Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Mosquito: The Ultimate Guide to the ‘Mossie’

Coming soon from Key Publishing is Mosquito: The Ultimate Guide to the ‘Mossie.’

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was one of the outstanding aircraft of World War Two, making a significant contribution to the Allied victory. Of mainly wooden construction, the ‘Mossie’ was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, and while designed as an unarmed high speed bomber, the ‘Wooden Wonder’ was quickly adapted as a night fighter, a fighter-bomber, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The Mosquito played a pivotal role in the bomber campaign, proving able to carry a 4,000lb bomb to Berlin, while giving its crew a much better chance of surviving the experience! It was also used for a succession of daring low level precision attacks against a range of targets, many of which are described in this amazingly researched 132-page special.

The publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for July 23.

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Eduard Releases New ProfiPACK Edition Bf 110F Model Kit

Eduard has released a new ProfiPACK edition Bf 110F model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Bf 110F was a refined late-war version of the German Messerschmitt twin-engine heavy fighter, powered by more powerful DB 601F engines that improved performance, allowed extra armor, and supported its use in escort, strike, and night-fighter roles. Many pilots regarded it as the best-handling Bf 110 variant, though it still could not match the agility of single-engine fighters in daylight combat.

The kit (7084) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and decals with marking options for five aircraft.

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1945 J-3C Piper Cub Project For Sale: “Entire Aircraft, Complete Logs”

A 1945 J-3C Piper Cub project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

3151.2 TT, C85-8FJ 1657.1 TT. Disassembled for students of Clyde Smith’s Piper Cub Restoration Seminar in Aurora years ago, where he discovered it was rebuilt w/1938 fuselage likely during 1959 repair from wind damage, so will need slight modification to bring back up to 1945 GW rating, if you desire. Left wing and rudder from L4… Engine sitting for 19 years. Needs some minor tube repairs. Wood spars have some checking (splitting) on inboard ends, so may need new spars ($662 for front, $553 for rear, plus freight from Spruce). Aluminum prop. Continuous FAA registration. Complete logs… Entire aircraft, but currently apart.

The aircraft is located in Vacaville, California and is currently available for US $24,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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New Guinea Eagles: The Japanese Air Army Campaign in New Guinea 1942-43

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and author Michael Claringbould is New Guinea Eagles Volume 1: The Japanese Air Army from Rabaul to Wewak October 1942 to September 1943, which chronicles the Japanese Air Army campaign in New Guinea from when its first units arrived in October 1942 until the late September 1943 raids against Nadzab and Port Moresby.

Never before have the rationale, activities and losses of JAAF air power in New Guinea been chronicled in such detail and accuracy. The force operated an impressive range of aircraft types but found it much easier to commit than withdraw from the challenging theatre.

This volume covers Rabaul’s and Wewak’s beginnings as major JAAF bases. The period involved guarding supply convoys, attacking Wau and two major forays into the Solomons. Then by mid-1943 the Allied air war had gravitated towards the burgeoning JAAF airfield complexes spreading out along New Guinea’s northern coast. Two air divisions were combined to create the 4th Air Army in August 1943, and its aircraft soon ventured into the New Guinea Highlands before defending Nassau Bay, Lae and Salamaua. Continue reading New Guinea Eagles: The Japanese Air Army Campaign in New Guinea 1942-43

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Special Hobby to Release New Tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II Kit

Special Hobby has announced an upcoming new tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Baltimore Mk.I and Mk.II were early versions of the twin-engine light attack bomber built for British use in World War II. The Mk.I entered service mainly as an operational training aircraft, while the Mk.II kept the same basic airframe and engines but improved defensive armament, including a revised dorsal gun position, and both were later used in combat in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Details are limited, but the upcoming release (SH48160) will feature box art by Antonis Karidis and decals for B/AG781 from No.55 Sqn. RAF, as well as three other interesting Baltimore Mk.I/IIs.

(via Special Hobby and Scalemates)

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Bristol Beaufighter’s Complete Story Detailed in New Book

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Edward Rippeth is Beaufighter: The Allies’ Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, which tells the whole story of the Bristol Beaufighter – from a particularly overweight ugly duckling to one of the deadliest warbirds of the Second World War.

