Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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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.

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

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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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Check Out Border Model’s New Tool P-51D Kit That Comes Entirely Pre-Painted

Border Model has announced the upcoming release of a new tool P-51D Mustang kit in 1/35 scale.

What makes this model (BF-015) especially unique is that it’s pre-painted with a metallic aluminum base color and with complex internal sections all finished in advance. That means no tedious painting required. Beyond this the kit offers rivet lines, subtle stressed skin texture and a complete interior. Additional features include PE parts, two types of drop tanks and decals with four marking options.

As of this writing, it appears that no release date has been announced. Click below to check out box contents and additional images.

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New Book Takes Readers on International Exploration of Aircraft Graveyards

Coming later this year from Pen & Sword and author Lorraine Evans is Boneyards of Steel: Exploring the World’s Aircraft Graveyards, which unearths the remains of aircraft in some of the planets most inhospitable regions.

The study of aviation graveyards is a much maligned area of death research. The final resting place of sizeable non-organic beasts is routinely overlooked, yet it is still, in every respect, a graveyard and deserves to be recognised as such. From an extensive desert necropoli to a war-torn underwater mausoleum, very little of the world remains untouched by the boneyard phenomenon, and less has been written about these remarkable cemeteries. With a significant percentage still languishing in ‘Top Secret’ facilities, hidden behind barbed wire-fences and gated perimeters, it is hardly surprising. Nonetheless, advancements in technology has enabled those with an adventurous spirit, armchair or otherwise, to peel back these layers of secrecy and take a sneaky peak at the skeletal remains of once aeronautic marvels, the findings of which are truly astonishing.

The 224 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 30.

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Eduard Releases ProfiPACK Spitfire Mk. Vb With PE Parts, 7 Liveries

New this month from Eduard is a ProfiPACK edition Spitfire Mk.Vb model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Mk.Vb was powered by the Merlin 45 engine and distinguished by its B-type wing with two 20mm Hispano cannon and four .303 Browning machine guns. It served as an important stopgap in 1941, giving Britain a highly capable interceptor before being overtaken by later Spitfire marks.

The new Eduard release (70206) represents mid-production versions with armored glass before the windshield and asymmetrical wing bulges. It includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for seven aircraft.

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