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.

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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.

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…]

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.

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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.

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!

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New this month from Eduard is a Weekend Edition MiG-21F-13 in 1/48 scale.

The MiG-21F-13 was the first widely produced version of the Soviet MiG-21 supersonic day interceptor introduced in 1960 and known to NATO as the Fishbed-C. It combined a lightweight tailed-delta design with Mach 2 performance, a simple weapons fit of a cannon and early infrared air-to-air missiles, and it became one of the most exported and long-lived fighter types of the Cold War.

The new kit (84213) offers Eduard plastic parts and decals with five marking options.

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A 1956 Forney F-1 Aircoupe has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Beautiful 1956 Forney F-1 Aircoupe that has been hangar kept in Southern California and exceptionally well maintained. This classic aircraft has been refurbished and upgraded, presenting as a very clean, reliable, and fun-to-fly airplane. The aircraft has been kept in the dry Southern California climate and is very clean with no known corrosion issues, with all logs since new. Airframe total time is 1,520 hours. It is powered by a newly overhauled Continental O-200 engine with only 18 hours since major overhaul, along with an overhauled propeller. Upgrades and features include a modern metal instrument panel, new radio, ADS-B equipment, upgraded Cleveland Aircraft disc brake system, new paint, new interior, new windows, and rebuilt landing gear. Always hangared in the dry Southern California climate. Empty weight is 950 lbs and gross weight is 1,400 lbs. Easy and fun to fly, this Aircoupe is a great classic aircraft for economical flying, weekend trips, or adding to a collection, and is ready to fly and enjoy. A pre-buy inspection is highly recommended and encouraged.

The aircraft is located in Rosamond, California and is currently available for US $29,900 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Among Eduard’s new releases for June is a limited edition “Battle of Britain” Spitfire Mk. I model kit in 1/48 scale.

The offering (11197) represents the iconic Spitfire in the early stages of its development and during the most notable stretch of its service: the Battle of Britain. It includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with 11 marking options. Also included is a book about the Spitfire Mk.Is in Battle of Britain written by Pavel Beránek. The book covers the technical development of the aircraft, the evolution of camouflage and markings, pilot equipment, and a detailed guide to building the model.

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