In many ways the Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter defined the modern multi-role combat aircraft. It was right in the thick of things at various critical turning points of the war, in every theatre. Night fighter, anti-shipping strike aircraft, maritime air superiority fighter and ground attack weapons platform – the Beaufighter redefined every role it took on. This is despite the fact it was a hastily designed lash-up, a modestly performing oversized ‘heavy fighter’, which might easily have been parked with the Westland Whirlwind in obscurity. Continue reading Bristol Beaufighter’s Complete Story Detailed in New Book

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ICM Releases Ski-Equipped Bücker Bü 131 in 1/32 Scale

New from ICM Models is this Bücker Bü 131D (winter version) in 1/32 scale.

The Bücker Bü 131 was widely used by the Luftwaffe throughout the Second World War. The Bü 131D, the third and final production variant, remained in manufacture until 1942. Developed on the basis of operational experience gained with the earlier A and B versions, it incorporated improvements to the engine, control systems, and landing gear.

For operations at winter airfields, Bücker developed dedicated skis (Bücker-Schneekufen), which could be quickly and easily fitted to the aircraft. Bü 131s equipped with skis were extensively used in military flight schools, allowing pilot training to continue even in heavy snow conditions, when conventional wheeled undercarriages were no longer effective.

The new release (32029) is described as a “true to the original” representation of the aircraft’s geometry. It includes high quality 3D printed resin skis, a detailed engine, realistically rendered fabric surfaces and decals with marking options for two aircraft used by German flying schools.

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Hawker Typhoon: Its Service Career and Technical Evolution

Coming soon from Key Publishing and author Jamie Ewan is Hawker Typhoon: The Making of a Ground-Attack Icon.

The Hawker Typhoon was one of Britain’s ‘heavy punchers’ during World War Two – and one instrumental in the allies’ victory in Europe. But flying in the shadow of myriad issues that followed it through its service, the brutish Hawker type is often tarred as a failure. Now, more than 85 years after it took to the sky, we tell of the service career and technical evolution of a fighter that found its true purpose as a low-level ground-attack aircraft – and one that not only filled the enemy with fear, but those who knew and flew it. A workhorse (the pilots of which collectively, embodied a decisive evolution in air warfare as they delivered time after time) we strive to connect new generations with this truly vital piece of heritage

The 116 page, paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for July 9.

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MiniArt Announces Upcoming P-47D-20RA Advanced Kit With Saipan Focus

MiniArt is set to add to their growing line of P-47 variants with an upcoming P-47D-20RA “advanced” kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-20RA was an Evansville-built late-war Thunderbolt variant that kept the P-47’s rugged airframe, eight .50-caliber machine guns, and strong fighter-bomber capability while adding the “universal” wing for bombs or drop tanks and the more powerful R-2800 engine family. It was part of the evolution that made the Thunderbolt one of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ toughest and most versatile WWII fighters.

The upcoming offering (48043) represents the type in service during the 1944 the Saipan campaign and includes PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and marking options for four aircraft.

As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery options, detail parts and sample sprue shots.

Continue reading MiniArt Announces Upcoming P-47D-20RA Advanced Kit With Saipan Focus

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Bomber Crew Escaper: A Wartime Airman’s Fight for Survival and Freedom

Coming soon from Air World and authors Jack Sowter and Ian Richardson is Bomber Crew Escaper: One Wartime Airman’s Story of Baling Out, Capture, Imprisonment and Escape

Sergeant Jack Sowter had joined the RAF in October 1941, originally as a trainee wireless operator. He later re-mustered as a navigator and joined the crew of a Handley Page Halifax of 78 Squadron.

On the night of 27/28 July 1943, Jack’s aircraft, JD 148, was one of 787 bombers tasked with attacking the port of Hamburg as part of Operation Gomorrah. Having successfully unleashed its deadly load on the German city, Jack’s captain, Sergeant Les Maidment, turned for home. However, Maidment could not escape the penetrating beams of the German searchlights, nor the enemy flak. With his aircraft repeatedly hit, Maidment gave his crew the order to bale out. Continue reading Bomber Crew Escaper: A Wartime Airman’s Fight for Survival and Freedom

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