Category: Modern Era (1945-Present)

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Thatcher CX5 Project For Sale: “Partial Build 40% Complete”

A Thatcher CX5 project airframe has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

I started this in 2014, made detailed videos on YT site of the build. Heath issues took me out of aviation and I’ve finally adjusted to moving this to a new builder. The videos can tell more than this can (5 in total). The project is as the last video left it. Stored in hanger, the few steel parts have surface rust, aluminum is dirty but not corroded. $6000 in materials and a few hundred hours work done. Questions, just ask.

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

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A&A Models to Release New Tool Hughes XF-11 Model Representing Both Prototypes

A&A models has announced the upcoming release of a new tool, 1/72 Hughes XF-11 model kit that will be available in two boxings representing the first and second prototypes.

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.

The kits (7250 / 7258) will apparently offer 235 /241 parts with decal sheets and painting masks. Additional details have not been announced. Photos of the kit sets will reportedly be provided “very soon.”

(via A&A Models)

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1979 Cessna 182 Skylane RG For Sale: “Dual Garmin G5 Glass, Fresh Annual”

A 1979 Cessna 182 Skylane RG has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Turbo performance – Dual Garmin G5 glass – GNS 530/430 IFR – Coupled autopilot… Approximately 4,850 hours total time and 1300 SMOH, complete logbooks, and delivered with a FRESH ANNUAL INSPECTION at the seller’s expense… earlier in its history the aircraft had a documented gear-up landing that resulted in a prop strike and limited belly skin repairs. The maintenance records indicate no reported wing or firewall damage, and the aircraft has continued in service since.

The aircraft is located in Tustin, California and is currently available for US $164,900 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of the world’s only surviving Kellett XR-8 experimental helicopter after countless hours of work by talented volunteers.

Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. The XR-8 first flew on August 7, 1944. Though the XR-8 was a revolutionary design, the Kellett Aircraft Corporation encountered significant problems with stability control and timing the rotors. The company modified the vertical stabilizers in an attempt to resolve some of these issues. Because of these and other complications, Kellett only produced two XR-8s before cancelling the program.

An official photo shoot was carried out on Monday. Plans call for the machine to be placed by the Vertijet in the museum’s R&D Gallery this October. The fabric covering on the left side of the fuselage has been removed to showcase interior views.

Check out a video showing the restoration process and final product below.

Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

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1981 Cessna 172P For Sale: “New Engine, Upgraded Avionics, Jan 26 Annual”

A 1981 Cessna 172P Skyhawk has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1981 Cessna 172P Skyhawk is a well-maintained aircraft equipped for dependable personal or training use. Powered by a 160 HP Lycoming O-320-D2J engine installed in 2025, this aircraft is IFR certified and features upgraded Garmin avionics, ADS-B, WAAS capability, and a host of additional equipment for confident cross-country flying. Maintained while leased to a flight school, it has received consistent care throughout its life.

Features include a new Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 HP engine installed in 2025, 4,800 airframe hours, 670 hours since engine overhaul, and 670 hours since propeller overhaul. The aircraft is IFR certified and equipped with a Garmin GNS430W GPS/Nav/Com, Garmin GTX345 transponder, ADS-B, WAAS capability, active traffic, and a terrain warning system. Additional equipment includes an engine and cockpit pre-heater, dual Hobbs meters, an insulated engine cover, and wing covers. The annual inspection was completed in January 2026.

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

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Spitfires over Tokyo: Commonwealth Air Forces in Japan 1945–1948

Coming soon from Fonthill and author Simon Gifford is Spitfires over Tokyo: Commonwealth Air Forces in Japan 1945–1948.

In the spring of 1946, the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Indian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force dispatched aircraft and men to form the air element of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force of Japan. Equipped with Spitfire XIVs, P51D Mustangs and FG-1D Corsairs, seven squadrons of fighter aircraft spent the next two years backing up the American forces in the successful disarmament of Japan and the country’s transition to a democratic nation. Supporting the fighters were RAF, RAAF, RNZAF Dakotas, which flew numerous sorties linking the forces in Japan to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Other aircraft flown in Japan included Austers, Ansons, Harvards and Wirraways.

