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Sim Developer Flight Replicas Releases Screenshots of Upcoming Handley Page Halifax

Flight Replicas, which creates “high quality simulator aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator FSX and Lockheed-Martin’s P3D” has released new screenshots of their upcoming Handley Page Halifax Mk.III.

The aircraft is still a work in progress and additional details are scarce, although the package will reportedly include a representation of the HP.70 Halton civilian Halifax variant.

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Sim Developer Flight Replicas Releases Screenshots of Upcoming Handley Page Halifax

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IWM’s Hawker Hurricane Gate Guard Returns With New Livery

Earlier today, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford returned their Hawker Hurricane gate guard to display with a new livery.

As pictured above, the reproduction previously wore the markings of P2954 of 302 (Polish) Squadron flown by Tadeusz Pawel Chlopik, RAF (Polish Air Force). The new colors represent V7467, flown by Douglas Bader of 242 Squadron, RAF.

Click below to check out a photo of the Hurricane’s new appearance.

Continue reading IWM’s Hawker Hurricane Gate Guard Returns With New Livery

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Model Aircraft Turbine Engine Vs. Synthetic Zombie Head [Video]

As part of quest to build a flying Iron Man suit, YouTubers “the Hacksmith” acquired a model aircraft turbine engine that is expected to provide the majority of the proposed suit’s thrust.

As part of the process, the team conducted a safety test that involved studying the effects of the engine’s heat. To do so, they positioned a synthetic Ivan Head zombie analog directly behind the engine and fired it up. The result is a perfect illustration of why turbine engine safety guidelines should be closely followed.

Check out the video below, and (needless to say) don’t try this at home.

Continue reading Model Aircraft Turbine Engine Vs. Synthetic Zombie Head [Video]

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Spitfire to Arrive at Australian Home Following 10 Year Restoration

Fighter Pilot Adventure Flights, a Brisbane, Australia-based flight adventure company, has announced that their Spitfire Mk XVI (TE392) is about to arrive following a 10-year restoration.

The aircraft operated with the Royal Air Force and served as a gate guard at numerous RAF bases (including Wellesbourne Mountford, Waterbeach, Kemble and Credenhill) before being acquired by Warbirds Of GB, Ltd. and partially restored. It passed through the hands of several additional owners before arriving at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Texas, where it was restored to airworthy condition. It returned to the air in December 1999 but was damaged by flooding caused by Hurricane Ike in 2008.

The current restoration is nearing completion and Performance Aero will reportedly reassemble the aircraft and apply finishing touches before its expected arrival next week. It is expected to grace Australian skies by August of this year.

(via Fighter Pilot Adventure Flights Additional Information via Warbird Registry Photo: Bill Abbott via Flickr)

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Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Screenshots of Upcoming Avro Lancaster for FSX, P3D

Flight simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has released the first “in development” screenshots of their updated Avro Lancaster for FSX, FSX S/E and P3DV3+.

As previously reported, Aeroplane Heaven’s new Lancaster is touted as incorporating their latest tech and techniques to “bring you what will be your chance to experience just what it was like to fly and crew this legendary machine in the skies of the latest simulators.” Its exterior will reportedly boast “a massive amount of authentic detail” along with many unique animations and a highly detailed virtual cockpit that will include the front turret and bomber’s compartment, engineer and nav station and radio operator’s positions.

The newly released images show “the front offices” and “a flying exterior with all detail done except for a few bits and bobs. Also a new technique for achieving the pillowing on the metal panels.” Click below to see more.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Screenshots of Upcoming Avro Lancaster for FSX, P3D

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Hangar10 Collection Adds Newly Restored, Airworthy Bf 109 G-14

The Hangar 10 Collection has reportedly added a new Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-14 to its collection on the Pomeranian island of Usedom.

In 2017, the aircraft (S/N 462707) was fully restored to airworthy condition by Rare Bird Aviation near Vienna, Austria. It arrived at Hangar10 on February 5th and has since joined the collection’s G-6 (S/N 440738) and G-12 (S/N 440738), both of which are currently available for sale.

