New Video Documents Recent Formation Flight of World’s Only Airworthy Helldivers
On August 20th, 2026 Fagen Fighters WWII Museum SB2C-5 Helldiver joined the CAF SB2C-5 Helldiver and the National Museum of WWII Aviation SB2C-1A Helldiver for a formation flight over Colorado Springs, Colorado. This marked the first formation flight in decades for the world’s only remaining airworthy Helldivers.
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a U.S. Navy carrier-based dive bomber developed during World War II to replace the Douglas SBD Dauntless. Larger, faster, and more heavily armed than its predecessor, it carried a two-man crew, internal bomb bay, wing-mounted 20 mm cannon, and could deliver bombs, rockets, or depth charges against ships and land targets. Although early production aircraft were troubled by handling, reliability, and structural problems—earning unflattering nicknames from many crews—the Helldiver was steadily improved and became an important late-war strike aircraft, serving in major Pacific operations from 1943 through 1945 and remaining in postwar service with several foreign air arms.
Today, Fagan Fighters WWII Museum released a new film produced by Scott and Kyle Guyette capturing the once-in-a-lifetime event. Check it out below.
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First Look: Copper State Models 1/32 Nieuport 16
Copper State Models has announced the upcoming release of a new Nieuport 16 model kit in 1/32 scale.
The Nieuport 16 was a French single-seat World War I fighter introduced in 1916 as a more powerful, strengthened development of the Nieuport 11 “Bébé.” Powered by a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine and normally armed with a Lewis gun above the upper wing, it was faster but more nose-heavy than its predecessor, and was soon replaced by the more capable Nieuport 17.
The upcoming release (CSM32-016) will include Cartograf decals, 111 high-quality injection-moulded plastic parts, photo-etched metal detail parts, full rigging diagram and color instructions.
Pre-ortdering is now open with shipping expected to being by the end of October. Pre-order customers will receive a free 3D-printed Le Rhône 9J engine. Check out livery profiles and an additional test build image below.
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1941 Waco UPF-7 For Sale: “Only 30 Hours Since Restoration”
A 1941 Waco UPF-7 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This 1941 Waco UPF-7, serial number 5708 and registration N32076, is a classic open-cockpit biplane showing approximately 2,500 hours total time and only 30 hours since restoration. It is equipped with a 96-inch Curtiss-Reed propeller along with modern Trig communications equipment and ADS-B Out.
The aircraft is located in Torrance, CA with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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MiniArt Releases New P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit With PE, Three Liveries
MiniArt has released their new P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.
As previously reported, the P-47M varint was a late-war, high-speed Thunderbolt built for fast interception, using an uprated Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and featuring the dorsal fin on the rear fuselage to improve directional stability with the bubble canopy. It was the quickest production P-47, but engine teething troubles limited its combat use, and it saw service only briefly with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe.
The new kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. PE parts and three marking options are also included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options.
Buy on eBay (Advanced Kit)
Buy on eBay (Basic Kit)
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Piper Tri-Pacer Tailwheel Conversion For Sale: “Substantial Upgrades”
A 1956 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer tailwheel conversion has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
This extensively rebuilt 1956 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer has been converted to a tailwheel configuration and is powered by a 180 HP Lycoming O-360 with only 165 hours SMOH. It combines classic Piper character with substantial upgrades including modern Garmin instrumentation, a carbon-fiber ground-adjustable propeller, updated wiring, and IFR certification.
The aircraft is located in Warsaw, New York with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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New Tool, Fully 3D Printed Anatra Anasal Coming to Planet Models Series
Special Hobby has announced a new tool Anatra Anasal in 1/72 scale (PLT291). The model will be the first fully 3D printed kit in the Planet Models series.
The Anatra Anasal, formally the Anatra DS, was a two-seat Russian reconnaissance biplane developed by the Anatra works at Odessa from the earlier Anatra D (Anade) and first flown in 1916. Its name combined “Anatra” and “Salmson,” reflecting its 150 hp Salmson liquid-cooled radial engine, which gave it improved performance over its predecessor; the aircraft entered production in 1917 and served during the First World War and the Russian Civil War. Built largely of wood and fabric, it carried a pilot and observer-gunner, with a synchronized forward-firing machine gun, a flexible rear gun, and a limited light-bomb capability.
