MiniArt Releases New P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit With PE, Three Liveries
MiniArt has released their new P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.
As previously reported, the P-47M varint was a late-war, high-speed Thunderbolt built for fast interception, using an uprated Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and featuring the dorsal fin on the rear fuselage to improve directional stability with the bubble canopy. It was the quickest production P-47, but engine teething troubles limited its combat use, and it saw service only briefly with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe.
The new kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. PE parts and three marking options are also included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options.
Buy on eBay (Advanced Kit)
Buy on eBay (Basic Kit)
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Piper Tri-Pacer Tailwheel Conversion For Sale: “Substantial Upgrades”
A 1956 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer tailwheel conversion has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This extensively rebuilt 1956 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer has been converted to a tailwheel configuration and is powered by a 180 HP Lycoming O-360 with only 165 hours SMOH. It combines classic Piper character with substantial upgrades including modern Garmin instrumentation, a carbon-fiber ground-adjustable propeller, updated wiring, and IFR certification.
The aircraft is located in Warsaw, New York with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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New Tool, Fully 3D Printed Anatra Anasal Coming to Planet Models Series
Special Hobby has announced a new tool Anatra Anasal in 1/72 scale (PLT291). The model will be the first fully 3D printed kit in the Planet Models series.
The Anatra Anasal, formally the Anatra DS, was a two-seat Russian reconnaissance biplane developed by the Anatra works at Odessa from the earlier Anatra D (Anade) and first flown in 1916. Its name combined “Anatra” and “Salmson,” reflecting its 150 hp Salmson liquid-cooled radial engine, which gave it improved performance over its predecessor; the aircraft entered production in 1917 and served during the First World War and the Russian Civil War. Built largely of wood and fabric, it carried a pilot and observer-gunner, with a synchronized forward-firing machine gun, a flexible rear gun, and a limited light-bomb capability.
A series of test build photos have been released which can be seen below. As of this writing it appears that a release date has not been announced.
Continue reading New Tool, Fully 3D Printed Anatra Anasal Coming to Planet Models Series
Two Moni Motorgliders / Transport Trailer For Sale: “One Flyable, One Project”
Two Moni Motorgliders (along with a transport trailer) have been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Vintage Moni Motorgliders and one transport trailer up for auction. There are two aircraft, one is flyable with minor maintenance and inspection, and has approximately 20hrs TT, it will need a new registration number and be registered. The engine is the electric start two cycle KFM engine which starts and runs just fine… The comm radio is the only thing missing from the instrument panel… Included are the flight manual, and the actual Moni build manual.
The second aircraft is the fuselage and wings that are not fully completed, it appears that all of the major work is done, plus, no firewall forward, (no engine mount, no engine, no propeller, no engine cowling). The N number registration will need to be updated… Both aircraft are the later serial numbers, meaning, the skins are riveted and not bonded…
The aircraft are located in Hope, Arkansas and is currently available for bidding although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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B-24 Liberator “Rupert the Roo II” Gets New Paint During Restoration [Video]
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, GA has posted a new timelapse video showing the ongoing restoration of their B-24 Liberator Project – specifically the application of new paint.
For everyone who had something to say about the pink… we have an update. It’s gone. This timelapse offers a fascinating look as the old finish disappears and another major step in the restoration takes shape.The transformation continues for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s B-24 Liberator. Now at LandLocked Aviation, the aircraft has moved into the paint and restoration phase, and this timelapse gives you a front-row seat as years of weathering begin to give way to a new finish.
As previously reported, 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. Check out newly released repainting video below.
Continue reading B-24 Liberator “Rupert the Roo II” Gets New Paint During Restoration [Video]
Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean
Coming soon from Air World and author Denis Saunders is Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The book is a survivor’s wartime voyage, chronicling long, perilous Catalina flights / missions, and steadfast leadership amid oceanic dangers and relentless duty.
Aged 21, Bruce Daymond enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. He had joined to serve the British Empire, as it then was, knowing he would serve thousands of miles from Australia.
Sixteen days into my flying training, Bruce went solo for the first time. Having trained as pilot and navigator under the Empire Air Training Scheme, in both Australia and Canada, he went on to serve in the RAF throughout the Second World War. As a pilot of a Consolidated Catalina flying boat, he flew with a number of Coastal Command units, namely Nos. 209, 357, 628, and 240 squadrons. Throughout his service, Bruce maintained a huge, detailed, candid, and personal daily diary; it is that which forms the basis of this insightful account of one flying boat captain’s service. The result is a revealing account of one man’s dedication to service and leadership, endurance of hundreds of hours of monotonous flying interspersed with periods of terror and courage in the face of great danger. Continue reading Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean
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MiniArt Releases New, Highly Detailed Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 Model Kit
MiniArt has released their new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 “Basic” model kit in 1/48 scale.
As previously reported, the Fw 190D-11 was a late-war variant, part of the “Dora” series and powered by the Junkers Jumo 213F engine with MW 50 boost. It was a heavily armed variant with two 20 mm MG 151 cannon in the wing roots and two 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outer wings, but it was produced only in very small numbers.
The new release (48072) is described as highly detailed with realistic metal surfaces and panel details and three marking options.
Volksplane VP-2 For Sale: “Like New, Extremely Low Hours”
A Volksplane VP-2 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Very affordable, nice flying, Light Sport AIRCRAFT… This particular VP-2 is a nicely constructed & finished example of the two-seat version (for small people). With extremely low hours (about 10TT) and having never been left outside, the aircraft is virtually “like new”. This VP-2 is powered by the proven RevMaster Engine… The aircraft is finished in Stits Poly Fiber fabric with Poly Tone color… Cleveland style independent hydraulic wheels/brakes. It a very light aircraft for 80HP and takes off in a very short distance. Although not fast, 75MPH cruise, it fun to with nice characteristics and STOL like performance…
The aircraft is located in Swanton, Vermont and is currently available for US $7,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s 60th Anniversary Celebrated With Updated Pictorial History
Coming soon from Pen & Sword Aviation and author Jarrod Cotter is The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: A History in Pictures, an updated new edition to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
In 2007 the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight celebrated its landmark 50th anniversary and Jarrod Cotter was chosen to write a book charting the Flight’s history which began with the formation of the Historic Aircraft Flight in July 1957. This volume brings the story fully up-to-date to mark the BBMF s 60th anniversary. It still includes the in-depth story of the formation of the Flight, for which the author uniquely traced the families of those involved to reveal a host of illuminating insights. However, while the 50th anniversary book went on to tell the rest of the story in an in-depth fashion, this volume utilises high quality colour digital photographs taken in recent years to show the aircraft in flight and so acts as the perfect companion to the first volume. This will be the ultimate souvenir of the celebration of the BBMF s 60th anniversary.
The 304 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.
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Airscale’s New Renders Show All Plastic Airframe Parts for Upcoming 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV
Airscale has provided an update on the development of their 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV kit.
As previously reported, the Mk IV was the principal later version of the Blenheim light bomber, entering production in 1938 with a longer, redesigned glazed nose that gave the bombardier more room and visibility, plus added armor and more powerful 920-hp Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. Flown by a crew of three, it could carry roughly 1,000 lb of bombs and served widely with the RAF during WW2 in Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Far East. Although fast by mid-1930s standards, it was increasingly vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the war progressed.
There will reportedly be an early version with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters. Airscale’s latest update consists of an updated series of renderings as well as a report that states, “these are all the plastic parts, with the exception of the engines. Hopefully I can get this into mouldmaking soon and focus on all the pretty bits in 3D.”
Release is planned for mid 2027. Check out additional renders below.
