Coming soon from Osprey and author Tony Holmes is The Last Catfight: The F-14 Tomcat’s final combat cruise, a lavishly illustrated celebration of the much loved workhorse of the US Navy – the F-14 Tomcat – and a unique insight into its crucial final operational tour over the skies of Iraq.

The Last Catfight charts the combat experiences of the US Tomcat crews that took the jet into action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying hundreds of missions all over strife-torn Iraq to try to ensure the safety of Coalition troops on the ground. The F-14 units played a key part in protecting the polling stations during two vital government elections held in 2005, and were also in the vanguard of Operation Steel Curtain, when the US Marine Corps went head-to-head with al-Qaeda near the Syria/Iraq border.

Combat accounts from the men and women flying these missions bring the F-14’s exploits to life as Grumman’s last fighter is put through its paces in the world’s most demanding combat environment. Whether conducting convoy patrols, looking for IEDs, chasing insurgents through the streets of Baghdad, destroying bomb-making factories or strafing and bombing enemy strongholds, the Tomcat was never found wanting thanks to the professionalism of the crews and the new technologies debuted by the iconic naval fighter on its very last cruise.

Aviation author and editor Tony Holmes has interviewed the commanding officers, pilots and radar intercept officers, and their first-hand accounts are featured alongside a stunning array of colour photos.

The 320 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for February 12.

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Das Werk has announced the upcoming release of a new tool Messerschmitt Me 262 in 1/32 scale.

The new kit (32003) will reportedly include easy build engineering with a single piece lower wing, fully posable flaps, slats and control surfaces, and highly detailed cockpit, wheel wells and Mk 108 cannon bays. In addition, the company will be releasing a separate, complimentary set of three German WW2 mechanics usable in maintenance scenes with lifelike poses.

As of this writing, the exact release dates have not yet been announced. It is only stated that they will be released “later this year.” Click below to check out an additional image.

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A 1962 Beech 23 Musketeer project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This classic 1962 BEECH 23 MUSKETEER N2301Z has been stored in a community hangar in Lorain County Regional Airport in Elyria, Ohio. Four-seat light cabin aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear, Single-engine, low-wing design, Two-blade fixed pitch propeller, pilot manual and specs included. Lycoming 0-320 series reciprocating engine. Last oil change with engine start in May 2020. Last formal inspection 1991. Radio and instrument panel need updated. Full Log books and service records available.

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

Newly released from author Bert Kinzey is P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3: P-51D and Subsequent Variants, the final book in a trilogy of titles covering the P-51 Mustang in the Detail & Scale Series of books. Part 1 provided a look at the early Allison-engined Mustang variants, and Part 2 covered the first of the Merlin-powered versions up through the P-51C. This final part takes a look at the late single-seat Mustang variants from the P-51D and its near twin, the P-51K, through the P-51H.

The book begins with a brief historical summary of the development and operational use of these later versions of the P-51. This is followed by a chapter that is divided into eight sections, each of which takes a closer look at one of the later variants. This includes the fighter variants and the photographic-reconnaissance versions derived from them. But the primary emphasis and focus of each title in the Detail & Scale Series is an extensive look at the details of the aircraft. The Late Mustang Details chapter is divided into two sections: one on the P-51D and P-51K, and a second on the P-51H, which illustrates the differences and similarities of this, the final single-seat Mustang variant to enter production, compared to the more numerous and better-known P-51D and P-51K. In all, the huge details chapter contains more than 150 photographs. These are a combination of scores that were taken specifically for this publication and many vintage photographs from North American’s archives and other sources. As with all books in the Detail & Scale Series, the last section is devoted to scale modelers. It provides a good look at the many kits of these late Mustang variants now available in all the standard modeling scales, as well as some classic older kits.

P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3, has 305 high resolution photographs, 266 of which are in full color, with 16 drawings and seven color profiles.

The 102 page publication is currently available in paperback format and will likely be an indispensable resource for modelers and P-51 enthusiasts.

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As part of their 2026 range, Airfix will be releasing a new Westland Lysander Mk.III Special Duties model kit in 1/48 scale.

In 1941, the RAF issued a requirement for around 40 of their Westland Lysander communications aircraft to undergo modification in support of a new clandestine role, which they described as ‘Special Duties’. The aircraft had defensive armament removed and have their range increased by adding a larger oil tank internally, and an external 150 gallon fuel tank under the fuselage.

The gunner’s compartment was also modified by adding a rear-sliding single piece canopy, and room to accommodate up to three people inside. A robust ladder was fixed to the port-side fuselage to allow passengers to quickly enter and exit the aircraft when they were engaged in this new ‘Spy Taxi’ role.

