P-47N Thunderbolt Units of the Central Pacific: An Illustrated Study
Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author Jonathan Bernstein is P-47N Thunderbolt Units of the Central Pacific, an illustrated study of the N-model of the USAAF’s P-47 Thunderbolt and the essential role it played in the end of the war in the Pacific.
The P-47N was the final variant of the most produced American fighter of World War 2, the Republic Thunderbolt, and featured a redesigned wing, more powerful engine and increased range. Its late introduction limited the aircraft’s combat use to the closing months of the Pacific War over the Japanese home islands, where it excelled as a long-range strike fighter from May to August 1945. Thanks to its ‘long legs’, the aircraft – based on Ie Shima and Iwo Jima – was used to attack Japanese fighter airfields in advance of B-29 Superfortress raids that struck industrial targets.
In this engrossing volume, former US Army pilot Jonathan Bernstein details the actions of those who flew the ultimate Thunderbolt into combat, including the handful of P-47N pilots who achieved ace status with the fighter. First-hand accounts help to bring these exploits to life, whilst 20 newly commissioned profile artworks and a selection of archival photographs detail the innovations and capabilities that made the N-model a key aircraft of the Pacific War’s final phase.
The 96 page, paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 24, 2027.
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Arma Hobby to Release New Battle of Britain Edition Hawker Hurricane Mk I
Arma Hobby will soon release a new Battle of Britain edition Hawker Hurricane Mk I model kit in 1/48 scale.
The Mk I was designed by Sydney Camm and introduced into RAF squadron service in late 1937. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III engine and typically armed with eight wing-mounted .303-inch Browning machine guns, it combined modern monoplane performance with a rugged, relatively simple mixed-construction airframe that was easy to maintain and repair. Although later overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane formed the backbone of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, equipping more front-line squadrons and accounting for a substantial share of German aircraft destroyed during the campaign.
The upcoming release (40017) includes four plastic sprues (two completely new), masks for the canopy and wheels and a code to download a 3D-print accessories file (pilot’s seat with harness and exhaust stacks). Cartograf decals with three marking options are also included: P2798/LK-A, flown by fighter ace Ian “Widge” Gleed, P2884/LE-V, flown by Fleet Air Arm pilot Richard “Jimmi” Gardner and P3576/GN-A, flown by James B. E. Nicolson – the only RAF Fighter Command pilot awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.
Shipping is expected to begin in late October. Click below to check out box contents and livery profiles.
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1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 For Sale: “Engine and Prop Overhauled in 2023”
A 1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 – IFR – Garmin Glass Panel – 330 SMOH. This is a PA-32-260 Cherokee Six with 1,988 total time, IFR capability, 800 NM range, 1,546 lb useful load, 84-gallon fuel capacity, and complete logs. Power comes from a Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 HP engine with 330 SMOH and a 2,000-hour TBO. The engine and prop were overhauled in 2023. Avionics include Garmin G3X, Garmin G5, Garmin GMA 345 audio panel, Garmin GTX 345 transponder, Garmin GTN 650Xi GPS, Garmin GFC 500 autopilot, Garmin GTR 225 comm, and Garmin GDL 51R XM receiver. It is ADS-B equipped with WAAS, LPV, SVT, EVS, active traffic, terrain warning, and engine monitor. Seats were recovered and cushioned in 2022, and the aircraft has always been hangar based with ceramic coating applied in 2025.
The aircraft is located in Chesaning, Michigan with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Reports Suggest SR-71 Blackbird is Being Prepped for Return to Flight
According to recent reports, Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird #844 (pictured above) is being prepared for a possible return to flight after 27 years.
Former NASA employees have reported being contacted about working on the project over the course of the summer, although NASA itself has yet to make any related statement. It appears that the effort could be related to a new X-Plane project that was teased by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at a recent All-In Summit in Los Angeles. To date nothing has been confirmed.
#844 (S/N 61-7980) was the final SR-71A built. It served as one of two Blackbirds operated by NASA at Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center as Mach 3 research platforms. Originally designed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works for strategic reconnaissance, the two-seat, titanium-intensive aircraft could cruise above Mach 3 at extreme altitude. Under NASA it supported investigations into aerodynamics, propulsion, high-temperature structures and materials, atmospheric science, instrumentation, and sonic-boom effects.
On October 9, 1999, 844 made the final flight by any SR-71, securing its place as the last Blackbird to fly. It had been on outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base since then, however, it vanished from the location back in May.
