Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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First Look: Special Hobby Shares Sprue Photos For New Tool Bf 109E-4 Kit

Special Hobby has shared the first photos of their upcoming new tool Bf 109E-4 model kit in 1/72 scale.

In addition to the sprue photos, the company has also released CAD renderings of the model (SH72439) as well as livery profiles. It appears that four options will be available, including aircraft flown by Gerhart Schopfel of III/JG 26 and “Yellow 8” of III./JG 5. Two representations of W/N 4148 are also included, depicting the machine as flown by Oblt. Helmut Wick in August 1940 and Hptm. Wolfgang Lippert in April 1941.

Click below to check out a selection of the newly released images.

Continue reading First Look: Special Hobby Shares Sprue Photos For New Tool Bf 109E-4 Kit

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Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Performs First Taxi Test Since Restoration Began [Video]

Kermit Weeks’ A-26 project has reached another milestone, taxiing for the first time since the machine began restoration following damage sustained by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

As previously reported, the aircraft (S/N 41-39401) reportedly saw wartime service with the 9th Air Force and served with the Van Nuys Air National Guard before beginning civilian use as N3457G / “Whistler’s Mother.” Later acquired by Weeks, the A-26 was damaged during the hurricane and trucked to Chino in 1997, where it is now being restored by Carl Scholl and Tony Ritzman of Aero Trader.

Click below to check out the newly released video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Performs First Taxi Test Since Restoration Began [Video]

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For Sale: Douglas A-26B Invader “One of the Last in Combat Configuration”

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

Douglas A-26B Invader N99420 (S/N 44-34104) “Silver Dragon” has hit the market.

The airframe reportedly has 2,486 TT (12,000 man hour hour restoration from 2004-2009, extensive 3,000 man hour IRAN completed by Airpower Unlimited, 2016) while the two Pratt and Whitney R-2800-79 engines have 127.7 and 106.2 hrs SMOH (22 hrs since complete teardown and IRAN by Anderson Airmotive). The props have 22 hrs SPOH by H&S Propeller (prop AD completed July 2017).

The aircraft is described as one of the last existing examples of the type that is in its combat configuration, having never been a tanker or converted to executive use.

It left USAF surplus stocks directly for the Nicaraguan Air Force where it served as a front-line aircraft until the late 1970s. During this time maintenance was performed under the Military Assistance Program at Albrook AFB, Panama, including the installation of an approved spar strap. Since its return to the United States it has been left in its combat configuration, a virtual time capsule, perfect for the warbird collector or operator that wants a true combat configured aircraft.

Continue reading For Sale: Douglas A-26B Invader “One of the Last in Combat Configuration”

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Eduard Releases New P-51D F-6D/K Photo Reconnaissance Model Kit

Eduard has released a new F-6D/K photo reconnaissance version of the P-51D Mustang in 1/48 scale.

The new offering (82103) reportedly includes Eduard plastic parts and decals, pre-painted photo-etched parts, a painting mask and marking options for six machines:

1. F-6D-15, 44-14874, flown by Lt. John E. Jacoby, 82nd TRS, 71st TRG, 5th AF, Johnson Field, Japan, September 1945
2.F-6D-10, 44-14699, flown by Lt. Clifford S. Slonneger, 109th TRS, 67th TRG, 9th AF, Gosselies, Belgium, 1945
3. F-6K-10, 44-12223, 118th TRS, 23rd FG, 14th AF, Chengkung, China, 1945
4. F-6K-15, 75th FS, 23rd FG, 14th AF, Luliang Airfield, China, 1945
5. F-6D-15, 44-15417, flown by Lt. Edwin H. Pearle, 2nd FS, 2nd ACG, Cox´s Bazar, India, Spring 1945
6. F-6D-10, 44-14659, 111th TRS, 68th TRG, 12th AF, Fürth, Germany, July 1945

Click below to check out the Buy on eBay on eBay and additional images.

Continue reading Eduard Releases New P-51D F-6D/K Photo Reconnaissance Model Kit

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1941 Stearman For Sale With Reduced Price: “Fully Restored, Custom Built Enhancements”

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

This 1941 Stearman A75N1 is currently for sale with a reduced price. The listing states (in part):

Own a Piece of History- Beautiful Red Stearman Seeks Adventure. Fully restored vintage 1941 Boeing Stearman A75N1. This California based Stearman is a reliable, fun, and a fully aerobatic classic aircraft. The aircraft was meticulously rebuilt and offers increased performance with custom built enhancements to the R-985 Wasp engine . The detail of the rebuild is easily visible and the aircraft is mechanically sound and professionally maintained. Aircraft will be delivered with a fresh annual.

