Coming soon from Key Publishing is Mosquito: The Ultimate Guide to the ‘Mossie.’

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was one of the outstanding aircraft of World War Two, making a significant contribution to the Allied victory. Of mainly wooden construction, the ‘Mossie’ was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, and while designed as an unarmed high speed bomber, the ‘Wooden Wonder’ was quickly adapted as a night fighter, a fighter-bomber, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The Mosquito played a pivotal role in the bomber campaign, proving able to carry a 4,000lb bomb to Berlin, while giving its crew a much better chance of surviving the experience! It was also used for a succession of daring low level precision attacks against a range of targets, many of which are described in this amazingly researched 132-page special.

The publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for July 23.

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Eduard has released a new ProfiPACK edition Bf 110F model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Bf 110F was a refined late-war version of the German Messerschmitt twin-engine heavy fighter, powered by more powerful DB 601F engines that improved performance, allowed extra armor, and supported its use in escort, strike, and night-fighter roles. Many pilots regarded it as the best-handling Bf 110 variant, though it still could not match the agility of single-engine fighters in daylight combat.

The kit (7084) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and decals with marking options for five aircraft.

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

3151.2 TT, C85-8FJ 1657.1 TT. Disassembled for students of Clyde Smith’s Piper Cub Restoration Seminar in Aurora years ago, where he discovered it was rebuilt w/1938 fuselage likely during 1959 repair from wind damage, so will need slight modification to bring back up to 1945 GW rating, if you desire. Left wing and rudder from L4… Engine sitting for 19 years. Needs some minor tube repairs. Wood spars have some checking (splitting) on inboard ends, so may need new spars ($662 for front, $553 for rear, plus freight from Spruce). Aluminum prop. Continuous FAA registration. Complete logs… Entire aircraft, but currently apart.

The aircraft is located in Vacaville, California and is currently available for US $24,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and author Michael Claringbould is New Guinea Eagles Volume 1: The Japanese Air Army from Rabaul to Wewak October 1942 to September 1943, which chronicles the Japanese Air Army campaign in New Guinea from when its first units arrived in October 1942 until the late September 1943 raids against Nadzab and Port Moresby.

Never before have the rationale, activities and losses of JAAF air power in New Guinea been chronicled in such detail and accuracy. The force operated an impressive range of aircraft types but found it much easier to commit than withdraw from the challenging theatre.

This volume covers Rabaul’s and Wewak’s beginnings as major JAAF bases. The period involved guarding supply convoys, attacking Wau and two major forays into the Solomons. Then by mid-1943 the Allied air war had gravitated towards the burgeoning JAAF airfield complexes spreading out along New Guinea’s northern coast. Two air divisions were combined to create the 4th Air Army in August 1943, and its aircraft soon ventured into the New Guinea Highlands before defending Nassau Bay, Lae and Salamaua. [continue reading…]

Special Hobby has announced an upcoming new tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Baltimore Mk.I and Mk.II were early versions of the twin-engine light attack bomber built for British use in World War II. The Mk.I entered service mainly as an operational training aircraft, while the Mk.II kept the same basic airframe and engines but improved defensive armament, including a revised dorsal gun position, and both were later used in combat in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Details are limited, but the upcoming release (SH48160) will feature box art by Antonis Karidis and decals for B/AG781 from No.55 Sqn. RAF, as well as three other interesting Baltimore Mk.I/IIs.

(via Special Hobby and Scalemates)

A Pitts S1S has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

TTAF 647, SMOH 440, IO 320 w LW pistons claimed 180hp. Inverted fuel and oil. Short fuselage. Electric aux fuel pump. Grove gear, new Odessey battery, Seat pack parachute. Wings and fabric all good. Can sell with current condition inspection.

The aircraft is located in Muskogee, Oklahoma and is currently available for US $35,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Revell has provided a new Project Harrier video update for June.

As previously reported, the company recently announced the development of a new tool “state-of-the-art” Hawker Siddeley Harrier model kit in 1/32 scale. As part of the process, they launched “Project Harrier,” which brings modelers along on the development journey with a behind-the-scenes look at the process via blog posts, monthly YouTube updates, etc.

Work began in late March with setup, including aligning scans and creating the cross-sectional planes that the designer uses to create the “skeleton” model. In addition to the aircraft itself, the company will be developing a separate engine and display trolley for inclusion with the kit. To date, the development team has gathered data from Harriers based at RAF Wittering Heritage Centre and Gatwick Aviation Museum. Release is planned for Autumn 2027.

The new update shares more about the development journey and what’s happening next. Check it out below.

[continue reading…]

A 1974 Cessna 150L airframe project has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, it has 6,011 hours total time. It is a late-production model with factory upgrades such as round gear with fairings, drooped wingtips, nose-mounted LED landing light, improved interior and instruments (including SPA 400 intercom and digital chronometer), and a long dorsal fin for better low-speed handling.

It is being sold complete from cowling to tail with engine mount and controls but no engine (allowing either a 100 hp Continental O-200 or 150 hp Lycoming O-320 conversion), and has isolated wind-related damage limited mainly to wrinkled skins on the right wing and minor tailcone scraping while the rest of the airframe—including left wing, control surfaces, fuselage, empennage, and landing gear—remains undamaged. It includes logs through 2022 and FAA paperwork, making it a transportable, rebuildable, low-cost trainer or light touring aircraft project.

The aircraft is located in Bradenton, Florida and is currently available for US $5,995 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 Edward Rippeth is Beaufighter: The Allies’ Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, which tells the whole story of the Bristol Beaufighter – from a particularly overweight ugly duckling to one of the deadliest warbirds of the Second World War.

In many ways the Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter defined the modern multi-role combat aircraft. It was right in the thick of things at various critical turning points of the war, in every theatre. Night fighter, anti-shipping strike aircraft, maritime air superiority fighter and ground attack weapons platform – the Beaufighter redefined every role it took on. This is despite the fact it was a hastily designed lash-up, a modestly performing oversized ‘heavy fighter’, which might easily have been parked with the Westland Whirlwind in obscurity. [continue reading…]

New from ICM Models is this Bücker Bü 131D (winter version) in 1/32 scale.

The Bücker Bü 131 was widely used by the Luftwaffe throughout the Second World War. The Bü 131D, the third and final production variant, remained in manufacture until 1942. Developed on the basis of operational experience gained with the earlier A and B versions, it incorporated improvements to the engine, control systems, and landing gear.

For operations at winter airfields, Bücker developed dedicated skis (Bücker-Schneekufen), which could be quickly and easily fitted to the aircraft. Bü 131s equipped with skis were extensively used in military flight schools, allowing pilot training to continue even in heavy snow conditions, when conventional wheeled undercarriages were no longer effective.

The new release (32029) is described as a “true to the original” representation of the aircraft’s geometry. It includes high quality 3D printed resin skis, a detailed engine, realistically rendered fabric surfaces and decals with marking options for two aircraft used by German flying schools.

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