Category: Model Aircraft

Posted on by

Surface Details Progressing on Airscale’s 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV

Airscale has provided a new update on the development of their 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV kit focusing on surface details.

As previously reported, the Mk IV was the principal later version of the Blenheim light bomber, entering production in 1938 with a longer, redesigned glazed nose that gave the bombardier more room and visibility, plus added armor and more powerful 920-hp Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. Flown by a crew of three, it could carry roughly 1,000 lb of bombs and served widely with the RAF during WW2 in Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Far East. Although fast by mid-1930s standards, it was increasingly vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the war progressed.

There will reportedly be an early version with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters. The October update states that completion of the plastic parts is “getting closer.” Click below to check out the latest renderings.

Continue reading Surface Details Progressing on Airscale’s 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV

Posted on by

Eduard Releases New ProfiPACK Edition Spitfire Mk. Ia With New Parts, Seven Liveries

Among Eduard’s new releases for October is a ProfiPACK edition Spitfire Mk.Ia model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Mk.Ia was an eight-machine-gun version of Britain’s early Spitfire fighter, distinguished from the cannon-armed Mk Ib. Its sleek elliptical wings, Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III engine, and eight wing-mounted .303-inch Browning machine guns combined speed, agility, and concentrated firepower. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, it fought alongside the more numerous Hawker Hurricane, playing a vital role in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe and establishing the Spitfire’s enduring reputation.

The kit (70202) is reportedly based on the new tool Mk.Vb released last year. It includes new parts as well as pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for seven aircraft.

Buy on eBay (Additional Information via Scalemates)

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Posted on by

IBG Announces First Variant in New Fieseler Storch Series With Detail Renderings

IBG has released a new series of renderings for their upcoming Fieseler Fi 156 Storch model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Storch was a German high‑wing liaison and observation aircraft famed for its extraordinary STOL performance, able to take off in about 150 ft and land in roughly 60 ft thanks to a large wing, full‑span leading‑edge slats, and powerful flaps that gave a very low stall speed around 31 mph. Powered by a 240 hp Argus As 10 engine, it served throughout World War II in reconnaissance, artillery spotting, casualty evacuation, and VIP transport, and became legendary for missions such as the 1943 Gran Sasso rescue of Mussolini. About 3,900 were built in Germany and under license abroad, with postwar versions like the Morane‑Saulnier MS.500 Criquet remaining in use into the 1950s and beyond.

As previously reported, IBG released teaser images in September and stated that all production variants would eventually be represented. The new renderings detail the full 156C-2 “Storch At War” as well as its 3D printed upgrade set featuring the full Argus AS10C-3 engine, upgraded covers and two propeller variants. Release of the 156C-2 is reportedly slated for the end of the month.

Check out additional renderings below.

Continue reading IBG Announces First Variant in New Fieseler Storch Series With Detail Renderings

Posted on by

MiniArt Releases New “Duxford Eagles” P-47D-22-RE Thunderbolt Basic Kit

MiniArt has released a new P-47D-22RE Thunderbolt basic kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-22-RE was a late-production “razorback” fighter built at Farmingdale, New York, retaining the raised rear fuselage and framed canopy of earlier Thunderbolts. Its principal improvement was a large Hamilton Standard paddle-blade propeller, which made better use of the aircraft’s power and improved climb performance. Powered by a turbo-supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine with water injection for additional combat power, it carried eight .50-caliber machine guns and could carry bombs or external fuel tanks, making it effective in both fighter-escort and ground-attack roles during World War II.

The new kit (48049) is described as “highly detailed” and includes realistic metal surfaces with fine rivet and panel details. It includes four marking options representing aircraft serving with the famous “Duxford Eagles” of the 78th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force based at RAF Duxford.

Buy on eBay

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Posted on by

E-Flite to Release Their “Largest, Most Detailed, Best Performing” RC P-51D Yet

E-Flite is preparing to release their largest, most detailed, and best performing P-51 RC model to date.

Their upcoming 1.5m P-51D Mustang is equipped with a unique 3-piece wing design for easy transport and storage, main gear /tailwheel electric retracts with shock-absorbing struts, ball-bearing equipped wheels and softer diamond tread tires enabling operation from pavement or grass. Power is provided by a factory-installed brushless motor with a 100-amp Spektrum Avian Smart ESC that’s compatible with 6S LiPo power. The model boasts an abundance of Extra Scale details, including molded-in panel lines and hatches, guns and removable drop tanks, as well as Functional Extra Scale features include LED navigation lights, sequenced main and tailwheel gear doors, flaps, and more.

The model will be offered in PNP (EFL-3360) and BNF Basic (EFL-3359) versions. The BNF example includes an AR637TA+ receiver that offers full-range telemetry including real-time battery voltage, current, temperature, and more, plus the advantages of enhanced AS3X+ and optional-use SAFE Select technologies for easy flying.

As of this writing, release is slated for November. Check out a promo video below.

Continue reading E-Flite to Release Their “Largest, Most Detailed, Best Performing” RC P-51D Yet

Posted on by

MiniArt Releases Fw 190D-9 Basic Model Kit With Famed JV 44 Markings

MiniArt has released their new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 JV 44 “Sachsenberg Schwarm” basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190D-9 “Doras” of JV 44’s Sachsenberg Schwarm, led by Lt. Heinz Sachsenberg, protected Adolf Galland’s Me 262 jets during their vulnerable takeoffs and landings in the final weeks of World War II. Operating from München-Riem and Ainring in spring 1945, these aircraft were marked with striking red undersides and white stripes for rapid recognition by German anti-aircraft defenses—making them among the Luftwaffe’s most famous late-war fighters.