According to the listing, the machine boasts a navcom radio and intercom system, 12 volt Jasco alternator and new sealed battery, red line disk brakes / 24ct gold graphics, polished N struts, cabane struts and flying wires, chromed dzus fasteners, PolyFiber covering, and new pistons, rings, valves and guides. Additional features reportedly include a totally stripped, cleaned and rebuilt fulsleage with all new AN hardware, new wood in wings and center section, engine rebuilt holding all tolerances to blue print minimums and an overhauled prop.

The airframe and engine reportedly have about 500 hrs. It is located in Auburn, California and is currently being offered for US $135,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Mitsubishi Zero Relic Spotted For Sale: “Original With Known History and Provenance”

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 Mitsubishi Zero artifact described as “original and untouched” with “known history and provenance” as well as “jungle dirt and battle damage” has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This relic is from a 1943 Mitsubishi Zero A6M3 Model 22 (aircraft carrier duty, with folding wing tips). It is the port horizontal stabilizer lower aluminum shin, which is the only location on the Mitsubishi Zero that displayed a large factory-applied stenciled serial number. This skin is from Zero serial number 3618… This piece is original and untouched; it’s complete with jungle dirt and battle damage. It is ‘as found’ at Buin Japanese airfield, which was located at the north end of the notorious air battle zone famously known as the “Solomon Slot”… In 1980 the skin was removed from the original horizontal stabilizer during a restoration project

The artifact is located in Huntington Beach, California and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay, which includes a number of additional photos and details on the part’s history.

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Spitfire XVIe For Sale: “13 Hrs Since Complete Restoration”

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

Spitfire XVIe TE392 is available for sale.

The machine was constructed by Vickers-Armstrong in 1945 and did not see wartime service, instead operating with various RAF units until 1952. It was then used for ground instruction before becoming a gate guard at numerous RAF bases. TE392 was acquired by warbird collector Doug Arnold in 1984 and began restoration, however before completion, it had passed to the Lone Star Flight Museum (where it was photographed above in 2002). With restoration complete, TE392 returned to the air in 1999 and performed on the air show circuit until being damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008. The machine was sent for preservation and storage, being sold in 2017 and shipped to Australia. There, Bishopp Aviation completely disassembled the aircraft and completed a 100 point restoration to the highest standard over a two-year period. It returned to the air in January 2020 and currently operates with Fighter Pilot in Brisbane.

TE392 reportedly has 13.0 hrs since comprehensive 100 point restoration (including new wing spars) by Performance Aero (circa 2018-2019) while the Packard Merlin 266 engine has 13.0 hrs SMOH by Vintage V-12s. It includes a Trig VHF Comm, Trig Transponder and Garmin Aera 660 GPS as well as 40 gal (Imp) wing tanks for extended range and an automatic H20 spray bar system in radiators.

The aircraft is currently being offered for £2,490,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: Bill Abbott via Flickr)

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First Look: Airfix’s New Tool Bristol Beaufort, Complete Build

Airfix has released the first images showing a completed example of their upcoming new tool Beaufort Mk.I model kit in 1/72 scale.

The new images focus on the two liveries that will be included in the kit, which represent a Mk.I N1016, piloted by Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell VC of 22 Squadron in 1941 and Mk.I L9866, flown by Sgt. John Bell Rutherford of 217 Squadron, RAF.

As previously reported, additional details on the upcoming kit (A04021) are currently scarce, although it is expected to be released “very early in the new year.” Click below to check out additional images of the complete builds/livery options, as well as the newly revealed box art.

Continue reading First Look: Airfix’s New Tool Bristol Beaufort, Complete Build

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Revell Releases New Bristol Beaufighter Night Fighter Kit

Revell has released its new night fighter version of the Bristol Beaufighter in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the new offering (03854) is a updated version of the new tool Beaufighter (03943) released in 2018 and reportedly includes new parts, a cockpit with consoles and instrument panel, separate rudder, V-tail with separate elevators, detailed Hercules engines and separate ailerons and flaps.

The “Level 5” kit consists of 188 parts and measures 266 mm in length with a 367 mm span.

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Airfix Releases New “Civilian Schemes” Spitfire FR Mk.XIV Kit

Airfix has released its new 1/48 Spitfire FR Mk.XIV model kit which features racing liveries.

The offering (A05139) is based on the new tool FR Mk.XIV kit (A05135) released in 2019 and includes marking options for G-FIRE, (Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England, 1988) and CF-GMZ (‘Edmonton Canada, The Crossroads of the World’, Canada, 1949).

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