Interceptor! Spitfires to Foxbats: The Story of the World’s Finest Pursuit Aircraft
Coming soon from Key Publishing Ltd and author David Baker is Interceptor! Spitfires to Foxbats: The fastest chase planes with seconds to launch, which celebrates the fastest, most aggressive fighter aircraft ever built – the interceptors.
These are the aircraft designed to launch quickly, climb fast and catch intruders before they could strike – from Cold War nuclear bombers to modern cruise missiles. From the elegant Spitfire Mk XIV and the brutal MiG-25 Foxbat to the F-106 Delta Dart and F-14 Tomcat, this title tells the story of the world’s finest pursuit machines – how they were developed, how they flew, and how they fought.
The 116 page paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 10.
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First Look: Halberd Models’ F-86H Sabre “Hog” Test Build / Parts
Halberd Models has announced a new North American F-86H Sabre “HOG” model kit in 1/48 scale.
The F-86H Sabre — often called the “Hog” or “Hawg” — was the largest, heaviest, and most powerful U.S.-built development of the famed Sabre family, designed primarily as a single-seat tactical fighter-bomber rather than the air-superiority fighter that fought in Korea. First produced from late 1953 through August 1955, it featured a more powerful General Electric J73 turbojet, enlarged fuselage and intake, increased internal fuel capacity, and the ability to carry up to 2,000 lb of bombs, rockets, or a tactical nuclear store. Later aircraft mounted four 20 mm M39 cannon in place of the original six .50-caliber guns. Although it never saw combat, the F-86H served briefly with the U.S. Air Force before passing to Air National Guard units, where it remained in service into the early 1970s—an important transitional fighter-bomber between the Korean War-era Sabres and the supersonic F-100 Super Sabre.
Details on the upcoming kit are limited. although it is reportedly resin and will be available for pre-order some time this week. In the meantime, a series of parts / test build photos have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.
Continue reading First Look: Halberd Models’ F-86H Sabre “Hog” Test Build / Parts
Beech Bonanza D35 For Sale: “Very Good Shape Throughout”
A Beech Bonanza D35 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Times approximate at 6500 TT and 800 SMOH. Dual nav/coms, New U-Avionix AV-30 multi-display with transponder. Basic 6-pack instrumentation. Tip tank recent overhaul. Ruddervators perfect. Beech electric prop on Continental E-185 engine. Compressions good. Interior fabric in great shape, headliner very clean. Solid landing gear for turf runways. Cruise at 145 kts at 11.5 gallon burn. Dual control yokes. Purchased to test our new carbon fiber ruddervators for the FAA so you know she has been taken care of. Annual March 2027… Very good shape throughout. Some very minor spots of corrosion.
The aircraft is located in McAlpin, Florida and is currently available for US $45,000, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Cavanaugh Flight Museum Shares Progress Report on CASA 2.111E Restoration
Cavanaugh Flight Museum has provided an update on their 1950 CASA 2.111E one year after the aircraft was transported to Ezell Aviation of Breckenridge, Texas for restoration.
For those that may not know, the Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA CASA 2.111E is a Spanish license built German Heinkel HE-111. More than 200 2.111s were built. The museum’s CASA served in the Spanish Air Force and was featured in the 1969 movie ‘Battle of Britain’ and the 1970 movie ‘Patton.’ The museum acquired this CASA in 1995.
Work done so far is described as “impressive” with the aircraft being completely disassembled and the fuselage separated into three sections for inspection, repair and priming. All cockpit components have been removed for inspection, repair or rebuilding. A new instrument panel is in the process of being crafted which will house gauges for the Packard built Merlin engines that will replace the machine’s previous Roll-Royce 500-45 engines.
An 18′ tall jig has been made to mount the wings so they can be stripped and inspected. A smaller jig was also made for the stabilizers. As of this writing the right stabilizer has been completed and the left one is underway. In addition, the center section has also been stripped and repaired. New wing spars have also been fabricated. Work on the main landing gear struts and tail gear have been completed.
Currently the aircraft is expected to return to flight around 2029-30. Click below to check out the complete update along with photos of the progress.
Continue reading Cavanaugh Flight Museum Shares Progress Report on CASA 2.111E Restoration
MiniArt to Release Fw 190D-9 Basic Model Kit With Distinctive JV 44 Liveries
Coming soon from MiniArt is a Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 JV 44 “Sachsenberg Schwarm” basic model kit in 1/48 scale.
The Fw 190D-9 “Doras” of JV 44’s Sachsenberg Schwarm, led by Lt. Heinz Sachsenberg, protected Adolf Galland’s Me 262 jets during their vulnerable takeoffs and landings in the final weeks of World War II. Operating from München-Riem and Ainring in spring 1945, these aircraft were marked with striking red undersides and white stripes for rapid recognition by German anti-aircraft defenses—making them among the Luftwaffe’s most famous late-war fighters.
The upcoming kit (48045) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic metal surfaces and panel details. Two marking options will also be included representing “Red 1” flown by Lt. Heinz “Heino” Sachsenberg and “Red 3” flown by Hptm. Waldemar Wubke. Check out kit contents and livery profiles below.
