Category: WW1 Era (1914-18)

Posted on by

First Look: Test Prints For MDesign’s Upcoming Farman F.40

MDesign has released the first test print images for their upcoming Farman F.40 in 1/32 scale.

The Farman F.40 was a French two-seat reconnaissance biplane introduced in 1915 during World War I, developed jointly by brothers Henri and Maurice Farman from their earlier designs. Its distinctive “pusher” layout placed the engine and propeller behind the crew, leaving the observer’s forward view unobstructed. Typically powered by a 130-horsepower Renault engine, it served in reconnaissance, artillery observation, and limited light-bombing roles with France and several other Allied air services. Rapid advances in fighter aircraft made it increasingly vulnerable, and by late 1916 it was considered obsolete on the Western Front, although it continued to serve elsewhere and as a trainer.

The recent report states that the model will incorporate engineering solutions such as the use of steel rods to reinforce the wing struts, landing gear structure, and open tail boom truss. This, combined with the use of a new type of resin, is expected to eliminate part deformation. Design work on the Renault engine and machine gun will be completed shortly and once post-processing of the parts is finished, test assembly will begin.

Click below to check out the new test print images.

Continue reading First Look: Test Prints For MDesign’s Upcoming Farman F.40

Posted on by

New Volume Expands Definitive Red Baron and Jagdstaffel 11 History

Aeronaut Books has released Volume 2 of Bruno Schmäling’s study of Manfred von Richthofen’s Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11.

Volume 2 focuses on the Easter Battle of Arras in 1917, which went down in the history of the Royal Air Force as “Bloody April.” In a short period of just over four weeks, Jagdstaffel 11, under the command of Manfred von Richthofen, achieved the greatest successes in its history. Drawing on numerous previously unpublished documents from German archives, as well as accounts from eyewitnesses, this book presents the most comprehensive account of these events. A special section is devoted to the aerial battle between Albert Ball and Lothar von Richthofen. Previously unknown and unpublished German reports shed light on this often-controversial event. 200 photos, 48 maps, and 39 documents round out the most comprehensive documentation ever written about the Red Baron and his Jagdstaffel 11.

The 306 page book is currently available in hardcover and paperback editions. It follows Volume 1, which was released in 2025 and focuses on the period from October 1916 to March 1917.

Product Page (Vol 1)
Product Page (Vol 2)

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

First Look: LukGraph’s Upcoming 1/32 Hansa-Brandenburg CC Test Build

LukGraph has revealed the first test build photo for their upcoming Hansa-Brandenburg CC, which will be offered in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/24 scales.

The Hansa-Brandenburg CC was a single-seat fighter flying boat developed by the Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg during World War I. Designed for coastal defense and maritime patrol duties, it became one of the most successful seaplane fighters operated by the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

As previously reported, the new offerings will represent both early and late production versions: the early version equipped with a single machine gun / original engine cooling arrangement and the late variant fitted with two machine guns mounted on the fuselage.

As of this writing a final release date has yet to be announced, although pre-orders will reportedly begin “soon.” Click below to check out box art for both the early and late versions.

Continue reading First Look: LukGraph’s Upcoming 1/32 Hansa-Brandenburg CC Test Build

Posted on by

First Look: Copper State Models 1/32 Nieuport 16

Copper State Models has announced the upcoming release of a new Nieuport 16 model kit in 1/32 scale.

The Nieuport 16 was a French single-seat World War I fighter introduced in 1916 as a more powerful, strengthened development of the Nieuport 11 “Bébé.” Powered by a 110 hp Le Rhône rotary engine and normally armed with a Lewis gun above the upper wing, it was faster but more nose-heavy than its predecessor, and was soon replaced by the more capable Nieuport 17.

The upcoming release (CSM32-016) will include Cartograf decals, 111 high-quality injection-moulded plastic parts, photo-etched metal detail parts, full rigging diagram and color instructions.

Pre-ortdering is now open with shipping expected to being by the end of October. Pre-order customers will receive a free 3D-printed Le Rhône 9J engine. Check out livery profiles and an additional test build image below.

Continue reading First Look: Copper State Models 1/32 Nieuport 16

Posted on by

New Tool, Fully 3D Printed Anatra Anasal Coming to Planet Models Series

Special Hobby has announced a new tool Anatra Anasal in 1/72 scale (PLT291). The model will be the first fully 3D printed kit in the Planet Models series.

The Anatra Anasal, formally the Anatra DS, was a two-seat Russian reconnaissance biplane developed by the Anatra works at Odessa from the earlier Anatra D (Anade) and first flown in 1916. Its name combined “Anatra” and “Salmson,” reflecting its 150 hp Salmson liquid-cooled radial engine, which gave it improved performance over its predecessor; the aircraft entered production in 1917 and served during the First World War and the Russian Civil War. Built largely of wood and fabric, it carried a pilot and observer-gunner, with a synchronized forward-firing machine gun, a flexible rear gun, and a limited light-bomb capability.

