Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Eduard Releases Royal Hybrid P-51B Kit With PE, Resin, 8 Liveries and Book

Eduard has released a new P-51B “Royal Hybrid” Mustang model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B was the Merlin-powered, long-range version of the North American Mustang that transformed the aircraft into one of WWII’s best escort fighters. Entering combat in late 1943, it could protect bombers deep into Germany thanks to its excellent range and high-altitude performance, and it typically carried four .50-caliber machine guns in the wings.

The new release (932011) features Eduard plastic parts, PE parts, painting masks and resin parts (cockpit, undercarriage bays, wheels, guns, exhausts). Eduard decals are also included with marking options for eight aircraft of the of 8th and 9th Air Forces. An added extra is a pictorial book about service of the P-51B/C Mustangs written by Jan Zdiarský.

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Operation Amherst: The Last Airborne Operation of WWII

Coming soon from Pen and Sword Military and authors Joël Stoppels and Harold de Jong is Operation Amherst: The Last Airborne Operation of WWII, which covers the final airborne operation of WWII, detailing French paratroopers’ landings, rapid combat in Drenthe and Friesland, and subsequent liberation efforts in Groningen and beyond.

In preparation for the liberation of the northern part of the Netherlands, Operation Amherst was launched on the night of 7 to 8 April 1945. This last airborne operation of the Second World War was carried out by 702 French (SAS) paratroopers. The fighting developed quickly after the landings in the province of Drenthe and a part of southeast Friesland. Canadian and British forces would then engage in the liberation of Groningen and the Westerbork concentration camp, and the elimination of the Delfzijl Pocket.

The 224 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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Hobby Boss to Release New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter Model Kit

Hobby Boss is reportedly preparing to release a new F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F4U-5N Corsair [Late] is a radar-equipped night-fighter version of the ultimate piston-engine Corsair, the F4U-5, featuring a longer nose, all-metal wings, a raised cockpit, and a 2,450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32W engine that made it the fastest carrier-based piston fighter (about 462 mph). Carrying an AN/APS-19 radar pod on the right wing, flame-dampened exhausts, and four 20 mm cannons, it traded a bit of performance for night operations but retained a heavy bomb and rocket load for night intruder and close-support missions. In the Korean War, F4U-5Ns with VMF(N)-513 and Navy detachments hunted “Bedcheck Charlie” Po-2s, attacked supply convoys and trains, and even produced the conflict’s only Navy ace, Guy Bordelon, who scored all five of his kills at night in an F4U-5N.

As of this writing, details on the new kit (80391) are nonexistent, although release is planned for some time in September.

(via AeroScale and Scalemates)

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Bird Men: The B-29 Superfortress and WW2 American Airpower

Coming soon from Mariner Books and bestselling author A.J. Baime is Bird Men: The Rise of American Airpower and the Machine That Ended World War II – A WWII History of American Airpower and the Superfortress That Changed the Course of the War.

Of all the feats of American ingenuity in World War II, perhaps none was as impressive in scale or vital to the Allied victory as the creation of American airpower. Just a few years before the start of World War II, the American military was stuck in the dark ages of aviation, with the U.S. Army’s Air Corps mainly focused, not on combat, but on mail delivery. Fast forward to end of the war, and America had launched the most impressive flying machine the world had ever seen: the B-29 Superfortress, a weapon so essential to ending the war that its research and development process cost more than the Manhattan Project. Continue reading Bird Men: The B-29 Superfortress and WW2 American Airpower

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First Look: Test Build of Arma Hobby’s New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

Arma Hobby has released the first test build photos (and additional sprue shots) for their upcoming, new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the upcoming release (70094) is the first in Arma’s new family of 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81, Tomahawk II and P-40B/C kits. It represents the export version of the Hawk 81-A2 operated by the AVG in China during 1941–1942. These aircraft wore a distinctive camouflage scheme based on British specifications and applied using American-made DuPont paints. Three Flying Tigers marking options will be included.

The model seen in the new photos was built straight from the latest pre-production test parts and was quickly assembled and left completely unpainted for a more detailed look at the plastic itself. The company states that these are still pre-production parts, and final evaluation is underway.

Shipping is currently planned for the second half of August. Check out additional photos below.

Continue reading First Look: Test Build of Arma Hobby’s New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

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ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

In August ICM will release a “100% new molds” Lockheed Hudson Mk.III model kit in 1/48 scale (48331).

The Hudson Mk.III was a light bomber and maritime reconnaissance aircraft derived from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner and built for the RAF just before World War II. This variant featured upgraded 1,200 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines and a Boulton Paul dorsal turret with twin .303-inch machine guns, and was used extensively by the RAF, RAAF, and RNZAF for coastal patrol, anti-submarine work, and general reconnaissance from 1941 onward.

Additional details have not yet been announced. Check out kit renderings below.

Continue reading ICM to Release 1/48 Lockheed Hudson Mk.III Kit: “100% New Molds”

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Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

Dora Wings recently released a new Vultee P-66 Vanguard boxing in 1/48 scale.

The Vanguard was an American single-seat, single-engine fighter designed in the late 1930s, originally intended for export to Sweden but later taken into U.S. service and then sent in larger numbers to China. It was a fairly conventional prewar radial-engine fighter with respectable speed and climb, but it was generally considered underwhelming in combat compared with better-known wartime fighters, so it ended up with a mixed reputation despite seeing real service.

The kit (48053) is touted as offering superb surface textures with crisp, recessed panel lines and fantastic overall accuracy. It includes PE parts, die cut canopy masks, new premium decals with marking options for multiple aircraft, including examples in including USAAF and Chinese Air Force service.

Check out the product page and box contents below.

Continue reading Dora Wings Releases P-66 Vanguard Kit With PE Parts, Multiple Liveries

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Fairchild PT-19A Project Offered For Sale

A Fairchild PT-19A ( M-62A-4 ) has been spotted for sale. Details are nonexistent, although it is listed as a project aircraft.

The PT-19A was a World War II U.S. Army Air Forces primary trainer, built as a rugged low-wing monoplane to teach cadets the basics of flying before they moved on to combat aircraft. Powered by a 200 hp Ranger L-440-3 engine, it used tandem open cockpits, fixed landing gear, and simple, sturdy construction, and it was widely praised for being economical, reliable, and closer in handling to frontline monoplanes than the older biplane trainers.

The aircraft is located in Victorville, California and is currently available for US $40,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing.

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IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

IBG has released renderings of their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G “Playing with Death” (72600) model kit in 1/72 scale. They have also released seven livery profiles for their upcoming Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop “Over North Africa” (72592).

The PR Type G was a fighter-reconnaissance variant of the Spitfire, adapted for low-level tactical photo work rather than pure interception. It carried one oblique and two vertical F24 cameras, kept its armament and armored windscreen, and early examples were converted from Mk I airframes with Merlin II engines later replaced by Merlin 45s; later ones came from Mk V airframes. It entered service in limited numbers and was eventually superseded by the PR Mk XIII, which used the same camera layout with a lower-altitude Merlin 32 engine.

The Mk.Vb was built around the Merlin 45 engine and the “B” wing. It was typically armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 machine guns. The aircraft was a widely used stop-gap that gave the RAF a strong, versatile interceptor through 1941–43, including tropical versions for desert service.

Also slated for release is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out the newly released PR Type G renderings and the Mk. Vb livery profiles.

Continue reading IBG Releases Renderings, Livery Profiles For Upcoming Spitfire Model Kits

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The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author James William Marshall is The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2.

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead. One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific. While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack. The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943. The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts. Continue reading The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

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