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Eduard Releases 1/32 Malcolm Hood P-51B/C Mustang Hybrid Kit With Resin, Plastic Parts

Eduard has released a new “Hybrid Edition” P-51B/C Mustang (Malcolm Hood) model kit in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B and P-51C Mustangs fitted with the Malcolm Hood were modified versions of the Merlin-powered, long-range Allied fighters used in Europe from late 1943. Their distinctive British-made, bulged Perspex canopy replaced the original framed, hinged cockpit hood with a rearward-sliding design, providing more headroom and improved sideways and rearward visibility while retaining the “razorback” fuselage. Fitted to many USAAF P-51B/Cs and RAF Mustang IIIs, the Malcolm Hood was a canopy modification rather than a separate production variant. Both types carried four .50-caliber machine guns and combined strong high-altitude performance with the range needed to escort bombers deep into Germany; the improved canopy helped pilots maintain situational awareness before the later P-51D introduced its characteristic bubble canopy.

Eduard’s new release (932013) includes Eduard plastic parts, PE parts, resin parts (cockpit, undercarriage bays, wheels, guns, exhausts), painting masks and Eduard decals with marking options for five aircraft.

Click here to buy the kit on eBay. Check out box contents and livery profiles below.

Continue reading Eduard Releases 1/32 Malcolm Hood P-51B/C Mustang Hybrid Kit With Resin, Plastic Parts

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A&A Models to Release New P-61C Black Widow “Project Thunderstorm” Kit

A&A Models has announced the upcoming release of a new Northrop P-61C Black Widow model kit in 1/72 scale.

The P-61C was the final production version of America’s first purpose-built night fighter, a large, twin-engine, twin-boom aircraft that used onboard radar to find enemy aircraft in darkness. Developed to improve the earlier P-61A and B models’ speed and high-altitude performance, it featured more powerful turbosupercharged engines and wing-mounted air brakes, reaching roughly 430 mph. Its heavy armament comprised four 20 mm cannons beneath the fuselage and four .50-caliber machine guns in an upper turret. Only 41 production examples were delivered, beginning in July 1945—too late to see combat in World War II—and they subsequently served mainly in testing and research, including thunderstorm studies.

The new kit (7249) represents the P-61C in thunderstorm research and includes 154 plastic parts, photo-etched parts, painting masks (canopy and wheels), and decals with two marking options. It is currently scheduled for release in mid-December.

(via A&A Models)

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First Look: Liveries for IBG’s Upcoming Fieseler Fi 156D-1 Storch Ambulance

IBG has released livery profiles for their upcoming Fieseler Fi 156D-1 Storch Ambulance in 1/72 scale.

The Fi 156D-1 was a purpose-built ambulance version of Germany’s famous short-takeoff-and-landing liaison aircraft, produced during World War II. It featured an enlarged loading hatch on the starboard side of the rear fuselage and accommodation for a single stretcher patient and a medical attendant, allowing wounded personnel to be evacuated from forward areas. Its high-lift wing, fixed leading-edge slats, large flaps, and long-legged landing gear enabled operations from small, rough landing grounds, making the D-1 particularly useful where conventional aircraft or ground ambulances could not readily reach.

As previously reported, IBG released teaser images in September and stated that all production variants would eventually be represented. To date, renderings have been released for the 156C-2 “Storch At War” which is slated for release at the end of the month. The Fi 156D-1 Storch Ambulance will reportedly be available “very soon.”

Check out full livery three-views below.

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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.

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

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IBG Announces First Variant in New Fieseler Storch Series With Detail Renderings

IBG has released a new series of renderings for their upcoming Fieseler Fi 156 Storch model kit in 1/72 scale.

The Storch was a German high‑wing liaison and observation aircraft famed for its extraordinary STOL performance, able to take off in about 150 ft and land in roughly 60 ft thanks to a large wing, full‑span leading‑edge slats, and powerful flaps that gave a very low stall speed around 31 mph. Powered by a 240 hp Argus As 10 engine, it served throughout World War II in reconnaissance, artillery spotting, casualty evacuation, and VIP transport, and became legendary for missions such as the 1943 Gran Sasso rescue of Mussolini. About 3,900 were built in Germany and under license abroad, with postwar versions like the Morane‑Saulnier MS.500 Criquet remaining in use into the 1950s and beyond.

