Tag: plastic model aircraft

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Surface Details Progressing on Airscale’s 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV

Airscale has provided a new update on the development of their 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV kit focusing on surface details.

As previously reported, the Mk IV was the principal later version of the Blenheim light bomber, entering production in 1938 with a longer, redesigned glazed nose that gave the bombardier more room and visibility, plus added armor and more powerful 920-hp Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. Flown by a crew of three, it could carry roughly 1,000 lb of bombs and served widely with the RAF during WW2 in Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Far East. Although fast by mid-1930s standards, it was increasingly vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the war progressed.

There will reportedly be an early version with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters. The October update states that completion of the plastic parts is “getting closer.” Click below to check out the latest renderings.

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Airfix Releases New Tool Phantom FG.1 With Comprehensive Weapons Fit

Airfix has released their new tool McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The FG.1, designated F-4K by its manufacturer, was a British version of the American F-4 Phantom II developed for the Royal Navy as a carrier-based fleet-defense fighter with a secondary strike role. Powered by Rolls-Royce Spey engines, it featured enlarged air intakes, a modified fuselage and an extending nosewheel leg to assist launches from Britain’s smaller aircraft carriers. Delivered from 1968, it served aboard HMS Ark Royal and with the RAF; following the carrier’s retirement in 1978, the remaining naval aircraft transferred to the RAF, where FG.1s continued in the air-defence role until 1989.

The new kit (A12015) boasts 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.

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First Look: Sprues / Box Contents for A&A Models’ New Tool Hughes XF-11 Kits

A&A Models have shared the first sprue test shots for their upcoming, new tool Hughes XF-11 model kits in 1/72 scale.

The XF-11 was a prototype high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft; only two were built. The first prototype (44-70155) flew on 7 July 1946 with eight-blade contra-rotating propellers (two four-blade units per engine), but crashed in Beverly Hills when a hydraulic leak caused the right rear propeller to reverse pitch. The second prototype (44-70156), flown on 5 April 1947, replaced the troublesome contra-rotating props with conventional single four-blade propellers and otherwise retained the twin-boom, pressurized-nacelle layout; it flew without incident but the program was canceled soon after.

As previously reported A&A will release two boxings representing the first and second prototypes. The kits (7250 / 7258) will offer 235 /241 parts with decal sheets and painting masks. Ordering is expected to begin in mid-October. Check out the newly released images below.

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Arma Hobby Releases New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 “Flying Tigers”

Arma Hobby has released their new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the release (70094) is the first in Arma’s new family of 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81, Tomahawk II and P-40B/C kits. It represents the export version of the Hawk 81-A2 operated by the AVG in China during 1941–1942. These aircraft wore a distinctive camouflage scheme based on British specifications and applied using American-made DuPont paints.

The kit offers three Flying Tigers marking options, 3D printed parts and painting masks.

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MikroMir Releases New 1/48 RAF S.E.1 Model Kit

MikroMir has released a new tool RAF S.E.1 model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.1 was a one-off experimental aeroplane built at Farnborough in 1911, conceived by Geoffrey de Havilland and F. M. Green from the remains of a damaged Blériot XII monoplane. Its designation meant “Santos Experimental,” reflecting its unusual canard, or tail-first, configuration, and de Havilland made its first brief flight on 11 June 1911. The machine proved difficult to control; later that year, an inexperienced pilot, Lt. Theodore Ridge, was killed when it stalled and spun during a landing attempt. The S.E.1 was not rebuilt, but it remains historically important as the first aircraft in the Royal Aircraft Factory’s influential S.E. design sequence.

The kit (48-022) includes a 3D-printed engine and photo-etched parts. Check out the product page and box contents below.

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MiniArt Releases New P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit With PE, Three Liveries

MiniArt has released their new P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the P-47M varint was a late-war, high-speed Thunderbolt built for fast interception, using an uprated Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and featuring the dorsal fin on the rear fuselage to improve directional stability with the bubble canopy. It was the quickest production P-47, but engine teething troubles limited its combat use, and it saw service only briefly with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe.

The new kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. PE parts and three marking options are also included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options.

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Airscale’s New Renders Show All Plastic Airframe Parts for Upcoming 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV

Airscale has provided an update on the development of their 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Mk IV kit.

As previously reported, the Mk IV was the principal later version of the Blenheim light bomber, entering production in 1938 with a longer, redesigned glazed nose that gave the bombardier more room and visibility, plus added armor and more powerful 920-hp Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. Flown by a crew of three, it could carry roughly 1,000 lb of bombs and served widely with the RAF during WW2 in Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Far East. Although fast by mid-1930s standards, it was increasingly vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the war progressed.

There will reportedly be an early version with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters. Airscale’s latest update consists of an updated series of renderings as well as a report that states, “these are all the plastic parts, with the exception of the engines. Hopefully I can get this into mouldmaking soon and focus on all the pretty bits in 3D.”

Release is planned for mid 2027. Check out additional renders below.

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A&A Models to Release New Tool Hughes XF-11 Model Representing Both Prototypes

A&A models has announced the upcoming release of a new tool, 1/72 Hughes XF-11 model kit that will be available in two boxings representing the first and second prototypes.

The XF-11 was a prototype high-altitude photo-reconnaissance aircraft; only two were built. The first prototype (44-70155) flew on 7 July 1946 with eight-blade contra-rotating propellers (two four-blade units per engine), but crashed in Beverly Hills when a hydraulic leak caused the right rear propeller to reverse pitch. The second prototype (44-70156), flown on 5 April 1947, replaced the troublesome contra-rotating props with conventional single four-blade propellers and otherwise retained the twin-boom, pressurized-nacelle layout; it flew without incident but the program was canceled soon after.

The kits (7250 / 7258) will apparently offer 235 /241 parts with decal sheets and painting masks. Additional details have not been announced. Photos of the kit sets will reportedly be provided “very soon.”

(via A&A Models)

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Eduard Releases Limited Edition, Dual Combo “Sharks and Stallions” P-40 / P-51 Kit

Among Eduard’s new September releases is a limited edition, dual combo “Sharks and Stallions” P-40N Warhawk and P-51B/C Mustang kit in 1/48 scale.

The new kit focuses on aircraft from the China, Barma and India Theater. In the CBI Theater, the P-40N Warhawk was a rugged, widely used fighter for escort, interception, reconnaissance, and low-level attacks against Japanese forces and supply routes. The later-arriving P-51B/C Mustang brought much greater speed, altitude capability, and range, allowing it to conduct long-range bomber escort and offensive sweeps over Burma and China as Allied operations expanded in 1944–45.

The offering (11200) features Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for 8 aircraft (four each).

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Airscale Details 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Progress With New Renders

Airscale has released a new set of renderings for their upcoming Bristol Blenheim Mk IV kit in 1/32 scale.

As previously reported, the Mk IV was the principal later version of the Blenheim light bomber, entering production in 1938 with a longer, redesigned glazed nose that gave the bombardier more room and visibility, plus added armor and more powerful 920-hp Bristol Mercury XV radial engines. Flown by a crew of three, it could carry roughly 1,000 lb of bombs and served widely with the RAF during WW2 in Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Far East. Although fast by mid-1930s standards, it was increasingly vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire as the war progressed.

There will reportedly be an early version with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters. Airscale’s latest update details the start on the B1 VGO turret, the tailfeathers and the Mercury engine. The developer states “lots more work ahead, but it is a wonderful aeroplane to work on.”

Check out additional renders below.

Continue reading Airscale Details 1/32 Bristol Blenheim Progress With New Renders