Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Philip Birtles is English Electric Lightning: The RAF’s First Mach 2 Fighter, a comprehensive history and analysis covering the Lightning’s design, development and service with extensive illustrations, (many previously unpublished) as well as appendices detailing production, service, performance data, and information on preserved aircraft.

The English Electric Lightning was the first Mach 2 fighter to enter service with the RAF. It began life as a purely experimental design, and despite inadequate funding from the government, was developed by the manufacturer into a highly effective combat aircraft. It was also an export success, particularly with the Royal Saudi Air Force, paving the way for major export contracts of future aircraft with Saudi Arabia and other nations.

Lightnings were challenging to fly and maintain—one pilot famously likened it to ‘being saddled to a skyrocket’—but the aircraft was nonetheless revered by pilots and ground crew alike, who valued its astonishing rate of climb among other performance advantages. Among enthusiasts, it quickly became iconic.

The 240 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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Sword Models has provided the first glimpse of the box contents for their soon to be released AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” kits in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the Grumman AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” were a paired U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare system in which the AF-2W carried the search radar and detection gear in a large ventral radome, while the AF-2S carried the weapons load such as torpedoes, depth charges, bombs, and rockets. Flown together as hunter-killer teams beginning in 1950, they were the Navy’s first purpose-built carrier-based ASW aircraft, but their size and poor low-speed handling made them accident-prone, and they were soon replaced by the more efficient S2F Tracker.

The kits (SW72162 and SW72163) include plastic parts, painting masks and decals with two marking options per variant. Click below to check out box contents and livery profiles.

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A 1973 Aero Commander has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Take command of a truly exceptional twin-engine aircraft with this 1973 Aero Commander 500S Shrike Commander. Equipped with the sought-after Merlyn 350 HP conversion, advanced Garmin avionics, extensive survey equipment capability, and numerous recent upgrades, this aircraft has served as a professional aerial survey platform while remaining equally capable as a high-performance personal or business aircraft. With extensive documentation and current annual inspection underway, this Shrike represents a rare opportunity for discerning buyers.

The aircraft is located in Tucson, AZ with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author James William Marshall is The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2.

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead. One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific. While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack. The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943. The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts. [continue reading…]

Revell is preparing to release an “all-new” Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A model kit in 1/32 scale.

The T.7 was the RAF’s two-seat trainer version of the classic Hunter jet, built with side-by-side seating for a student and instructor, and first flew in 1955 before entering service in 1958. It was powered by a single Avon engine, could reach about 690 mph, and later six airframes were upgraded to T.7A standard for Buccaneer conversion training with updated cockpit instrumentation.

The model (03786) was developed using state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology and includes a completely new front fuselage section with authentic two-seater configuration; highly detailed dual cockpit with precise instrument panels and realistic seats; crystal clear cockpit glazing for optimal visibility of the interior details and true-to-original surface structures. Marking options are included for three aircraft: 208 Squadron, RAF (1990); RAF Blue Diamonds Display Team (1961) and Royal Netherlands Air Force (1968).

The kit is expected to be released sometime this month. Click below to check out additional images.

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A rebuilt Ranger 6-440 C-2 engine has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Rebuilt WWII Ranger 6-440 C-2 Piston Fairchild Aircraft Engine. You will get everything connected to the engine including the wood propeller and yellow stand. The engine was rebuilt a couple years age and was put on display at a local college until recently when they ran out of room for it,

The engine is located in Perris, California and is currently available for US $12,500. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

MiniArt has released their new 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.

As previously reported, the 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.

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A 1947 Beech Bonanza project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

The product is a 1947 Bonanza airplane with the serial number D-44, which has experienced exterior corrosion but retains a good tail surface. This vintage aircraft is being offered for sale and is a unique piece of aviation history that may appeal to collectors or enthusiasts looking for a project to restore or customize… The motor has compression and the gear is functional. Interior is very nice condition. The magnesium Tail surfaces in good condition. You can buy the entire airplane for less than the value of the Tail surfaces. There are no logs. Aircraft disassembled for shipping can deliver for expenses. Trailer included with sale…

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

Coming soon from Air World is Deceiving Hitler’s Bombers: RAF Decoys and Visual Deception in WWII, which is an official history of clever visual deception―dummy sites, fake lights, and camouflage―to mislead German bombers and protect key locations during WW2.

The first, and most essential element in aerial bombardment is that of locating the target. All the inherent costs and risks in undertaking a bombing raid are of no avail unless the objective of the mission is correctly identified. If, through means of decoys or visual deception, the attacking aircraft can be tricked into dropping their deadly payloads in areas of little importance to the general war effort, the enemy bombers will have failed in their mission.

It was accepted at the start of the war that enemy bombers would always get through the UK’s defences and that the German bomber crews could be expected to have a reasonable understanding of Britain’s geography and of its main industrial and military facilities. That being the case, how could the most important sites be protected? [continue reading…]

Airfix has released their new tool Junkers Ju52/3mg4e in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the newly designed kit (A08022) faithfully replicates the corrugated surface texture on all external surfaces and includes fully detailed interior and engines, oil drum cargo load, wheel chocks for diorama models, options for machine gun armament and undercarriage with or without spats, slide molded canopy to ensure clear definition of window frames and multiple doors and hatches that can be posed open or closed to add life to the model.

Decals are included with three livery options: WNr.2870, KM+BX, 4./KGrzbV500, Pleskau-West, Russia, March 1942; WNr.6141, VB+IN, Transportstaffel/II. Fliegerkorps, Russia 1941 and WNr.6657, CA+JY, 1./KGrzbV102, Neumünster, Germany, April 1940.

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