Category: Modern Era (1945-Present)

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First Look: Sprues / Box Contents for A&A Models’ New Tool Hughes XF-11 Kits

A&A Models have shared the first sprue test shots for their upcoming, new tool Hughes XF-11 model kits in 1/72 scale.

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.

As previously reported A&A will release two boxings representing the first and second prototypes. The kits (7250 / 7258) will offer 235 /241 parts with decal sheets and painting masks. Ordering is expected to begin in mid-October. Check out the newly released images below.

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Europa XS Kitplane Project For Sale: “Comes With Self-Loading Trailer”

A Europa XS kitplane project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

All control surfaces are done and the tail feathers are also complete. I have all the original purchase orders and paperwork, also original construction photos. It comes with the self loading trailer seen in the pics. It needs the firewall forward for engine from Europa USA. It does have the canopy, doors and glass.

The aircraft is located in Cottonwood, California and is currently available for US $10,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 For Sale: “Engine and Prop Overhauled in 2023”

A 1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1976 Piper Cherokee 6/260 – IFR – Garmin Glass Panel – 330 SMOH. This is a PA-32-260 Cherokee Six with 1,988 total time, IFR capability, 800 NM range, 1,546 lb useful load, 84-gallon fuel capacity, and complete logs. Power comes from a Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 HP engine with 330 SMOH and a 2,000-hour TBO. The engine and prop were overhauled in 2023. Avionics include Garmin G3X, Garmin G5, Garmin GMA 345 audio panel, Garmin GTX 345 transponder, Garmin GTN 650Xi GPS, Garmin GFC 500 autopilot, Garmin GTR 225 comm, and Garmin GDL 51R XM receiver. It is ADS-B equipped with WAAS, LPV, SVT, EVS, active traffic, terrain warning, and engine monitor. Seats were recovered and cushioned in 2022, and the aircraft has always been hangar based with ceramic coating applied in 2025.

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

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Reports Suggest SR-71 Blackbird is Being Prepped for Return to Flight

According to recent reports, Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird #844 (pictured above) is being prepared for a possible return to flight after 27 years.

Former NASA employees have reported being contacted about working on the project over the course of the summer, although NASA itself has yet to make any related statement. It appears that the effort could be related to a new X-Plane project that was teased by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at a recent All-In Summit in Los Angeles. To date nothing has been confirmed.

#844 (S/N 61-7980) was the final SR-71A built. It served as one of two Blackbirds operated by NASA at Dryden (now Armstrong) Flight Research Center as Mach 3 research platforms. Originally designed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works for strategic reconnaissance, the two-seat, titanium-intensive aircraft could cruise above Mach 3 at extreme altitude. Under NASA it supported investigations into aerodynamics, propulsion, high-temperature structures and materials, atmospheric science, instrumentation, and sonic-boom effects.

On October 9, 1999, 844 made the final flight by any SR-71, securing its place as the last Blackbird to fly. It had been on outdoor display at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base since then, however, it vanished from the location back in May.

(Aviation Week via NY Post Photo: NASA, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

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1967 Piper Cherokee Six Project For Sale: “Can be Made Ferriable Quickly”

A Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1967 Piper Cherokee Six; 4056 TT; 534 SMOH; 168 SPOH. Note: this is a project aircraft, this aircraft can be made ferriable quickly… logs: partial logs. Main logs lost. The aircraft was in annual a few years back but will need some work to get it ferriable and airworthy… 6 seats, large fore and aft luggage compartments, a generous useful load…

The aircraft is located in Miami, Florida and is currently available for US $145,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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1963 Piper Cherokee 180 For Sale: “Clean, Flown Regularly”

A 1963 Piper Cherokee 180 has been spotted for sale. The listing states:

TT3529, SMOH 1110, Garmin G5, Clean Arizona Plane. Flown Regularly. Great time builder.

