Coming soon from Helion & Company and authors Ole Nikolajsen and Mehmet Haluk Sevel is The History of Turkish Military Aircraft Volume 1: From Inception to the War of Independence 1912-1923:
The History of Turkish Military Aircraft book-series charts the development of Turkish military aviation from its fragile first steps on the eve of the First World War to its current strength as one of the largest air forces in Europe. Richly illustrated with exclusive photographs and illustrations, the series provides a comprehensive account of the development of the Turkish Air Force through the aircraft it flew, including unique data on each individual machine in Turkish service.
Volume 1 opens the series with the foundation of military aviation in Turkey in the context of the Ottoman Empire’s waning years, its maturation during the First World War and subsequent near destruction after the Armistice, followed by its rebirth during the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). It details all 62 aircraft types flown by the Ottoman and then Turkish Air Force during this period, including thorough service histories and 49 accompanying colour profiles. This wide variety encompassed French, British, German, and Russian designs, procured and maintained as often through subterfuge and guile as by conventional means: from Nieuport 17 fighters salvaged from a stranded steamer to DFW C.V reconnaissance aircraft restored using egg white and potato starch for service in the War of Independence.
The product of decades of combined research by expert authors Ole Nikolajsen and Mehmet Halûk Sevel and generously illustrated with photography from the archives of the Turkish Air Force’s History Branch, Turkish Military Aircraft, Volume 1 will appeal to anyone interested in Turkey’s aviation heritage and the pioneer era of flight.
The 144 page paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 15.
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Eduard has released new details on their upcoming new tool “Royal Hybrid” P-51B Mustang kit in 1/32 scale.
The premium offering (932011) combines injection-molded, new tool Eduard plastic parts as well as an extensive range of 3D-printed accessories (cockpit, landing gear bays, wheels and landing gear legs, machine gun barrels, exhausts). Also included are pre-painted photo-etched parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with eight marking options for aircraft that served with the USAAF’s 8th and 9th Air Forces during World War II. In addition, the kit boasts a 100-page publication dedicated to the operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. It features stories of aircraft and their pilots, color schemes of more than 100 P-51B and C aircraft, a description of the development of the P-51B, and photographic documentation of pilot equipment.
The kit, which marks the first release in the new Royal Hybrid series, is currently available for pre-order with shipping beginning in the second half of July. Click below to check out additional images.
A 1976 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F airframe project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
According to the listing the airframe has 4,982 total time. It is being sold as a rebuildable or parts aircraft after a taxi incident caused left wingtip damage and a nose gear collapse resulting in a twisted outboard wing extension and fiberglass nosecone damage. The main wing structure, control surfaces, right wing, tail, and most of the fuselage remain undamaged. The engines and props are removed, but it includes landing gear, a clean 6-seat interior, ram’s horn yokes, and substantial avionics such as a Century III autopilot, Bendix radar, Collins NAV/ADF, King DME, intercom, and full instrument set, with complete logbooks and overall good condition aside from the noted damage.
The aircraft is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $3,995 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 Fonthill Media and author Geoff Coughlin is Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning.
The English Electric Lightning, the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, entered service in 1960 and was at the heart of UK and RAF Germany air defence until its retirement in 1988. It was an instant favourite at air shows, thrilling audiences with its incredible manoeuvrability and rate of climb. Indeed, the vertical climb out after take-off became the aircraft’s signature manoeuvre.
The Lightning served with many RAF squadrons during the Cold War and bore a wide variety of brightly coloured unit markings, with the most famous being the red and white markings worn by the ‘Firebirds’ display team. As camouflage became more appropriate, flamboyant squadron schemes gave way to tactical green/grey upper surfaces, and then to various shades of grey, making the aircraft harder to detect in visual combat.
Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning contains extensive reference material, including colour profiles and close-up photographs, as well as multiple in-depth step-by-step scale model builds featuring the wide range of schemes worn by the type. All the main scales are covered, with special attention given to detailed features to help you enhance your scale model builds of this iconic Cold War fighter.
The 160 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.
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IBG Models has announced the upcoming release of Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb and PR Type G model kits in 1/72 scale.
The Mk.Vb was built around the Merlin 45 engine and the “B” wing. It was typically armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 machine guns. The aircraft was a widely used stop-gap that gave the RAF a strong, versatile interceptor through 1941–43, including tropical versions for desert service. The PR Type G was a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire variant, stripped of combat armament in favor of cameras and extra fuel for long-range intelligence work.
The kits: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop Over North Africa (72592) and Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G: Playing with Death (72600) will reportedly be available after July 5. Also coming is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out additional images.
A rare Beechcraft QU-22B has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
Chance to own a rare Beechcraft Model 1079 known as the QU-22B a highly modified Bonanza A-36 developed as a high altitude remote control drone for the Vietnam war. The original data plate is included EB-6. This is the sixth aircraft built out of the 27 built… The aircraft includes the fuselage and a set of wings with the fuel bladders installed.
The aircraft is located in Marathon, Florida and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.
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Coming soon from Evro Publishing and author Michael Napier is Avro Lancaster: Twenty-Four Hours on a Squadron, a unique hour-by-hour insight into a Lancaster bombing mission.
The most famous and successful heavy bomber flown by the RAF during World War 2, the Avro Lancaster remains one of the most enduring symbols of RAF, and indeed British, history. This book presents a completely new and original perspective on the iconic Avro Lancaster by covering the 24-hour cycle of a Lancaster squadron. Using over 200 first-hand accounts and illustrated with numerous photographs, it describes the activities and life of aircrew, ground maintenance personnel, mission planners and the plethora of support personnel each of whom played a vital role in the operation of a Lancaster bomber squadron. Starting with the ground activities on a typical wartime Lancaster airfield and the preparations for a night raid, the book then takes the reader with the aircrews on a night bombing mission over Germany, to discover the many dangers and hazards facing the crews throughout the flight, in their own words. In the thought-provoking and deeply poignant epilogue, the aircrew review their achievements against the sacrifices they made.
The 288 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 15.
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LukGraph has announced the upcoming release of a Hansa-Brandenburg CC in both 1/32 and 1/48 scales.
The Hansa-Brandenburg CC was a single-seat fighter flying boat developed by the Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg during World War I. Designed for coastal defense and maritime patrol duties, it became one of the most successful seaplane fighters operated by the Austro-Hungarian Navy.
The new offerings will represent both early and late production versions: the early version equipped with a single machine gun / original engine cooling arrangement and the late variant fitted with two machine guns mounted on the fuselage.
As of this writing additional details have yet to be announced, although several renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.
A 1938 Tiger Moth project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):
1938 Tiger Moth for re-construction. Complete aircraft, dis-assembled and all parts meticulously restored. (engine still needs a rebuild). Fabulous history researched in detail by the previous owner/restorer, too much to list here. Ready for reconstruction, currently in secure storage in Worcestershire (UK)
The aircraft is currently available for £30,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing.
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Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Peter Saxton is B-29 Superfortress: Strategic Air War in the Pacific.
The B-29 Superfortress was a vital and iconic strategic bomber of the Second World War. It was designed with a range and warlord capability that made it viable for operation in the vast regions of Asia Pacific. This bomber played a key part in the defeat and unconditional surrender of Japan, principally using fire-bombing techniques. The complex role and effectiveness of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reviewed critically. The work has 21st century connection in the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. The United States Navy, US ground forces and the B-29 wings were brought together to fight, in the author’s words, ‘he most massive air war the world had ever seen’.
Technical aspects including bomb-load and range – vital for the vast Asia Pacific, are set out for all readers, service, academic and lay. [continue reading…]
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