Soon to get its U.S. release is the new book The Navigator’s Letter: The True Story of Two WWII Airmen, a Doomed Mission, and the Woman Who Bound Them Together from author Jan Cress Dondi. The book deals with the costliest US air raid of WW2, which occurred over Hitler’s oil fields at Ploesti, Romania on August 1, 1943. It brings to light one of the best untold and dangerous stories of the war, chronicling a moving and heroic story of patriotic duty, familial bonds, brotherhood, and love.

A true story, The Navigator’s Letter is a tale of uncanny coincidences: two friends from the same small Illinois town; both joined the Air Corps; both became navigators; both were assigned to B-24 Liberators; both flew missions over Europe; both of their planes were forced down over Ploesti; and both went missing-in-action.

Intertwined with events of WWII, the story follows the two B-24 navigators coursing through wartime, both with ties to the same woman. Their lives unfurl with the Air Force’s darkest day, Operation Tidal Wave. It was the first-ever zero-altitude air raid, which lead to Operation Reunion, the largest evacuation by air in history repatriating 1,162 POWs from Romania back to American air bases in Italy.

The 400 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release scheduled for February 10.

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DBMK has released the first test build photos for their de Havilland DH.103 Hornet F.1/3 & PR.2 model in 1/32 scale. The company states:

The blitz build is done. We did this to test the construction of the kit. Got to love the Hornet – looks imposing in 1/32 it has to be said. No filler has been used and minimal clean up. The kit is low pressure/limited run so some clean up is required due to the technology. The canopy is high pressure though this was an early test shot prior to finalisation and polishing. Some issue have been identified in the order of construction so it should be easier next time (an example is the ram air intake closure flaps that should be fitted before the wings are joined together). We are sure that you will enjoy building this as much as we have!

As of this writing it appears that a final release date has not yet been announced. Click below to check out additional images.

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A Teratorn Tierra 2 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Aircraft in very good condition. Never crashed. Never damaged. Stored in enclosed trailer. No damage or deterioration to fabric. No repairs to fabric. Overall aircraft in great flying condition. Aircraft is a teratorn tierra II. Two place aircraft. With an upgraded 503 air Cooled rotax. With gearbox.The motor and gearbox only has 12 to 15 hours on it. The overall aircraft has 350 hours of flight time. Again without any problems. Some minor upgrades. Such as electric fuel pump used for takeoff as a precaution only. Extra fuel tank hookup for longer flight time. Ballistic parachute. For blade changeable pitch prop and many other accessories to maintain aircraft. Enclosed trailer included.

The aircraft is located in Hemet, California and is currently available for US $5,500 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos.

A 2005 Zenith CH 601 HDS airframe project has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the aircraft has just 396 total time since 2005 airworthiness certification. It was damaged in a windstorm that flipped it while tied down. Primary damage is limited to canopy glass/frame (factory replacements available), wrinkled wingtips/tailcone/vertical fin/rudder, minor fiberglass cowl scuffs, and seatback upholstery; crucially, the visibly undamaged center wing section/main landing gear, firewall/nosegear, engine mount (set for 120hp Jabiru), belly, and horizontal stab/elevators make it a roll-around repair project equivalent to a super quickbuild kit. Includes intact dash with airspeed/altimeter/engine instruments/switchgear (no avionics or engine), logbooks, FAA paperwork, full assembly manual with part numbers, receipts, and extras—located in Foley, AL storage with 30 days free rent.

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

Coming soon from Crecy Publishing Ltd and author Tony Buttler is American Secret Projects 5: Fighters and Interceptors 1950 to 1980. The new release is a revised and expanded edition of a book published some years ago which looks at American fighter projects that were proposed during the period.

This was an exciting era in terms of fighter development. It was during these years that the jet finally eclipsed the propeller, wings took on entirely new shapes, the ‘sound barrier’ was breached and maximum speeds were multiplied. It was an era in which aeronautical engineering became much more complex but before the computer would come to the designer’s assistance. This meant much more of a ‘try it and see’ attitude to new ideas. Therefore, when an air arm required a new fighter, several design teams could prepare proposals that could be very different from one another.

The topics discussed in detail in the book’s seven chapters include the quest for a long-range interceptor, vertical takeoff aircraft, naval developments and lightweight fighters. Appendices provide listings of all projects that were developed and their specifications. A new separate appendix looks at the Canadian Avro CF-105 Arrow which in many ways matched the work undertaken in the US on long-range interceptors and thus makes an interesting comparison.

