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MiniArt to Release Fw 190D-9 Basic Model Kit With Distinctive JV 44 Liveries

Coming soon from MiniArt is a Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9 JV 44 “Sachsenberg Schwarm” basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190D-9 “Doras” of JV 44’s Sachsenberg Schwarm, led by Lt. Heinz Sachsenberg, protected Adolf Galland’s Me 262 jets during their vulnerable takeoffs and landings in the final weeks of World War II. Operating from München-Riem and Ainring in spring 1945, these aircraft were marked with striking red undersides and white stripes for rapid recognition by German anti-aircraft defenses—making them among the Luftwaffe’s most famous late-war fighters.

The upcoming kit (48045) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic metal surfaces and panel details. Two marking options will also be included representing “Red 1” flown by Lt. Heinz “Heino” Sachsenberg and “Red 3” flown by Hptm. Waldemar Wubke. Check out kit contents and livery profiles below.

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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.

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Italeri Releases 1/48 Macchi MC. 202: “100% New Molds, Exceptional Attention to Detail”

Italeri has released their new tool Macchi MC. 202 Folgore in 1/48 scale.

The Folgore (“Thunderbolt”) was an Italian single-seat fighter developed from the MC.200 and introduced in 1941. Its streamlined all-metal airframe and license-built German Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine—produced in Italy as the Alfa Romeo RA.1000—gave it a top speed of about 600 km/h (370 mph), excellent maneuverability, and strong performance in combat over North Africa and the Mediterranean. Although widely regarded as the Regia Aeronautica’s finest wartime fighter, its relatively light armament of two 12.7 mm and two 7.7 mm machine guns was a significant weakness against heavily built Allied aircraft.

The kit (2840) is touted as delivering the highest level of realism, being made from 100% new molds produced using the most advanced design and manufacturing standards. It is also described as offering exceptional attention to detail with 3D decals (six liveries) and photo-etched parts.

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Eduard Releases New Weekend Edition Bf 109F-4 Model Kit

Included in Eduard’s new August releases is this Bf 109F-4 model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Bf 109F-4 was a refined 1941 version of Germany’s main WWII fighter, prized for its clean aerodynamics, strong climb, and responsive handling. Powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 601E engine, it carried a 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub and two 7.92 mm machine guns, serving widely on the Eastern Front, over the Channel, and in the Mediterranean.

Eduard’s new offering (7478) is a Weekend Edition kit featuring Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for four aircraft.

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Eduard Releases Limited Edition, Dual Combo Fw 190A-8 and Fw 190D-9 Kit

Among Eduard’s new releases for August is a new limited edition, dual combo Fw 190A-8 and Fw 190D-9 kit in 1/48 scale.

The Fw 190A-8 was the principal late-war radial-engine “Anton,” entering production in 1944 with a BMW 801D-2 air-cooled engine, heavier protection and armament—normally two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns plus four 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon—and provisions for bombs, rockets, drop tanks, or high-altitude boost equipment; it was widely used in bomber interception, fighter, and fighter-bomber roles. The Fw 190D-9, the “long-nosed Dora,” was an aerodynamic, liquid-cooled Jumo 213-powered development intended to remedy the A-series’ declining high-altitude performance: its lengthened nose and revised rear fuselage housed a substantially more powerful engine, giving better climb and speed—about 430 mph under favorable conditions—while retaining a relatively lighter standard armament of two 13 mm MG 131s and two 20 mm MG 151/20s. In short, the A-8 was the rugged, heavily armed radial-engine workhorse, while the D-9 was the faster, higher-performing late-war interceptor and air-superiority variant.

The new kit (WILDE SAU Episode Three: Until the Fall of the Empire / 11199) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting mask, resin wheels and Eduard decals with marking options for 11 aircraft. The kit is focused on aircraft from JG 300, JG 301 and NJGr. 11.

