Category: News

Posted on by

Warbird Heritage Foundation Announces Homecoming of P-51 “Moonbeam McSwine”

P-51D “Moonbeam McSwine” has returned to the US after The Warbird Heritage Foundation in Waukegan, Illinois acquired the machine from its previous French owner.

The aircraft (S/N 44-73656) was originally constructed in 1944 but did not see service in WW2. Following the war, it was assigned to the Texas, Colorado and Minnesota Air National Guards before being sold as surplus in 1958. Over the years it passed through the hands of a number of owners, eventually being restored with the livery of “Moonbeam McSwine,” flown by Capt. William T. Whisner of the 352nd Fighter Group. It won the title of Grand Champion Warbird in Fresno in 1975 and began racing in Reno with new owner Vlado Lenoch, who also flew the machine in USAF Heritage Flights and at airshows around the US.

In 2012 the P-51 was sold to Frédéric Akary of France, and it appeared at airshows throughout Europe until being acquired by The Warbird Heritage Foundation earlier this year. It recently returned to the US and will be re-assembled at Tab-Air in East Troy, Wisconsin. Now bearing registration N51VL, it is hoped that the machine will return to the skies by this summer to honor the memory of Lenoch, who was tragically killed in a crash in July 2017.

Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

Continue reading Warbird Heritage Foundation Announces Homecoming of P-51 “Moonbeam McSwine”

Posted on by

Full-Scale Avro Lancaster Monument Receives Unanimous Approval, Groundbreaking Scheduled

Yesterday, the North Kesteven District Council unanimously approved the planning application for the installation of a full-scale Avro Lancaster monument at Brills Farm adjacent to the A46 on the Lincolnshire / Nottinghamshire border.

The 98-foot-tall steel monument “is intended to remind visitors of Lincolnshire’s inextricable link to the RAF and to act as a catalyst for people to visit the many attractions in the county.” It will be built on high ground in order to depict Lancaster R5689 (pictured above) in flight, heading home toward the former RAF base at Swinderby Airfield.

The Bomber County Gateway Trust reports that WW2 Bomber Command veterans, including Dambuster George “Johnny” Johnson, will break ground at the site during a special ceremony on May 15. When complete, its proposed name will be “On Freedom’s Wings”.

Click below to check out a proposed design for the structure.

Continue reading Full-Scale Avro Lancaster Monument Receives Unanimous Approval, Groundbreaking Scheduled

Posted on by

Eduard to Release Limited Edition 1/48 Typhoon Mk.Ib Model Kit

Eduard has announced the upcoming release of a Limited Edition Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib model kit featuring a bubble canopy.

While the molds for the plastic parts originate from Hasegawa, the 1/48 scale offering (11117) will reportedly feature additional resin parts, including a large Tempest-style horizontal stabilizer and a four blade prop and spinner. The kit is also said to boast pre-colored photo etched parts, paint masks and Cartograf decals.

Six preliminary marking options have been selected, including MN819 of 245 (North Rhodesian) Squadron, MN529 184 Squadron, RB207 of 438 (RCAF) Squadron, MP197 of 245 (North Rhodesian) Squadron, SW399, 175 Squadron, and RB431 of 123 Wing.

The kit is currently slated for release in June. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Eduard to Release Limited Edition 1/48 Typhoon Mk.Ib Model Kit

Posted on by

Dovetail Games Announces Closure of Flight Sim World

Not even a year after its Early Access release on Steam, Dovetail Games has announced the future closure of Flight Sim World.

The developer notes that the “intensely difficult decision” was made after “many detailed discussions,” stating, “we regrettably don’t see a clear direction that will allow us to keep to the development time we’d want, alongside the player numbers we need.” As a result, the company will “fully scale back all future development on Flight Sim World and remove it from sale on 24th May.”

Dovetail acquired the rights to Microsoft’s popular Flight Simulator series in 2014 and developed the new, 64 bit program that was touted as offering “an unprecedented level of realism and detail” including faithfully reproduced, officially licensed GA aircraft that are “the most authentic and detailed in-sim representations on the market.”

The statement clarifies that those who already bought the sim will be able to keep it in their Steam library for future play in its current format. Add-ons will also be removed from sale, but will reportedly remain available to those who already purchased them.

