Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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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”

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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

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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

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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]

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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]