The aircraft is located in Snowflake, Arizona and is currently available for US $65,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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1980 Mooney M20J For Sale: Strong Engine, Good All-Weather Flying Machine

A 1980 Mooney M20J, summarized as “Exterior 6, Interior 8, Strong engine, good all-weather flying machine” has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1980 MOONEY M20J 201 N60RP S/N 24-1000… Total Time: 9512 Engine Time: 1774 since warranty Overhaul (logged as “repair under warranty”) 2591 SMOH Engine: IO-360-A3B6D (200 HP)… Annual Due: Nov 2026… AVIONICS: Garmin GPN 430 WAAS GPS/NAV/COMM Garmin GI 275 Attitude Indicator (AI) Garmin G5 DG/HSI Garmin GI 275 Engine Indication System (EIS) King KY197 Comm Radio King KN53 Nav Radio with second glide slope KFC 200 Flight Director / Autopilot – Fully Coupled WX1000 Stormscope Garmin GTX 345 Transponder (with ADSB out) PMA 8000B Audio Panel IFR Certification due June 2028 FEATURES: TKS Anti-Ice system (non-FIKI) full protection – wings, empennage, prop and windshield Long Range Fuel Tanks (93 gallons) Speed Brakes (manual) Electric Trim Electric Gear Powerflow Exhaust System Surefly Electronic Ignition Engine preheater (oil pan and all cylinders) Vertical Card Compass Custom upholstery with matching curtains. Custom light grey sheepskin seat covers included. Lopresti Boom Beam landing light Custom leather yoke covers RCA WeatherScout Radar (pod in wing) – Currently INOP, but will include two extra radar units that may be used for parts to get it working All AD’s complied with Reason for selling – bought a Mooney Ovation 2 instead of overhauling this engine. My loss is your gain.

The aircraft is located in Horseheads, New York and is currently available for US $89,500, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Eduard to Release Absolutely Packed Royal Class, Dual Combo MiG-15

Eduard is gearing up to release a new Royal Class edition, dual combo MiG-15 kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was developed in the late 1940s as a high-altitude interceptor. First flown in 1947 and entering production in 1949, it combined a powerful Klimov turbojet with swept wings, a pressurized cockpit, and an ejection seat, giving it excellent climb and high-altitude performance for its era. Armed with one 37 mm and two 23 mm cannon, the MiG-15 became internationally famous during the Korean War, where it posed a major threat to UN aircraft and met the North American F-86 Sabre in the conflict’s defining jet-versus-jet battles; it was subsequently built in very large numbers and served widely with Soviet-aligned air forces.

The upcoming release (R0026) will include two complete model kits, a set of pre-painted photo-etched parts, OMASK wheel well plugs, two sets of resin wheels, two sets of 3D-printed seats with seatbelts, pre-cut canopy mask, stencil decal sheets (1 set of Russian stencils and 1 set of Czech stencils) and decals with 10 marking options. A 3D-printed 1/16 scale MiG-15bis instrument panel is also included as a special bonus.

Click below to check out livery profiles and additional details.

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1966 Piper Cherokee 180 For Sale: “Airworthy, IFR Equipped”

A 1966 Piper Cherokee 180 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1966 Piper Cherokee 180 is an IFR-equipped, airworthy aircraft powered by the proven 180 HP Lycoming O-360. It has been used for everything from longer cross-country flights to local flying and pattern work, offering a practical combination of useful power and economical operation. Specs & Highlights: 5,251.9 Hours Total Time; Lycoming O-360 180 HP; 1,847.6 Hours SMOH; 2,000-Hour Engine TBO; 474 Hours TSIRAN; IFR Equipped; Airworthy; Annual Due October 31, 2026; Approximately 8.5–9.5 GPH Fuel Burn
Cruise Generally Above 100 MPH; Registration N9252J

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

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Solway Aviation Museum Details Recent Work Reassembling World’s Only Remaining Blackburn Beverly [Video]

Solway Aviation Museum in Cumbria, England recently shared video updates on their work preserving the world’s only remaining Blackburn Beverly.

The Beverley was a large British military transport aircraft developed in the early Cold War period for the Royal Air Force. First flown in 1950 and entering service in 1956, it had a distinctive high-wing, twin-boom layout with a raised tailplane, four Bristol Centaurus radial engines, and a rear clamshell loading door that allowed bulky vehicles, cargo, and paratroops to be carried. Although slow and visually ungainly, the Beverley was valued for its rugged short-field performance and exceptional load-carrying ability, serving with RAF transport squadrons in Britain, the Middle East, and the Far East until its retirement in 1967.

The museum’s aircraft (XB259) last flew at the end of March 1974 when it was flown to Paull airfield for Hull Aero Club’s use as a clubhouse. It was saved from scrapping following the closure of a small museum at Fort Paull in 2020 and relocated to Solway where it is currently in the process of being reassembled. Check out recent video updates below, which detail the cockpit section and center wing section being lifted back onto the main fuselage and progress on the engine mounts.

Continue reading Solway Aviation Museum Details Recent Work Reassembling World’s Only Remaining Blackburn Beverly [Video]