Coming soon from Avonmore Books and author Dr Tom Lewis OAM is The Battle of the Coral Sea Explained: Expert analysis of the pivotal WWII battle where American strength saved Australia. The book draws on the official wartime US Navy Combat Narrative to examine the mighty Coral Sea battle while explaining the weapons, technology and tactics involved. Aimed at the non-expert reader, the book sets forth how one of the most important battles for Australia played out.

The Battle of the Coral Sea was a landmark Pacific War action fought off the Australian coast in May 1942. Famously, it was the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft. The battle was a major setback for the Japanese at a time when their war machine waged supreme. It also saw huge consequences for the Battle of Midway fought just weeks later as two key Japanese aircraft carriers were so damaged and weakened at Coral Sea that they couldn’t take part.

Without the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States may well have met defeat at the Battle of Midway. If that had happened, Australia would have been isolated and cut off from US support. If the Americans were forced to fight from their west coast, would this have led to Australia’s invasion or surrender?

The 144 page paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 1.

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Another new release this month from Eduard is a limited edition, dual combo “Kurfürst” Bf 109K-4 model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Bf 109K-4, known as the “Kurfürst”, was the final production variant of the iconic German World War II fighter, entering service in late 1944 as the Luftwaffe’s most refined Bf 109 model. Powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 605D engine producing up to 2,000 horsepower with MW 50 injection, it achieved top speeds of around 690-710 km/h (429-440 mph) at high altitudes like 7,400-7,500 meters, offering superior climb rates, acceleration, and agility over earlier 109s. Armament typically included one 30 mm MK 108 cannon with 65 rounds and two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns with 300 rounds each, all nose-mounted for precise firing, while its design prioritized ease of maintenance with quick-access panels. Though optimized for high-altitude interception and bomber defense, its aging airframe limited top-speed handling compared to some Allied foes.

Eduard’s new release (2155) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks, and Eduard decals for nine aircraft.

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A 1994 Mooney M20M TLS “Bravo” has been spotted for sale. According to the listing, the aircraft is a long-body, turbocharged Lycoming-powered model with 1,401 total hours on both airframe and engine, converted to Bravo AFIB status in 1996. It features a 270 HP turbo-intercooled Lycoming O-540 engine with strong compressions, speed brakes, the KFC-150 autopilot with altitude preselect, and a full King avionics suite (KMA-24, KX-155, KN-64, KR-87, DME, ADF, HIS, flight director, Stormscope, and fuel flow monitor). The aircraft carries a 40th Anniversary paint scheme and tan leather interior, includes four-place oxygen, and cruises at 180–185 knots. It suffered a light gear-up landing with minor underside and propeller scraping but no structural damage; all logs are complete back to 1994 with a clean title.

The aircraft is located in Fredericksburg, Texas and is currently available for US $64,950 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Philip Birtles is Handley Page Halifax: Second World War Strategic Bomber, a comprehensive assessment of the aircraft, covering its design, production, testing and RAF service, both as a bomber and in its other roles.

While not as famous as the Avro Lancaster, the Handley Page Halifax was developed to the same specification as the Lancaster’s predecessor, the Avro Manchester, and suffered similar engine-related issues. However, once the early Rolls-Royce Merlins had been replaced with Bristol Hercules air-cooled radial engines, the bomber’s performance and reliability were transformed. The Halifax accounted for around 40 per cent of the RAF’s total heavy bomber fleet throughout the war, with production coming out of Handley Page at Cricklewood and Radlett, as well as English Electric at Samlesbury and Rootes Securities at Speke among other manufacturers located across Britain. After the engine change in 1943, the Halifax became a valued and reliable stablemate of the Lancaster, equipping two major Bomber Command Groups, including Canadian squadrons, and specialising in glider towing and maritime reconnaissance.

The 352 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release scheduled for May 30.

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New this month from Eduard is a ProfiPACK Edition Fw 190F-8 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190F-8 was a late-war German ground-attack variant of the renowned Fw 190 fighter, derived from the A-8 airframe with reinforcements to carry up to 1,000 kg bombs or other ordnance. Powered by a BMW 801 radial engine with low-altitude performance enhancements via a modified compressor, it featured armament of two 20 mm MG 151/20 wing-root cannons and two 13 mm MG 131 cowl machine guns. Entering service in 1944, over 6,000 were built, though many served as fighter-interceptors due to the decline of dedicated dive bombers like the Ju 87.

