Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Geoff Coughlin is Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning.

The English Electric Lightning, the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, entered service in 1960 and was at the heart of UK and RAF Germany air defence until its retirement in 1988. It was an instant favourite at air shows, thrilling audiences with its incredible manoeuvrability and rate of climb. Indeed, the vertical climb out after take-off became the aircraft’s signature manoeuvre.

The Lightning served with many RAF squadrons during the Cold War and bore a wide variety of brightly coloured unit markings, with the most famous being the red and white markings worn by the ‘Firebirds’ display team. As camouflage became more appropriate, flamboyant squadron schemes gave way to tactical green/grey upper surfaces, and then to various shades of grey, making the aircraft harder to detect in visual combat.

Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning contains extensive reference material, including colour profiles and close-up photographs, as well as multiple in-depth step-by-step scale model builds featuring the wide range of schemes worn by the type. All the main scales are covered, with special attention given to detailed features to help you enhance your scale model builds of this iconic Cold War fighter.

The 160 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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IBG Models has announced the upcoming release of Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb and PR Type G model kits in 1/72 scale.

The Mk.Vb was built around the Merlin 45 engine and the “B” wing. It was typically armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 machine guns. The aircraft was a widely used stop-gap that gave the RAF a strong, versatile interceptor through 1941–43, including tropical versions for desert service. The PR Type G was a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire variant, stripped of combat armament in favor of cameras and extra fuel for long-range intelligence work.

The kits: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop Over North Africa (72592) and Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G: Playing with Death (72600) will reportedly be available after July 5. Also coming is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out additional images.

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A rare Beechcraft QU-22B has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Chance to own a rare Beechcraft Model 1079 known as the QU-22B a highly modified Bonanza A-36 developed as a high altitude remote control drone for the Vietnam war. The original data plate is included EB-6. This is the sixth aircraft built out of the 27 built… The aircraft includes the fuselage and a set of wings with the fuel bladders installed.

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

Coming soon from Evro Publishing and author Michael Napier is Avro Lancaster: Twenty-Four Hours on a Squadron, a unique hour-by-hour insight into a Lancaster bombing mission.

The most famous and successful heavy bomber flown by the RAF during World War 2, the Avro Lancaster remains one of the most enduring symbols of RAF, and indeed British, history. This book presents a completely new and original perspective on the iconic Avro Lancaster by covering the 24-hour cycle of a Lancaster squadron. Using over 200 first-hand accounts and illustrated with numerous photographs, it describes the activities and life of aircrew, ground maintenance personnel, mission planners and the plethora of support personnel each of whom played a vital role in the operation of a Lancaster bomber squadron. Starting with the ground activities on a typical wartime Lancaster airfield and the preparations for a night raid, the book then takes the reader with the aircrews on a night bombing mission over Germany, to discover the many dangers and hazards facing the crews throughout the flight, in their own words. In the thought-provoking and deeply poignant epilogue, the aircrew review their achievements against the sacrifices they made.

The 288 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 15.

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LukGraph has announced the upcoming release of a Hansa-Brandenburg CC in both 1/32 and 1/48 scales.

The Hansa-Brandenburg CC was a single-seat fighter flying boat developed by the Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg during World War I. Designed for coastal defense and maritime patrol duties, it became one of the most successful seaplane fighters operated by the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

The new offerings will represent both early and late production versions: the early version equipped with a single machine gun / original engine cooling arrangement and the late variant fitted with two machine guns mounted on the fuselage.

As of this writing additional details have yet to be announced, although several renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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A 1938 Tiger Moth project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1938 Tiger Moth for re-construction. Complete aircraft, dis-assembled and all parts meticulously restored. (engine still needs a rebuild). Fabulous history researched in detail by the previous owner/restorer, too much to list here. Ready for reconstruction, currently in secure storage in Worcestershire (UK)

The aircraft is currently available for £30,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing.

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Peter Saxton is B-29 Superfortress: Strategic Air War in the Pacific.

The B-29 Superfortress was a vital and iconic strategic bomber of the Second World War. It was designed with a range and warlord capability that made it viable for operation in the vast regions of Asia Pacific. This bomber played a key part in the defeat and unconditional surrender of Japan, principally using fire-bombing techniques. The complex role and effectiveness of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reviewed critically. The work has 21st century connection in the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. The United States Navy, US ground forces and the B-29 wings were brought together to fight, in the author’s words, ‘he most massive air war the world had ever seen’.

Technical aspects including bomb-load and range – vital for the vast Asia Pacific, are set out for all readers, service, academic and lay. [continue reading…]

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 was one of the most recognizable versions of the Curtiss P-40 fighter, made famous by the pilots of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), known worldwide as the Flying Tigers. Their distinctive shark-mouth nose art, combat operations over China, and the tactics developed by General Claire Chennault made these aircraft icons of the early air war in the Far East.

The upcoming release (70094) is the first in Arma’s new family of 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81, Tomahawk II and P-40B/C kits. It represents the export version of the Hawk 81-A2 operated by the AVG in China during 1941–1942. These aircraft wore a distinctive camouflage scheme based on British specifications and applied using American-made DuPont paints. Three Flying Tigers marking options will be included.

As of this writing additional details are limited. Release is planned for some time this summer. Click below to check out the box art.

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A 2016 Aviat Husky A1C project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Rare opportunity to acquire a late-model Aviat Husky A1C project with many valuable components already included… Included with the project is a Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 HP engine with approximately 30 hours total time. The engine case has been magnaflux inspected. Manuals and logs are included. The aircraft features a rebuilt fuselage equipped with 2016 landing gear and shocks. Tail feathers are reported to be in excellent condition. Included are 29-inch Alaskan Bush Tires and double-puck brake calipers. Repairable wings are included with the project.

The aircraft is located in Lakeville, Minnesota and is currently available for US $75,900 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and author Mark Lax is Sweeping the Skies: A History of No. 452 Squadron RAAF 1941-1945

Sweeping the Skies is the story of No. 452 Squadron, an RAAF fighter unit formed in the UK in April 1941. Equipped with the superb Supermarine Spitfire, the squadron soon deployed to bases south of London and was in the thick of fighting against the Luftwaffe over England, the Channel and northern France.

Remarkably, between August and November 1941, No. 452 Squadron held the Fighter Command record as the top-scoring unit in Britain. This was largely due to the exceptional skills and leadership of some outstanding ace pilots, including Irishman Wing Commander Brendan “Paddy” Finucane and well-known VFL footballer Squadron Leader Keith “Bluey” Truscott. [continue reading…]