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Eduard Releases New P-40K Warhawk (Short Tail) With PE Details, Six Liveries

Eduard has released a new ProfiPACK Edition P-40K Warhawk (Short Tail) model kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-40K “Short Tail” was an early-production form of Curtiss’s Allison-powered P-40K fighter, distinguished by the original short rear fuselage shared with the P-40E and a prominent dorsal fin fillet ahead of the vertical tail, added to counter the stronger engine’s directional-instability and torque effects. Powered by a 1,325-hp Allison V-1710-73, it was among the fastest P-40 variants to that point—about 370 mph at 20,000 feet. It retained the type’s rugged fighter-bomber character, typically with six .50-caliber machine guns. Beginning with the P-40K-10, Curtiss adopted the longer rear fuselage used on later P-40Fs, making the earlier K-1 and K-5 series the “short-tail” machines familiar to historians and modelers; It is also known as the Kittyhawk Mk III for Commonwealth-operated examples.

Eduard’s new release (82243) includes Eduard plastic parts, pre-painted PE parts, painting masks, and Eduard decals with six marking options.

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Airscale Announces Development of Bristol Blenheim Mk IV Kit

Airscale has announced the development of a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV model kit in 1/32 scale.

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.

Regarding the project, Airscale states

I am still refining the options, but there will be an early one with the single VGO drum fed gun and no canopy blisters, and the later one with twin Brownings and blisters – lots of marking options to choose from too and plenty of heroic airframes I started with the nose as if I can do that, I can do the whole airframe – it was challenging and took a few weeks, but the design is done and now it is a matter of working out the best way to split the transparent parts.

Release is planned for mid 2027. Click below to check out additional renders.

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Update: Airscale’s Upcoming 1/32 Dornier Do 17Z

Airscale has provided a new update on their upcoming Dornier Do 17Z in 1/32 scale.

…the decals arrived from Cartograph…..I tried the internal ones and they are just what I envisioned and top, top quality. Also the box art is finalised and the last mould is being completed next week for all the injection moulded parts, so I should have the test shots in 2 weeks – then it is test integration time with the 3D details, followed by 3D production. I hope to open pre-orders in the next couple of months and to have kits at Telford SMW

As previously reported, the Do 17 was a German twin‑engine light bomber, nicknamed the “Flying Pencil” for its slim, streamlined fuselage, which was originally designed in the early 1930s as a fast mail and passenger aircraft before being adapted into a military bomber for the Luftwaffe. It served extensively in the early years of World War II, taking part in campaigns over Poland, the Low Countries, France, the Battle of Britain, and the invasion of the Soviet Union, where it proved fast and maneuverable but gradually became obsolete due to limited bomb load and range.

Click below to check out a series of newly released images.

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Eduard Releases Royal Hybrid P-51B Kit With PE, Resin, 8 Liveries and Book

Eduard has released a new P-51B “Royal Hybrid” Mustang model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B was the Merlin-powered, long-range version of the North American Mustang that transformed the aircraft into one of WWII’s best escort fighters. Entering combat in late 1943, it could protect bombers deep into Germany thanks to its excellent range and high-altitude performance, and it typically carried four .50-caliber machine guns in the wings.

The new release (932011) features Eduard plastic parts, PE parts, painting masks and resin parts (cockpit, undercarriage bays, wheels, guns, exhausts). Eduard decals are also included with marking options for eight aircraft of the of 8th and 9th Air Forces. An added extra is a pictorial book about service of the P-51B/C Mustangs written by Jan Zdiarský.

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First Look: Test Build of Arma Hobby’s New Tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2

Arma Hobby has released the first test build photos (and additional sprue shots) for their upcoming, new tool Curtiss Hawk 81-A2 model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, 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.

The model seen in the new photos was built straight from the latest pre-production test parts and was quickly assembled and left completely unpainted for a more detailed look at the plastic itself. The company states that these are still pre-production parts, and final evaluation is underway.

Shipping is currently planned for the second half of August. Check out additional photos below.

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