USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Bleriot XI [Video]
After eight months of dedicated work, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of their 1909 Bleriot XI.
As previously reported, The type is famous for being the first aircraft to cross the English Channel in July 1909, and it was used by several famous early aviators from Louis Bleriot himself, to Adolphe Pégoud to Harriet Quimby. It even saw service in the early months of WW1. The museum’s specific example was built from factory drawings by Ernest C. Hall of Warren, Ohio in 1911. He donated it to the museum in 1939. It was removed from public display in 2023 for restoration, with work beginning earlier this year.
The aircraft has since been rolled out for its official photoshoot and plans call for it to return to display in the museum’s early years gallery some time this month. Check out additional photos and a video of the completed aircraft below.
Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Bleriot XI [Video]
New Volume Expands Definitive Red Baron and Jagdstaffel 11 History
Aeronaut Books has released Volume 2 of Bruno Schmäling’s study of Manfred von Richthofen’s Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11.
Volume 2 focuses on the Easter Battle of Arras in 1917, which went down in the history of the Royal Air Force as “Bloody April.” In a short period of just over four weeks, Jagdstaffel 11, under the command of Manfred von Richthofen, achieved the greatest successes in its history. Drawing on numerous previously unpublished documents from German archives, as well as accounts from eyewitnesses, this book presents the most comprehensive account of these events. A special section is devoted to the aerial battle between Albert Ball and Lothar von Richthofen. Previously unknown and unpublished German reports shed light on this often-controversial event. 200 photos, 48 maps, and 39 documents round out the most comprehensive documentation ever written about the Red Baron and his Jagdstaffel 11.
The 306 page book is currently available in hardcover and paperback editions. It follows Volume 1, which was released in 2025 and focuses on the period from October 1916 to March 1917.
Product Page (Vol 1)
Product Page (Vol 2)
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A&A Models to Release New P-61C Black Widow “Project Thunderstorm” Kit
A&A Models has announced the upcoming release of a new Northrop P-61C Black Widow model kit in 1/72 scale.
The P-61C was the final production version of America’s first purpose-built night fighter, a large, twin-engine, twin-boom aircraft that used onboard radar to find enemy aircraft in darkness. Developed to improve the earlier P-61A and B models’ speed and high-altitude performance, it featured more powerful turbosupercharged engines and wing-mounted air brakes, reaching roughly 430 mph. Its heavy armament comprised four 20 mm cannons beneath the fuselage and four .50-caliber machine guns in an upper turret. Only 41 production examples were delivered, beginning in July 1945—too late to see combat in World War II—and they subsequently served mainly in testing and research, including thunderstorm studies.
The new kit (7249) represents the P-61C in thunderstorm research and includes 154 plastic parts, photo-etched parts, painting masks (canopy and wheels), and decals with two marking options. It is currently scheduled for release in mid-December.
(via A&A Models)
1949 Luscombe 8A For Sale: “Full IFR Instrument Panel”
A 1949 Luscombe 8A has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
…equipped with a full IFR instrument panel and is described as having 160 horsepower… The Luscombe 8A is well known among general aviation enthusiasts for its classic design and connection to the postwar era of personal flying. This aircraft offers an opportunity for a pilot or vintage aviation collector to own a recognizable piece of American aviation history. The full IFR panel is a particularly notable feature for buyers interested in the aircraft’s installed instrumentation.
The aircraft is located in Easthampton, Massachusetts with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Storm from the Sky 1941: The German Aerial Invasion of Crete and its Impact on WW2 Aerial Tactics
Coming soon from Pen and Sword and authors Jeffrey Plowman and Mark M J Wilson is The Battle of Crete: Storm from the Sky 1941: Then and Now, and analysis of the German airborne invasion of Crete, detailing the battle’s chaos, defenders’ resolve, and the operation’s lasting impact on WWII airborne tactics.
Operation Merkur, the German airborne invasion of Crete, is an iconic operation in military history. It pitched an elite airborne division against Creforce, a rag-tag force of British and Commonwealth escapees from Greece. The outcome to the Germans seemed assured. Yet, not only had the Germans underestimated the size of the defending force, they lacked an appreciation of the willingness to fight of the defenders, and had wrongly understood the reception they would receive from the Cretan civilians. To add to their woes their uniforms were ill-suited to the climate and other conditions they were to encounter on the island, and the dropping of their primary weapons in separate containers proved to be a grave doctrinal error.
For many of the fallschirmjäger, the events of the first day ensured that this turned into a struggle for their own personal survival as the need for water and ammunition became paramount, while being hunted by Allied troops and civilians alike. It was a disaster and could have been fatal to the invader, except for the intransigence in the higher levels of command of their foes. Continue reading Storm from the Sky 1941: The German Aerial Invasion of Crete and its Impact on WW2 Aerial Tactics
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Arma Hobby Releases PZL P.11c Kit With 3D Printed Details, Four Liveries
Arma Hobby has released a new PZL P.11c “Pursuit Brigade” model kit in 1/72 scale.