(Aviation Week via NY Post Photo: NASA, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Arma Hobby Announces New Curtiss Tomahawk IIb Model Kit
Arma Hobby has announced an upcoming Curtiss Tomahawk IIb model kit in 1/72 scale.
The Curtiss Tomahawk Mk IIB was the RAF designation for the Curtiss H81-A3, broadly equivalent to the U.S. P-40C Warhawk. An early-war, Allison-powered single-seat fighter, it retained the P-40’s rugged all-metal construction and distinctive chin radiator, while adding improved fuel protection, revised equipment, and provision for a drop tank; its armament comprised two .50-calibre machine guns in the nose and four .303-inch Brownings in the wings. Delivered from late 1940, the type served chiefly with RAF, SAAF, and other Commonwealth units in North Africa, where it was effective at low and medium altitude but outclassed at higher levels by contemporary German fighters; substantial numbers also went to the Soviet Union and China.
The upcoming kit (70095) is based on Arma’s recently released, new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2. It includes canopy and wheel masks, Cartograf decals with three marking options and a code for downloading 3D-print files for the exhaust stacks, machine-gun barrels, gunsights and pilot’s seat with British harness. Shipping is currently planned for the third week of October.
Check out kit contents and livery profiles below.
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1967 Piper Cherokee Six Project For Sale: “Can be Made Ferriable Quickly”
A Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
1967 Piper Cherokee Six; 4056 TT; 534 SMOH; 168 SPOH. Note: this is a project aircraft, this aircraft can be made ferriable quickly… logs: partial logs. Main logs lost. The aircraft was in annual a few years back but will need some work to get it ferriable and airworthy… 6 seats, large fore and aft luggage compartments, a generous useful load…
The aircraft is located in Miami, Florida and is currently available for US $145,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Hawker Typhoon vs German Flak Defenses: An Illustrated Study
Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author Matthew Bone is Typhoon vs German Flak Defences: Western Europe 1943–45, an illustrated study of the evolving tactics that powered the deadly clashes between the RAF’s Typhoon Mk IB fighter-bomber and the Flakwaffesdefendinganti-aircraftarsenal.
The Flakwaffe’s role was to protect the Wehrmacht’s men, machines and material from aerial attack. Opposing them was the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force (TAF), whose fighter-bomber spear was tipped with the Typhoon Mk IB, a fighter modified beyond its original intent. The tactics and weaponry of both adversaries evolved as each sought to outdraw the other, with ‘Bombphoon’ and rocket Typhoon squadrons combining their efforts whilst the Flakwaffe laid deadly traps in fields and on trucks and railway wagons.
In this engrossing study, Typhoon expert Matthew Bone chronicles the exploits of the 2nd TAF’s fighter-bombers and the Flakwaffe arsenal into whose crosshairs they ventured. Drawing on contemporary records of Typhoon operations and historical details of Flak crews, this detailed account utilises newly commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams to shed fresh light on the tactical development of both sides, and the price the RAF ultimately paid for victory.
The 80 page, paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for April 29.
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Eduard Releases Limited Edition P-40N Representing 15,000th Curtiss Fighter
New for October is Eduard’s limited edition “15,000th” P-40N Warhawk model kit in 1/48 scale.
The kit (11193) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts painting masks and Eduard decals. The livery represents the 15,000th Curtiss fighter, which was received by the USAAF on November 22, 1944 and decorated with the markings of twenty-eight countries that used Curtiss aircraft. As a bonus, the kit also includes a second livery representing the aircraft “O’Riley’s Daughter” flown by Capt. Philip E. Colman, 26th FS, 5th FG.
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1963 Piper Cherokee 180 For Sale: “Clean, Flown Regularly”
A 1963 Piper Cherokee 180 has been spotted for sale. The listing states:
TT3529, SMOH 1110, Garmin G5, Clean Arizona Plane. Flown Regularly. Great time builder.
The aircraft is located in Snowflake, Arizona and is currently available for US $65,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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MiniArt Releases Renders of Upcoming Fw 190D-13 Model Kit
MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a new Fw 190D-13 kit in 1/48 scale.
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 was a rare late-war “Dora” fighter, developed from the long-nosed Fw 190D series and powered by a Junkers Jumo 213 inline engine. Armed with three 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, including one firing through the propeller spinner, it was intended as a high-performance interceptor but appeared too late and in too few numbers to have significant operational impact.
The model (48050) combines the Dora-series airframe with finely reproduced surface, rivet and panel line detail, detailed cockpit and exterior components and three marking options. As of this writing a final release date has not been announced, although a number of renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.
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