Category: Model Aircraft

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Hobby Boss to Release New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter Model Kit

Hobby Boss is reportedly preparing to release a new 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.

As of this writing, details on the new kit (80391) are nonexistent, although release is planned for some time in September.

(via AeroScale and Scalemates)

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First Look: Test Build of Arma Hobby’s New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

Arma Hobby has released the first test build photos (and additional sprue shots) for their upcoming, new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the upcoming 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. Three Flying Tigers marking options will be included.

The model seen in the new photos was built straight from the latest pre-production test parts and was quickly assembled and left completely unpainted for a more detailed look at the plastic itself. The company states that these are still pre-production parts, and final evaluation is underway.

Shipping is currently planned for the second half of August. Check out additional photos below.

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ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

In August ICM will release a “100% new molds” Lockheed Hudson Mk.III model kit in 1/48 scale (48331).

The Hudson Mk.III was a light bomber and maritime reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner and built for the RAF just before World War II. This variant featured upgraded 1,200 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines and a Boulton Paul dorsal turret with twin .303-inch machine guns, and was used extensively by the RAF, RAAF, and RNZAF for coastal patrol, anti-submarine work, and general reconnaissance from 1941 onward.

Additional details have not yet been announced. Check out kit renderings below.

Continue reading ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

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Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

Dora Wings recently released a new Vultee P-66 Vanguard boxing in 1/48 scale.

The Vanguard was an American single-seat, single-engine fighter designed in the late 1930s, originally intended for export to Sweden but later taken into U.S. service and then sent in larger numbers to China. It was a fairly conventional prewar radial-engine fighter with respectable speed and climb, but it was generally considered underwhelming in combat compared with better-known wartime fighters, so it ended up with a mixed reputation despite seeing real service.

The kit (48053) is touted as offering superb surface textures with crisp, recessed panel lines and fantastic overall accuracy. It includes PE parts, die cut canopy masks, new premium decals with marking options for multiple aircraft, including examples in including USAAF and Chinese Air Force service.

Check out the product page and box contents below.

Continue reading Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

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IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

IBG has released renderings of their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G “Playing with Death” (72600) model kit in 1/72 scale. They have also released seven livery profiles for their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop “Over North Africa” (72592).

The PR Type G was a fighter-reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire, adapted for low-level tactical photo work rather than pure interception. It carried one oblique and two vertical F24 cameras, kept its armament and armored windscreen, and early examples were converted from Mk I airframes with Merlin II engines later replaced by Merlin 45s; later ones came from Mk V airframes. It entered service in limited numbers and was eventually superseded by the PR Mk XIII, which used the same camera layout with a lower-altitude Merlin 32 engine.

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.

Also slated for release is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out the newly released PR Type G renderings and the Mk. Vb livery profiles.

Continue reading IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

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First Look: Box Contents For Sword Models’ New Tool AF-2W / AF-2S Guardian Kits

Sword Models has provided the first glimpse of the box contents for their soon to be released AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” kits in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the Grumman AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” were a paired U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare system in which the AF-2W carried the search radar and detection gear in a large ventral radome, while the AF-2S carried the weapons load such as torpedoes, depth charges, bombs, and rockets. Flown together as hunter-killer teams beginning in 1950, they were the Navy’s first purpose-built carrier-based ASW aircraft, but their size and poor low-speed handling made them accident-prone, and they were soon replaced by the more efficient S2F Tracker.

The kits (SW72162 and SW72163) include plastic parts, painting masks and decals with two marking options per variant. Click below to check out box contents and livery profiles.

Continue reading First Look: Box Contents For Sword Models’ New Tool AF-2W / AF-2S Guardian Kits

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Revell to Release “All New” Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A Developed From 3D Scanning

Revell is preparing to release an “all-new” Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A model kit in 1/32 scale.

The T.7 was the RAF’s two-seat trainer version of the classic Hunter jet, built with side-by-side seating for a student and instructor, and first flew in 1955 before entering service in 1958. It was powered by a single Avon engine, could reach about 690 mph, and later six airframes were upgraded to T.7A standard for Buccaneer conversion training with updated cockpit instrumentation.

The model (03786) was developed using state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology and includes a completely new front fuselage section with authentic two-seater configuration; highly detailed dual cockpit with precise instrument panels and realistic seats; crystal clear cockpit glazing for optimal visibility of the interior details and true-to-original surface structures. Marking options are included for three aircraft: 208 Squadron, RAF (1990); RAF Blue Diamonds Display Team (1961) and Royal Netherlands Air Force (1968).

The kit is expected to be released sometime this month. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Revell to Release “All New” Hawker Hunter T.7/T.7A Developed From 3D Scanning

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MiniArt Releases New P-47D-20RA Thunderbolt Advanced Kit

MiniArt has released their new 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.

As previously reported, the 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.

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Airfix Releases New Tool Junkers Ju52/3mg4e Model Kit

Airfix has released their new tool Junkers Ju52/3mg4e in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the newly designed kit (A08022) faithfully replicates the corrugated surface texture on all external surfaces and includes fully detailed interior and engines, oil drum cargo load, wheel chocks for diorama models, options for machine gun armament and undercarriage with or without spats, slide molded canopy to ensure clear definition of window frames and multiple doors and hatches that can be posed open or closed to add life to the model.

Decals are included with three livery options: WNr.2870, KM+BX, 4./KGrzbV500, Pleskau-West, Russia, March 1942; WNr.6141, VB+IN, Transportstaffel/II. Fliegerkorps, Russia 1941 and WNr.6657, CA+JY, 1./KGrzbV102, Neumünster, Germany, April 1940.

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Roden Releases New Tool Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V Kit

Roden has released a new tool Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V in 1/144 scale.

The Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V was a British maritime patrol flying boat of World War II. During the war, these aircraft operated over the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Arctic to the tropics. German pilots nicknamed it the “Flying Porcupine” due to its powerful defensive armament.

The new release (353) includes marking options for three aircraft. Check out the product page below, along with livery profiles and box contents.

Continue reading Roden Releases New Tool Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V Kit

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