Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation
Coming soon from Oneworld Publications and author Charles Spicer is Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation, which surveys the transformation of flight from genteel gentleman’s hobby to terrifying military force.
In the first few decades of the twentieth century British aviators went from gliding a handful of yards to crossing the Atlantic. Journeying from perilous ‘cotton-and-hope’ prototypes to the Spitfire, Flying Pianos…
Charles Spicer meets the cast of colourful characters who helped Britain take flight. There’s Hugh ‘Boom’ Trenchard, eccentric ‘father’ of the RAF; the glamorous Harriet Quimby – journalist, screenwriter and record-breaking pilot; and Grahame Christie, passionate aviator, spy and uneasy acquaintance of Hermann Göring. Charting the soaring highs and catastrophic lows of this technological revolution, Flying Pianos tells the remarkable tale of how Britain took to the skies.
The 400 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 1.
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Phase II of B-24 Liberator Relocation Complete – Aircraft to be Restored for Static Display
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, GA has announced the completion of Phase II of their B-24 Liberator Project.
The B-24J-20-FO Liberator (S/N 44-487821) was originally built by the Ford Motor Company at Willow Run, Michigan 1944. It has been on outdoor display for decades, most recently at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Over that time it has worn several liveries, including Laiden Maiden, Louisiana Belle II (seen above), and Rupert the Roo II.
In June 2025 plans were announced for the aircraft to relocate to The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, a process that includes painting and restoration. The aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Phase I was completed in May with the ailerons, flaps, horizontal stabilizers, turrets, propeller assemblies, and all four engines being cataloged and removed for transport and restoration. The completion of Phase II saw the wing assembly, fuselage, and remaining major components leave Barksdale for restoration at offsite locations.
The aircraft will be installed within the museum’s expanded galleries for public exhibition with the projected date being sometime in the spring of 2027. Click below to check out newly released photos of the ongoing work.
New Renders Detail MikroMir’s “Significantly Improved” 1/48 Northrop M2-F3
MikroMir has announced the development of a new tool Northrop M2-F3 model kit in 1/48 scale.
The M2-F3 was a rocket-powered, wingless NASA lifting-body research aircraft flown at Edwards from 1970 to 1972. It was intended to prove that a spacecraft could generate lift with its fuselage shape and make a controlled, runway-style landing after atmospheric reentry. It was the rebuilt version of the M2-F2— which was damaged in a 1967 crash. The new incarnation gained a central third vertical fin that markedly improved its lateral stability and handling. Air-launched from a B-52, it completed 27 missions, reaching Mach 1.6 (1,064 mph) and 71,500 feet while also testing reaction controls and a side-arm controller. Its test data helped establish the aerodynamic and operational foundations later applied to the Space Shuttle, and the surviving vehicle is displayed at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center.
MikroMir’s new project reportedly features “significantly improved detailing and geometry compared to the 72nd scale.” it is currently in the mold making stage. A release date has not yet been announced. Check out additional renders below.
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1968 Mooney M20C Project For Sale: “Upgraded, In Annual, Easy Project”
A 1968 Mooney M20C has been spotted for sale.
According to the listing, the aircraft has 7,378 total airframe hours and a Lycoming O-360 180-hp engine with 511 hours since a 2019 new-limits overhaul. It features newer paint, modern gray leather interior, O&N fuel bladders, upgraded tinted windows and one-piece windshield, and a recently installed BendixKing AeroCruze 100 digital altitude-hold/wing-leveler autopilot with Level mode.
The aircraft sustained a minor runway excursion after a broken rudder-pedal/nosewheel steering rod; the propeller tips contacted the ground, but the seller reports no airframe, firewall, cowling, gear, or visible engine damage. It requires replacement of the steering rod, propeller repair or replacement, and engine/propeller inspection before flight.
Radios have been removed and are not included, though wiring and trays remain intact. It includes complete airframe, engine, and Hartzell propeller logs, FAA bill of sale, airworthiness certificate, keys, and 30 days of paid hangar rent.
The aircraft is located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and is currently available for US $29,950 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Vintage Aviation Museum to Acquire Tillamook Air Museum
Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon has announced that the Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioners have approved a term sheet for the land lease and future sale of Tillamook’s historic World War II-era hangar to Vintage Aviation Museum, a 501(c)(3) of Spanish Fork, Utah.
The move will see Vintage Aviation Museum assume operation of the Tillamook Air Museum and become its future owner / operator. They plan to relocate most of their aircraft collection to Tillamook while bringing additional historic aircraft to the museum’s historic 1943 airship hangar known as “Hangar B.” The goal is to eventually utilize the entire hangar for aviation-related exhibits, aircraft displays, preservation, education, and visitor experiences. The “Tillamook Air Museum” name will reportedly remain.
