A 1943 C-45H fuselage has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

We saved this Beech 18 from a forest in Norwalk Ohio where it sat for 45 years. This plane was built in 1943 as a AT-7 then converted to a C-45H. We do have the aircraft’s tail as well.

The aircraft is located in Cleveland, Ohio and is currently available for US $4,750 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes several additional photos.

The new book Midnight Flyboys: The American Bomber Crews and Allied Secret Agents Who Aided the French Resistance in World War II shares the untold history of a top-secret operation in the run-up to D-Day in which American flyers and Allied spies carried out some of the most daring cloak-and-dagger operations of World War II.

In 1943, the OSS—precursor to the CIA—came up with a plan to increase its support to the French resistance forces that were fighting the Nazis. To start, the OSS recruited some of the best American bomber pilots and crews to a secret airfield twenty miles west of London and briefed them on the intended mission. Given a choice to stay or leave, every airman volunteered for what became known as Operation Carpetbagger.

Their dangerous plan called for a new kind of flying: taking their B-24 Liberator bombers in the middle of the night across the English Channel and down to extremely low altitudes in Nazi-occupied France to find drop zones in dark fields. On the ground, resistance members waited to receive steel containers filled with everything from rifles and hand grenades to medicine and bicycle tires. Some nights, the flyers also dropped Allied secret agents by parachute to assist the French partisans.

Though their story remained classified for more than fifty years, the Carpetbaggers ultimately received a Presidential Unit Citation from the US military, which declared: “it is safe to say that no group of this size has made a greater contribution to the war effort.” Along with other members of the wartime OSS, they were also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Based on exclusive research and interviews, the definitive story of these heroic flyers—and of the brave secret agents and resistance leaders they aided—can now be told. Written in Bruce Henderson’s “spellbinding” (USA TODAY) prose, Midnight Flyboys is an astonishing tale of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice. The 336 page book is available in hardcover, Kindle, audiobook and audio CD formats.

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ICM has released their new tool HP.52 Hampden B.Mk.I in 1/48 scale.

The kit (48352) includes detailed rivets on surfaces, accurate geometry with detailed cockpit, various types of bombs and marking options for four aircraft, including the first production example. The company has also released an acrylic paint set (3090) for the kit, as well as a step by step build video which can be seen after the break.

Buy on eBay (Hampden kit / eBay)
Buy on eBay (Acrylic Paint Set / eBay)

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A 1963 Cessna 185 has been spotted for sale. The listing states:

This impressive 1963 Cessna 185 taildragger has been expertly converted from a 182G into an Exhibition EXPERIMENTAL aircraft, combining rugged backcountry capability with high-performance flight characteristics. It’s powered by a 260HP turbocharged, fuel-injected engine, delivering consistent power at altitude and cruise speeds up to 180 MPH. The aircraft was converted in 2015 with Murphy Moose heavy-duty gear, 26-inch bush tires, and double-caliper brakes, making it perfectly suited for unimproved or short field operations. It’s IFR and VFR legal, day or night, in any airspace (ADSB-equipped), with the only limitation being no commercial use. The engine has just 100 hours since major rework and 400 hours SMOH, with a freshly balanced and resealed prop at 1 hour SMOH. Other highlights include new tires, extended range 79-gallon fuel capacity, new exhaust system, fresh annual inspection, and new carpet, seats, and paint, giving this aircraft both show-quality appearance and backcountry toughness. This Cessna 185 is a fast, capable, and striking aircraft — ready to go high, go far, and go anywhere.

The aircraft is located in Idaho Falls, Idaho and offers are acurrently being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes several additional photos.

Readers who are familiar with our YouTube channel DX Modelworks will no doubt remember the build log for the Aero Graphics Sopwith Camel, which is (to date), the most popular video on the channel. This is a superb balsa model designed by Dave Causer in 1/16 scale. Now discontinued, the kit is extremely rare and difficult to find – however an example is currently available for bidding on eBay. The listing states:

Lovely model kit of the Sopwith Camel which builds into a very scale flying model, perfect for the indoor flying season. Kit includes laser cut parts and covering tissue. The vac formed cowel is undamaged and the decals are in perfect condition all parts are present and still bagged.

Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes several photos.

An Airdrome Aeroplane Sopwith Schneider or Tabloid kit has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Sopwith Schneider kit for sale. Originally from Airdrome Aeroplanes, the kit from them is $15k. The fuselage is complete. All other parts are here including the fuel tank and wheels. This model is unique in that it’s a side by side two seater. Take your honey flying. Will ship anywhere.

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

MiniArt is continuing their line of P-47 kits with the announcement of an upcoming P-47N-1RE “Advanced Kit.”

The Republic P-47N was the final development of the Thunderbolt family, adapted for long-range escort and fighter-bomber duties in the Pacific theatre. The N-1RE variant introduced the new long-span wing with squared-off tips and extra fuel capacity while retaining the rugged structure and heavy armament of earlier versions.

The upcoming 1/48 release (48062) reportedly includes finely reproduced rivets and panel lines on all surfaces; a fully detailed cockpit with side consoles, instrument panel and seat; optional open or closed canopy; photo-etched parts included for seat belts and fine details; clear parts included for canopy and lights and three decal options.

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

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A 1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Looking for a reliable and classic aircraft that can take you to your desired destination with ease? Check out this 1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35 with a mid-time E-225-8 engine and Hartzell hydraulic constant speed prop. With 6,449 hours, 767 SMOH engine time, and 807 SMOH prop time, this V-tail aircraft is built to fly very well… This aircraft features an upgraded modern panel and comes with a RST audio panel and four-place intercom system built-in… It also has a King KLN 89A GPS with CDI, MX 170B Michel TKM NAV/COM with MD 200-306 CDI, King KT-76A transponder, and Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B out unit (installed December 2022), making navigation a breeze. Plus, it comes with a RAM yoke mount for an Apple iPad, stainless steel screw kit, full cockpit windshield cover, cowling plugs, and pitot tube cover. The 100hr/Annual Inspection was done in November…

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

A 1999 Maule M7 235-C has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

This 1999 Maule M7 235-C is a well-maintained, high-performance aircraft offering excellent capability both on wheels and floats. Featuring an IO-540 engine (replaced with a factory reman during the Lycoming crank AD period) and 1,464 total hours, this aircraft is equipped with a modern G3X panel, GTN 650xi GPS, G5 backup, GTX 345R ADS-B transponder, and electronic engine instruments. Additional upgrades include MT 210 cm 2-blade prop, Bose Lemo plugs, new CiES fuel senders, Andair fuel selector, and refreshed interior components. Freshwater-only use with stable spring gear and 26” tires, this Maule has been meticulously cared for and flies beautifully.

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