Category: Golden Age (1919-1939)

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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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Polish Military Aircraft and Pilots 1918-1939 Detailed in New Illustrated History

Coming soon from Air World and author Peter Sikora is Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939: From Regaining Independence to Hitler’s Blitzkrieg, an illustrated history of Polish military aviation from 1917 to 1939, highlighting innovation, development, and wartime resilience.

The Polish Military Aviation can trace its origins to the second half of 1917, and was officially established when Poland regained her independence on 11 November 1918. The country was then able to build its own air force with men being proud to call themselves Poles again. Despite its difficult rebirth, in the 1930s Poland developed a wide range of its own aircraft. These included the PZL P.6 fighter which gained fame for being the most advanced of its day and the first fighter aircraft made of metal in the world, or PZL P.24 fighter considered by the RAF as a purchase option. Towards the end of the decade, however, foreign aircraft design had overtaken them…

As well as telling the story of the valiant Polish flyers, Polish Military Aircraft 1918-1939 includes a wonderful collection of photographs, the majority of which have never been seen in the West. Together, these take the reader on a journey throughout the early years of Polish military aviation, showing amazing pictures of German, Austro-Hungarian or Russian aeroplanes, in many cases scavenged by the Poles. Also included is selection of British aircraft which were used in Poland, as well as a host of photographs of Polish-designed and built machines, including these that had to face Luftwaffe in September of 1939.

The 272 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 30.

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1939 Fleet 16B Airframe Project For Sale: “Current Registration”

A 1939 Fleet 16B airframe project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

I purchased this airplane from Brian Coughlin, who is no longer with us. I have paperwork, a data plate plus a spare from another ship. It’s registration is current. I have no logbooks or history. It needs all 6 wing spars, though it does have John Barker ribs and enough good originals to complete the wings. It’s missing the engine (Kinner R56), brakes, flying wires, and the adjustable cabane strut. I’m into the project for well over $16k, that being said, I’ve been at this long enough to know the reality, make me an offer! Will also consider trade for small bore Continental inventory.

The aircraft is located in Madison, Indiana and is currently available for US $12,500 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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MiniArt to Release Junkers F13 Mid-Production Model Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a new Junkers F13 mid-production variant in 1/48 scale.

The release (48011) represents the mid-production version of the Junkers F13 adapted for military service. As one of the world’s first all-metal transport aircraft, the F13 served in both civil and military roles, proving its reliability and versatility in various conditions.

The model features the characteristic corrugated metal surfaces and captures the unique design of this pioneering aircraft. It includes a detailed cockpit and surface structure as well as marking options for four aircraft.

As of this writing the model is listed as “coming soon,” although a final release date has not yet been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles and kit contents.

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DC-3 Nose / Cockpit Section For Sale: “Has Been Restored”

A DC-3 nose / cockpit section has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Original vintage DC-3 airplane nose cone with classic streamlined aircraft design and authentic aviation character. A rare and eye-catching collectible, ideal for display, restoration projects, or aviation memorabilia collections. Has been restored.

The section is located in South Bend, Indiana. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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The History of British Airways Told Through Museum Artifacts

Coming soon from Amberley Publishing and author Al Bridger is British Airways in 100 Objects, which is focused on artifacts held by the British Airways Speedbird Centre.

British Airways has an almost unique history. Spanning over a century from the first flight of Aircraft Transport and Travel Ltd from London to Paris in 1919 to the modern fuel-efficient aircraft of its current fleet, British Airways has proudly connected Britain to the World and the World to Britain. Over that journey through the rapidly evolving early years of pioneering aviation, taking days to cross continents with biplanes and seaplanes, through the post-war piston-engine luxury, the iconic jet age of the fabulous Boeing 707 and 747, the supersonic marvel of Concorde into the modern era of travel, British Airways has seen many historic events and carried literally billions of customers. Along the way that journey has generated vast amounts of treasured items, many of which are now displayed or stored at British Airways headquarters near Heathrow in its truly incredible museum, the Speedbird Centre. Much of the archive has true national importance and is kept as part of the nation’s heritage. From simple in-flight mementos to the Olympic torch, the items featured in this book represent just a flavour of that collection and bring decades of flight to life.

The 144 page, paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 15.

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The Observer Corps: The Hidden Defenders Tracking Enemy Aircraft in Britain’s Skies

Soon to be released by Helion and Company and author Kevin Wright is Skywatch Volume 1: A History of the Royal Observer Corps, 1925 to 1939.