An obvious priority will be the repair, restoration, and long-term preservation of Hangar B, which was damaged during a windstorm in December 2025 when an approx. 200 ft section of the roof peeled back.
Additional information, including a reopening date, will be forthcoming. Click below to check out the full announcement from Tillamook as well as the recent announcement by the Vintage Aviation Museum.
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Revell Releases New “Highly Detailed” 1/32 Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A
Revell has released their new Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A model kit in 1/32 scale.
As previously reported, the T.7 was the RAF’s two-seat trainer version of the classic Hunter jet, built with side-by-side seating for a student and instructor, and first flew in 1955 before entering service in 1958. It was powered by a single Avon engine, could reach about 690 mph, and later six airframes were upgraded to T.7A standard for Buccaneer conversion training with updated cockpit instrumentation.
The new kit (03786) was developed using state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology and includes a completely new front fuselage section with authentic two-seater configuration; highly detailed dual cockpit with precise instrument panels and realistic seats; crystal clear cockpit glazing for optimal visibility of the interior details and true-to-original surface structures. Marking options are included for three aircraft: 208 Squadron, RAF (1990); RAF Blue Diamonds Display Team (1961) and Royal Netherlands Air Force (1968).
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1958 Cessna 172 Project For Sale: “Can Be Fixed and Ready to Fly for Cheap”
A 1958 Cessna 172 “straight-tail” project has been spotted for sale.
According to the listing, the four-seat classic has 6,800 hours total time and a Continental O-300A engine with 1,672 hours since its 2012 Jewell Aviation overhaul. It features cream, teal, and polished-aluminum classic styling; complete logs since new; and a functional King/Apollo avionics suite. The aircraft has light, widespread cosmetic hail dents on the wing and tail upper surfaces, plus repairable recent ground-damage limited mainly to the left outboard wingtip section, two small top-skin tears near the wing attach points, and a minor right-tailcone scrape. The prop, engine, cowling, exhaust, landing gear, firewall, mount, spars, and tail were reportedly unaffected.
The aircraft is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $18,950m although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing which includes additional photos and details.
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“Luftwaffe Night Fighter Aces” Profiles 70 WW2 Aces From Victories to Fates
Coming soon from Frontline Books and author Jeremy Dixon is Luftwaffe Night Fighter Aces: Battling the Allies’ Bombers: Night Fighter Pilots Awarded the Knight’s Cross in WW2.
This is a study of the seventy Luftwaffe night fighter aces who were awarded the Knight’s Cross and its higher grades between 1940 and 1945. Of this number, two were night fighter pilots who were awarded the Knight’s Cross with Diamonds, while another two who were awarded the Knight’s Cross with Swords, and twenty-four who were awarded the Oakleaves.
The 232 page, hardcover book also explores the ranks, commands, victories, and fates for each ace profiled. It is currently available for pre-order with release set for December 30.
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Italeri Releases 1/48 Macchi MC. 202: “100% New Molds, Exceptional Attention to Detail”
Italeri has released their new tool Macchi MC. 202 Folgore in 1/48 scale.
The Folgore (“Thunderbolt”) was an Italian single-seat fighter developed from the MC.200 and introduced in 1941. Its streamlined all-metal airframe and license-built German Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine—produced in Italy as the Alfa Romeo RA.1000—gave it a top speed of about 600 km/h (370 mph), excellent maneuverability, and strong performance in combat over North Africa and the Mediterranean. Although widely regarded as the Regia Aeronautica’s finest wartime fighter, its relatively light armament of two 12.7 mm and two 7.7 mm machine guns was a significant weakness against heavily built Allied aircraft.
The kit (2840) is touted as delivering the highest level of realism, being made from 100% new molds produced using the most advanced design and manufacturing standards. It is also described as offering exceptional attention to detail with 3D decals (six liveries) and photo-etched parts.
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1983 Cessna 172P Skyhawk For Sale: “Numerous Upgrades”
A 1983 Cessna 172P Skyhawk has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Take flight with this 1983 Cessna 172P Skyhawk, a dependable and well-equipped aircraft that’s been consistently maintained through flight school use. Powered by a 160 HP Lycoming O-320-D2J engine, this Skyhawk features updated Garmin avionics, a 3-axis autopilot, ADS-B Out capability, and numerous cockpit upgrades, making it an excellent choice for personal flying, flight instruction, or cross-country travel.
The aircraft is located in Anchorage, AK and offers are currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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