Tag: plastic model aircraft

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MiniArt to Release New Fw 190D-9 Model Kit With JG 54 Liveries

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 “Grünherz” basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

the offering (48035) represents the early production Fw 190D-9 used by Jagdgeschwader 54 “Grünherz,” featuring distinctive late-war Luftwaffe camouflage and markings. It is described as detailed, with “clean assembly” and an accurate early production configuration. Two mJG 54 marking options will be included.

As of this writing, a final release date has not been announced, although it is “coming soon.” Click below to check out marking profiles, sprue images and box art.

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First Look: DoraWings Dewoitine D.520 Test Build

DoraWings has release the first test build / test sprue photos for their new tool Dewoitine D.520 in 1/32 scale.

The D.520 was a French single‑seat, low‑wing monoplane fighter of World War II, designed in the late 1930s to meet a demanding Air Ministry requirement for a fast, modern interceptor with a 20 mm cannon and good climb performance. Powered by a Hispano‑Suiza 12Y liquid‑cooled V‑12 engine, it reached a top speed of around 560 km/h and combined a robust all‑metal structure with retractable landing gear and a relatively heavy armament of one 20 mm cannon and four 7.5 mm machine guns. Entering service in early 1940, it was the most advanced French fighter in large‑scale use during the Battle of France and is often regarded as the best French‑made fighter of the war, seeing further combat and training service with Vichy, Italian, and other air forces into the early 1950s.

Details on the new model are limited, although the images provide a good overview of what to expect. Check out additional examples after the break.

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Kotare Offers Limited Edition Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B That Will Never Be Re-Released

Kotare Models has announced the upcoming release of a Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B model kit in 1/32 scale.

The Mk.I PR Type B was a mid-production Mk.I airframe converted in late 1939–early 1940 into a specialized unarmed photo‑reconnaissance aircraft, optimized for speed, range, and altitude by stripping out all armament and radio equipment, fairing over gun bays, and adding extra fuel and oxygen behind the pilot for longer missions. Externally it carried two downward‑facing F24 cameras with 8‑inch lenses in blister fairings under the wings and used a lighter, unarmored windscreen plus a blown canopy with teardrop side blisters to improve downward visibility. These aerodynamic and weight‑saving changes, combined with the high‑gloss pale blue finish typical of early PR Spitfires, allowed the PR Type B to conduct medium‑range, high‑speed photographic sorties over enemy territory with minimal chance of interception during the early stages of the Second World War. Continue reading Kotare Offers Limited Edition Spitfire Mk.I PR Type B That Will Never Be Re-Released

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Magic Factory Releases New 1/48 F4U-1D Corsair Model Kit

Magic Factory has released a new F4U-1D Corsair model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F4U-1D variant added improved ground-attack capability, including rocket and bomb carriage, making it especially useful in the Pacific as both an air-combat fighter and a strike aircraft.

The kit (5006) includes new loadouts, PE parts and Cartograf decals with marking options for two aircraft serving with VF-84 and VMF-351. Click below to check out the product link and additional images.

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First Look: Test Build of DoraWings P-47 B/C Thunderbolt

DoraWings has released the first test build images of their new P-47 B/C Thunderbolt in 1/72 scale.

The B/C was the early production P-47 variant, built around a powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine and an advanced turbosupercharger that gave it strong high-altitude performance. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and soon proved especially valuable as a bomber escort and fighter-bomber, where its speed in a dive, heavy firepower, and ability to absorb battle damage made it one of the most formidable Allied aircraft of WW2.

As was the case when we shared the first renderings of the model, details remain scarce, although many photos of the test build have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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New IBG Kit Recreates Spitfire Prototype’s Full History For Type’s 90th Anniversary

To celebrate the Spitfire’s 90th anniversary, IBG Models has collaborated with MRM Studio to create a new limited edition model.

The body of the model is based on the IBG plastic kit, but in practice this means a completely new design. Each element has been re-designed to faithfully reflect all the differences between the early prototype and the later production machines. In order to show the evolution of this design as accurately as possible, we have prepared four variants of the aircraft’s nose, two types of fuselage, and two variants of wings – both in the original unarmed configuration and the later armed configuration used during testing. This allows modelers to reproduce the different stages of the machine’s development.

