Category: News

Posted on by

Proposed Full-Scale Avro Lancaster Monument Recommended for Approval

The Bomber County Gateway Trust’s effort to erect a monument to Bomber Command in Lincolnshire featuring a full-scale representation of the Avro Lancaster is closer to becoming a reality after North Kesteven District Council’s Planning Sub-Committee reportedly received a recommendation to approve proposals for the project.

As previously reported, the monument would represent R5689 (pictured above), which is believed to be the most photographed Lancaster of the war, likely because it was used in literature to train pilots to identify the type. R5689 served with 50 Squadron RAF and crash landed at Thurlby Top Wood while limping home to RAF Swinderby after a mission on September 18, 1942 – an incident that claimed the life of RCAF crew member Sgt. J.R. Gibbons. Continue reading Proposed Full-Scale Avro Lancaster Monument Recommended for Approval

Posted on by

Freightdog Models Releases New Tool Supermarine Type 327 Model Kit

Freightdog Models has released their new tool model kit of the Supermarine Type 327 British twin-engine fighter in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the Type 327 was a cannon-equipped concept aircraft designed to replace the Spitfire and Hurricane. However, it never entered production, in part because it was believed that other machines, such as the Westland Whirlwind, would likely enter service first.

The kit reportedly includes resin parts cast by CMR, vacform canopies by Rob Taurus and Fantasy Printshop screen printed decals. The result depicts a “what-if” operational version of the Type 327 based on a service entry of late 1942.

Freightdog states that the breakdown of the kit allows for “further developments along the lines of the Spitfire, with larger engines and increased size tail assembly to compensate, naval developments or perhaps a fighter bomber version, which will hopefully follow if sales of the initial boxing are promising.”

Product Page (£35.00)

Posted on by

Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

The future of Avro Lancaster FM104 could be determined by a meeting held today.

The bomber was built by Victory Aircraft of Malton, Ontario in 1944 and installed along Toronto’s waterfront following its retirement from the RCAF in 1964. In 1999, it was moved to a museum in Downsview Park, where a restoration effort began. However, it was relocated once again when the museum closed in 2011 and has since been stored at the Edenvale Aerodrome west of Barrie. The aircraft is now said to be in need of extensive restoration.

The future of FM104 has become the focus of significant debate. The city of Toronto is said to lacks the funds, resources and space to properly maintain and display the machine and would like to donate it to the British Columbia Aviation Museum near Victoria, as it is said to be well equipped for its long-term care. However, the group FM104EVER is against the proposal, viewing the Lancaster as an important part of the local community. The team is working to keep the aircraft in the city and has reportedly assembled a team of experts to restore the aircraft while also identifying potential sites for display.

The city’s Economic Development Committee met today to consider the proposals. Click below to watch.

Continue reading Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

Posted on by

First Look: Brickmania’s Upcoming B-17G LEGO Model Kit [Video]

Brickmania is offering the first look at their upcoming, limited edition B-17G Flying Fortress LEGO model kit.

The representation of the iconic WW2 bomber includes 3,074 LEGO, and BrickArms elements, 10 custom-printed minifigures, 10 .50 caliber BrickArms machine guns mounted on moving turrets, moving flaps, ailerons, and rudder, retractable landing gear, four bombs with opening bomb bay doors, spinning propellers, a detailed interior, printed elements and a high-quality sticker sheet.

The kit is reportedly set for release in the second week of May, although it is now available for pre-order. All kits ordered during the pre-order period will reportedly come with boxes and a Certificate of Authentication signed by the model’s designer, Cody Osell.

Click below to check out a video overview of the model, as well as additional details about availability.

Continue reading First Look: Brickmania’s Upcoming B-17G LEGO Model Kit [Video]

Posted on by

USAF Museum to Host Free Presentations About Memphis Belle Ahead of Historic Unveiling

With the debut of the newly restored B-17F “Memphis Belle” scheduled to take place in May, the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio has planned a series of free presentations about the historic bomber that will take place later this month.

These programs will be presented by Dr. Harry Friedman of the Memphis Belle Memorial Association (MBMA), and National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Curator Jeff Duford, on April 18 at 1:30 p.m. and will repeat on April 19 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the museum’s Carney Auditorium. During the event Friedman, who is also coauthor of the book Memphis Belle – Dispelling the Myths, will speak about the Memphis Belle’s missions overseas, its return to the United States and the time the aircraft spent in Memphis, Tenn. Duford will discuss the restoration of the aircraft as well as the planning and construction of the new exhibit.