During World War One, London was vulnerable to air attacks by Zeppelins and later German bombers. To defend the capital, the London Air Defence Area was created to coordinate the efforts to protect it. However, after 1918, the system was quickly abandoned.

In the early 1920s, the Committee for Imperial Defence began to reconsider the problem. In 1924, the first experiment was conducted to monitor and report the movement of aircraft overland by using small groups of aircraft observers reporting to a central point. This successful experiment led to the creation of the Observer Corps in 1925 under the control of Police Chief Constables.

Originally intended to cover just the South East of England to protect London, as the threat from resurgent Nazi Germany grew, the Corps was gradually expanded to cover nearly the whole of Gt Britain by the start of the War. Now transferred to the control of the Air Ministry, Observer Corps Groups became a key part of Fighter Commands integrated air defence system, unique in that it was the only means to track the movement of aircraft once they crossed the coast and headed inland.

Using a combination of new research and access to official files, Volume One of Skywatch charts the development of the Observer Corps from its origins, the very beginnings, formation and growth through the 1920s. It critically examines how, in the rush to prepare for War in the late 1930s, the Observer Corps began to ready itself for War and its unique role, monitoring the skies of Britain.

The 76 page publication is currently available for pre-order in paperback format. Release is slated for April 30.

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LEGO to Release Large Pan-Am DC-3 Model With Impressive Details

LEGO is preparing to release a new Douglas DC-3 building set in Pan-Am colors.

The new set (#11378) includes four minifigures (pilot, purser, stewardess and flight attendant) wearing historical Pan-Am uniforms, a detailed cockpit and passenger cabin, retractable landing gear, as well as a model display stand with an information plaque and a Pan Am-branded minifigure display stand. Fuselage sections can be removed to view interior details.

The model consists of 1,903 pieces and measures 9.5 in. (24 cm) high, 20 in. (51 cm) long, and 30 in. (76 cm) wide (including stand). It is currently slated for release in early April. Click below to check out additional images.

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New IBG Kit Recreates Spitfire Prototype’s Full History For Type’s 90th Anniversary

To celebrate the Spitfire’s 90th anniversary, IBG Models has collaborated with MRM Studio to create a new limited edition model.

The body of the model is based on the IBG plastic kit, but in practice this means a completely new design. Each element has been re-designed to faithfully reflect all the differences between the early prototype and the later production machines. In order to show the evolution of this design as accurately as possible, we have prepared four variants of the aircraft’s nose, two types of fuselage, and two variants of wings – both in the original unarmed configuration and the later armed configuration used during testing. This allows modelers to reproduce the different stages of the machine’s development.

The 1/72 kit employs high-quality 3D printing technology and a vacu-type cockpit canopy with an innovative snap-vac system that uses printed frames that are applied to the transparent part without the need for traditional masking during painting. Additional features include a 3D-printed test pilot figure, Techmod decals and mask designs for painted markings.

The entire edition includes two different sets, which together allow you to recreate the full history of this unique aircraft – from its first flight to its crash on the second day of the war.

The first set (A72001), which depicts the aircraft in its configuration in the first test flight, will be limited to 400 pieces and is slated for release in April. Click below to check out additional images.

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Skyhookers: An Illustrated History of Parasite Fighters

New from Air World and author William Wolf is Skyhookers: An Illustrated History of Hook-on Aircraft and Their Dirigible Motherships.

From the First World War’s Zeppelins to the Second World War’s large bombers, military aircraft were vulnerable to fast, manoeuvrable interceptors. To address this, fighter escorts were used, but their limited range often left bombers exposed. A solution was the use of Composite aircraft, where larger bombers carried smaller, short-range fighters, which could be launched and retrieved as needed.

Zeppelins, particularly vulnerable to interceptors, were ideal for this concept. During the First World War, Germany briefly experimented with carrying parasite aircraft, while the British conducted post-war trials using airships like His Majesty’s Airship R-23 and R-33, carrying fighters such as the Sopwith Camel and de Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird. However, successful hook-on/retrievals were only achieved with the Humming Bird.

The US Navy and Army further developed this concept. In 1918, the Navy launched a Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’ from a C-1 Blimp, and in 1924, the Army successfully flew a Sperry Messenger from a TC-Class airship. The US perfected the carry/launch/retrieval method for airship defence and scouting, notably with the USS Los Angeles, which carried aircraft on a ‘trapeze’ device. The Akron and Macon airships, with internal storage for aircraft, further advanced this technique, making them some of the most remarkable aircraft of their time.

The 200 page book is currently available in hardcover and Kindle editions.

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