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The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author James William Marshall is The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2.

Following America’s entry into the Second World War, the USAAF immediately began preparing itself for the battles ahead. One of its new requirements was for a fighter that could fly deep into Europe or over the vast distances of the Pacific. While this included extending the range of all of the USAAF’s tactical aircraft, particularly fighters, in what was called the Fighter Aircraft Range Extension Program, particular attention was given to the North American P-51 Mustang. The ground-breaking American program resulted in the design of the Lockheed P-38J and the North American P-51B, which were both intended to escort USAAF long-range bombers to any target they were tasked to attack. The pair was still in development when the USAAF undertook the infamous raids on the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt in August and October 1943. The only escort fighters available at that time were the shorter-range Republic P-47s Thunderbolts. Continue reading The Lightweight Mustangs: The Best Fighters of WW2

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1970 Cherokee 140 Cruiser For Sale: “Low Time, Fresh Annual Pending”

A 1970 Cherokee 140 Cruiser has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the aircraft (140C) is a well-equipped, upgraded example with 520 hours since major overhaul on its Lycoming O-320E2A engine (and prop). It features newer paint, modern Garmin avionics (GMA 345 audio panel, GNC 355 WAAS GPS/COM with LPV and touchscreen, GTX 330ES ADS-B Out transponder, plus TKM MX-300 nav/comm), and a refreshed interior with later-style “ram’s horn” yokes and improved seating. The Cruiser package adds rear bucket seats and extended baggage space for practical cross-country use, while the 1969+ panel redesign includes a quadrant throttle and standard six-pack layout. The aircraft has about 3,500 hours total time (logs complete since 1995), a fresh annual pending, minor cosmetic hail pings but no airworthiness issues.

The aircraft is located in Cheraw, South Carolina and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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MiniArt Releases Renderings For Upcoming Fw 190D-11 Basic Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a new Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-11 “Basic” model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190D-11 was a late-war variant, part of the “Dora” series and powered by the Junkers Jumo 213F engine with MW 50 boost. It was a heavily armed variant with two 20 mm MG 151 cannon in the wing roots and two 30 mm MK 108 cannon in the outer wings, but it was produced only in very small numbers.

The upcoming release (48072) is described as highly detailed with realistic metal surfaces and panel details and three marking options. Click below to check out additional renderings as well as box art.

Continue reading MiniArt Releases Renderings For Upcoming Fw 190D-11 Basic Kit

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Fisher Flying Products FP-101 Project For Sale: “Full Plans / Instructions Included”

A Fisher Flying Products FP-101 project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This is a partially built Fisher Flying Products FP-101. It was built and flown previously, but then wrecked during a landing when a log was hit in a field. It was then sold and mostly finished and then stored. All the fabric work is done. A rotax 447 engine is installed which has dual carbs and is pull start. A cowling has been mostly fabricated. The interior was not done but a dash has been cut out. The prop is not included. The wing is wired for lights, but no lights are installed. Wing struts are included. It needs some work to finish. This will have to be picked up, I do not have a way to ship it unless it is local delivery. The original windshield is there and could be used as-is or used for a pattern. The full set of plans and instructions is also included.

The aircraft is located in Airway Heights, Washington and is currently available for US $4,995 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Beechcraft Musketeer B19 Sport For Sale: “All Logs, No Damage, Ready to Go”

A Beechcraft Musketeer B19 Sport has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Total time: 5898. Lycoming O 320-D2C 10 hours since completely overhauled to NEW specs. 160 hp. Engine has all NEW parts including new crankshaft. Only the case, connecting rods, and sump are original engine parts. Case overhauled by Divco, and sent to Lycon for the stc modification to install an o ring between case halves, eliminating oil leaks. Engine mount was overhauled and powder coated. All new accessories. New tires. Recent 24 month static, and transponder encoder check. New 406 elt, with battery good till 2031. Great paint, interior is nice. Always hangared. Plane is ready to go! All logs since new, no damage.

The aircraft is located in Three Lakes, Wisconsin and is currently available for US $69,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Eduard Launches Pre-Orders For 1/32 Royal Hybrid P-51B Bursting With Features

Eduard has released new details on their upcoming new tool “Royal Hybrid” P-51B Mustang kit in 1/32 scale.

The premium offering (932011) combines injection-molded, new tool Eduard plastic parts as well as an extensive range of 3D-printed accessories (cockpit, landing gear bays, wheels and landing gear legs, machine gun barrels, exhausts). Also included are pre-painted photo-etched parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with eight marking options for aircraft that served with the USAAF’s 8th and 9th Air Forces during World War II. In addition, the kit boasts a 100-page publication dedicated to the operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. It features stories of aircraft and their pilots, color schemes of more than 100 P-51B and C aircraft, a description of the development of the P-51B, and photographic documentation of pilot equipment.

The kit, which marks the first release in the new Royal Hybrid series, is currently available for pre-order with shipping beginning in the second half of July. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Eduard Launches Pre-Orders For 1/32 Royal Hybrid P-51B Bursting With Features

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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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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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MiniArt to Expand Line of P-47 Kits With Long Range P-47N Model

MiniArt is continuing their line of P-47 kits with the announcement of a new P-47N-2RE Thunderbolt basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

This particular variant was a long-range version of the famous American fighter. Designed for extended operations, the P-47N featured a distinctive wing shape and increased fuel capacity, making it well suited for late-war escort and ground attack missions.

The upcoming kit (48068) is described as highly detailed and accurate with photo-etched parts and marking options for two aircraft. As of this writing the kit is said to be “coming soon,” although an exact release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles and box contents.

Continue reading MiniArt to Expand Line of P-47 Kits With Long Range P-47N Model

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1954 Beech Bonanza For Sale: “Well-Maintained, Upgrades, Complete Logs”

A 1954 Beechcraft Bonanza E-35 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

1954 Beechcraft Bonanza E-35, a well-maintained classic aircraft with desirable upgrades and complete logs. This Bonanza has been converted with a Hartzell hydraulic propeller and features a number of modern improvements, including an upgraded alternator and starter. The aircraft is also equipped with a Garmin G5 HSI and directional guidance system, eliminating the vacuum pump for added confidence during instrument approaches… The aircraft is powered by a Continental E-225-8 engine with approximately 625 hours since major overhaul. Total airframe time is 4,428 hours… This aircraft is also equipped with STC’d HID LED (high-intensity discharge) landing lights on both sides… The aircraft currently has an annual inspection valid through August 2026.

The aircraft is located in Tucson, Arizona and is currently available for US $95,000 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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