Spitfires over Tokyo: Commonwealth Air Forces in Japan 1945–1948 traces the formation of the occupation force, including the formation of the Spitfire squadrons in India, through their helping liberate Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong, and on to their final disbandment in Japan and the end of occupation duties in 1948. Profusely illustrated with photos of all of the aircraft flown in Japan, the majority of which have not been published previously, the book offers an illuminating window on a little-known area of post-war aviation history.

The 264 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for January 30, 2027.

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1979 Cessna 172RG For Sale: “Lycoming O-360, Garmin GNC 300, ADS-B , Complete Logs”

A 1979 Cessna 172RG Cutlass has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1979 Cessna 172RG is a well-equipped retractable-gear, single-engine aircraft powered by a Lycoming O-360 engine. With approximately 9,005 hours total time and 1,364.8 hours SMOH… The avionics package includes a Garmin GNC 300, ADS-B capability, and an engine monitor… The aircraft is represented with complete logs and no damage history, two important considerations for buyers evaluating a well-documented aircraft. With its retractable landing gear, proven Lycoming powerplant, and useful avionics upgrades, this 172RG presents a solid opportunity for a pilot looking for a capable and recognizable Cessna platform.

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

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Interceptor! Spitfires to Foxbats: The Story of the World’s Finest Pursuit Aircraft

Coming soon from Key Publishing Ltd and author David Baker is Interceptor! Spitfires to Foxbats: The fastest chase planes with seconds to launch, which celebrates the fastest, most aggressive fighter aircraft ever built – the interceptors.

These are the aircraft designed to launch quickly, climb fast and catch intruders before they could strike – from Cold War nuclear bombers to modern cruise missiles. From the elegant Spitfire Mk XIV and the brutal MiG-25 Foxbat to the F-106 Delta Dart and F-14 Tomcat, this title tells the story of the world’s finest pursuit machines – how they were developed, how they flew, and how they fought.

The 116 page paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 10.

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First Look: Halberd Models’ F-86H Sabre “Hog” Test Build / Parts

Halberd Models has announced a new North American F-86H Sabre “HOG” model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F-86H Sabre — often called the “Hog” or “Hawg” — was the largest, heaviest, and most powerful U.S.-built development of the famed Sabre family, designed primarily as a single-seat tactical fighter-bomber rather than the air-superiority fighter that fought in Korea. First produced from late 1953 through August 1955, it featured a more powerful General Electric J73 turbojet, enlarged fuselage and intake, increased internal fuel capacity, and the ability to carry up to 2,000 lb of bombs, rockets, or a tactical nuclear store. Later aircraft mounted four 20 mm M39 cannon in place of the original six .50-caliber guns. Although it never saw combat, the F-86H served briefly with the U.S. Air Force before passing to Air National Guard units, where it remained in service into the early 1970s—an important transitional fighter-bomber between the Korean War-era Sabres and the supersonic F-100 Super Sabre.

Details on the upcoming kit are limited. although it is reportedly resin and will be available for pre-order some time this week. In the meantime, a series of parts / test build photos have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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Beech Bonanza D35 For Sale: “Very Good Shape Throughout”

A Beech Bonanza D35 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Times approximate at 6500 TT and 800 SMOH. Dual nav/coms, New U-Avionix AV-30 multi-display with transponder. Basic 6-pack instrumentation. Tip tank recent overhaul. Ruddervators perfect. Beech electric prop on Continental E-185 engine. Compressions good. Interior fabric in great shape, headliner very clean. Solid landing gear for turf runways. Cruise at 145 kts at 11.5 gallon burn. Dual control yokes. Purchased to test our new carbon fiber ruddervators for the FAA so you know she has been taken care of. Annual March 2027… Very good shape throughout. Some very minor spots of corrosion.

The aircraft is located in McAlpin, Florida and is currently available for US $45,000, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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