail surfaces, underwing weapon pylons, armament,
impressive 600 litre fuel tanks and a brand new lower fuselage section with
containing a single cannon and cameras.
I hope you will be happy
with these new sets for the MiG-15 and I can only recommend "4+" publication,
which is a good resource for your modelling.
A little out of our sight of modern aircraft, we
have prepared undercarriage wheel bays for He-111.. The set has only four
parts; the port and starboard wells and two pieces of undercarriage legs. The
remainder of the parts may be found in the Italeri model kit.
Ford F60L
1/35
Ciro models entered after a years also the 1/35
scale. The first article is a conversion set, which allows to built one of the
most widespread British trucks. It is a conversion for QAOD GUN TRACTOR, which
is produced by Tamiya. The set contains the new cabin, complete bed and some
other parts. The photoetched parts are made by Extratech. Especially the
radiator grill improves the model a lot. This truck had been used also by
Czechoslovak units in the UK.
External fuel tank for
Hurricane Mk.II 1/48
The next set contains two 44 galons external
fuel tanks for Hurricane Mk.II. The tanks have also hard points attached, so the
assembly to the Hasegawa model is very easy. We decided to release this set,
because there is no one model on the market, which contains these fuel tanks.
Russian bombs OFAB-100
1/48
The next set is also small one. It contains four
Russian bombs OFAB-100, which can be loaded on any post WWII "Eastern" combat
aircraft. We think, this set will be very useful.
The weapon set for Mi-17
1/72
I have to start the information about the fourth
new set with seemingly bad news. As it is normal with the limited editions, we
finished producing set Nr. C-005, the Mi-17 (Mi-8MT) from Afghanistan and
Chechnya. But we would like to give a chance to the modelers, who would like to
have fully armed Mi-17 in their collections. That is the reason for new C-016
weapon set for Mi-17. It is also usable for new Mi-17 from Zvezda.
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