The new kit (82139) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for seven aircraft.

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An Osprey GP-4 described as a “great flying aircraft with new paint, avionics and maintenance” has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Osprey GP-4 with ACTT of 1370 hours, TSTOH of 1125 hours, and TSMOH of 1850 hours. Equipped with a Garmin GFC 500 autopilot, Garmin G5, and Aera 760 connected to both the autopilot and G5. Also includes an EDM 830 engine monitor. Engine compressions are 76/78/72/76 over 80 psi. All new fuel and oil hoses, new engine shock absorbers, new fuel pump, and new standby electric fuel pump have been installed. The Hartzell propeller has a TSO of 5 hours. The aircraft holds 55 gallons of fuel and has a range of about 1000 nautical miles. It is not recommended for new or low-time pilots. The aircraft is located at KOCF, with the annual due in February 2027.

The aircraft is located in Ocala, Florida and is currently available for although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Soon to be released by Osprey Publishing is Moonlight Crusaders: Special Duties Pilots over Occupied Europe, author Paul Smiddy’s engrossing history exploring the creation, development and actions of the Special Duties squadrons, which carried spies, political figures and documents in and out of Occupied Europe.

In 1940, Winston Churchill famously set in motion the Special Operations Executive. However, the creation of secret agent networks required a clandestine transport infrastructure to support nascent resistance movements in Occupied Europe. With only the moon to guide their way, the daring pilots of 161 Squadron constantly faced danger: their locations could be discovered, German night-fighters and flak had to be contended with and, of course, they dealt with the worst of European weather. Despite these extra risks, these Special Duties pilots were remarkably successful.

Packed with first-hand accounts and expert research, this book dives into the history of the men who flew these dangerous missions and the main aircraft they used – unarmed Lysanders. Author Paul Smiddy, an RAF-trained pilot, explores the origins of the Lysander, the dangers it posed to its pilots and how operational techniques were developed. Facing political interference and limited resources from the RAF, these brave and under-recognised pilots provided a critical role in the war – bringing back agents with important information to help Britain and the Allies defeat the Germans.

The 384 page book is currently available for pre-order in hardcover and Kindle editions. Release is set for May 5.

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ICM has announced the upcoming release of a Do 217M-1 RAF bomber in 1/48 scale.

The kit (48276) represents a Dornier Do 217M-1 that was captured by the Allies in the spring of 1945 and adopted into the British test program where it was flown in RAF markings to assess performance, handling, and equipment layout. It boasts accurate geometry based on actual Do 217M-1 specifications and a detailed reproduction of the aircraft’s large glazed cockpit.

The kit will be available sometime next month, although an exact release date has not yet been announced.

(via ICM)

A 1959 Cessna 182 has been spotted for sale. The listing states:

1959 Cessna 182 N2367G. It is in annual but it needs paint and interior. Hours since major overhaul ~1500 hrs. Total airframe hours are 3657 hrs

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

New from Air World and author William Wolf is Skyhookers: An Illustrated History of Hook-on Aircraft and Their Dirigible Motherships.

From the First World War’s Zeppelins to the Second World War’s large bombers, military aircraft were vulnerable to fast, manoeuvrable interceptors. To address this, fighter escorts were used, but their limited range often left bombers exposed. A solution was the use of Composite aircraft, where larger bombers carried smaller, short-range fighters, which could be launched and retrieved as needed.

Zeppelins, particularly vulnerable to interceptors, were ideal for this concept. During the First World War, Germany briefly experimented with carrying parasite aircraft, while the British conducted post-war trials using airships like His Majesty’s Airship R-23 and R-33, carrying fighters such as the Sopwith Camel and de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird. However, successful hook-on/retrievals were only achieved with the Humming Bird.

The US Navy and Army further developed this concept. In 1918, the Navy launched a Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’ from a C-1 Blimp, and in 1924, the Army successfully flew a Sperry Messenger from a TC-Class airship. The US perfected the carry/launch/retrieval method for airship defence and scouting, notably with the USS Los Angeles, which carried aircraft on a ‘trapeze’ device. The Akron and Macon airships, with internal storage for aircraft, further advanced this technique, making them some of the most remarkable aircraft of their time.

The 200 page book is currently available in hardcover and Kindle editions.

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