Category: Model Aircraft

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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.

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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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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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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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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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Eduard to Release Absolutely Packed Royal Class, Dual Combo MiG-15

Eduard is gearing up to release a new Royal Class edition, dual combo MiG-15 kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was developed in the late 1940s as a high-altitude interceptor. First flown in 1947 and entering production in 1949, it combined a powerful Klimov turbojet with swept wings, a pressurized cockpit, and an ejection seat, giving it excellent climb and high-altitude performance for its era. Armed with one 37 mm and two 23 mm cannon, the MiG-15 became internationally famous during the Korean War, where it posed a major threat to UN aircraft and met the North American F-86 Sabre in the conflict’s defining jet-versus-jet battles; it was subsequently built in very large numbers and served widely with Soviet-aligned air forces.

The upcoming release (R0026) will include two complete model kits, a set of pre-painted photo-etched parts, OMASK wheel well plugs, two sets of resin wheels, two sets of 3D-printed seats with seatbelts, pre-cut canopy mask, stencil decal sheets (1 set of Russian stencils and 1 set of Czech stencils) and decals with 10 marking options. A 3D-printed 1/16 scale MiG-15bis instrument panel is also included as a special bonus.

Click below to check out livery profiles and additional details.

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Arma Hobby Releases New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 “Flying Tigers”

Arma Hobby has released their new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the release (70094) is the first in Arma’s new family of 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81, Tomahawk II and P-40B/C kits. It represents the export version of the Hawk 81-A2 operated by the AVG in China during 1941–1942. These aircraft wore a distinctive camouflage scheme based on British specifications and applied using American-made DuPont paints.

The kit offers three Flying Tigers marking options, 3D printed parts and painting masks.

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MikroMir Releases New 1/48 RAF S.E.1 Model Kit

MikroMir has released a new tool RAF S.E.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.1 was a one-off experimental aeroplane built at Farnborough in 1911, conceived by Geoffrey de Havilland and F. M. Green from the remains of a damaged Blériot XII monoplane. Its designation meant “Santos Experimental,” reflecting its unusual canard, or tail-first, configuration, and de Havilland made its first brief flight on 11 June 1911. The machine proved difficult to control; later that year, an inexperienced pilot, Lt. Theodore Ridge, was killed when it stalled and spun during a landing attempt. The S.E.1 was not rebuilt, but it remains historically important as the first aircraft in the Royal Aircraft Factory’s influential S.E. design sequence.

The kit (48-022) includes a 3D-printed engine and photo-etched parts. Check out the product page and box contents below.

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Eduard Releases ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat With PE, Five Liveries

Among Eduard’s September releases is a ProfiPACK Edition F6F-3 Hellcat model kit in 1/72 scale.

The F6F-3 was introduced in 1943 and became one of the principal American fighters of the Pacific War. Powered by a 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine and armed with six .50-caliber Browning machine guns, it combined high speed, heavy firepower, protection, and exceptional survivability. Designed to counter Japan’s Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Hellcat proved especially effective when flown to exploit its superior speed, dive performance, armor, and self-sealing fuel tanks; U.S. Navy and Marine Hellcat pilots ultimately claimed the majority of American air-to-air victories in the Pacific.

The kit (7074) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with five marking options.

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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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