Tag: plastic model aircraft

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MiniArt Releases New Fw 190D-9 Advanced Model Kit

MiniArt has released their new Fw 190D-9 (early production) advanced kit in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the early-production Fw 190D-9 was the “long-nose” development of the Fw 190A, reworked around the liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine to improve high-altitude performance and interceptor capability. It entered Luftwaffe service in 1944 and was valued for its stronger climb and speed compared with earlier Fw 190 variants.

The kit (48044) captures the distinctive long nose profile of the “Dora” and includes additional details for an enhanced building experience, including PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and decals with three marking options. The company also released a basic version of the kit in May.

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Eduard Releases New “Weekend Edition” MiG-21F-13 Fishbed

New this month from Eduard is a “Weekend Edition” model kit of the MiG-21F-13 Fishbed in 1/48 scale.

The type was the first major production version of the Soviet MiG-21, a single-engine, supersonic day interceptor with a distinctive tailed-delta wing design that gave it strong speed and climb performance. Entering service in 1960, it was relatively compact, used the Tumansky R-11F-300 engine, and was armed with one 30 mm cannon plus early infrared air-to-air missiles, making it a simple but highly influential Cold War fighter.

The new offering (84213) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for five aircraft.

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ICM Pays Tribute to the Last B-26 Marauder With New Model Kit

ICM has released their new “Last Marauder” model kit representing B-26G-25-MA 44-68254 “Tail End Charlie,” which was The final B-26G bomber of the legendary Marauder series to roll off the production line.

The aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 1945 and became a symbolic link between the beginning and the end of the Marauder production story. It was flown by test pilot Pat Tibbs, while the co-pilot’s seat was occupied by Ken Abel — the company’s chief designer, who had also taken part in the first flight of the original production B-26 five years earlier. As a result, Abel became one of the very few pilots to have flown both the first and the final aircraft of a series that ultimately totalled 5,266 machines.

The last Marauder never saw combat service. On 10 May 1945, just two days after Germany’s surrender, the aircraft was officially transferred to the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air). Since active hostilities in Europe had already ended, the aircraft was assigned to the CEAM Test Centre at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base.

Serving with the French Air Force, ‘Tail End Charlie’ was used for nearly four years for technical evaluation flights and transport duties. According to archival records, the service life of the final B-26 Marauder came to an end in April 1949, when the aircraft was officially written off.

The kit (48329) faithfully reproduces the geometry and proportions of the original aircraft and includes a detailed cockpit and fuselage interior equipment as well as decals reproducing “Tail End Charlie’s” markings.

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New Book Offers Extensive Reference Material for Modeling the BAC Lightning

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Geoff Coughlin is Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning.

The English Electric Lightning, the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, entered service in 1960 and was at the heart of UK and RAF Germany air defence until its retirement in 1988. It was an instant favourite at air shows, thrilling audiences with its incredible manoeuvrability and rate of climb. Indeed, the vertical climb out after take-off became the aircraft’s signature manoeuvre.

The Lightning served with many RAF squadrons during the Cold War and bore a wide variety of brightly coloured unit markings, with the most famous being the red and white markings worn by the ‘Firebirds’ display team. As camouflage became more appropriate, flamboyant squadron schemes gave way to tactical green/grey upper surfaces, and then to various shades of grey, making the aircraft harder to detect in visual combat.

Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning contains extensive reference material, including colour profiles and close-up photographs, as well as multiple in-depth step-by-step scale model builds featuring the wide range of schemes worn by the type. All the main scales are covered, with special attention given to detailed features to help you enhance your scale model builds of this iconic Cold War fighter.

The 160 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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Two New Spitfire Kits Plus Detail Pack Coming From IBG in July

IBG Models has announced the upcoming release of Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb and PR Type G model kits in 1/72 scale.

The Mk.Vb was built around the Merlin 45 engine and the “B” wing. It was typically armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannons and four .303 machine guns. The aircraft was a widely used stop-gap that gave the RAF a strong, versatile interceptor through 1941–43, including tropical versions for desert service. The PR Type G was a photo-reconnaissance Spitfire variant, stripped of combat armament in favor of cameras and extra fuel for long-range intelligence work.

The kits: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop Over North Africa (72592) and Supermarine Spitfire PR Type G: Playing with Death (72600) will reportedly be available after July 5. Also coming is an ESSENTIALS detail pack (80003) for the Mk.Vb Trop with Vokes Filter. Click below to check out additional images.

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LukGraph Announces Upcoming Hansa-Brandenburg CC in Multiple Scales, Variants

LukGraph has announced the upcoming release of a Hansa-Brandenburg CC in both 1/32 and 1/48 scales.

The Hansa-Brandenburg CC was a single-seat fighter flying boat developed by the Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturer Hansa-Brandenburg during World War I. Designed for coastal defense and maritime patrol duties, it became one of the most successful seaplane fighters operated by the Austro-Hungarian Navy.

The new offerings will represent both early and late production versions: the early version equipped with a single machine gun / original engine cooling arrangement and the late variant fitted with two machine guns mounted on the fuselage.

As of this writing additional details have yet to be announced, although several renderings have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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Arma Hobby to Release New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 With Flying Tigers Liveries

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 was one of the most recognizable versions of the Curtiss P-40 fighter, made famous by the pilots of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), known worldwide as the Flying Tigers. Their distinctive shark-mouth nose art, combat operations over China, and the tactics developed by General Claire Chennault made these aircraft icons of the early air war in the Far East.

The upcoming 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. Three Flying Tigers marking options will be included.

As of this writing additional details are limited. Release is planned for some time this summer. Click below to check out the box art.

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Sword Models to Release New Tool AF-2 Guardian “Hunter” and “Killer” Kits

Sword Models in preparing to release a new tool models of the AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” in 1/72 scale.

The Grumman AF-2W Guardian “Hunter” and AF-2S Guardian “Killer” were a paired U.S. Navy anti-submarine warfare system in which the AF-2W carried the search radar and detection gear in a large ventral radome, while the AF-2S carried the weapons load such as torpedoes, depth charges, bombs, and rockets. Flown together as hunter-killer teams beginning in 1950, they were the Navy’s first purpose-built carrier-based ASW aircraft, but their size and poor low-speed handling made them accident-prone, and they were soon replaced by the more efficient S2F Tracker.

The kits (SW72162 and SW72163) will reportedly include masks and are slated for release in July. Additional details have yet to be announced, although a number of images have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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Eduard Releases New ProfiPACK Edition Bf 110F Model Kit

Eduard has released a new ProfiPACK edition Bf 110F model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Bf 110F was a refined late-war version of the German Messerschmitt twin-engine heavy fighter, powered by more powerful DB 601F engines that improved performance, allowed extra armor, and supported its use in escort, strike, and night-fighter roles. Many pilots regarded it as the best-handling Bf 110 variant, though it still could not match the agility of single-engine fighters in daylight combat.

The kit (7084) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks and decals with marking options for five aircraft.

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Special Hobby to Release New Tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II Kit

Special Hobby has announced an upcoming new tool Martin Baltimore Mk.I/II model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Baltimore Mk.I and Mk.II were early versions of the twin-engine light attack bomber built for British use in World War II. The Mk.I entered service mainly as an operational training aircraft, while the Mk.II kept the same basic airframe and engines but improved defensive armament, including a revised dorsal gun position, and both were later used in combat in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Details are limited, but the upcoming release (SH48160) will feature box art by Antonis Karidis and decals for B/AG781 from No.55 Sqn. RAF, as well as three other interesting Baltimore Mk.I/IIs.

(via Special Hobby and Scalemates)