Category: Modern Era (1945-Present)

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Spotted: 1954 Lockheed C-130A Hercules For Sale

An “unregistered, privately owned” 1954 Lockheed C-130A Hercules has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Rare early-production C-130A. Delivered USAF 1954. Converted to be the first RC-130A for photo-recon, later returned to C-130A config by Hayes International. Low hours, flawless safety record. Stored in Arizona desert mothball condition to USAF standards. Would be the centerpiece of any museum.

The aircraft is located in Tucson, Arizona and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Trace the Harrier’s Transformation From Prototype to Revolutionary Combat Aircraft

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Tim Brandt is The Royal Air Force Germany Harrier Force: Volume 1: Development and Deployment 1970-1973. This new account traces the Harrier aircraft’s transformation from prototype to complex war machine through the RAF Germany Harrier Force’s early years, detailing field operations, development, and the people who mastered vertical flight.

Royal Air Force Germany was the chief operator of the RAF’s Harriers during the Cold War. Its Harrier Force remains the only unit to have routinely taken large numbers of fast-jet aircraft into unprepared fields and woods, operating them in constant readiness for combat.

This book, the first of three volumes on the RAF Germany Harrier Force, describes how the aircraft was developed from a simple proof-of-concept prototype into a much more complex war machine, overcoming the extraordinary demands of vertical flight. It tells of the forming of the Harrier Wing at RAF Wildenrath in 1970, and how its people learned the hard way to fly and operate the ‘jump jet’ on base and in the field during those accident-laden early years. Volume I concludes at the end of 1973 when, having proven its capabilities, the Harrier Wing became the Harrier Force.

The 256 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 30.

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Mastering The Cold War Jets: In-Depth Insights into Flying the Harrier, Jaguar, Phantom and Tornado

Coming soon from Grub Street Publishing and authors George Robertson and Alan Munnro is Mastering The Cold War Jets: In-Depth Insights into Flying the Harrier, Jaguar, Phantom and Tornado, which contains thought-provoking first-hand accounts that come from two friends who joined the RAF together on the same day in 1963, went through basic and advanced flying training together and then followed two parallel but different careers.

…As the book is written jointly, you get two different perspectives on the main RAF front-line roles in the Cold War. They describe going through the RAF pilot training system in the 1960s, the aircraft they flew, and the bases they operated from. After completing advanced flying training on the Folland Gnat at RAF Valley in Anglesey they followed different paths from then on. George went to the Canberra Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF BAssingbounre and then to RAF Luqa in Malta to fly the Canberra PR9 in the reconnaissance role. Alan went to RAF Leuchars to convert on to the Gloster Javelin. Continue reading Mastering The Cold War Jets: In-Depth Insights into Flying the Harrier, Jaguar, Phantom and Tornado

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1973 Piper Cherokee For Sale: “Fresh Annual, IFR Certification”

A 1973 Piper Cherokee has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

…This is a NO (damage history) none airplane., she has only… 2462.0 t.t.s.n… ( Ram 160 complete rebuild of the engine done at 2.054 tach time and roughly 450 hours since major) it is a Midwest,.. NO corrosion EVER, airplane. It has roughly 450 hours since the new 140 / 160 horse conversion built by Central Cylinder here in Omaha. She has every log book and every piece of paper since brand new. It is in both fresh annual, and fresh i.f.r. certification as of February 2026 along with a new gtx 327 adsb transponder and newer KLN 90. YES, It has A.C to boot, but no belt by intention. The plane has never spent a night outside since it was new… still doesn’t. The original paint is a 9+ plus / the original interior follows suite.

The aircraft is located in Roca, Nebraska and is currently available for US $77,250, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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New Book Offers Comprehensive History of BAC Lightning With Many Previously Unpublished Photos

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Philip Birtles is English Electric Lightning: The RAF’s First Mach 2 Fighter, a comprehensive history and analysis covering the Lightning’s design, development and service with extensive illustrations, (many previously unpublished) as well as appendices detailing production, service, performance data, and information on preserved aircraft.

The English Electric Lightning was the first Mach 2 fighter to enter service with the RAF. It began life as a purely experimental design, and despite inadequate funding from the government, was developed by the manufacturer into a highly effective combat aircraft. It was also an export success, particularly with the Royal Saudi Air Force, paving the way for major export contracts of future aircraft with Saudi Arabia and other nations.

Lightnings were challenging to fly and maintain—one pilot famously likened it to ‘being saddled to a skyrocket’—but the aircraft was nonetheless revered by pilots and ground crew alike, who valued its astonishing rate of climb among other performance advantages. Among enthusiasts, it quickly became iconic.

The 240 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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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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“Truly Exceptional” 1973 Aero Commander Offered For Sale

A 1973 Aero Commander has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Take command of a truly exceptional twin-engine aircraft with this 1973 Aero Commander 500S Shrike Commander. Equipped with the sought-after Merlyn 350 HP conversion, advanced Garmin avionics, extensive survey equipment capability, and numerous recent upgrades, this aircraft has served as a professional aerial survey platform while remaining equally capable as a high-performance personal or business aircraft. With extensive documentation and current annual inspection underway, this Shrike represents a rare opportunity for discerning buyers.

The aircraft is located in Tucson, AZ with offers currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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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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1947 Beech Bonanza Project Offered For Sale

A 1947 Beech Bonanza project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

The product is a 1947 Bonanza airplane with the serial number D-44, which has experienced exterior corrosion but retains a good tail surface. This vintage aircraft is being offered for sale and is a unique piece of aviation history that may appeal to collectors or enthusiasts looking for a project to restore or customize… The motor has compression and the gear is functional. Interior is very nice condition. The magnesium Tail surfaces in good condition. You can buy the entire airplane for less than the value of the Tail surfaces. There are no logs. Aircraft disassembled for shipping can deliver for expenses. Trailer included with sale…

The aircraft is located in Santee, California and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Taylorcraft BC-12D, Cub Projects For Sale: “Three Engines, Other Parts”

Taylorcraft BC-12D and Cub projects have been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Both aircraft have been dismantled. The Taylorcraft has accident damage but the Cub has been dismantled for rebuilding from Fuselage up. The Taylorcraft is on a trailer which is included in the sale. There is also three engines and other aircraft parts.

The projects are located in the UK and are currently available for £4,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

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