Category: Model Aircraft

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ICM Releases New Late-Production HP.52 Hampden “Churchill’s Flying Suitcase” Kit

ICM has released their new, late-production HP.52 Hampden (Churchill’s “Flying Suitcase) model kit in 1/48 scale.

The HP.52 Hampden was a British twin-engine RAF medium bomber whose unusually narrow, deep fuselage gave it the famous nickname “Churchill’s flying suitcase” or simply the “Flying Suitcase.” It entered service in 1938, saw early World War II bombing and maritime strike duties, and was remembered for being fast and effective but extremely cramped for its four-man crew.

As previously reported, the release (48354) continues ICM’s recent line of Hampden kits and faithfully preserves the geometry and proportions of the original aircraft. It includes rivet detail on the fuselage, wings and tail surfaces, marking options for four aircraft and multiple bomb types that can be positioned in the bomb bay or under the wings.

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Special Hobby Releases Images Detailing Progress on “Family” of Hawker Tempest Kits

Special Hobby has released a new series of images detailing the 3D modeling progress on their upcoming Hawker Tempest kits.

The Tempest is one of the legendary British WWII fighter aircraft. It was developed as an evolution of the Hawker Typhoon with a refined laminar-flow wing, powerful Napier Sabre engine, and four 20mm cannons for superior speed and firepower. Introduced in 1944, it shone in low-level intercepts, destroying over 600 V-1 flying bombs and engaging Luftwaffe jets like the Me 262 while supporting ground operations.

The company states that they are working on a family of Tempest kits in 1/72 scale, reportedly including the Tempest Mk.II, Tempest Mk.V and Tempest Mk.VI. As of this writing, no timeframe for launch has been announced.

Click below to check out additional images.

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Arma Hobby Releases New Curtiss P-36C With 3D Printed Parts, Masks, 3 Liveries

Arma Hobby recently released their new Curtiss P-36C Hawk model kit in 1/72 scale.

The P-36C was an improved 1938–39 American fighter that refined the earlier P-36 with a stronger airframe, a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-17 engine, and better armament, though it was still quickly overshadowed by more advanced wartime fighters. It was a sleek, all-metal monoplane with retractable landing gear and good handling, and only about 30 were built.

As previously reported, the offering (70082) includes 3D-printed spent-cartridge containers for the wing-mounted machine guns, painting masks for the cockpit and wheels, a 3D file for self-printing additional details (pilot’s seat with harness, fuselage bulkhead, instrument panel, exhaust pipes), and three marking options (27th Pursuit Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, National Air Races, Cleveland, Ohio, September 1939; 27th Pursuit Squadron, USAAC, Selfridge Field, Michigan, 1939; 27th Pursuit Squadron, USAAC, Selfridge Field, Michigan, 1939).

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Italeri Releases CANT Z.1007 Alcione Kit With Six New Liveries

Italeri has released a new boxing of their CANT Z.1007bis Alcione model kit in 1/72 scale.

The CANT Z.1007 Alcione medium bomber, designed by Filippo Zappata, entered service in the late 1930s and was extensively used by the Regia Aeronautica during the Second World War. Characterized by a wooden structure, it featured the typical Italian three-engine configuration. More specifically, its three 1,000 hp Piaggio P.XI radial engines allowed the CANT Z.1007 to reach a maximum speed of 450 km/h. The aircraft could carry 1,200 kg of offensive payload housed in an internal bomb bay. The crew typically consisted of five men, which could increase to six with the addition of a photographic operator for reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions. It was mainly employed in the Mediterranean, Balkan, and North African theaters of operation and is often considered the best medium bomber of the Regia Aeronautica.

The kit (1479) includes new decals with marking options for six aircraft. Click below to check out the Buy on eBay, livery profiles and sprues.

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Italeri Releases Fw 190 A-7/A8 Focused on Luftwaffe Aces

Italeri has released a new boxing of their 1/72 Fw 190 A-7/A8 model kit focusing on Luftwaffe aces.

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was one of the best aircraft designed during the Second World War. Produced in more than 20,000 units starting in 1941, it was, together with the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the most famous fighter of the Luftwaffe. The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 was equipped with a BMW 801 D-2 twin-row, 14-cylinder radial engine delivering 1,700 hp, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 653 km/h. It was heavily armed with two MG 131 machine guns and four 20 mm MG 151 cannons. In the first months of 1944, the A-8 version entered production, featuring an injection system capable of increasing engine power to over 1,900 hp for short periods. The Luftwaffe’s best pilots flew the famous fighter during the Second World War.

The kit (1490) includes markings for aircraft flown by Major. Maj. Heinz “Pritzl” Bär, Obstlt. Otto Kittel, Major Josef “Pips” Priller, Leutnant Anton Rudolf Piffer and Leutnant Gerhard Vogt. Click below to check out the Buy on eBay and box contents.

