Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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First Look: Test Sprues For Arma Hobby’s Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

Arma Hobby has released the first test sprue shots for their completely new tool F4F-3 Wildcat in 1/72 scale.

The company states that even at this stage the surface details, engineering breakdown and overall quality of the sprues align with their design goals. They reflect the F4F-3’s non-folding wings and different placement of the two wing-mounted machine guns compared to later Wildcats. They also include redesigned landing gear making the characteristic Wildcat arrangement much easier to assemble, a complete set of characteristic air intakes for different production variants, two variants of engine cowling and bombs used by VMF-211 Marines on Wake Island and by some U.S. Navy carrier squadrons.

As previously reported, the offering (70090) represents the early Wildcat from the opening months of the Pacific War and is made from completely new molds created specifically for this version. It includes plastic parts, canopy and wheel masks, and a 3D print digital file containing seat with harness, exhaust pipes, landing gear opening mechanism chains, cockpit control lever set, and gun barrels. Decals are also included with marking options for three aircraft: “F-5”, VF-2, USS Lexington, flown by Lt. Albert O. Vorse Jr.; BuNo 4019 “211-F-11”, VMF-211; “F-13”, VF-3, USS Lexington.

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Two New Calendars Offer Nothing But Spitfires For 2027

More 2027 calendars are starting to hit the market as we move towards the second half of the year, and today we are featuring two of them focused entirely on the iconic Spitfire.

The first brings together a striking collection of historical photography from Imperial War Museum collections, offering glimpses of the heroic people who made up the Squadrons, and an example of the poster art of the time. Also featured is Duxford’s Spitfire Mk Ia N3200, which was recovered and restored before returning to the air in 2014. Each photo is accompanied by informative text and a datepad features previous and next month’s views.

The second Spitfire calendar is offered by Avonside Publishing Ltd and showcases the aviation photography of Darren Harbar. It features a large Monday start grid for entering important dates as well as a multilingual grid (English, French, German, Italian & Spanish). It measures 11.6″ x 23.2″ (295mm x 590mm) open.

Click below to check out product links and additional images.

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First Look: Test Parts / Assembly of Airscale’s 1/32 Dornier Do 17Z

Airscale has released a new set of images for their upcoming 1/32 Dornier Do 17Z showing a test print dry fit and box art by Antonis Karydis.

…as if that wasn’t enough excitement, I started printing one – using all the space in my printer I managed to get all the kit parts done. Some of the geometry is a bit pissed, but I should be able to make a pretty good test version for my club’s show at Tangmere (Boxgrove Hall) at the end of the month on the 31st May. The 3D printed clear parts are pretty rubbish so I will likely leave them off and to the side – it will certainly do until I get a test shot

As previously reported, the Do 17 was a German twin‑engine light bomber, nicknamed the “Flying Pencil” for its slim, streamlined fuselage, which was originally designed in the early 1930s as a fast mail and passenger aircraft before being adapted into a military bomber for the Luftwaffe. It served extensively in the early years of World War II, taking part in campaigns over Poland, the Low Countries, France, the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the Soviet Union, where it proved fast and maneuverable but gradually became obsolete due to limited bomb load and range.

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Flying Legends 2027: WW2 Warbirds in Flight Captured by Award Winning Photographer

We’re almost halfway through 2026 and so 2027 calendars are starting to appear. One of them is Flying Legends 2027, which also covers September -December 2026.

The calendar focused on WW2 warbirds in flight and showcases the work of award-winning air-to-air photographer John M. Dibbs. The images measure 17″ × 12″ and are accompanied by crucial stats for each plane, including manufacturer, powerplant, performance, and armament.

The 2027 editions features the following aircraft: Bell P-39-Q6 Airacobra, Curtiss P-47G Thunderbolt, Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, Boeing PT-17 Stearman, Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB, North American Aviation P-51D Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ias, Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3, Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB and De Havilland Mosquito T III.

The calendar is currently available for pre-order with release set for August 11. Click below to check out the product link and additional calendar images.

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MiniArt Releases New Fw 190D-9 “Grünherz” Basic Model Kit

MiniArt has released their new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 “Grünherz” basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

This early-production late-war variant of the Fw 190 was used by Jagdgeschwader 54, whose “Green Hearts” nickname came from its Thuringian heritage. Powered by the Jumo 213 inline engine, it was built to improve high-altitude performance and became one of the Luftwaffe’s fastest and most capable piston fighters, especially in the defense of Germany in 1944–45.