The Memphis Belle became the first the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions and return to the U.S. It flew across the country to promote war bonds and boost morale and even became the focus of a documentary and feature film. As previously reported, the highly anticipated unveiling of the restored bomber will take place at the USAF Museum on May 17-18 and will reportedly be attended by two B-17s and over 130 WW2 reenactors.

(via USAF Museum Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Kevin Lush)

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

Posted on by

Nuclear Museum Launches Effort to Restore B-47 Stratojet [Video]

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque is planning to restore New Mexico’s only Boeing B-47E Stratojet, which is currently part of their nine-acre outdoor exhibit area.

The machine (S/N 53-2280) was constructed by Boeing in 1955 and went on to serve mainly as a test bed for “fly-by-wire” technology. Following removal from the USAF inventory in 1969, it was transferred from the USAF Heritage Museum program, and in 2013 arrived at its current home at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

One of only 23 examples of the type remaining, the museum’s B-47 has become part of “Operation Preservation,” a multi-year campaign to refurbish the collection’s iconic aircraft residing on outdoor display. The effort will reportedly begin this month under the supervision of Brigadier General (Ret.) Jay Bledsoe, Restoration Project Manager, and include bodywork and a new coat of primer and paint. Continue reading Nuclear Museum Launches Effort to Restore B-47 Stratojet [Video]

Posted on by

“Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

Nintendo Switch users will soon have the opportunity to engage in “epic” WW1 aerial combat with the upcoming release of Skies of Fury DX.

The game, a version of which was previously released for Android and Apple mobile devices, was developed by Illumination Games and draws inspiration from the look of vintage comics. Players can reportedly fly through “stunning, hand-painted environments” in 10 distinctive WW1 aircraft, taking on the role of both British and German pilots and dogfighting through 100 different missions in single or multiplayer modes.

Additional features are said to include unlocakble upgrades for flying and combat abilities, hundreds of unlockable aircraft customizations and unlockable comics based on the real history of Bloody April.

The game is currently set for release on April 12. Click below to check out the trailer.

Continue reading “Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

Posted on by

Freightdog Models to Release New Tool Supermarine Type 327 Kit

Freightdog Models has provided an update on their new tool model kit of the Supermarine Type 327 British twin-engine fighter.

”A little bit of progress on the Type 327 Shrew kit, partially built up example by Jen Wright that will hopefully be finished and on display at Cosford this weekend when the kit goes on sale. Pre-orders are welcome, I will only have a few with me. Retail price at the show will be £35.00, kit will be on the website next week.”

The Type 327 was a cannon-equipped concept aircraft designed to replace the Spitfire and Hurricane. However, it never entered production, in part because it was believed that other machines, such as the Westland Whirlwind, would likely enter service first.

The 1/72 resin kit will reportedly include “what if” markings for a prototype along with suitable roundels for fighter or photo reconnaissance versions, for which optional parts will also be included.

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Freightdog Models to Release New Tool Supermarine Type 327 Kit

Posted on by

B-52 “Midnight Express” Begins Journey to Seattle, Reassembly for New Memorial to Follow [Video]

Last week The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington received the first truckload of parts for their B-52G Stratofortress “Midnight Express” following an exterior restoration.

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) has been parked outdoors at the museum’s Paine Field facility in Everett for the past 26 years. A $2.2 million effort was launched to restore the machine for use as the centerpiece of a new Vietnam Air War Memorial Park, which will pay tribute to the aircraft of the Vietnam War and honor the service members who flew and supported them.

Now repainted, the aircraft has been partially disassembled and is now in the process of being moved to the memorial park site on west side of the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion. The museum reports that the “small parts” will be stored until final assembly takes place later this spring.

Click below to check out a video of the first parts following their arrival.

Continue reading B-52 “Midnight Express” Begins Journey to Seattle, Reassembly for New Memorial to Follow [Video]

Posted on by

First Look: Test Build of Special Hobby’s New Tool Super Mystere SMB.2

Special Hobby has released the first test build images showing their upcoming new tool representation of the Super Mystere SMB.2 French cold war-era fighter bomber in 1/72 scale.

The process first detailed a successful test fit of the moldings and a partial build illustrating the internal components of the fuselage. This was followed by a test build of the full airframe, which depicts an Israeli-modified Sa’ar version incorporating “a US ex-Skyhawk engine with much more rearward protruding jet engine nozzle.”

Given the fact that these testshots are of the first batch, the outcome is not that bad and the model is now being used in the time consuming process of correction report writing for the purpose of debugging the steel moulding tools.

As of this writing, a final release date has not yet been announced, although the company states that “it could be possible for the first examples to reach the market later this year.”

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading First Look: Test Build of Special Hobby’s New Tool Super Mystere SMB.2