Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Peter Saxton is B-29 Superfortress: Strategic Air War in the Pacific.

The B-29 Superfortress was a vital and iconic strategic bomber of the Second World War. It was designed with a range and warlord capability that made it viable for operation in the vast regions of Asia Pacific. This bomber played a key part in the defeat and unconditional surrender of Japan, principally using fire-bombing techniques. The complex role and effectiveness of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reviewed critically. The work has 21st century connection in the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. The United States Navy, US ground forces and the B-29 wings were brought together to fight, in the author’s words, ‘he most massive air war the world had ever seen’.

Technical aspects including bomb-load and range – vital for the vast Asia Pacific, are set out for all readers, service, academic and lay. [continue reading…]

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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A 2016 Aviat Husky A1C project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Rare opportunity to acquire a late-model Aviat Husky A1C project with many valuable components already included… Included with the project is a Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 HP engine with approximately 30 hours total time. The engine case has been magnaflux inspected. Manuals and logs are included. The aircraft features a rebuilt fuselage equipped with 2016 landing gear and shocks. Tail feathers are reported to be in excellent condition. Included are 29-inch Alaskan Bush Tires and double-puck brake calipers. Repairable wings are included with the project.

The aircraft is located in Lakeville, Minnesota and is currently available for US $75,900 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and author Mark Lax is Sweeping the Skies: A History of No. 452 Squadron RAAF 1941-1945

Sweeping the Skies is the story of No. 452 Squadron, an RAAF fighter unit formed in the UK in April 1941. Equipped with the superb Supermarine Spitfire, the squadron soon deployed to bases south of London and was in the thick of fighting against the Luftwaffe over England, the Channel and northern France.

Remarkably, between August and November 1941, No. 452 Squadron held the Fighter Command record as the top-scoring unit in Britain. This was largely due to the exceptional skills and leadership of some outstanding ace pilots, including Irishman Wing Commander Brendan “Paddy” Finucane and well-known VFL footballer Squadron Leader Keith “Bluey” Truscott. [continue reading…]

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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A 1966 Piper Cherokee 140 project has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing the aircraft has 4,337 total time and 1,865 hours since major overhaul. It has been upgraded to 160 HP via STC and configured with 2+2 seating. It is a nearly complete, low-cost project aircraft with recent wing and aileron replacement after minor damage (no engine or structural issues), reassembled with wings, controls, and landing gear installed. It features intact instruments, no avionics (ready for custom install), complete logs, a good-condition interior, and updated exterior styling. Last annual was August 2019 with only 6 hours since.

The aircraft is located in Southport, North Carolina and is currently available for US $18,950, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

A 1998 Maule MX-7-180A airframe project has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the project (which has 2,493 total time) has long-range fuel (up to 80 gallons) and the full “Patroller” window package, offering a roomy four-seat interior with large baggage access via rear double doors. It suffered a takeoff accident involving a right-wing strike and rollover, resulting in damage to the right wing assembly, multiple lift struts, right gear leg, vertical fin/rudder top, and minor cowling issues, while the left wing shows no wrinkling and doors/glass remain in good condition. The Lycoming O-360 engine and some avionics are removed (not included), but engine mount, accessories, gauges, exhaust, and documentation (complete logs, airworthiness certificate, and records) are included; the aircraft was airworthy prior to the incident and is offered as a project or parts platform.

The project is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $3,995 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Key Publishing is Mosquito: The Ultimate Guide to the ‘Mossie.’

The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was one of the outstanding aircraft of World War Two, making a significant contribution to the Allied victory. Of mainly wooden construction, the ‘Mossie’ was one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world, and while designed as an unarmed high speed bomber, the ‘Wooden Wonder’ was quickly adapted as a night fighter, a fighter-bomber, and photo-reconnaissance aircraft. The Mosquito played a pivotal role in the bomber campaign, proving able to carry a 4,000lb bomb to Berlin, while giving its crew a much better chance of surviving the experience! It was also used for a succession of daring low level precision attacks against a range of targets, many of which are described in this amazingly researched 132-page special.

The publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for July 23.

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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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A 1945 J-3C Piper Cub project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

3151.2 TT, C85-8FJ 1657.1 TT. Disassembled for students of Clyde Smith’s Piper Cub Restoration Seminar in Aurora years ago, where he discovered it was rebuilt w/1938 fuselage likely during 1959 repair from wind damage, so will need slight modification to bring back up to 1945 GW rating, if you desire. Left wing and rudder from L4… Engine sitting for 19 years. Needs some minor tube repairs. Wood spars have some checking (splitting) on inboard ends, so may need new spars ($662 for front, $553 for rear, plus freight from Spruce). Aluminum prop. Continuous FAA registration. Complete logs… Entire aircraft, but currently apart.

The aircraft is located in Vacaville, California and is currently available for US $24,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.