Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Roden Releases New Tool Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V Kit

Roden has released a new tool Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V in 1/144 scale.

The Short S.25 Sunderland Mark III/V was a British maritime patrol flying boat of World War II. During the war, these aircraft operated over the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Arctic to the tropics. German pilots nicknamed it the “Flying Porcupine” due to its powerful defensive armament.

The new release (353) includes marking options for three aircraft. Check out the product page below, along with livery profiles and box contents.

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DBMK to Release DH.103 Hornet F.1/PR.2 in 1/32 Scale

DBMK has announced the upcoming release of a new DH.103 Hornet F.1/PR.2 model kit in 1/32 scale.

The de Havilland DH.103 Hornet F.1 was a fast, long-range twin-engine British fighter developed late in World War II, using lightweight wooden construction and powerful Merlin engines to deliver exceptional speed and handling. The PR.2 was its unarmed photo-reconnaissance variant, built for extended-range surveillance by trading guns for cameras and extra fuel capacity. Together, they showed how the Hornet design was adapted from pure interception to specialist reconnaissance roles, and the type was notable as one of the fastest piston-engine fighters of its era.

The upcoming release (32003) will allow builders to depict the PR.2 in PRU blue – a pale blue-gray camouflage color used by the RAF’s Photographic Reconnaissance Unit on high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft to reduce visibility from the ground. The F.1 version will include a livery in overall silver. Release is expected “later this quarter.”

(via DBMK Model Kits)

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Arma Hobby Releases Sprue Shots, Renderings For New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

Arma Hobby has released the first teaser 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 two new images show the first injection molded sprues for the kit, which are now being evaluated together with Arma’s tooling partner. If the evaluation confirms everything is on track, pre-orders are planned to open this week with shipping expected in the first half of August.

Click below to check out the new sprue images along with newly released renders.

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British Commercial Aviation Development Told Through Detailed Accounts, Previously Unseen Photos

Coming soon from Key Publishing and author Roger Staker is Piston, Passengers and Payload, which follows the development of British piston-engine passenger and commercial transport aircraft between the end of the Great War and the early 1950s, when piston engines were superseded by jets and turboprops.

This period saw rapid change at a technological level, in response to an emerging market for transport of all types. It also witnessed the birth, failures and mergers of numerous air transport companies.

Flying was not without risks, Alongside the acknowledged successes that helped to make the world a smaller place, there were tragedies, Lessons learned from these contributed to the safer travel environment that we enjoy today. The pace of commercial aircraft development was given added urgency by World War Two, with many civilian aircraft pressed into military service: not all survived.

Featuring many previously unseen photos, this book is the story of a previously closed chapter in British aviation and offers detailed accounts of 17 manufacturers whose advanced designs paved the way.

The page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 30.

Product Page

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Modelsvit Releases Sprue Photos For Upcoming New Tool Martin AM-1 Mauler

Modelsvit has provided an update on the development of their new tool Martin AM-1 Mauler model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mauler was a bulky, single-seat, carrier-based attack aircraft developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the U.S. Navy during World War II, intended to haul very heavy ordnance loads from fleet carriers but entering service only in 1948 due to development delays and technical troubles, and serving in small numbers until the early 1950s before being eclipsed by the more successful Douglas AD Skyraider.

The latest update features test shots of the latest sprue production. Check them out below.

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A&A Models to Release New Tool Republic XP-72 in Two Boxings

A&A Models has announced the upcoming release of a new tool 1/48 Republic XP-72 model kit in two boxings.

The XP-72 was a prototype fighter-interceptor developed from the P-47 Thunderbolt, built around the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engine to deliver far higher speed and climb performance than its predecessor. First flown in February 1944, it reached roughly 490 mph in testing, carried heavy machine-gun or cannon armament, but never entered production because jet fighters and the end of World War II overtook the project.

The new release will be offered in four-bladed prop (4816) and contra-rotating propeller (4817). Additional details and build photos have yet to be released. Click below to check out an additional image.

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Eduard Releases New P-51B Kit With Malcolm Hood Canopy

New this month from Eduard is a 1/48 “Malcolm Hood” P-51B model kit in 1/48 scale.

The new “Weekend Edition” kit (84214) represents aircraft with the “Malcolm Hood” – a modified canopy fitted to some early P-51B/C Mustangs to improve the pilot’s rearward visibility. It replaced the original framed “razorback” canopy with a bulged, frameless sliding hood, giving a much better view to the sides and back.

It includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft.

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Kotare to Launch Bf 109E-4 Pre-Orders With Perks for Select Customers

Kotare has shared an update on the development of their Bf 109E-4 model kit in 1/32 scale.

After receiving input from various Bf 109 experts, the team is now selecting marking options with the assistance of Lynn Ritger.

OPTION 1 AND BOX TOP ART: A machine that can be accurately depicted without that symbol that causes so much controversy! OPTION 2: Many modellers dislike spraying Luftwaffe mottle schemes. This aircraft will have a nice clean splinter camouflage pattern with the high demarcation RLM 65. OPTION 3: In contrast, many modellers LOVE spraying mottle, so this option will have an aesthetic scheme, and an interesting backstory. OPTION 4: Continuing the Kotare policy of community engagement, option 4 will be chosen by pre-order customers… For Option 4, members of the Kotare First 500 will be able to make suggestions, create a shortlist and then vote in a poll to choose the final markings option. We will supply what YOU want!

Further details have yet to be announced, although pre-ordering is expected to open “soon.” Click below to check out additional renderings.

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MiniArt Releases Renderings For Upcoming Fw 190D-11 Basic Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 “Basic” model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190D-11 was a late-war variant, part of the “Dora” series and powered by the Junkers Jumo 213F engine with MW 50 boost. It was a heavily armed variant with two 20 mm MG 151 cannon in the wing roots and two 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outer wings, but it was produced only in very small numbers.

The upcoming release (48072) is described as highly detailed with realistic metal surfaces and panel details and three marking options. Click below to check out additional renderings as well as box art.

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“The Spitfire with Nine Lives” Chronicles the Enthralling History of Mk IX TE566

Coming soon from Grub Street Publishing and author Air Marshal G.A. ‘Black’ Robertson is The Spitfire with Nine Lives: The Enthralling Tale of TE566, Wrecked, Rescued and Rebuilt to Fly Again

Shortly after TE566 was delivered to the RAF, it was one of several Spitfires gifted to Czechoslovakia at the end of the Second World War. Sold to Israel in 1948 and later left to rot in a kibbutz as a children’s plaything, it was rescued, recovered to England and lovingly restored. A new life on the display circuit and on film began in 1992, first in the UK and later in South Africa, where it was all but destroyed in 2002 in a fatal accident. The wreckage was bought, returned to England, then sold to an Australian aviation training institute which eventually sold it back to the previous owner. After passing through several pairs of hands, the aircraft was rebuilt once again by Colin Wills and Tom Gilbert and converted to a two-seater to fly once more. Continue reading “The Spitfire with Nine Lives” Chronicles the Enthralling History of Mk IX TE566

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