Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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1941 Consolidated Vultee BT-13A Offered For Sale

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

1941 Vultee BT-13A N10458 has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 2775, Military S/N 110458) was reportedly accepted by the Army Air Corps on Dec 6, 1941 and currently has a total time of 3,262 hrs. The machine is said to be equipped with a P&W R-985 AN-12 engine with 429.8 SMOH and 6101A-12 blades with 1,358.6 SPOH. Additional features reportedly include a spare R-985 (800 TSO) and miscellaneous airframe parts.

The BT-13 is located in Belgrade, Montana and is currently available for US $150,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

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Hangar 9 Releases Sport Scale F6F Hellcat RC Model

Hangar 9 has released their new 15cc Sport Scale F6F Hellcat RC model.

As previously reported, The offering is said to boast “realism with the specific needs of the sport pilot,” resulting in a “large model that’s easy to handle and offers the awesome look of a high-performance fighter.” Features reportedly include lightweight, laser-cut balsa and plywood construction, factory-applied UltraCote film covering and realistic markings and graphics with three nose-art decal choices.

The model’s hardware package is touted as offering everything needed for the installation of an internal-combustion or electric power engine, while the fiberglass cowl “provides enough space to conceal any of the recommended engine or motor recommendations.”

Product Page ($299.99)

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Lost Squadron P-38 “Echo” Discovered in Greenland, Recovery Planned for 2019

An ongoing effort led by Jim Salazar and Ken McBride of Arctic Hot Point Solutions and the Fallen American MIA Repatriation Foundation has resulted in the discovery of another P-38 Lightning of the “Lost Squadron.”

The flight, which took place on July 15, 1942, was part of the Allied buildup in Europe known as “Operation Bolero” and consisted of six P-38s and two B-17s. The route toward England would include stops in Labrador, Greenland and Iceland to refuel, however, along the way, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions and were forced to land on a glacier on Greenland’s hazardous east coast. While the crews were rescued by the Coast Guard, the aircraft would remain, eventually being entombed by hundreds of feet of ice. Continue reading Lost Squadron P-38 “Echo” Discovered in Greenland, Recovery Planned for 2019

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Freewing Releases New 70 mm Messerschmitt Me 262 RC Model

Freewing has released an updated version of their 70 mm Messerschmitt Me 262 RC model.

“Version 2” reportedly features upgraded 3048-2150kv brushless outrunner motors, twin 12-Blade 70mm EDFs with metal housing for “high speed maneuvers and realistic jet turbine sound,” as well as a new livery representing “Yellow 7” (B/N 500491) which is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The model is said to be “very nimble with excellent speed and flight characteristics” and reportedly includes super scale features such as a detailed cockpit, authentic graphics, engine vents and machine guns. The model is also touted as offering split flaps for shorter takeoffs and slower landings, nylon hinges on all control surfaces, crash resistant EPO foam with carbon wing spars for enhanced strength and durable, shock absorbing, metal retractable gear.

Check out a demo video below.

Continue reading Freewing Releases New 70 mm Messerschmitt Me 262 RC Model

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C-53 “Beach City Baby” Performs First Taxi Test in 20 Years

Yesterday, C-53 Skytrooper “Beach City Baby” performed a taxi test under its own power for the first time in 20 years.

As previously reported, the aircraft (S/N 41-20095) was constructed by Douglas and was on the factory floor when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred in December 1941. It was delivered to the USAAC in January 1942 and was soon flown to Africa to participate in Operation Torch. The machine also saw service transporting troops and VIPs during the war and completed its service with FEA, Cairo Division.

Following civilian service with Danish Airlines/SAS and a stint as “Buckeye One,” the official state aircraft for the governor of Ohio, the Skytrooper was retired and flown to the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio where it remained until 1990, when it was acquired by Ohio University of Athens and stripped of its engines. Eventually Ken Joseph stepped in and returned it to an airworthy state, obtaining a ferry permit and flying it to Beach City, Ohio in 1992. Continue reading C-53 “Beach City Baby” Performs First Taxi Test in 20 Years

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Pacific Aviation Museum’s Partially Restored B5N “Kate” Moves to New Hangar for Exhibit [Video]

After adding an extremely rare Nakajima B5N “Kate” to its collection of WW2 aircraft back in 2016, The Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii has reported that the machine has been moved to its new home in Hangar 37 as part of a new exhibit.

As previously reported, the B5N was considered the most effective aircraft operating with the Imperial Japanese Navy, and was credited with causing the bulk of the damage sustained by battleships during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

The museum’s restoration shop, located in historic Hangar 79, had begun restoring the aircraft for static display, although a final livery has not yet been selected. The process is reportedly complete for now, and details about the new exhibit are said to be forthcoming.

Click below to check out a video of the recent move.

Continue reading Pacific Aviation Museum’s Partially Restored B5N “Kate” Moves to New Hangar for Exhibit [Video]

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Eduard Releases New Tool Bf 109 G-10 Model Kit

Eduard has released their new tool ProfiPACK edition model kit of the Bf 109 G-10 in 1/48 scale.

The kit (82119) reportedly focuses on “aircraft produced by the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg” and is said to include plastic parts, a painting mask, pre-painted PE parts and marking options representing W.Nr. 130282, flown by Hptm. Franz Wienhusen; W. Nr. 130297, flown by Fw. Horst Petzschler and W. Nr. 130342 of 5./ NJG 11. Liveries for 1./ KG(J) 6 and 13./ JG 27 machines are also included.

Product Page ($52.99)

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Pima Air & Space Museum’s Newly Restored P-40E Goes on Display

Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona has reported that their newly restored P-40E has been placed on display.

The aircraft, which arrived at the museum last September, is reportedly made up from parts of several wrecks recovered from New Guinea, although the museum is identifying it as S/N 41-25163 “Arizona” flown by Lt. Sidney Woods of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group.

The machine has reportedly been moved to its permanent home in the museum’s new Hangar 5 facility. Click below to check out photos of process.

Continue reading Pima Air & Space Museum’s Newly Restored P-40E Goes on Display

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Isaacs Spitfire Mk Vb Offered For Sale

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 2/3 scale Isaacs Spitfire Mk Vb has hit the market.

The aircraft reportedly features an inline engine which eliminates “unsightly ‘bubbles’ which usually house the flat 4 engine in other scale versions” while the cockpit is said to retain “an original spade joy stick with firing button.”

The machine is currently based in Northallerton, United Kingdom and is currently open for bidding. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Nearing Completion, P-39 Project Makes First Outing Into Sunshine Since WW2

Yesterday, Pioneer Aero, Ltd. of Ardmore, New Zealand reported the first outing of their P-39 project into the sunshine “wings on, wheels down” since WW2.

The project (42-20341) is reportedly based largely on an ex-Soviet Air Force P-39Q which was recovered around 1995, although it is also said to feature parts obtained from P-39Q 42-20341. The machine is reportedly owned by Jerry Yagen / Military Aviation Museum and is being restored to airworthy condition as USAAC 220341.

Click below to check out images of the aircraft in its current state.

Continue reading Nearing Completion, P-39 Project Makes First Outing Into Sunshine Since WW2