Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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First Look: Detail Images of Special Hobby’s New Tool Fairey Albacore Kit

Special Hobby is preparing to release a new tool Fairey Albacore model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Fairey Albacore was a British single-engine biplane torpedo bomber developed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish, but it ended up serving alongside it rather than supplanting it. Used by the Fleet Air Arm during World War II, it carried a three-man crew and handled torpedo attacks, bombing, reconnaissance, and anti-shipping work before being withdrawn from frontline service in 1945.

Deatils about the upcoming kit (SH72152) are currently scarce, although the company states that it is nearing completion and will offer four marking options. Images of the decals and cockpit renderings have also been released. Click below to check them out.

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Eduard Releases Limited Edition Spitfire Mk.I Kit With 11 Liveries, Book Included

Among Eduard’s new releases for June is a limited edition “Battle of Britain” Spitfire Mk. I model kit in 1/48 scale.

The offering (11197) represents the iconic Spitfire in the early stages of its development and during the most notable stretch of its service: the Battle of Britain. It includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with 11 marking options. Also included is a book about the Spitfire Mk.Is in Battle of Britain written by Pavel Beránek. The book covers the technical development of the aircraft, the evolution of camouflage and markings, pilot equipment, and a detailed guide to building the model.

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

Following recently released images showing a test print dry fit, Airscale has shared the first printed test build of their upcoming injection molded 1/32 Dornier 17 kit.

The clear parts are printed too and are very poor, the IM parts will be perfect. It was a valuable exercise as I found 30 design changes to improve fit and finish and it also helps to see it ‘in the flesh.’ When I get the moulded test shot parts in September, I will build a proper test shot – this one has a lot of geometric flaws from trying to print such large thin parts and the rivets and panel lines are half arsed, but it still looks the part.

Pre-orders are expected to launch in December limited to 100 kits. Click below to check out additional images.

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Follow the 9th Bomb Squadron Into WW2’s Most Dangerous Flying Conditions

Coming soon from McFarland Publishing and author Charles B. Kastner is To War and Back with the 9th Bomb Squadron: In the Skies Over Burma, Thailand, and China in 1945:

Written by his son, and incorporating his father’s stories, personal papers, and original research, this work follows Lt. Walt Kastner from the start of World War Two until its end. Walt joined a new B-24 bomber crew that fought with the 9th Bomb Squadron from its base in India during the drive to liberate Burma from the Japanese Army. His air crew attacked Japanese troop concentrations that barred the advance of the British 14th Army and flew missions deep into Thailand, including attacking the Burma-Siam Railway, the crucial rail link that carried supplies that fed and equipped the Japanese Army in Burma–a railway made famous by the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai. When air combat ended in May 1945, the squadron moved to Assam in eastern India where they hauled aviation gasoline over “the Hump” to the 14th Air Force in China, exposing them to the most dangerous flying conditions in the world.

The 155 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for August 21.

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Air Battles Over the Baltic 1941: Revised and Expanded Third Volume Coming Soon

The third revised and expanded installment in a four volume series on Air Battles over the Baltic 1941 is scheduled for release shortly from Helion and Company and author Mikhail Timin.

Volume 3 of Air Battles Over the Baltic 1941 turns to the Luftwaffe and the German preparations for Operation Barbarossa, examining in unprecedented detail the aerial build-up to the invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941. Drawing extensively upon German and Russian archival sources, Mikhail Timin reconstructs the strategic planning, reconnaissance operations and combat deployments that shaped the opening hours of the war in the Baltic theatre.

The volume examines the composition and disposition of Luftwaffe forces assembled against the Baltic Special Military District, including bomber, fighter and reconnaissance formations tasked with achieving immediate air superiority. Particular attention is paid to the activities of the secretive Rowehl reconnaissance units, whose pre-war aerial intelligence-gathering operations over Soviet territory enabled the Germans to identify Soviet airfields, infrastructure and troop concentrations in remarkable detail. Continue reading Air Battles Over the Baltic 1941: Revised and Expanded Third Volume Coming Soon

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Eduard to Release Limited Edition PBY-5A Kit With Resin Upgrades

Eduard has announced the upcoming release of a limited edition PBY-5A Catalina model kit in 1/48 scale.

The PBY-5A was used as an amphibious patrol bomber in WW2 and was known for its long range, endurance, and versatility in roles like submarine hunting, convoy escort, search-and-rescue, and night attack. It was one of the most important Allied maritime aircraft of the war and could operate from both water and land thanks to its retractable landing gear.

The upcoming release will include Revell plastic parts, PE parts, five marking options and resin upgrades including wheels, exhausts, and antenna mounts. It is currently slated for release in July. Click below to check out livery profiles.

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Airfix Commemorates D-Day With New Hawker Typhoon / Eurofighter Typhoon Twin Pack

Airfix recently released a Typhoon twin pack model kit containing a Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 “Moggy” and Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib in 1/72 scale.

The offering (A40001) boasts 117 pieces and D-Day liveries for each aircraft. The Hawker Typhoon representing 1944 No.257 (Burma) Squadron and the Eurofighter Typhoon representing ZJ913 of the RAF Typhoon Display Team from the 2024 season.

The striking design on Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ913 was inspired by the RAF No.257 (Burma) Squadron Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib, piloted by Officer Denzil Jenkins during the D-Day landings on 6th June 1944, featuring the iconic black and white identification stripes that were a hallmark of Allied aircraft over Normandy on D-Day. This was a brilliant move by the RAF PR team, and this aircraft captivated millions during the subsequent airshow season, at commemorative events in both the UK and France, and during a successful Canadian tour.

The kits are rated as level 2 builds, making them ideal for modelers ages 8 and above.

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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.

Click below to check out additional images.

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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.

Click below to check out additional images.

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