As previously reported, IBG released teaser images in September and stated that all production variants would eventually be represented. The new renderings detail the full 156C-2 “Storch At War” as well as its 3D printed upgrade set featuring the full Argus AS10C-3 engine, upgraded covers and two propeller variants. Release of the 156C-2 is reportedly slated for the end of the month.

Check out additional renderings below.

Continue reading IBG Announces First Variant in New Fieseler Storch Series With Detail Renderings

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MiniArt Releases New “Duxford Eagles” P-47D-22-RE Thunderbolt Basic Kit

MiniArt has released a new P-47D-22RE Thunderbolt basic kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-22-RE was a late-production “razorback” fighter built at Farmingdale, New York, retaining the raised rear fuselage and framed canopy of earlier Thunderbolts. Its principal improvement was a large Hamilton Standard paddle-blade propeller, which made better use of the aircraft’s power and improved climb performance. Powered by a turbo-supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine with water injection for additional combat power, it carried eight .50-caliber machine guns and could carry bombs or external fuel tanks, making it effective in both fighter-escort and ground-attack roles during World War II.

The new kit (48049) is described as “highly detailed” and includes realistic metal surfaces with fine rivet and panel details. It includes four marking options representing aircraft serving with the famous “Duxford Eagles” of the 78th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force based at RAF Duxford.

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MiniArt Releases Fw 190D-9 Basic Model Kit With Famed JV 44 Markings

MiniArt has released their new 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.

As previously reported, the 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.

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Eduard Releases “Brassin Hybrid” Birdcage P-51B/C Kit With Plastic, Resin, PE Parts

As part of their October new releases, Eduard has released a “Brassin Hybrid” edition P-51B/ C Mustang (Birdcage Canopy) in 1/32 scale.

The P-51B/C was the pivotal Merlin-powered development of the Mustang family, combining the airframe’s efficient laminar-flow wing with a Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin engine for exceptional high-altitude performance, speed, and range. Produced as the P-51B at Inglewood, California, and the essentially identical P-51C at Dallas, Texas, these “razorback” Mustangs were distinguished by their framed, or “birdcage,” canopy and rear fuselage spine; armed with four .50-caliber Browning machine guns, they became highly effective long-range escort fighters for Allied bombers over Europe from late 1943. Although rearward visibility was limited — leading many to receive the bulged British Malcolm Hood canopy — the B/C was the crucial variant that established the Mustang as one of the outstanding fighters of World War II.

The release (932012) includes Eduard plastic parts, PE parts, painting masks, resin parts (cockpit, undercarriage bays, wheels, guns, exhausts) and Eduard decals with marking options for five aircraft of 8th and 15th Air Force. Check out the product page below for kit content images.

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First Look: Hobby Boss’ New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter

Hobby Boss has released test build photos and renderings for their soon to be released F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter model kit in 1/48 scale.

The F4U-5N Corsair [Late] is a radar-equipped night-fighter version of the ultimate piston-engine Corsair, the F4U-5, featuring a longer nose, all-metal wings, a raised cockpit, and a 2,450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32W engine that made it the fastest carrier-based piston fighter (about 462 mph). Carrying an AN/APS-19 radar pod on the right wing, flame-dampened exhausts, and four 20 mm cannons, it traded a bit of performance for night operations but retained a heavy bomb and rocket load for night intruder and close-support missions. In the Korean War, F4U-5Ns with VMF(N)-513 and Navy detachments hunted “Bedcheck Charlie” Po-2s, attacked supply convoys and trains, and even produced the conflict’s only Navy ace, Guy Bordelon, who scored all five of his kills at night in an F4U-5N.

The new release (80391) consists of 11 plastic sprues with over 200 parts, decals with one livery option and painting masks. It boasts accurate design, finely detailed engine and detailed gear cabin. Check out additional images below.

Continue reading First Look: Hobby Boss’ New F4U-5N Corsair [Late] Night Fighter

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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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