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FineMolds Releases “Meticulous” New A6M Zero Prototype Model Kit

FineMolds has released their new Mitsubishi A6M Zero prototype model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Zero prototype, designated A6M1, was the first version of the Japanese Navy’s famous carrier‑based fighter, built in 1939 as a lightweight, single‑seat monoplane with retractable gear and an enclosed cockpit to meet strict demands for speed, range, and extreme maneuverability. It used a 780 hp Mitsubishi Zuisei 13 radial engine and a very light airframe of aluminum alloy with fabric‑covered control surfaces, giving it low wing loading and excellent low‑speed handling even in its underpowered prototype form; after Navy trials, the design was refined into the A6M2 by switching to the more powerful Nakajima Sakae engine, launching the Zero’s long‑production run.

The new kit (FR03) “meticulously reproduces the details of the Type 12 Carrier Fighter ‘Unit 2.'” It offers molding in different colors (fuselage, wings, engine, and propeller are in gray, landing gear in black, and interior of the aircraft in yellow-green). PE parts also appear to be included.

Click below to check out the product link and additional images.

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MiniArt Releases New Fw 190D-9 (Mimetall) Advanced Model Kit

MiniArt has released their new Fw 190D-9 (Mimetall) Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.

The offering (48048) is described as highly detailed with accurate Mimetall production configuration, PE parts, detailed cockpit and surface features and decals with multiple marking options.

The company also recently released a basic version (48040) that includes an accurate exterior with finely reproduced panel lines and rivets, detailed cockpit with instrument panel and seat, optional open or closed canopy and marking options for two aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 301.

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Arma Releases New Tool Me 262 A-1a Based on “Highly Accurate” 3D Model

Arma Hobby has released their new tool Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a “Schwalbe” model kit in 1/72 scale.

The project focuses on faithful reproduction of the aircraft’s shape, correct geometry, and a high level of detail, while maintaining a logical and modeller-friendly assembly design. The model reproduces characteristic features of the Me 262, including deployed leading-edge slats, richly detailed landing gear bays, R4M air-to-air rockets, and 250 kg bombs.

The kit (70083) is based on a highly accurate 3D airframe model by Arthur Bentley, who is touted as one of the most respected aviation researchers and draughtsmen. It includes an Arma Jig assembly stand to assist with correct alignment of components, a metal nose weight to ensure proper balance of the finished model, painting masks for the canopy, and Cartograf decals with marking options for three aircraft (wartime and postwar). Also included is a code to download a file for 3D printing accessories for the kit.

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First Look: Airscale’s 1/32 Dornier Do 17 Renderings, Test Prints

Airscale has released a series of images showing renderings and test prints for their 1/32 Dornier Do 17, stating that the final design for the injection molded parts have been approved with mold cutting starting next week.

The CAD images are the design with rough panel lines and rivets for the box art coming later, the moulded parts will be more finessed, while the test prints are low res fit tests so the design will evolve from here – for example I am not happy with the floor sections, there are some weak spots so back to the drawing board for that.

The Do 17 was a German twin‑engine light bomber, nicknamed the “Flying Pencil” for its slim, streamlined fuselage, which was originally designed in the early 1930s as a fast mail and passenger aircraft before being adapted into a military bomber for the Luftwaffe. It served extensively in the early years of World War II, taking part in campaigns over Poland, the Low Countries, France, the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the Soviet Union, where it proved fast and maneuverable but gradually became obsolete due to limited bomb load and range.

It is hoped that the test shots will be complete by September and perhaps full release by the time the Telford model show rolls around in November. Click below to check out a selection of the newly released images.

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Eduard Releases New “Weekend Edition” P-40N Model Kit

Another new release from Eduard for April is a Weekend Edition P-40N Warhawk model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Curtiss P‑40N was the final major production variant of the P‑40 fighter‑bomber, optimized for lighter weight, higher speed, and improved durability. Derivative of the earlier P‑36 and first flown in 1938, the all‑metal P‑40N typically carried six 0.50‑inch machine guns and could also carry light bombs, serving as both an air‑superiority fighter and ground‑attack aircraft. Though often outclassed by newer Axis fighters at higher altitudes, the P‑40N proved rugged and reliable in low‑ to medium‑altitude operations across multiple theaters, including North Africa, the Pacific, China, and the Soviet Union, and over 5,000 N‑models were built, making it the fastest and most numerous late‑Warhawk sub‑type.

The new release (84210) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft: P-40N-5, Lt. David R. Winternitz, 8th FS, 49th FG; P-40N-5, Lt. Col. Julian E. Thomas, CO of 45th FS, 15th FG; P-40N-20, Lt. Charles G. Whitley, 89th FS, 80th FG and P-40N-20, Lt. J. A. Thomas, 110th TRS, 71st TRG.

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