The PZL P.11c was a Polish single-seat fighter of the mid-1930s, distinguished by its all-metal construction, high-mounted gull wings, open cockpit, and fixed landing gear. Powered by a Bristol Mercury radial engine, it reached about 375 km/h (233 mph) and carried two or four 7.92 mm machine guns. An advanced design when introduced, it had become obsolete as faster fighters entered service, yet remained Poland’s principal fighter when Germany invaded in September 1939, bearing much of the country’s air-defense effort against the Luftwaffe.
The kit (70018) includes includes fine 3D-printed details replacing the photo-etched parts from the earlier edition, and Cartograf decals with marking options for four aircraft representing all four squadrons of the Polish Pursuit Brigade: 111, 112, 113 and 114.
The kit is now available (Buy on eBay). Check out livery profiles and kit contents below.
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1971 Piper Cherokee For Sale: “160 hp Upgrade, Fresh IFR Certification”
A 1971 Piper Cherokee 140/160 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
3468TT, 400SMOH, Aspen PFD, Garmin IFR with GMA-345 Audio Panel with 4 place intercom, GNC-355, Navigator, GPS-175 #2 GPS, GTR-225 Comm #2, Stratus ADS-b (out) Transponder, True-Trak Autopilot with Altitude hold, new 406Mhz ELT, fresh IFR Cert. 160 HP upgrade, Wheel Pants (included but not installed), Power Flo High Performance Exhaust, E.I. digital OAT, High Torque Starter, Pitot Heat, Flashing Tail Beacon, Rosen Style Visors, LED Landing Light. Very Good Paint and Interior, White with Navy Blue and Las Vegas Gold, Grey Vinyl seats and Side Panels. Fresh IFR Certification, March 2026 Annual. Flown regularly. Hangared at KOJC
The aircraft is located in Olathe, Kansas and is currently available for US $105,000, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.
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Sword Models to Release New Tool Fairey Firefly Mk.5 / FR.Mk.5 Kits
Sword Models has announced the upcoming release of a new tool, 1/72 Fairey Firefly that will be available in to boxings: Firefly FR.Mk.5 (SW72164 / FAA, RCAF, Kon. Marine) and Firefly Mk.5 over Korea (SW72165).
The Firefly Mk.5 was a postwar development of the British two-seat carrier aircraft, combining a Rolls-Royce Griffon 74 engine with power-folding wings and equipment suited to tropical operations. Introduced in 1948, it formed the basis of fighter-reconnaissance (FR), night-fighter (NF), and anti-submarine (AS) versions; the FR.Mk.5 was a specific variant of the Mk.5 armed with four 20 mm cannon and able to carry bombs or rockets. The FR.Mk.5 undertook reconnaissance and strike missions, notably flying ground-attack sorties from Royal Navy carriers during the Korean War.
Both boxings will be available some time in November. Additional details are scarce, although Sword did release box art, livery profiles and a few sprue photos which can be seen below.
Continue reading Sword Models to Release New Tool Fairey Firefly Mk.5 / FR.Mk.5 Kits
1976 Bellanca Super Viking For Sale: “Great Condition, Fully IFR Equipped”
A 1976 Bellanca Super Viking has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 1976 Bellanca Super Viking is a distinctive single-engine aircraft known for its sleek lines and performance-oriented touring design. The Super Viking family has long appealed to pilots seeking an individual alternative to more common four-seat personal aircraft. The aircraft is described as fully IFR equipped and in great condition, with a figure of 1,500 supplied in the notes.
The aircraft is located in Saint Augustine, Florida with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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USAF Museum to Restore CASA 2.111H / Heinkel He 111 [Video]
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has announced the upcoming restoration of their CASA 2.111H (Spanish HE-111H).
The CASA 2.111H was a Spanish-built development of the German Heinkel He 111H-16 twin-engine medium bomber, manufactured under license by Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A. First flown in May 1945, the CASA 2.111 retained the Heinkel’s distinctive glazed nose and broad wings. Early aircraft used German Junkers Jumo engines, while later examples received British Rolls-Royce Merlins because of engine-supply difficulties. The type served with the Spanish Air Force into the early 1970s and became familiar to cinema audiences portraying Luftwaffe bombers in the 1969 film Battle of Britain.
The museum’s example was donated by the Spanish Air Force and has been in the museum’s storage facility for some time. The newly released photos / video, which can be seen below, appears to show the aircraft being relocated to the restoration hangar. As of this writing, additional details, such as a timeframe for completion, have not been announced.
Continue reading USAF Museum to Restore CASA 2.111H / Heinkel He 111 [Video]
