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…]
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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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A 1980 Piper Archer II has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
For sale is a 1980 Piper Archer II PA-28-181, a reliable, well-known 4-place aircraft powered by the Lycoming O-360 180HP engine. This is a solid cross-country, time-building, or personal aircraft with good equipment, regular use, and complete logbooks. Aircraft has been regularly flown, maintained, and kept current. Annual inspection completed 7/11/2025, next due July 2026. IFR certification completed 7/19/2025, next due July 2027. ADs are current, including the Piper wing spar AD inspection.
The aircraft is located in Midland, Texas and is currently available for US $100,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Coming soon from Key Publishing and author Jamie Ewan is Hawker Typhoon: The Making of a Ground-Attack Icon.
The Hawker Typhoon was one of Britain’s ‘heavy punchers’ during World War Two – and one instrumental in the allies’ victory in Europe. But flying in the shadow of myriad issues that followed it through its service, the brutish Hawker type is often tarred as a failure. Now, more than 85 years after it took to the sky, we tell of the service career and technical evolution of a fighter that found its true purpose as a low-level ground-attack aircraft – and one that not only filled the enemy with fear, but those who knew and flew it. A workhorse (the pilots of which collectively, embodied a decisive evolution in air warfare as they delivered time after time) we strive to connect new generations with this truly vital piece of heritage
The 116 page, paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for July 9.
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MiniArt is set to add to their growing line of P-47 variants with an upcoming P-47D-20RA “advanced” kit in 1/48 scale.
The P-47D-20RA was an Evansville-built late-war Thunderbolt variant that kept the P-47’s rugged airframe, eight .50-caliber machine guns, and strong fighter-bomber capability while adding the “universal” wing for bombs or drop tanks and the more powerful R-2800 engine family. It was part of the evolution that made the Thunderbolt one of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ toughest and most versatile WWII fighters.
The upcoming offering (48043) represents the type in service during the 1944 the Saipan campaign and includes PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and marking options for four aircraft.
As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery options, detail parts and sample sprue shots.
A 1966 Piper Comanche 260B has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 1966 Piper Comanche 260B… stands apart thanks to its extensive upgrades and meticulous maintenance history. Equipped with a Garmin G500 TXi panel, GTN750Xi, GNC355, GTX345 transponder, GFC500 autopilot, Flight Stream 510, and additional avionics enhancements, it provides the modern technology today’s pilots desire. The Lycoming IO-540 engine has only 574 hours since major overhaul, while the Hartzell propeller carries matching time since overhaul. Additional improvements include new windows, glare shields, newer tires, updated magnetos, and current AD compliance. Always hangared and accompanied by complete logs, this aircraft is IFR capable and ready for immediate use. Opportunities to purchase a highly upgraded Comanche of this caliber are becoming increasingly rare.
The aircraft is located in Eastpoint, FL with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Coming soon from Air World and authors Jack Sowter and Ian Richardson is Bomber Crew Escaper: One Wartime Airman’s Story of Baling Out, Capture, Imprisonment and Escape
Sergeant Jack Sowter had joined the RAF in October 1941, originally as a trainee wireless operator. He later re-mustered as a navigator and joined the crew of a Handley Page Halifax of 78 Squadron.
On the night of 27/28 July 1943, Jack’s aircraft, JD 148, was one of 787 bombers tasked with attacking the port of Hamburg as part of Operation Gomorrah. Having successfully unleashed its deadly load on the German city, Jack’s captain, Sergeant Les Maidment, turned for home. However, Maidment could not escape the penetrating beams of the German searchlights, nor the enemy flak. With his aircraft repeatedly hit, Maidment gave his crew the order to bale out. [continue reading…]
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Special Hobby is preparing to release a new tool Fairey Albacore model kit in 1/72 scale.
The Fairey Albacore was a British single-engine biplane torpedo bomber developed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish, but it ended up serving alongside it rather than supplanting it. Used by the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, it carried a three-man crew and handled torpedo attacks, bombing, reconnaissance, and anti-shipping work before being withdrawn from frontline service in 1945.
Deatils about the upcoming kit (SH72152) are currently scarce, although the company states that it is nearing completion and will offer four marking options. Images of the decals and cockpit renderings have also been released. Click below to check them out.
A Baby Ace airframe has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Baby Ace model E, airframe only, no engine, mount is for continental engine, good fabric, airworthiness cert…
The aircraft is located in Louisburg, North Carolina and is currently available for US $5,000, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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The latest build log on our YouTube channel DX Modelworks focuses on this 13″ balsa Albatros D.II
The model was built using Lee’s Hobbies plans and represents an early production variant wearing the colors of the machine flown by Lt. Robert Dycke of Jasta 16b. The new video concisely details the project with photo documentation and tips that will likely be helpful to anyone who would like to build the model themselves. A link to the plans and associated 3D print files is also provided in the video description.
Click below to check it out. If you’re pleased with what you see, please consider browsing the channel’s other build logs covering aircraft from the dawn of flight through the golden age. Likes, shares and subscribes are also greatly appreciated!
