Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Midnight Flyboys: The Untold WWII Missions of American Flyers and Allied Spies

The new book Midnight Flyboys: The American Bomber Crews and Allied Secret Agents Who Aided the French Resistance in World War II shares the untold history of a top-secret operation in the run-up to D-Day in which American flyers and Allied spies carried out some of the most daring cloak-and-dagger operations of World War II.

In 1943, the OSS—precursor to the CIA—came up with a plan to increase its support to the French resistance forces that were fighting the Nazis. To start, the OSS recruited some of the best American bomber pilots and crews to a secret airfield twenty miles west of London and briefed them on the intended mission. Given a choice to stay or leave, every airman volunteered for what became known as Operation Carpetbagger.

Their dangerous plan called for a new kind of flying: taking their B-24 Liberator bombers in the middle of the night across the English Channel and down to extremely low altitudes in Nazi-occupied France to find drop zones in dark fields. On the ground, resistance members waited to receive steel containers filled with everything from rifles and hand grenades to medicine and bicycle tires. Some nights, the flyers also dropped Allied secret agents by parachute to assist the French partisans.

Though their story remained classified for more than fifty years, the Carpetbaggers ultimately received a Presidential Unit Citation from the US military, which declared: “it is safe to say that no group of this size has made a greater contribution to the war effort.” Along with other members of the wartime OSS, they were also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Based on exclusive research and interviews, the definitive story of these heroic flyers—and of the brave secret agents and resistance leaders they aided—can now be told. Written in Bruce Henderson’s “spellbinding” (USA TODAY) prose, Midnight Flyboys is an astonishing tale of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice. The 336 page book is available in hardcover, Kindle, audiobook and audio CD formats.

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MiniArt to Release P-47N-1RE Thunderbolt Advanced Kit

MiniArt is continuing their line of P-47 kits with the announcement of an upcoming P-47N-1RE “Advanced Kit.”

The Republic P-47N was the final development of the Thunderbolt family, adapted for long-range escort and fighter-bomber duties in the Pacific theatre. The N-1RE variant introduced the new long-span wing with squared-off tips and extra fuel capacity while retaining the rugged structure and heavy armament of earlier versions.

The upcoming 1/48 release (48062) reportedly includes finely reproduced rivets and panel lines on all surfaces; a fully detailed cockpit with side consoles, instrument panel and seat; optional open or closed canopy; photo-etched parts included for seat belts and fine details; clear parts included for canopy and lights and three decal options.

As of this writing a final release date has not yet been announced. Click below to check out additional images.

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New Book Details How Assembly Ships Ensured Successful Bombing Raids in WW2

MMPBooks is slated to release Jacek Jackiewicz’s Assembly Ships of the Mighty Eight, which “is a detailed exploration of the specialized aircraft used during World War II to help organize and assemble bomber formations.”

This book delves into the vital role these assembly ships played in ensuring successful bombing missions by the US Eighth Air Force. Featuring meticulously researched text and a rich collection of period photographs, the book also includes color profiles by Jacek Jackiewicz, offering a comprehensive visual representation of these unique aircraft.

The 184 page paperback title is currently available for pre-order with release scheduled for January 8, 2026.

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First Look: Arma Hobby Hurricane Mk I Test Build

As previously reported, Arma Hobby recently received the final sprues for their highly anticipated new tool Hawker Hurricane Mk I (40015) in 1/48 scale. Since then the company has completed the very first full build of the model and released a series of test build photos.

Since these are test shots, some elements do not yet have all the final milling details, and a few minor short shots and excess plastic appeared during assembly. This is completely normal at this stage — all corrections are already planned and will be implemented in the next few days before the mould enters full production cycle.

Arma reports that everything is coming together beautifully and full production is only days away. Click below to check out additional images.

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DoraWings Shares Renderings of Upcoming P-47 B/C Thunderbolt

DoraWings has released a series of renderings for a new Republic P-47 B/C Thunderbolt model in 1/72 scale. As of this writing, details are scarce, although work on the model is reportedly underway, with the first molds having already been milled.

Click below to check out additional renders.