The complete statement can be read here.

Posted on by

New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

Owls Head Transportation Museum of Owls Head, Maine has released a new video detailing the ongoing restoration of their Fokker Dr.1 reproduction.

The aircraft was built in the 1970s by Kenneth Cianchette and performed at museum events until 2014, when it was discovered that considerable repairs were needed. The museum ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to cover associated costs. As the video below shows, an overhauled Warner radial engine has been acquired and the fuselage is awaiting sandblasting, covering and painting. The wing panels have been shipped to upstate New York for covering by Brian Coughlin, who also covered the ailerons and tail surfaces.

It is hoped that the machine will return to the air by the end of the 2018 season.

Continue reading New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

Posted on by

B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

An all-volunteer group dubbed “B-17 Archaeology” has been working to carry out a cosmetic restoration on a B-17 that has been on outdoor display at Mefford Field in Tulare, California since 1958.

Originally constructed as a B-17G, the aircraft (S/N 44-85738) was delivered to the USAAF in May 1945 and placed in storage before participating in “Operation Crossroads,” a pair of atomic weapons tests conducted at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1946. From there it moved on to Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio and then the Air Proving Grounds at Eglin AFB in Florida before being struck off charge in August 1958. Continue reading B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

Posted on by

Mystery Photo Stokes Excitement About Possible New Avro Vulcan Model Kit

Trumpeter/Hobby Boss whet the appetites of Avro Vulcan fans earlier today with the above photo, which has stoked excitement that a new kit representing the iconic Cold War delta wing bomber may be on the horizon.

Unfortunately, no information was included, so scale, kit contents, pricing and availability details are unknown at the moment.

Here’s hoping some light is shed on the mystery in the near future.

(via Trumpeter & Hobby Boss)

Posted on by

Flyzone Releases New C-47, DC-3 RC Models

Flyzone has released their new C-47 and DC-3 micro RC model airplanes.

As previously reported, the models are said to offer smooth, stable flight characteristics and impressive micro scale looks. The C-47 variant is depicted in the colors of 42-100882 “Drag ’em Oot,” which participated in D-Day and now operates with Aero Legends of Kent, England. Meanwhile, the model representing the commercial DC-3 configuration is adorned with the colors of C/N 2268 (NC28391) of Eastern Air Lines.

Each model spans 23″ and is available in RTF (Ready to Fly) versions complete with a Tactic 4-channel SLT radio system with built-in battery charger, 1S LiPo flight battery and 5 AA batteries.

Product Page (C-47: $159.99 DC-3: $159.99)

Posted on by

RAF Museum Welcomes Newly Refurbished Spitfire, Hurricane Gate Guards

The Royal Air Force Museum in London has just welcomed back their Hurricane and Spitfire gate guards after a year-long restoration.

As previously reported, the reproductions were dismantled and transported to Michael Beetham Conservation Centre in Cosford in early 2017. During refurbishment, each aircraft was given a new livery “to reflect the rich and diverse history” of the London site when it was a working RAF station. The Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 now wears the colors of P2725 flown by Sgt. Ray Holmes of 504 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, while the Spitfire Mk XVI now represents TB288 as it appeared during its service with 601 Squadron.

The aircraft will reportedly be assembled over the coming days and positioned at the museum’s pedestrian and car park entrances.

Click below to check out photos of the restored reproductions following their arrival.

Continue reading RAF Museum Welcomes Newly Refurbished Spitfire, Hurricane Gate Guards

Posted on by

Striped Fighter to Release New Tool Bf-108 B/D Taifun Model Kits

A new company called Striped Fighter is reportedly gearing up to release new tool model kits of the Messerschmitt Bf-108 B/D Taifun in 1/32 scale.

The aircraft was an all-metal four-seat sports/recreation aircraft introduced in 1935. It served with the Luftwaffe during WW2, acting mainly as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft.

Details on the new releases (SF998032/SF999032) are virtually nonexistent at this point, although Scalemates is reporting that the offerings will consist of plastic sprues, waterslide decals and clear parts. It also appears that the machine will be represented in both military and civilian markings.

Click below to check out an additional image.

Continue reading Striped Fighter to Release New Tool Bf-108 B/D Taifun Model Kits