As previously reported, the kit (48045) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic metal surfaces and panel details. Two marking options will also be included representing “Red 1” flown by Lt. Heinz “Heino” Sachsenberg and “Red 3” flown by Hptm. Waldemar Wubke.

Buy on eBay

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Posted on by

Airfix Releases New Tool Phantom FG.1 With Comprehensive Weapons Fit

Airfix has released their new tool McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The FG.1, designated F-4K by its manufacturer, was a British version of the American F-4 Phantom II developed for the Royal Navy as a carrier-based fleet-defense fighter with a secondary strike role. Powered by Rolls-Royce Spey engines, it featured enlarged air intakes, a modified fuselage and an extending nosewheel leg to assist launches from Britain’s smaller aircraft carriers. Delivered from 1968, it served aboard HMS Ark Royal and with the RAF; following the carrier’s retirement in 1978, the remaining naval aircraft transferred to the RAF, where FG.1s continued in the air-defence role until 1989.

The new kit (A12015) boasts over 270 parts, including slide molded jet intakes to capture detail on all sides; a comprehensive weapons fit with Skyflash missiles, RN 2-inch rocket pods, Sidewinder missiles, 1000lb bombs as well as external fuel tanks; an extended nose undercarriage leg option and a detailed cockpit / ejector seats. Additional features include modeler aids such as molded paint marks for undercarriage apertures and integral flat tabs on fuselage parts for clamp location to enhance the build experience. Three marking options are also included representing the Royal Navy dark blue scheme of the period.

Buy on eBay

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Posted on by

Eduard Releases “Brassin Hybrid” Birdcage P-51B/C Kit With Plastic, Resin, PE Parts

As part of their October new releases, Eduard has released a “Brassin Hybrid” edition P-51B/ C Mustang (Birdcage Canopy) in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B/C was the pivotal Merlin-powered development of the Mustang family, combining the airframe’s efficient laminar-flow wing with a Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin engine for exceptional high-altitude performance, speed, and range. Produced as the P-51B at Inglewood, California, and the essentially identical P-51C at Dallas, Texas, these “razorback” Mustangs were distinguished by their framed, or “birdcage,” canopy and rear fuselage spine; armed with four .50-caliber Browning machine guns, they became highly effective long-range escort fighters for Allied bombers over Europe from late 1943. Although rearward visibility was limited — leading many to receive the bulged British Malcolm Hood canopy — the B/C was the crucial variant that established the Mustang as one of the outstanding fighters of World War II.

The release (932012) includes Eduard plastic parts, PE parts, painting masks, resin parts (cockpit, undercarriage bays, wheels, guns, exhausts) and Eduard decals with marking options for five aircraft of 8th and 15th Air Force. Check out the product page below for kit content images.

Buy on eBay

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Posted on by

First Look: Hobby Boss’ New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter

Hobby Boss has released test build photos and renderings for their soon to be released F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F4U-5N Corsair [Late] is a radar-equipped night-fighter version of the ultimate piston-engine Corsair, the F4U-5, featuring a longer nose, all-metal wings, a raised cockpit, and a 2,450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32W engine that made it the fastest carrier-based piston fighter (about 462 mph). Carrying an AN/APS-19 radar pod on the right wing, flame-dampened exhausts, and four 20 mm cannons, it traded a bit of performance for night operations but retained a heavy bomb and rocket load for night intruder and close-support missions. In the Korean War, F4U-5Ns with VMF(N)-513 and Navy detachments hunted “Bedcheck Charlie” Po-2s, attacked supply convoys and trains, and even produced the conflict’s only Navy ace, Guy Bordelon, who scored all five of his kills at night in an F4U-5N.

The new release (80391) consists of 11 plastic sprues with over 200 parts, decals with one livery option and painting masks. It boasts accurate design, finely detailed engine and detailed gear cabin. Check out additional images below.

Continue reading First Look: Hobby Boss’ New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter

Posted on by

First Look: Sprues / Box Contents for A&A Models’ New Tool Hughes XF-11 Kits

A&A Models have shared the first sprue test shots for their upcoming, new tool Hughes XF-11 model kits in 1/72 scale.

The XF-11 was a prototype high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft; only two were built. The first prototype (44-70155) flew on 7 July 1946 with eight-blade contra-rotating propellers (two four-blade units per engine), but crashed in Beverly Hills when a hydraulic leak caused the right rear propeller to reverse pitch. The second prototype (44-70156), flown on 5 April 1947, replaced the troublesome contra-rotating props with conventional single four-blade propellers and otherwise retained the twin-boom, pressurized-nacelle layout; it flew without incident but the program was canceled soon after.

As previously reported A&A will release two boxings representing the first and second prototypes. The kits (7250 / 7258) will offer 235 /241 parts with decal sheets and painting masks. Ordering is expected to begin in mid-October. Check out the newly released images below.

Continue reading First Look: Sprues / Box Contents for A&A Models’ New Tool Hughes XF-11 Kits