Soon to be released by Helion and Company and author Kevin Wright is Skywatch Volume 1: A History of the Royal Observer Corps, 1925 to 1939.

During World War One, London was vulnerable to air attacks by Zeppelins and later German bombers. To defend the capital, the London Air Defence Area was created to coordinate the efforts to protect it. However, after 1918, the system was quickly abandoned.

In the early 1920s, the Committee for Imperial Defence began to reconsider the problem. In 1924, the first experiment was conducted to monitor and report the movement of aircraft overland by using small groups of aircraft observers reporting to a central point. This successful experiment led to the creation of the Observer Corps in 1925 under the control of Police Chief Constables.

Originally intended to cover just the South East of England to protect London, as the threat from resurgent Nazi Germany grew, the Corps was gradually expanded to cover nearly the whole of Gt Britain by the start of the War. Now transferred to the control of the Air Ministry, Observer Corps Groups became a key part of Fighter Commands integrated air defence system, unique in that it was the only means to track the movement of aircraft once they crossed the coast and headed inland.

Using a combination of new research and access to official files, Volume One of Skywatch charts the development of the Observer Corps from its origins, the very beginnings, formation and growth through the 1920s. It critically examines how, in the rush to prepare for War in the late 1930s, the Observer Corps began to ready itself for War and its unique role, monitoring the skies of Britain.

The 76 page publication is currently available for pre-order in paperback format. Release is slated for April 30.

Product Page

Kotare Models has announced the upcoming release of a Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B model kit in 1/32 scale.

The Mk.I PR Type B was a mid-production Mk.I airframe converted in late 1939–early 1940 into a specialized unarmed photo‑reconnaissance aircraft, optimized for speed, range, and altitude by stripping out all armament and radio equipment, fairing over gun bays, and adding extra fuel and oxygen behind the pilot for longer missions. Externally it carried two downward‑facing F24 cameras with 8‑inch lenses in blister fairings under the wings and used a lighter, unarmored windscreen plus a blown canopy with teardrop side blisters to improve downward visibility. These aerodynamic and weight‑saving changes, combined with the high‑gloss pale blue finish typical of early PR Spitfires, allowed the PR Type B to conduct medium‑range, high‑speed photographic sorties over enemy territory with minimal chance of interception during the early stages of the Second World War. [continue reading…]

A WagAero Sport Trainer project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

WagAero Sport Trainer Project – Airframe Build. Reluctantly selling due to a recent relocation for work and being unable to continue the project. Included in the sale are a welded base fuselage, two fully constructed wings, two fully constructed ailerons, two original Piper 17-gallon fuel tanks, two original Piper fuel tank covers, two fuel gauges, WagAero Sport Trainer blueprints, landing gear cabane, five aluminum stringers, four welded rudder pedals, additional metal tubing and aluminum/4130 steel sheeting for fabrication, and additional hardware. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to take on a proven homebuilt project. All components are in solid condition and ready for the next stage of assembly.

The aircraft is located in Plainfield, Illinois and is currently available for US $6,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

New from author Jack Herris and Aeronaut Books is The Spad A Series:

Spad is famous as the manufacturer of the Spad 13, the best Allied fighter of the Great War. However, Spad started the war with a much less successful aircraft, the Spad A, a two-seater of unusual configuration. This book describes its technical development and combat use. The story is told with 195 photos, color profiles of 18 aircraft, and scale drawings of two types.

The book spans 124 pages and is available in paperback edition.

Product Page

Magic Factory has released a new F4U-1D Corsair model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F4U-1D variant added improved ground-attack capability, including rocket and bomb carriage, making it especially useful in the Pacific as both an air-combat fighter and a strike aircraft.

The kit (5006) includes new loadouts, PE parts and Cartograf decals with marking options for two aircraft serving with VF-84 and VMF-351. Click below to check out the product link and additional images.

[continue reading…]

A has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Have all airframe components, avionics, new brake calipers still on airframe. Read sheet metal work. No corrosion just need to clear space in my hanger. Also have metal wheel pants for an extra 1300.

The aircraft is located in Pennington Gap, Virginia and is currently available for US $6,500 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

A Luscombe airframe project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Complete luscombe airframe project. comes with many spare parts and is very clean and corrosion free open to offers and need it gone. willing to part out but more interested in making someone a package deal. comes with logs amd paperwork.

The aircraft is located in Burnet, Texas and is currently available for US $9,250, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes a number of additional photos.

Eduard is set to release a new Royal Class edition P-40K Warhawk (short tail) model kit in 1/48 scale.

The offering (R0024) will include Eduard plastic parts with sprues for two complete kits, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks, resin parts (exhausts; antenna; undercarriage wheels – two types, seats with harness) wheel wells plugs (Omask), Mouse pad – Royal PIN UP and Eduard decals with marking options for eight aircraft in USAAF, RAF and SAAF service.

The Royal Class edition kit is available exclusively through presale and kits will be produced only to match orders – no extras. Click below to check out additional images and details.

[continue reading…]

A 1941 Piper J3C-65 Cub has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Airframe Overhaul in 1987, fabric is getting some age but remains serviceable. Logs go back to the reconditioning in 1987. ACTT 4055, TSMOH 32. This 1941 Piper J3 Cub has an STC for electric start, meaning no hand prop is needed for this J3. It also includes an STC for an O200 Continental crankshaft (STC SE00979AT) and an STC for a disc brake BUSH wheel modification. A TSO/PMA installed comm and intercom are also equipped. The engine, a C85-12-F, underwent a complete overhaul in 2021, which included a new O200 crankshaft, new camshaft, lifter bodies, and cylinders. It has only 32 hours since overhaul, and the performance is outstanding for a J3 Cub.

The aircraft is located in Paragould, Arkansas and is currently available for US $41,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to introduce two new additions to our recently launched series of Aircraft Collections.

The new offerings focus on the Thomas-Morse Scout WW1 advanced trainer and the Wright brothers / Wright aircraft. They compile nearly all related content that appeared in the original run of The Flying Machine journal from 2016-2023, and also include bonus content.

Click here to check out new releases, as well as our previous collections focused on the Sopwith Camel, Fokker Dr.1 and Curtiss Jenny.