A series of test build photos have been released which can be seen below. As of this writing it appears that a release date has not been announced.
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Two Moni Motorgliders / Transport Trailer For Sale: “One Flyable, One Project”
Two Moni Motorgliders (along with a transport trailer) have been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Vintage Moni Motorgliders and one transport trailer up for auction. There are two aircraft, one is flyable with minor maintenance and inspection, and has approximately 20hrs TT, it will need a new registration number and be registered. The engine is the electric start two cycle KFM engine which starts and runs just fine… The comm radio is the only thing missing from the instrument panel… Included are the flight manual, and the actual Moni build manual.
The second aircraft is the fuselage and wings that are not fully completed, it appears that all of the major work is done, plus, no firewall forward, (no engine mount, no engine, no propeller, no engine cowling). The N number registration will need to be updated… Both aircraft are the later serial numbers, meaning, the skins are riveted and not bonded…
The aircraft are located in Hope, Arkansas and is currently available for bidding although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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B-24 Liberator “Rupert the Roo II” Gets New Paint During Restoration [Video]
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, GA has posted a new timelapse video showing the ongoing restoration of their B-24 Liberator Project – specifically the application of new paint.
For everyone who had something to say about the pink… we have an update. It’s gone. This timelapse offers a fascinating look as the old finish disappears and another major step in the restoration takes shape.The transformation continues for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s B-24 Liberator. Now at LandLocked Aviation, the aircraft has moved into the paint and restoration phase, and this timelapse gives you a front-row seat as years of weathering begin to give way to a new finish.
As previously reported, the B-24J-20-FO Liberator (S/N 44-487821) was originally built by the Ford Motor Company at Willow Run, Michigan 1944. It has been on outdoor display for decades, most recently at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Over that time it has worn several liveries, including Laiden Maiden, Louisiana Belle II (seen above), and Rupert the Roo II.
In June 2025 plans were announced for the aircraft to relocate to The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, a process that includes painting and restoration. The aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Phase I was completed in May with the ailerons, flaps, horizontal stabilizers, turrets, propeller assemblies, and all four engines being cataloged and removed for transport and restoration. The completion of Phase II saw the wing assembly, fuselage, and remaining major components leave Barksdale for restoration at offsite locations.
The aircraft will be installed within the museum’s expanded galleries for public exhibition with the projected date being sometime in the spring of 2027. Check out newly released repainting video below.
Continue reading B-24 Liberator “Rupert the Roo II” Gets New Paint During Restoration [Video]
Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean
Coming soon from Air World and author Denis Saunders is Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The book is a survivor’s wartime voyage, chronicling long, perilous Catalina flights / missions, and steadfast leadership amid oceanic dangers and relentless duty.
Aged 21, Bruce Daymond enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1941. He had joined to serve the British Empire, as it then was, knowing he would serve thousands of miles from Australia.
Sixteen days into my flying training, Bruce went solo for the first time. Having trained as pilot and navigator under the Empire Air Training Scheme, in both Australia and Canada, he went on to serve in the RAF throughout the Second World War. As a pilot of a Consolidated Catalina flying boat, he flew with a number of Coastal Command units, namely Nos. 209, 357, 628, and 240 squadrons. Throughout his service, Bruce maintained a huge, detailed, candid, and personal daily diary; it is that which forms the basis of this insightful account of one flying boat captain’s service. The result is a revealing account of one man’s dedication to service and leadership, endurance of hundreds of hours of monotonous flying interspersed with periods of terror and courage in the face of great danger. Continue reading Catalina Flying Boat Captain: A Pilot’s War from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean
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MiniArt Releases New, Highly Detailed Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 Model Kit
MiniArt has released their new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 “Basic” model kit in 1/48 scale.
As previously reported, the Fw 190D-11 was a late-war variant, part of the “Dora” series and powered by the Junkers Jumo 213F engine with MW 50 boost. It was a heavily armed variant with two 20 mm MG 151 cannon in the wing roots and two 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outer wings, but it was produced only in very small numbers.
The new release (48072) is described as highly detailed with realistic metal surfaces and panel details and three marking options.