The timeframe is fluid as some early projects included originated in the late 1940s. At the other end of the scale, although the design competitions which led to the F-16, YF-17 and F-18 are the final subjects covered in depth, a few projects that followed these fighters are included which again makes the 1980 closing date only approximate. No coverage is given to projects from that point onwards because much of the background is still secret and will probably remain so for a long time.

The 392 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with a February 19 release.

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IBG Models has announced the upcoming release of a Black Box Limited Edition Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb (North West Europe 1941-44) model kit in 1/72 scale.

The offering (72591) will contain two full model kits with two comprehensive sets of 3D printed upgrade parts as well as 18 unique, thoroughly researched marking options. The box will also include four fuselages and four sets of wing upper halves allowing builders to represent any two options of the Mk Vb they choose from the box.

Full list of Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb – North West Europe 1941-44 – Black Box Limited Edition contents:
2x Complete Spitfire Mk Vb plastic model kits (each of them including two different fuselage versions and two different wing upper halves variants)
1x Huge decal sheet with 18(!) marking options (containing 42 roundels and 20 fin flashes to cater for the huge variety included in the box!)
2x 3D-printed cockpit structure insert (with/without additional armour and headrest)
2x Sets of 3D-printed wheels
2x Sets of 3D-printed exhausts (each of them in 4 different variants!)
2x 3D-printed seamless carburetor air intakes
10x 3D-printed rear view mirrors (5 variants, each in 2 copies)
6x 3D-printed gunsights (3 variants, each in 2 copies)
2x Photo-etched frames with some of the smaller details
2x Sets of the most thoroughly researched stencils ever prepared for a Spitfire Mk Vb model in any scale (with separate subsets for Supermarine, CBAF and Westland-produced machines)
2x Sets of painting masks
1x Special bonus

The kit is currently slated for release sometime during the second half of January.

(via IBG Models)

A 1962 Cessna 210B has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1962 Cessna 210B is a high-performance single-engine aircraft offering excellent speed, efficiency, and useful load. Powered by a 260-horsepower IO-470 engine, it cruises at approximately 155 knots while maintaining efficient fuel burn. The aircraft has been hangared, is ADS-B equipped, currently in annual, and has no damage history. Upholstery and exterior paint were redone in the late 1980s, and the aircraft remains a strong, reliable flying example offered due to retirement.

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

A 1951 T-6G project has been spotted for sale. According to the listing, the project (rebuilt from a late‑1940s airframe) is a complete but accident‑damaged aircraft. It is equipped with a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R‑1340‑AN‑1 radial showing about 610 hours since a 2007 Covington overhaul. It features intact dual cockpits, instruments, controls, left wing, tailcone, and much external markings, but with the right wing torn off in a takeoff‑roll runway excursion, associated fire damage under the right side of the fuselage, bent prop blades, wrinkled forward fuselage skins, canopy glass damage, and some gear and control‑surface wrinkling. It has continuous logbooks from its U.S. airworthiness certification in 1984 through a just‑expired annual (12/12/2024, expired 12/31/2025), and Spanish service history with missing Spanish logs. It is offered as a low‑priced project suitable for rebuild to flying or display status, a static or cockpit display, or as a valuable R‑1340 engine and parts donor,

The machine is currently available for US $9,950, although offers are also being accepted. It is stored at Airlake Airport (KLVN) south of Minneapolis with limited free storage and on‑site loading assistance available. Click here to check out the complete eBay listing, which includes many additional photos and details.

A 1969 Cessna 310P has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1969 Cessna 310P is a well-equipped, classic twin-engine aircraft known for its speed, stability, and strong cross-country performance. The 310 series has long been respected for its balance of capability and comfort, making it a solid option for both personal and business aviation. This aircraft features a fresh annual, Garmin GNS 480, new Aspen Pro MAX 1000 with synthetic vision, KX 155, HSI, and a fully coupled three-axis autopilot approved for approaches. Also included are a new Apollo EA100 autopilot interface (not installed), left and right full digital engine readouts (included, not installed), and a new six-place audio panel (included, not installed). Additional highlights include an opening photo baggage door, many spare parts, a six-place oxygen system (no tank), electric door seal, fresh ELT battery, and a GTX-ES transponder for the GNS 480. This aircraft represents a strong example of the legendary 310 platform with valuable avionics upgrades and included components that add significant value and flexibility for the next owner.

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