A series of test build photos have been released which can be seen below. As of this writing it appears that a release date has not been announced.

Continue reading New Tool, Fully 3D Printed Anatra Anasal Coming to Planet Models Series

Posted on by

Red Baron’s 80 Victories Recreated in “Lavishly Illustrated” New Book

Coming soon from Pen and Sword Military and author Thomas La Padula is The Red Baron’s Kills: An Illustrated Portrayal of Manfred von Richthofen’s Victories, a lavish, illustrated study that recreates combat moments and varied aircraft through original artwork and clear, graphic timelines.

…Using original source material the author recreates the moment in combat when the Red Baron shot down each of his victories to make him the leading ace of the First World War. Of special interest is the fact that the Red Baron flew a variety of aircraft other than his famous all red Fokker Dr.l. triplane. The paintings will provide a visual scene along with descriptive text to explain the situations behind each victory or kill in a clear, graphic timeline.

The 192 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 30.

Product Page

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

New Two Volume Series Details Vickers Aircraft of WW1 With Drawings, Photos, Color Profiles

Newly released from Aeronaut Books and author is Colin Owers is a two volume series on Vickers aircraft of WW1:

The story of how the Vickers, Sons and Maxim Ltd, heavy armament manufacturers, entered aeronautical manufacturing when the military potential of aviation became apparent, is told in these two volumes. Vickers aircraft were soon flying, originally being based on the French REP monoplane. Then in 1913 they exhibited what could well be the first British aircraft designed from the start as a fighting machine with a forward firing machine gun. This was developed into the F.B.5, better known as the ‘Gun Bus’. They were in service as soon as the war broke out in 1914 and for a while were successful. The advent of the synchronised machine gun fighter saw Vickers machines fall out of favour. They built many interesting prototypes but only three were manufactured in small series.

The Company produced some of the fastest aircraft of their time and in a civil world would have achieved fame; however, they were not suited to the evolving aerial battlefield. The Vimy bomber of 1918 was a sensation, lifting a greater bombload the Handley Page O/400 on less power. The end of hostilities meant that no Vimy flew on operations in WWI but it went onto a long career in the RAF and in civil hands in its Vernon version.

The story of this remarkable company is told in detail including contemporary drawings from official manuals and reports. Volume 1 has 182 photos, 30 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft in its 207 pages. Volume 2 has 221 photos, 33 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft within its 214 pages.

The two volumes, Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 1: E.F.B – F.B.12 and Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 2: F.B.14 – Valentia Flying Boat are currently available in paperback format.

Product Page (Volume 1)
Product Page (Volume 2)

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

Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation

Coming soon from Oneworld Publications and author Charles Spicer is Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation, which surveys the transformation of flight from genteel gentleman’s hobby to terrifying military force.

In the first few decades of the twentieth century British aviators went from gliding a handful of yards to crossing the Atlantic. Journeying from perilous ‘cotton-and-hope’ prototypes to the Spitfire, Flying Pianos…

Charles Spicer meets the cast of colourful characters who helped Britain take flight. There’s Hugh ‘Boom’ Trenchard, eccentric ‘father’ of the RAF; the glamorous Harriet Quimby – journalist, screenwriter and record-breaking pilot; and Grahame Christie, passionate aviator, spy and uneasy acquaintance of Hermann Göring. Charting the soaring highs and catastrophic lows of this technological revolution, Flying Pianos tells the remarkable tale of how Britain took to the skies.

The 400 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 1.

Product Page

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

First Look: Test Build of Mdesign’s Upcoming 1/32 LVG B.II

Mdesign has released test build images of their soon to be released L.V.G. B.II in 1/32 scale.

The B.II was an early German two-seat, unarmed reconnaissance biplane of the First World War, developed from the pre-war L.V.G. B.I and entering service in 1915. It used a 120 hp Mercedes D.II inline engine and incorporated an upper-wing cutout to improve the pilot’s upward visibility; although it performed scouting and reconnaissance work early in the war, the lack of defensive armament soon made it obsolete at the front, so it was employed chiefly as a trainer.

As of this writing details are limited, although the kit will reportedly include masks and decals with options for a second variant manufactured by Otto and armed with a Madsen machine gun. Check out additional images below.

Continue reading First Look: Test Build of Mdesign’s Upcoming 1/32 LVG B.II

Posted on by

Early Bird Jenny For Sale: “Beautifully Built, Flies Wonderfully”

An Early Bird Jenny (reduced scale Curtiss Jenny) has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Jenny replica beautifully built, flies wonderfully. Continental A 75 engine runs flawlessly and low time. A great way to learn taildragger flying in this airplane. Cheap to own and fly.

The aircraft is located in Simpsonville, South Carolina and is currently available for US $14,950, 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.