1/48 Baltimore Mk.I/II ‘First Version in Combat’

The Martin Baltimore was an American twin-engine bomber developed in response to a British order and based on the earlier Martin Maryland. It was an aircraft designed primarily to meet the needs of the British and Commonwealth forces, and saw significant action in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The Mk.I and Mk.II versions represent the earliest variants to see combat, as indicated by the kit’s subtitle, ‘First Version in Combat’. The Baltimore proved itself to be a reliable tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft; for modellers, it is of particular interest precisely because of its role in the less common but intensely contested environment of the Mediterranean and the North African theatre of war.

This Special Hobby kit, in 1:48 scale, is a glue-up model comprising nine sprues, supplemented by a sheet of etched parts. The decals allow you to build four different aircraft — two in desert camouflage, typical for operations over North Africa, and two in naval camouflage, suitable for missions over the sea. Thanks to this range of markings, modellers can choose between distinctly different schemes and adapt their approach to painting and highlighting operational wear accordingly.

The 1:48 scale is a popular choice for building both single-engine and twin-engine aircraft, as it offers a good balance between the size of the model and the level of detail. For the Baltimore, it is customary to emphasise the panelling and apply operational soiling consistent with its demanding deployment in desert and coastal environments. The kit does not include the paints or adhesives required for assembly.