The new kit (A07117) is based on Airfix’s 2025 new tool Lysander (A07116 / eBay product link), but will feature newly tooled components specific to the ‘Special Duties’ version, including a rear cockpit access ladder, 150-gallon internal auxiliary fuel tank, ventral 150-gallon long-range fuel tank, rear passenger seating, New spinner, IFF Mk.III lower-rear aerial and a female agent figure. The kit is currently expected sometime this summer. Click below to check out newly released renderings.

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A 1979 Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This is a well-maintained piston single aircraft offering strong performance and modern avionics. It shows approximately 3,265.8 total airframe hours and 1,636 hours since major engine overhaul. A recent annual inspection was completed in June 2025 with no hours since. Avionics include Garmin G5, GTN650, GNC255, GMA345, and Appareo Stratus ESG ADS-B. The aircraft cruises at approximately 172 knots and includes wing and canopy covers and a premium Lightspeed headset.

The aircraft is located in Round Rock, TX and offers are currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

Soon to be released by Osprey Publishing is Malcolm V. Lowe’s Fw 190 Jabo Units in the West (Combat Aircraft, 160), an illustrated study of the Luftwaffe’s iconic Fw 190 Jabo units and their high-speed, low-level attacks on the south coast of England.

The service debut of the Fw 190 in the late summer of 1941 marked a quantum leap in the Luftwaffe’s capability to oppose the RAF on the Channel Front. Conceived to be purely a fighter, the type soon revealed its potential as a Jabo fighter-bomber, and the manner in which it was used matured from the ad hoc style of its early operations to highly effective ‘hit-and-run’ coastal raids. This progress was aided both by frequent refinements from Focke-Wulf and the development of sub-types designed specifically for air-to-ground operations, equipping the Fw 190 to deliver useful munitions loads and also to look after itself when meeting British fighter interception.

This engaging study sees Luftwaffe historian Malcolm V. Lowe chart the action-packed history of the Fw 190 Jabo force on the Channel Front. Following the aircraft from its origins to its successful strikes on valued targets on England’s south coast and eventual combat during D-Day, the text complements first-hand accounts from both Luftwaffe pilots and their RAF opponents with photographs from private archives and 24 specially commissioned profile artworks.

The 96 page publication is currently available for pre-order in paperpack and Kindle editions with release slated for February 24.

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LukGraph has announced the upcoming release of their new tool Blackburn Shark Mk.II model kit. The kit will be available in wheeled and float versions and in both 1/32 and 1/48 scales.

The Blackburn Shark Mk.II was a British carrier‑borne biplane torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft of the mid‑1930s, serving with both the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Powered by a 760 hp Armstrong Siddeley Tiger VI radial engine, it typically carried a crew of two or three and could reach about 150 mph with a range of roughly 600 miles while hauling either an 18‑inch torpedo or an equivalent bomb load. Developed from the earlier Shark Mk.I, the Mk.II incorporated reliability and systems improvements and was adaptable to both wheeled and floatplane configurations, operating from carriers and warship catapults. Entering service around 1935, it was soon overshadowed and progressively replaced in frontline roles by the Fairey Swordfish, but continued for several years in secondary duties such as training, reconnaissance, and target towing.

The upcoming kit will introduce what is described as “a new technological solution:” the wings and floats will be designed in split sections (upper and lower parts) to reduce the overall weight of the model, making the build more comfortable while maintaining excellent detail and quality.

As of this writing, further details (including release date) have yet to be announced. However a series of renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen after the break.

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A 2010 Czech Sport SportCruiser (Piper Sport) has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This is a clean, well-maintained light sport aircraft with 1,276 total airframe hours and a proven Rotax 912ULS 100 HP engine. The aircraft has no damage history, has always been hangared, and was never used for flight training. Avionics include Dynon D100 and D120 PFD/MFD, Dynon AP74 two-axis autopilot, Garmin SL30 NAV/COM, GTX 335 ADS-B Out transponder, Garmin GDL50 ADS-B In, Garmin Aera 796 GPS, and a PM3000 audio panel. The aircraft is equipped with a Sensenich three-blade propeller and has recently received updates including replacement fuel sensors and fuel pressure sensor, with new fuel lines currently being installed. Recertified as an ELSA with an increased useful load, this SportCruiser presents in excellent condition inside and out with complete logbooks available. Annual inspection is current through September 30, 2026.

The aircraft is located in Duncan, OK and offers are currently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.