As previously reported, the basic kit (48035) features distinctive late-war Luftwaffe camouflage and two mJG 54 marking options. It is described as detailed, with “clean assembly” and an accurate early production configuration. An advanced version has also been announced for future release.

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Eduard Announces Upcoming “Royal Class” Brassin Hybrid P-51B Model Kit

Set for release this summer is Eduard’s newly announced P-51B Mustang Royal Class Hybrid edition model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B variant was a major upgrade of the North American Mustang, replacing the early Allison engine with the more powerful Packard-built Merlin and dramatically improving high-altitude speed, climb, and range. That made it one of the first truly effective long-range escort fighters for U.S. bombers over Europe, entering combat in late 1943 and helping shift air superiority in the Allies’ favor.

As of this writing, additional details on the kit have not been released, although the announcement was accompanied by a preview of the upcoming liveries, seen above.

(via Eduard)

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MiniArt Announces Fw 190D-9 (Early Production) Advanced Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a Fw 190D-9 (early production) advanced kit in 1/48 scale.

The early-production Fw 190D-9 was the “long-nose” development of the Fw 190A, reworked around the liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine to improve high-altitude performance and interceptor capability. It entered Luftwaffe service in 1944 and was valued for its stronger climb and speed compared with earlier Fw 190 variants.

The kit (48044) captures the distinctive long nose profile of the “Dora” and includes additional details for an enhanced building experience, including PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and decals with three marking options.

Click below to check out additional images, including livery profiles.

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Baptism of Fire: 1939 Combat Debut of Hungarian / Slovak Air Forces Explored in New Edition

Coming soon from Helion and Company and author Csaba B. Stenge is a revised and expanded edition of Baptism of Fire: The First Combat Experiences of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and Slovak Air Force, March 1939, which draws on years of research using scarce surviving archives, veteran reminiscences and rare photographs.

Baptism of Fire explores a little-known but significant episode in the history of Central Europe on the eve of the Second World War: the brief but fierce border conflict that erupted between Hungary and the newly formed Slovak state in March 1939. While the Third Reich’s annexation of Czech territories often dominates history books, Csaba B. Stenge focuses the spotlight on this parallel struggle between a newly independent Slovakia and a revisionist Hungary over the strategically vital territories of Sub-Carpathia.

The narrative provides a meticulous reconstruction of the first aerial engagements of both the nascent Royal Hungarian and Slovak Air Forces. The author explores the early reconnaissance missions, air raids, and ground support operations carried out under difficult weather conditions and with limited resources. The chaos and technical challenges of a burgeoning air war are captured in detail, including the dogfights and the retaliatory bombing raid against the Spišská Nová Ves airfield, exposing the navigational errors and tactical improvisations that defined this ‘baptism of fire’ for both air arms. These engagements reveal valuable insights into military preparedness, coordination, and the realities of evolving midtwentieth-century air combat.

This new edition includes a thoroughly updated text, with additional detail and new insights drawn from further research by the author. The colour profile captions have been revised and extended to include additional technical and operational information on the aircraft depicted, while a number of new colour profiles have been commissioned. The volume is further enhanced by the inclusion of additional photographs and a new appendix, extending the scope and depth of the work.

The 84 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 30.

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DBMK Developing Allison Mustang Kits in 1/32 Scale

DBMK is developing a series of Allison-powered Mustang models in 1/32 scale.

The early Mustang variants were built around the Allison V-1710 engine, which gave them excellent low- and medium-altitude speed, range, and reliability but much weaker high-altitude performance because the engine lost power above about 15,000 feet; they were used effectively for reconnaissance, ground attack, and low-level fighter work, and they helped establish the Mustang’s basic airframe success before the Merlin-powered versions turned it into the famous long-range escort fighter.

As of this writing additional details are non-existent, although the series will apparently include the Mustang I, P-51, A-36, P-51A and F-6.

(DBMK via AeroScale)

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New A6M2-K Zero Trainer Model Kit Released by Eduard

Eduard has released a new “Weekend Edition” A6M2-K model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mitsubishi A6M2-K was a two-seat trainer version of the famous Zero, built to help Japanese Navy pilots transition into flying the highly maneuverable A6M fighter safely. It kept much of the Zero’s light, agile design but added a second seat for an instructor, along with trainer-focused modifications such as a lengthened cockpit area and reduced combat equipment.

The new offering (84211) incudes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft.

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