Hangar10 states that the new G-14 “shines” with its original DB 605 engine and reports that they are looking forward to admiring all three machines in a “messerschmitt formation in the sky above the island of usedom.”

Click below to check out newly released photos.

Continue reading Hangar10 Collection Adds Newly Restored, Airworthy Bf 109 G-14

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Original Spitfire XVIe of “Unparalleled Quality” Hits the Market

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

Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire XVIe S/N TB252 (N752TB), deemed “one of the most original Spitfires surviving today” is now available for sale.

The aircraft was built in the Castle Bromwich factory in January 1945 and served with the Belgian Air Force and the Royal Air Force before becoming a gate guardian in 1955. It was reportedly traded to Historic Flying in 1988 in “100% complete and original” condition and “still had the parachute sitting on the seat from when it was last flown 35-40 years prior.”

In 2002, TB252 was acquired by a new owner and transported to Avspecs, Ltd. in New Zealand, where it is currently undergoing a complete restoration with “no expense spared” in order to make it “the best Spitfire possible.”

The Packard Merlin 266 engine, the same engine it last flew with in military service, reportedly has 0 hrs SMOH by Vintage V-12s (completed in 2017) as does the Dowty Rotol propeller, which was overhauled by Skycraft and has new blades by Hoffman. The airframe is said to have been completely re-riveted with new skins, new main spars, and “everything 0 timed.”

The Spitfire is currently being offered for US$2,500,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: Steve Fitzgerald via Wikimedia Commons)

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Spotted: Renderings of Hobby Boss’ Upcoming 1/32 B-24J Model

Hobby Boss revealed what appears to be renderings of their upcoming new tool B-24 Liberator at the Nuremberg Toy Fair earlier this month.

Little is known about the model at the moment, although there will reportedly be two offerings representing the B-24D (83212) and B-24J (83211), both in an impressive 1/32 scale. A release date is not yet known, although Scalemates suggests it could be sometime this year.

(via Trumpeter/Hobby Boss and Scalemates)

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Eduard Reports Progress On Upcoming New Tool Hawker Tempest Model Kit

Following their initial announcement at the E-Day International Scale Kit Exhibition last October, Eduard has reported progress on their upcoming new tool Hawker Tempest Mk.V model kit in 1/48 scale.

In addition to new renderings, the company has released potential marking options for the kit, which include JN751 of 150 Wing, SN129 of 486 Squadron, NV724 of 3 Squadron, SN228 of 122 Wing and EJ588 of 501 Squadron.

The new details were reported at a press conference at Nuremberg which provided an overview of new products planned for 2018. A final release date for the new Tempest has not yet been reported.

Click below to check out the new images.

Continue reading Eduard Reports Progress On Upcoming New Tool Hawker Tempest Model Kit

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First Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]

Earlier today, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution released a new teaser for the upcoming film Hurricane, which reportedly tells “the untold true story of Squadron 303” and “the Polish fliers who found themselves fighting for the freedom of their own country in foreign skies.”

Flying Hurricanes for the RAF over Britain, they became a key component in the legend of ‘The Few’. Up against the might of the Luftwaffe they hoped that, by saving Great Britain from Nazi invasion, they were keeping the dream of a free Poland alive. In the lethal melee above England in that summer of 1940, they fought with a tenacity and skill that earned them the admiration of the whole British nation. The dogfights against superior planes cost some of the men their lives.

The story is experienced through the eyes of fighter ace and adventurer Jan Zumbach, played by Iwan Rheon (Game Of Thrones, Misfits, Inhumans) who discovers that “becoming the best in the RAF is a hollow victory for the Poles,” as “even in a man’s finest hour, cynical political manoeuvrings can destroy his hopes, strip away his dignity and lead him to a very dark place indeed.” Continue reading First Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]