Continue reading MiniArt to Release Fw 190D-9 Basic Model Kit With Distinctive JV 44 Liveries
1971 Cessna 172L For Sale: “Comes With Fresh Annual”
A 1971 Cessna 172L has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
The majority of this airplanes life was contacting scenic air tours in upstate NY. Just invested $11,000 into an annual! TT: 11494.6 TSOH: 897.5 Comes with fresh annual
The aircraft is located in Stormville, New York and is currently available for US $105,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.
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New Two Volume Series Details Vickers Aircraft of WW1 With Drawings, Photos, Color Profiles
Newly released from Aeronaut Books and author is Colin Owers is a two volume series on Vickers aircraft of WW1:
The story of how the Vickers, Sons and Maxim Ltd, heavy armament manufacturers, entered aeronautical manufacturing when the military potential of aviation became apparent, is told in these two volumes. Vickers aircraft were soon flying, originally being based on the French REP monoplane. Then in 1913 they exhibited what could well be the first British aircraft designed from the start as a fighting machine with a forward firing machine gun. This was developed into the F.B.5, better known as the ‘Gun Bus’. They were in service as soon as the war broke out in 1914 and for a while were successful. The advent of the synchronised machine gun fighter saw Vickers machines fall out of favour. They built many interesting prototypes but only three were manufactured in small series.
The Company produced some of the fastest aircraft of their time and in a civil world would have achieved fame; however, they were not suited to the evolving aerial battlefield. The Vimy bomber of 1918 was a sensation, lifting a greater bombload the Handley Page O/400 on less power. The end of hostilities meant that no Vimy flew on operations in WWI but it went onto a long career in the RAF and in civil hands in its Vernon version.
The story of this remarkable company is told in detail including contemporary drawings from official manuals and reports. Volume 1 has 182 photos, 30 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft in its 207 pages. Volume 2 has 221 photos, 33 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft within its 214 pages.
The two volumes, Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 1: E.F.B – F.B.12 and Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 2: F.B.14 – Valentia Flying Boat are currently available in paperback format.
Product Page (Volume 1)
Product Page (Volume 2)
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Shuttleworth Provides Update on DH.88 Comet Restoration Plan, Fundraising Appeal Launched
Shuttleworth has provided an update on plans for their original de Havilland DH.88 Comet following an incident at their Flying Proms Air Show on August 15 that resulted in significant damage.
The organization states that they have reached an agreement in principle with their insurers that will allow detailed assessment and repairs to begin. A fundraising appeal has also been launched to help facilitate repairs, restoration and preservation. The goal is not only to return the historic aircraft to the air, but to do so in time for the time for the 100th Anniversary of 1934 MacRobertson Air Race from England to Australia, which was won by “Grosvenor House” (G-ACSS) in 70 hours 54 minutes. This is the very aircraft Shuttleworth is now working to restore.
Our aim is to raise £250,000 over the next 18 months to ensure that G-ACSS not only flies again but emerges from this restoration with a more extensive spares holding to support its long-term operation for future generations to experience and enjoy.
As previously reported, the aircraft rolled over on landing at the event and the pilot was extracted and sent to the hospital, being discharged soon after. Full details on the restoration plan (and a donation link) can be found on Shuttleworth’s dedicated project page.
(via Shuttleworth Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Arma Hobby Releases “Next Generation” P-51D Mustang VLR Kit
Arma Hobby recently released their new P-51D Mustang “Very Long Range” (VLR) model kit in 1/72 scale.
P-51D Mustang VLR was a late-war version of the famous American fighter adapted for Very Long Range missions. Aircraft of this type operated from Iwo Jima, escorting Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers over Japan and carrying out long-range strike missions.
As previously reported, the kit (70073) is described as a “modern next-generation Arma Hobby kit” and a “highly accurate” representation. It features an additional VLR sprue with Pacific-specific equipment: 110-gallon underwing drop tanks, 150-gallon streamlined drop tanks from the P-38 Lightning, and rockets for strike missions. Additional features include a detailed cockpit, canopy masks and high-quality Cartograf decals with marking options for two aircraft: “Snortin’ Phyllie” (1st Lt. Herb Straughn, 531st Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group) and “Little One” (1st Lt. Francis J. Pilecki, 458th Fighter Squadron, 506th Fighter Group). The kit also features a free 3D file with seat with harness, exhaust pipes, and gun barrels.
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1985 Corben Baby Ace D For Sale: “Recent Annual, Ready to Fly”
A 1985 Corben Baby Ace D has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Excellent Corben Baby Ace D. Recent annual (condition) inspection. This aircraft has no issues and is ready to fly home! Only 200 hours Total Time since new—Airframe, 200 SMOH engine. No electrical system. Flies very nice. Extremely easy to fly and land. Great, inexpensive way to build flight time—will pay for itself. Engine alone is worth what I am asking for the entire aircraft. NO RESERVE—-I need to free up some hangar space!
The aircraft is located in Mineola, Texas and is currently available for US $10,500, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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