Coming soon from Air World and author Graham M Simons is North American XB-70 Valkyrie in Pictures: America’s Cold War Mach 3 Nuclear Bomber. The book explores the full story of the development of this legendary supersonic bomber using a unique collection of images. It also reveals the many challenges that the North American engineers faced, particularly with regards to engines and fuel, all of which are fully explained. In addition, it boasts first-hand testimony and analyses the accidents and incidents the aircraft were involved in, as well as a detailed timetable allowing the reader to comprehend the XB-70’s protracted history.

Flying at 70,000 feet, carrying nuclear weapons at Mach 3+ for thousands of miles, the North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was not merely going to redefine military aviation, but the very nature of warfare itself. The XB-70 flew so fast and so high it would only appear on radar screens for a fleeting moment, making it impossible for enemy controllers to direct their interceptors to the target before it flew out of range. When it was first designed in the 1950s, the enemy, meaning at the time the Soviet Union, had no aircraft that could match the XB-70’s capabilities, rendering it almost invulnerable. But, just as the US was developing its technologies, so too were the Soviets. The introduction of their first surface-to-air missiles led to the US adopting low-level missions to sneak under radar. This effectively neutralised the XB-70’s main characteristics and, ultimately, the programme, which had cost the United States a staggering $800 million, the equivalent to $8.4 billion in modern terms, was cancelled.

The 256 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for June 30.

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Airscale has released a series of images showing renderings and test prints for their 1/32 Dornier Do 17, stating that the final design for the injection molded parts have been approved with mold cutting starting next week.

The CAD images are the design with rough panel lines and rivets for the box art coming later, the moulded parts will be more finessed, while the test prints are low res fit tests so the design will evolve from here – for example I am not happy with the floor sections, there are some weak spots so back to the drawing board for that.

The Do 17 was a German twin‑engine light bomber, nicknamed the “Flying Pencil” for its slim, streamlined fuselage, which was originally designed in the early 1930s as a fast mail and passenger aircraft before being adapted into a military bomber for the Luftwaffe. It served extensively in the early years of World War II, taking part in campaigns over Poland, the Low Countries, France, the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the Soviet Union, where it proved fast and maneuverable but gradually became obsolete due to limited bomb load and range.

It is hoped that the test shots will be complete by September and perhaps full release by the time the Telford model show rolls around in November. Click below to check out a selection of the newly released images.

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A 1979 Mooney M20K 231 has been spotted for sale. According to the listing, the aircraft has 2,762 total hours and 406 since major overhaul on its upgraded Continental TSIO-360-LB turbocharged engine (200 HP, 1,800-hour TBO). It features the desirable Monroy long-range fuel system (102 gallons total capacity), enabling up to 1,000 NM nonstop flights. Recently involved in a minor gear-up landing, the aircraft sustained light belly skin wear and a curled 3-blade McCauley prop. The plane has complete logs, and the annual just expired in March 2026. It wears a “Bravo” paint scheme with gray leather interior showing normal wear. Some avionics, including Garmin units, were removed, but several instruments (digital tach, EDM 700, WX-1000 Stormscope, KI-209, etc.) remain.

The aircraft is located in Punta Gorda, Florida and is currently available for US $37,950, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes many additional photos and details.

A 1959 Cessna 182B airframe project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1959 Cessna 182B fuselage, wings, wing struts, cowlings, control surfaces, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer. The project will be sold AS IS, with logbooks. The project is located at T31 Aero Country in McKinney, TX. Shipping is not available, but it will fit on the back of your 30-foot trailer (at least, it did for me).

The aircraft is currently available for US $30,000, although the listing states that the seller is “very open” to offers. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Another new release from Eduard for April is a Weekend Edition P-40N Warhawk model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Curtiss P‑40N was the final major production variant of the P‑40 fighter‑bomber, optimized for lighter weight, higher speed, and improved durability. Derivative of the earlier P‑36 and first flown in 1938, the all‑metal P‑40N typically carried six 0.50‑inch machine guns and could also carry light bombs, serving as both an air‑superiority fighter and ground‑attack aircraft. Though often outclassed by newer Axis fighters at higher altitudes, the P‑40N proved rugged and reliable in low‑ to medium‑altitude operations across multiple theaters, including North Africa, the Pacific, China, and the Soviet Union, and over 5,000 N‑models were built, making it the fastest and most numerous late‑Warhawk sub‑type.

