Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author Michael Napier is RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War, an illustrated study of the Lightning Jet Fighter and its eventful operational history as the RAF’s star aircraft of the Cold War era.

The Mach 2-capable English Electric Lightning is perhaps the most iconic RAF aeroplane of the Cold War. Boasting a massive increase in performance and improved radar and weapons systems over its predecessors, the Lightning brought new capabilities to the RAF’s air defences. Tactics were adapted to fit the aircraft, including incorporating air-to-air refuelling as a routine part of operations because of the Lightning’s notoriously short range.

Retired fighter pilot Mike Napier draws on first-hand accounts from RAF aviators to tell the story of Britain’s ultimate Cold War jet fighter. Covering everything from the Lightning’s exercises with other NATO air forces to its interception of Soviet long-range ‘Badger’ and ‘Bear’ bombers in the late 1960s, this volume complements the aircraft’s colourful operational history with 20 profile artworks and photography from both official and personal archives.

The 96 page book is currently available for pre-order in paperback and Kindle editions with release set for February 16, 2027.

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Set for release this summer is Eduard’s newly announced P-51B Mustang Royal Class Hybrid edition model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B variant was a major upgrade of the North American Mustang, replacing the early Allison engine with the more powerful Packard-built Merlin and dramatically improving high-altitude speed, climb, and range. That made it one of the first truly effective long-range escort fighters for U.S. bombers over Europe, entering combat in late 1943 and helping shift air superiority in the Allies’ favor.

As of this writing, additional details on the kit have not been released, although the announcement was accompanied by a preview of the upcoming liveries, seen above.

(via Eduard)

A 1965 Piper Cherokee 180C has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

…a dependable and well-equipped single-engine aircraft that offers an excellent balance of utility, reliability, and cross-country performance. With approximately 6,466 total airframe hours, 2,527 hours since major overhaul on the engine, and only 44 hours since prop overhaul, this Cherokee has been maintained and updated for continued dependable flying. Equipped with a Garmin 430 GPS/Nav/Comm, GTX 335 ADS-B Out transponder, and digital tachometer… Maintenance history reflects compliance with major ADs including ignition switch, control wheel, wing spars, main gear torque link, and fuel selector requirements. The aircraft also includes a Mogas STC and has a current annual through July 2025 [?]… This turn-key example is being offered only because the owner has purchased another aircraft and is fully ready to fly home today.

The aircraft is located in Nampa, Idaho with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming later this year from Osprey Publishing and author C. Mike Habermehl is B-47 Stratojet Units of the Cold War, an illustrated account of the development and operations of one of the most influential aircraft of the Cold War.

The B-47 Stratojet was the most numerous jet bomber to ever serve with the USAAF’s Strategic Air Command (SAC), and arguably Boeing’s most significant aircraft. Initially plagued by design and production problems, it eventually proved to be a capable medium-range bomber, an influential testbed, and an effective reconnaissance platform, paving the way for the successes of the B-52 and the KC-135. The Stratojet also provided SAC with crucial lessons – sometimes at the cost of lives – that moved operations such as aerial refuelling, combat tactics, global reconnaissance and strategic deterrence from the glacial pace of World War 2 into the jet age of the Cold War.

This detailed new study sees Stratojet expert Mike Habermehl draw upon more than 50 years’ research to assemble a complete operational history of the B-47 in all its roles. First-hand accounts and archive photographs are combined with SAC correspondence, documents, and manuals, helping to bring to life the fascinating story of this profoundly influential aircraft.

The 96 page book is currently available for pre-order in paperback and Kindle editions with release set for December 15.

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LukGraph has announced the six Italian liveries that will be included with their associated, upcoming Ansaldo SVA-5 kit.

As previously reported, the kit will be released in two separate editions first focusing on Italian markings from the Great War period and the second representing an export version of the SVA-5, showcasing aircraft in Polish, American, Spanish, and Russian service. Premium versions will also be offered featuring decals with realistic fabric and wood effects. It will also be offered in both 1/48 and 1/32 scales.

The liveries are described as “authentic and vibrant,” some of which will be familiar to WW1 aircraft enthusiasts. Click below to check them out.

