Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Eduard to Release New 1/48 He 280 Model Kit

Eduard is planning to release a new Heinkel He 280 ProfiPACK edition model kit in 1/48 scale.

The He 280 was the first turbojet-powered fighter aircraft in the world, however, it was plagued with engine problems and only nine examples of the type were built before the project was cancelled.

The new kit (8068) will reportedly include options for machines powered by either HeS 8a or Jumo 004 engines, as well as pre-painted photo etched parts, paint masks and markings for three aircraft (although the ones shown are provisional).

The new kit is currently slated for release in April. Click below to see more.

Continue reading Eduard to Release New 1/48 He 280 Model Kit

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“Ultra Rare” WW2 MiG-3 Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

An “ultra rare” MiG-3 Soviet WW2 fighter / interceptor has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 4958) was reportedly built in 1941 and experienced a forced landing near Murmansk in December of that year. After the wreck was discovered in 2000, it was recovered and restored by Rusavia of Moscow.

The machine was test flown in 2005 “using parts salvaged and restored together with a compete Mikulin Am-38 engine ex Il-2.” It is currently painted in Soviet AF colors and is said to be fitted with an Allison V-12 engine “for easier operations.”

It appears that the price is available on application. For additional information click here.

(via Historic and Classic Aircraft Sales Photo: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons)

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F4U-7 Corsair Performs First Engine, Taxi Tests in New AU-1 Livery [Video]

Flying Colors Aviation of Benton Harbor, Michigan has reported the first run up and taxi tests for an F4U-7 Corsair which they recently refinished.

The aircraft appears to be B/N 133714, which was once on display at the USMC Museum in Quantico and flew in the TV series Baa Baa Black Sheep. It now wears the colors of AU-1 B/N 129378 (pictured above) flown by Marine Corps pilot Lt. Col. John F. “Jack” Bolt, who served in WW2 and the Korean War and earned ace status in both conflicts.

The aircraft will reportedly by departing soon, although an exact date and time had not been announced at the time of this writing. Click below to check out a photo of the repainted machine and a video of the recent engine test.

Continue reading F4U-7 Corsair Performs First Engine, Taxi Tests in New AU-1 Livery [Video]

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Udvar-Hazy to Host British Warbird Fly-In Commemorating RAF Centennial

In order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia will be hosting a fly-in featuring a number of British warbirds.

“The Great British Fly-In” will reportedly feature more than ten former RAF aircraft that are either currently on display at the museum or will be flown in for one-day-only event. In addition to Spitfires, a B-25 Mitchell and a P-51 Mustang, the fly-in will feature talks by RAF officers and museum experts, presentations about the museum’s newly acquired Sopwith Camel (featured in The Flying Machine #6), interactive STEM demonstrations and performances from the RAF Band and drill displays from the Queens Colour Squadron.

The event is currently scheduled to take place at the museum on April 15th from 10am-4pm. Admission is free, although parking will cost $15. Click here for additional information.

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Sim Developer Flight Replicas Releases Screenshots of Upcoming Handley Page Halifax

Flight Replicas, which creates “high quality simulator aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX and Lockheed-Martin’s P3D” has released new screenshots of their upcoming Handley Page Halifax Mk.III.

The aircraft is still a work in progress and additional details are scarce, although the package will reportedly include a representation of the HP.70 Halton civilian Halifax variant.

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Sim Developer Flight Replicas Releases Screenshots of Upcoming Handley Page Halifax

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IWM’s Hawker Hurricane Gate Guard Returns With New Livery

Earlier today, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford returned their Hawker Hurricane gate guard to display with a new livery.

As pictured above, the reproduction previously wore the markings of P2954 of 302 (Polish) Squadron flown by Tadeusz Pawel Chlopik, RAF (Polish Air Force). The new colors represent V7467, flown by Douglas Bader of 242 Squadron, RAF.

Click below to check out a photo of the Hurricane’s new appearance.

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Spitfire to Arrive at Australian Home Following 10 Year Restoration

Fighter Pilot Adventure Flights, a Brisbane, Australia-based flight adventure company, has announced that their Spitfire Mk XVI (TE392) is about to arrive following a 10-year restoration.

The aircraft operated with the Royal Air Force and served as a gate guard at numerous RAF bases (including Wellesbourne Mountford, Waterbeach, Kemble and Credenhill) before being acquired by Warbirds Of GB, Ltd. and partially restored. It passed through the hands of several additional owners before arriving at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Texas, where it was restored to airworthy condition. It returned to the air in December 1999 but was damaged by flooding caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

The current restoration is nearing completion and Performance Aero will reportedly reassemble the aircraft and apply finishing touches before its expected arrival next week. It is expected to grace Australian skies by August of this year.

(via Fighter Pilot Adventure Flights Additional Information via Warbird Registry Photo: Bill Abbott via Flickr)

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Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Screenshots of Upcoming Avro Lancaster for FSX, P3D

Flight simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has released the first “in development” screenshots of their updated Avro Lancaster for FSX, FSX S/E and P3DV3+.

As previously reported, Aeroplane Heaven’s new Lancaster is touted as incorporating their latest tech and techniques to “bring you what will be your chance to experience just what it was like to fly and crew this legendary machine in the skies of the latest simulators.” Its exterior will reportedly boast “a massive amount of authentic detail” along with many unique animations and a highly detailed virtual cockpit that will include the front turret and bomber’s compartment, engineer and nav station and radio operator’s positions.

The newly released images show “the front offices” and “a flying exterior with all detail done except for a few bits and bobs. Also a new technique for achieving the pillowing on the metal panels.” Click below to see more.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Screenshots of Upcoming Avro Lancaster for FSX, P3D

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Hangar10 Collection Adds Newly Restored, Airworthy Bf 109 G-14

The Hangar 10 Collection has reportedly added a new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14 to its collection on the Pomeranian island of Usedom.

In 2017, the aircraft (S/N 462707) was fully restored to airworthy condition by Rare Bird Aviation near Vienna, Austria. It arrived at Hangar10 on February 5th and has since joined the collection’s G-6 (S/N 440738) and G-12 (S/N 440738), both of which are currently available for sale.

Hangar10 states that the new G-14 “shines” with its original DB 605 engine and reports that they are looking forward to admiring all three machines in a “messerschmitt formation in the sky above the island of usedom.”

Click below to check out newly released photos.

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First Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]

Earlier today, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution released a new teaser for the upcoming film Hurricane, which reportedly tells “the untold true story of Squadron 303” and “the Polish fliers who found themselves fighting for the freedom of their own country in foreign skies.”

Flying Hurricanes for the RAF over Britain, they became a key component in the legend of ‘The Few’. Up against the might of the Luftwaffe they hoped that, by saving Great Britain from Nazi invasion, they were keeping the dream of a free Poland alive. In the lethal melee above England in that summer of 1940, they fought with a tenacity and skill that earned them the admiration of the whole British nation. The dogfights against superior planes cost some of the men their lives.

The story is experienced through the eyes of fighter ace and adventurer Jan Zumbach, played by Iwan Rheon (Game Of Thrones, Misfits, Inhumans) who discovers that “becoming the best in the RAF is a hollow victory for the Poles,” as “even in a man’s finest hour, cynical political manoeuvrings can destroy his hopes, strip away his dignity and lead him to a very dark place indeed.” Continue reading First Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]