The new release (84210) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft: P-40N-5, Lt. David R. Winternitz, 8th FS, 49th FG; P-40N-5, Lt. Col. Julian E. Thomas, CO of 45th FS, 15th FG; P-40N-20, Lt. Charles G. Whitley, 89th FS, 80th FG and P-40N-20, Lt. J. A. Thomas, 110th TRS, 71st TRG.

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A 1973 Piper Arrow II has been spotted for sale. The listing states:

1973 Piper Arrow II For Sale. This aircraft has a super low time Engine, 62 SMOH. It’s equipped with a Garmin 530W, Dual Garmin G5’s, and a Garmin GTX 345 Transponder with ADS-B In and Out. New Paint and interior in 2024.

The aircraft is located in Algonquin, Illinois and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Ray Deacon is Folland Gnat: Red Arrow and Cold War Fighter, an illustrated and factual record of the challenges faced by William Petter, chief designer at Folland Aircraft, in gaining recognition for his cheap, lightweight fighter concept.

Petter saw the Gnat as a viable alternative to other front-line interceptors, such as the Hunter and Swift, under development in the early 1950s. He called his fighter the Gnat, although ‘pocket rocket’ became a popular alternative. Unperturbed at having failed to attract interest from the RAF or Air Ministry, Petter decided to proceed with a privately-funded prototype powered by an Armstrong-Siddeley Viper engine to prove his design’s viability. Named Midge, the aircraft made its maiden flight at Boscombe Down in August 1954 and performed well. In July of the following year, the prototype Gnat made its maiden flight powered by a more powerful Bristol Orpheus engine. The Ministry of Supply finally began to offer support, placing an order for six development Gnats for trials work, but no production orders were forthcoming. Conversely, the Indian Government was very impressed, placing orders for a batch of Gnat fighters, followed by licenced-manufacture of several hundred examples in India. The Gnat went on to serve the country well in two wars with neighbouring Pakistan. Recalled in detail are the shooting-down of a number of Pakistani F-86 Sabres by the Gnat leading to the legendary sobriquet, ‘Sabre Slayer’. At the other end of the spectrum, Finland decided to expand its air force with the purchase of a squadron of Gnat fighters. Anticipating a requirement for a Vampire T.11 replacement, Petter wasted no time in preparing designs for a tandem-seat trainer based on the Gnat fighter, his efforts being rewarded with orders for a production variant for the RAF. There are also detailed accounts of the aircraft’s impressive period displaying with the famous Yellowjacks and Red Arrows aerobatic teams.

The 240 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 30.

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Eduard has released a new, limited edition “MIGHTY EIGHT: 65th Fighter Wing” P-51D Mustang kit in 1/48 scale.

The new release (11196) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks, resin parts (wheels, two types of exhausts) and Eduard decals with marking options for a whopping 13 aircraft from the 4th FG, 355th FG, 361st FG and 479th FG.

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A 1945 Piper J-3C Cub has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

J3C Cub Hangared Muskoka YQA; Engine A65 235 SMOH 5/30/84; McCauley 1B90 7443 TSN 4300; Fuselage Recovered Polyfiber 1988; Wings Recovered Polyfiber 1998; Sealed Struts, Grove Disc Brakes 406 ELT, Shoulder Harness, GARMIN GPS, ICOM Radio; 2 Headsets; Maintenance Records From 1965 By AME Owner. Annual to September 2026.

The aircraft is located in Ontario, Canada and is currently available for C $45,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes a number of additional photos.

MikroMir has released a new Junkers Ju-388 L-1 model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Ju‑388 L‑1 was a late‑WW2 German high‑altitude reconnaissance variant of the Ju‑388 “Störtebeker.” Optimized for long‑range photo‑reconnaissance at high altitudes, the L‑1 featured a pressurized cockpit, a streamlined glazed nose for cameras, and powerful Jumo 213 engines that gave it speeds around 600–650 km/h (380–400 mph) and a service ceiling well above 12,000 m (40,000 ft). Like the rest of the Ju‑388 series, it entered service only in small numbers during the final phases of the war and saw limited combat, but one captured Ju‑388 L‑1 was later acquired by the United States and is now preserved in the National Air and Space Museum.

The kit includes masks, photoetching and decals. Click below to check out sprue images and the product link.

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