Tag: model aircraft

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ICM Releases Luftwaffe Night Fighters Model Collection

Newly available this month is ICM’s collection of Luftwaffe night fighters in 1/72 scale. The collection (72209) includes the Bf 109E-4, Do 17Z-10 Kauz II and Fw 189A-1.

Since no aircraft were specifically designed for night combat at the time, the Luftwaffe initially used standard combat aircraft painted in dark colors—such as the Bf 109E-4 operated by Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 (the 1st Night Fighter Wing). For long-range interception of British bombers over British territory, they employed a specially converted Do 17 bomber designated the Do 17Z-10 Kauz II. The aircraft featured an infrared searchlight to help locate enemy aircraft in the night sky.

There are also documented cases of Fw 189 A-1 aircraft being used as night fighters after special modifications, including the installation of FuG 212 radar and an additional MG 151 cannon mounted for forward and upward firing.

The models are touted as having highly detailed cockpits and surfaces and each has its own decal sheet.

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English Electric Canberra B.2 WJ640 Takes Center Stage With New Tool Airfix Kit

Another new tool Airfix release slated for 2026 is a new tool English Electric Canberra B.2 in 1/72 scale.

The kit (A05065) chronicles the service of B.2 airframe WJ640 from 1968 to its retirement in 1981, showcasing the evolving RAF Canberra paint schemes of the era. It was designed based on Lidar scans and original drawings of the full-size aircraft, as well as research input from the Canberra Heritage Trust.

In addition to three livery options worn by WJ640, it will include over 170 parts, detailed cockpit and bomb bay and representation of 1000lb bombs. It is currently slated for release sometime this summer. Click below to check out newly released renderings.

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First Look: MiniArt’s New Tool Fw 190D-9 (Mimetall) Advanced Kit

On the heels of their recently announced Focke-Wulf 190D-9 (Mimetall) Basic Kit, MiniArt has revealed in their 2026 catalog that an advanced version is also on the way.

The 1/48 scale kit (48048) will reportedly include PE parts and three marking options, although additional details, including release date, are currently unknown. Thankfully, a few renderings have been released to give us a glimpse of the model, additional examples of which can be seen after the break.

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Airfix Announces New Tool Junkers Ju52 Model Kit For 2026

Another new tool release announced by Airfix for 2026 is a Junkers Ju52/3mg4e in 1/72 scale.

The newly designed kit (A08022) faithfully replicates the corrugated surface texture on all external surfaces and includes fully detailed interior and engines, oil drum cargo load, wheel chocks for diorama models, options for machine gun armament and undercarriage with or without spats, slide molded canopy to ensure clear definition of window frames and multiple doors and hatches that can be posed open or closed to add life to the model. Decals include livery options for three aircraft.

The new kit is currently slated for release sometime this summer. Click below to check out newly released renders.

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Airfix Announces New Tool Phantom FG.1 With Extensive Details

As part of their 2026 range, Airfix will be releasing a new tool McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The kit (A12015) will boast over 270 parts, including slide molded jet intakes to capture detail on all sides; a comprehensive weapons fit with Skyflash missiles, RN 2-inch rocket pods, Sidewinder missiles, 1000lb bombs as well as external fuel tanks; an extended nose undercarriage leg option and a detailed cockpit / ejector seats. Additional features include modeler aids such as molded paint marks for undercarriage apertures and integral flat tabs on fuselage parts for clamp location to enhance the build experience. Three marking options are also included representing the Royal Navy dark blue scheme of the period.

The kit is currently slated for release sometime this summer. Click below to check out newly released renders.

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First Look: Test Build of MiniArt’s New Tool Fw 190D-9 (Mimetall)

MiniArt has released the first test build photos for their upcoming, new tool Focke-Wulf 190D-9 (Mimetall) basic kit in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the upcoming release (48040) will include an accurate exterior with finely reproduced panel lines and rivets, detailed cockpit with instrument panel and seat, optional open or closed canopy and marking options for two aircraft of Jagdgeschwader 301.

Click below to check out additional test build images.

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Eduard Releases Limited Edition Dual Combo Spitfire Mk Vb With 11 Liveries

New this month from Eduard is a limited edition, dual combo Spitfire Mk.Vb kit in 1/72 scale.

“Spitfire Story: The Sweeps” (2154) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals, pre-painted PE parts, a painting mask and marking options representing 11 aircraft flown by RAF pilots of different nationalities who were fighting over the occupied west part of Europe.

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Eduard Releases New “Hybrid” Avia S-199 Kit With Plastic and Resin Parts

Among Eduard’s January new releases is a Avia S-199 bubble canopy Hybrid” model kit in 1/48 scale.

The aircraft is a late modification of the Czechoslovak-built derivative of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 that replaced the original framed canopy with a clearer, more modern-style “bubble” hood to improve pilot visibility, especially to the rear and sides. This variant retained the S-199’s Jumo 211 bomber engine and generally poor handling but offered a better field of view than earlier S-199s with standard canopies, and it appeared only in relatively small numbers near the end of the type’s service life.

The kit (948012) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with a painting mask and marking options for six aircraft. A number of resin parts are also included, such as the cockpit, wheel wells, exhausts, barrels, antennas, air intake and undercarriage.

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Now Available: ICM’s New Tool Do 217K-2 With Fritz-X

ICM has released their new tool Do 217K-2 model kit in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the Do 217K-2 was a specialized variant of the German Dornier Do 217 bomber, developed during World War II to carry the heavy Fritz X radio-guided anti-ship bomb. To accommodate this advanced weapon, the K-2 featured a significantly increased wingspan (24.8 meters) and was the heaviest in the series at 16,850 kg, making it well suited for precision attacks against naval targets. Its battlefield debut saw it play a crucial role as an early platform for precision-guided munitions, notably leading to the sinking of the Italian battleship Roma.

The new kit is touted as an accurate reproduction of the aircraft’s geometry with two Fritz-X bombs / racks and marking options for three aircraft: Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Summer 1943; Do 217K-2, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943; Do 217K-2, Major Bernhard Jope’s aircraft, III./KG100, Marseilles-Istres, Autumn 1943.

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First Look: DBMK’s 1/32 DH.103 Hornet Test Build

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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