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A 1965 Piper Comanche 260 has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the aircraft has 4431 total time and features a low-time IO-540 engine with just 197 hours since a high-quality 2018 overhaul (new nitrided cylinders, mags, bearings, and overhauled fuel injection). It also includes desirable speed mods and updated avionics including a Century II B autopilot and Stormscope. It includes airframe and engine logs since new as well as “lots of supporting paperwork.”

It has a clean airframe overall with good paint and excellent interior, but experienced a partial gear-down landing that resulted in minor belly and antenna scraping and bent gear conduits (now cut, with gear locked down), while leaving the wings, tail, engine, and primary structures undamaged.

The aircraft is located in Hyannis, Massachusetts and is currently available for US $27,950 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming later this year from Air World and author William Wolf is Cold War Long-Range Jet Fighter Program: USAF Experiments for Bombers to Take Fighters into Battle.

After the Second World War, the introduction of the six-engine Consolidated-Vultee B-36 Peacemaker bomber, capable of intercontinental ranges of 5,000 miles or more, reignited the long-standing problem of fighter escort. Early-generation US jet fighters consumed enormous amounts of fuel and lacked the endurance to accompany the B-36 over extended distances. Designing a jet fighter with enough fuel capacity for such missions would result in an aircraft far too large and unwieldy to engage smaller, more agile enemy interceptors effectively.

In response, during the early Cold War, the United States Air Force explored two experimental methods to extend fighter range. The first was wingtip-to-wingtip towing, in which a fighter would attach itself to the bomber’s wing for fuel support. The second involved carrying a fighter inside the bomber’s bomb bay on a trapeze mechanism, allowing it to be launched and later recovered in flight. [continue reading…]

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a Fw 190D-9 (early production) advanced kit in 1/48 scale.

The early-production Fw 190D-9 was the “long-nose” development of the Fw 190A, reworked around the liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine to improve high-altitude performance and interceptor capability. It entered Luftwaffe service in 1944 and was valued for its stronger climb and speed compared with earlier Fw 190 variants.

The kit (48044) captures the distinctive long nose profile of the “Dora” and includes additional details for an enhanced building experience, including PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and decals with three marking options.

Click below to check out additional images, including livery profiles.

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A 1948 Cessna 195 parts airframe has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the airframe (4,296 hours TTSN) is a well-documented project or parts source, retaining complete logbooks since 1948 along with full paperwork (337s, 8130-3s, W&B, original manuals, data plate, and airworthiness certificate). The aircraft suffered a nose-first impact after striking a tree during a go-around, resulting in major forward fuselage damage (firewall, cabin, instrument panel, and boot cowl pushed aft). The wings are removed and in poor condition; however, many components remain intact or serviceable, including undamaged main gear legs and gearboxes (recently inspected/repainted), excellent wheels, brakes, and low-time tires, intact seats and restraints, functional door and step, and largely undamaged tail surfaces aside from minor wrinkling—making it especially valuable for salvage or restoration support.

The airframe is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $4,995, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Steven Taylor is Cold War Air Thieves: Stealing Military Aviation Technology and the East-West Battle for Aviation Secrets. The book provides the first in-depth exploration of the hidden Cold War battle fought by the intelligence services of both sides to obtain, by any means necessary, the secrets of some of the most potent warplanes ever to take to the skies.

The Cold War was a conflict defined by the battle for intelligence. And nowhere was this intelligence war more keenly fought than in the sphere of military aviation. Gaining information on the enemy’s latest warplanes and aviation-related hardware was a prime intelligence objective for both sides throughout the titanic ideological struggle that dominated the second half of the 20th century. Had the Cold War turned hot, the side possessing the greatest knowledge of its opponents’ combat aircraft would enjoy a crucial tactical advantage. Lagging behind the US and its NATO allies in many areas of aviation technology, the USSR also relied heavily on industrial espionage as a means of bridging the technological gap between East and West, shaving years and many millions of roubles off the development process in such key areas as the gas-turbine engine, long-range strategic bombers, air-to-air guided missiles, electronic countermeasures and stealth technology. Recruiting senior engineers and designers working in the opposing side’s aviation industries to spy for them, orchestrating the defection of pilots in their state-of-the-art aircraft, recovering shot-down aircraft wreckage from warzones like Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan, even stealing components from under the noses of their enemies – nothing was off limits for the CIA, KGB, MI6 and Mossad in their relentless pursuit of aviation technology.

The 256 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for August 30.

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