The 1/72 kit employs high-quality 3D printing technology and a vacu-type cockpit canopy with an innovative snap-vac system that uses printed frames that are applied to the transparent part without the need for traditional masking during painting. Additional features include a 3D-printed test pilot figure, Techmod decals and mask designs for painted markings.

The entire edition includes two different sets, which together allow you to recreate the full history of this unique aircraft – from its first flight to its crash on the second day of the war.

The first set (A72001), which depicts the aircraft in its configuration in the first test flight, will be limited to 400 pieces and is slated for release in April. Click below to check out additional images.

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Modelsvit Releases Renders, Sprue Shots for Upcoming Martin AM-1 Mauler

Modelsvit has announced the development of a new tool Martin AM-1 Mauler model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Mauler was a bulky, single-seat, carrier-based attack aircraft developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company for the U.S. Navy during World War II, intended to haul very heavy ordnance loads from fleet carriers but entering service only in 1948 due to development delays and technical troubles, and serving in small numbers until the early 1950s before being eclipsed by the more successful Douglas AD Skyraider.

The company has released a series of 3D renderings and photos of the first test spruces which can be seen after the break. The model is slated for release later this year.

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Italeri Releases Spitfire Mk IX Focused on RAF Aces

Italeri has released a new edition of their 1/48 Spitfire Mk. IX focused on ace liveries.

The Mk. IX was an interim upgrade to counter the German Fw 190, entering service in 1942 with over 5,600 units produced, making it the second most numerous Spitfire variant. Powered by a more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin 60-series engine with a two-stage supercharger, it offered superior high-altitude performance, speed up to around 408 mph, exceptional climb rate, and improved structural reinforcements compared to the earlier Mk. V, while retaining excellent maneuverability. Typically armed with two 20mm Hispano cannons and four .303 Browning machine guns (or variations), it served extensively in escort roles, intercepting bombers, and air superiority missions across Europe, significantly restoring Allied dominance during WW2.

The release (2843) includes new decals representing five aircraft flown by RAF aces: F/Lt Pierre Clostermann of 602 Squadron, W/Cdr James E. Johnson of 402 Squadron, F/Lt Jan Falkowski of 402 Squadron, S/Ldr Russell Foskett of 94 Squadron and F/Lt George Beurling of 412 Squadron.

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Now Available: Sword Models’ New Tool Short SB.6 Seamew

Sword Models has released their new tool Short SB.6 Seamew model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the Seamew was a British lightweight carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft developed by Shorts in the early 1950s to replace the FAA’s Avenger. It first flew on 23 August 1953 but suffered handling problems and shifting defense priorities, which led to limited production and ultimately cancellation after only a small number of airframes were built.

The release (SW72157) is described as “quite large” and includes liveries for XE169 of HMS Warrior and XA123 of HMS Bulwark.

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FineMolds to Release New A6M Zero Kits Representing Prototype and Model 32

FineMolds has announced the upcoming release of two new Mitsubishi Zero kits in 1/72 scale. The offerings include the Mitsubishi A6M Zero prototype (FR03) and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Model 32 (FR04).

The A6M1 prototypes of 1939 were lightweight, long-range, carrier-based fighters with a low-wing monoplane layout, retractable landing gear, and a 580 kW Zuisei 13 engine driving an initially two-blade, later three-blade propeller, emphasizing extreme maneuverability and range at the expense of protection. The later A6M3 Model 32, first flown in 1941, introduced the more powerful Nakajima Sakae 21 engine with a two-speed supercharger, a shortened, squared-off wing without folding tips, enlarged wing fuel tanks, and upgraded Type 99 Mark 2 20 mm cannon, trading some of the earlier model’s turning ability and range for better roll rate, higher diving speed, and improved short-range combat performance.

The kits are currently set for release in April. Click below to check out additional photos, kit contents and livery options.

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