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Upcoming Book Details 617 Squadron’s Tragic Raid

In their upcoming book The Lost Dambuster Lancaster: The Story of 617 Squadron’s Attack on Hitler’s V2 Rocket Site authors Trevor Kerry and Gaëtan Sagot tell the story of 617 Squadron’s 1944 Tallboy raid on the V2 site at Wizernes and the tragic loss of Lancaster DV403.

On 24 June 1944, eighteen aircraft from 617 Squadron took off to attack the V2 rocket site at Wizernes, now known as La Coupole. During the raid, Lancaster DV403 was hit by flak, killing several crew members and forcing the others to bail out as the damaged plane crashed in nearby fields. Amid the wreckage, Resistance member André Schamp courageously aided a wounded airman and searched for survivors.

The story of DV403 has been recently honoured in France on the 80th anniversary, with an exhibition, lectures and a wayside interpretation board compiled by the authors, who have encouraged strong involvement of crewmen’s families in the evolving narrative. This is the story of their fate that night, as well as of 617 Squadron’s attack on the V2 site as a whole.

The 248 page title is currently available for pre-order with an expected release date of January 10.

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ICM Announces Development of New Tool Do 217K-2

ICM has announced the development of a new tool Do 217K-2 in 1/48 scale.

The Do 217K-2 was a specialized variant of the German Dornier Do 217 bomber, developed during World War II to carry the heavy Fritz X radio-guided anti-ship bomb. To accommodate this advanced weapon, the K-2 featured a significantly increased wingspan (24.8 meters) and was the heaviest in the series at 16,850 kg, making it well suited for precision attacks against naval targets. Its battlefield debut saw it play a crucial role as an early platform for precision-guided munitions, notably leading to the sinking of the Italian battleship Roma.

Details on the new kit (48275) are currently limited, but it will reportedly include the Fritz X. A series of renderings were also released, additional examples of which can be seen after the break.

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1943 North American SNJ-5 For Sale: “Maintained to Exceptional Standards”

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

A 1943 North American SNJ-5 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1943 North American SNJ-5 has been hangared for 25 years in a dry high-mountain desert environment and maintained to exceptional standards. The airframe totals 5,370.3 hours and is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN-1 with 540.4 hours TTSMO. The Hamilton Standard 12D40 propeller has only 15.2 hours since overhaul. Equipped with Red Line wheels and brakes, P-51-style lockable tailwheel, and a smoke system, this SNJ-5 is a solid, flyable warbird ideal for formation flying, airshows, and collectors.

The aircraft is located in Olathe, CO and offers are currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes several additional photos.

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Kotare Announces Development of 1/32 Bf 109E-4 Model Kit

Kotare Models has announced the development of a new tool Bf 109E-4 in 1/32 scale.

Highly regarded Luftwaffe expert Radu Brinzan, who designed our well-received Bf 109K-4 kitset, has done a fabulous job with this model. The design is partly based on a LIDAR scan of the example at the RAF Museum but we have deleted the bend in the nose caused by that aircraft crash landing in 1940!

As of this writing, the CAD data is complete and the company is going through a brief
period of public feedback in which everybody is welcome to contribute. Experts will also be evaluating the design “with a fine tooth comb.” The kit is expected to begin shipping in Q3-Q4 2026.

Click below to check out additional images.

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IBG Models Releases New Tool Spitfire Mk I (Early)

IBG Models has released their new tool Supermarine Spitfire Mk I (Early) model kit in 1/72 scale. The kit (72580) represents the 1938 and 1939 configurations of the type and includes numerous marking options:

They were carefully selected and thoroughly researched to present not only the wide scope of variations in markings and undersurface finish, but also to capture the most important pre-war events, leading up to the World War 2. You will find here Spitfires from Munich Crisis, March 1939 Crisis and finally from the day of the declaration of war by United Kingdom. We also did not forget about Polish Modellers and included the reconstruction of L1066 – the only Spitfire shipped to Poland. Unfortunately it never got there, but for those who like to use their imagination, we included a what-if Polish markings as well.

The kit also includes plastic and photo-etched parts along with 3D printed wheels, early type fuel tank cover and type G-22 camera gun.

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