Aircraft news
ALL-NEW ‘HABU’
It's almost 40 years since the release of Italeri's 1/48 Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird kit, and we haven't had a modern replacement until now...courtesy of Revell.
MORE LEATHERNECK ‘SPOOKS’
If you've bought Tamiya's new 1/48 F-4B Phantom, we're sure you've been blown away by its quality and fit. However, there are always more colour schemes to explore and Furball Aero-Design has come to the rescue with its new decal package for USMC 'Rhinos'.
SPECIAL ISSUE SNAKE
Czech kit and aftermarket manufacturer Special Hobby has teamed up with Ukrainian firm ICM to release a special hi-tech version of the latter’s splendid 1/32 AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter.
RETURN OF THE SNAKE
Despite its age, Eduard's 1/48 Airacobra is still a worthy and fun modelling venture. Its P-39Q has now been re-released as a Weekend Edition package, with new schemes.
CHOOSE YOUR ‘CHIPPIE’
A cornucopia of de Havilland Chipmunk colour schemes are represented via Xtradecal's four new waterslide decal sets, produced with Airfix's new 1/48 kit in mind. See all the liveries listed here.
DAZZLING TARGET
If unmanned aerial vehicles and drones interest you as modelling subjects, ICM's 1/48 Ryan Firebee will be a welcome prospect. It comes with parts for two drones and decals for three colour schemes.
YOUNGSTERS IN THE HOVER
Airfix’s Quickbuild series is splendid for introducing young kids to making models. The latest offering is the new-generation Lockheed F-35B Lightning II.
BEASTS AND STINGING INSECTS
Builders with a naval aviation focus could find Model Art's new 1/48 decal sheet useful indeed. It caters for Royal Navy Westland Wasp helicopters and French Aeronavale Curtiss Helldivers.
KITTY’S BACKBONE
Kazan Model Dynamics has released yet another stunning detail set for Tamiya’s 1/48 Tomcats… this time for the aircraft’s spine.
BOHEMIAN DETAILING
Czech firm Eduard has released a raft of accessories recently and here, we inspect a selection of resin and photo-etched metal parts, and decals. The recipient subjects are the Spitfire Mk.V, A-4B Skyhawk, Sabre F.4, Hind gunship, and there are standalone fast jet stores too.
FANGED FIGHTER
It may not be a creature of the night (at least in its initial boxing), but with Airfix’s newly tooled 1/48 de Havilland Vampire F.3 about to hit the shops, here’s a sneak peak at what is likely to be a popular subject.
AERITALIA’S MINI-HERC
When it comes to Aeritalia’s G.222 (or C-27 in US Air Force service) there’s only Italeri’s 1/72 kit to choose from.
MODELLING FOR A CAUSE
One consequence of the recent COVID-19 lockdowns has been a resurgence in people taking up modelling as a hobby, so what better way to give something back to all those in the British National Health Service than via Airfix’s special edition 1/72 BAE Hawk.
HIGH ALTITUDE SPECIALIST
Eduard has added another 1/48 Weekend Edition kit to its range by offering the bare styrene parts from its previous Bf 109G-6/AS ProfiPACK.
HERKY BIRD BOOTS
It was never going to be long before aftermarket upgrades for Zvezda’s new-tool C-130H Hercules started to appear… and these bespoke resin wheels from Eduard will certainly add refinement.
GERMAN AIR FORCE GEMS
The latest edition of Luftwaffe Im Focus offers a wealth of inspiration and historical content for modellers. Read our appraisal of Issue 30 and see example pages here...
DAZZLING GREAT WAR BIRDS
Stunning colour schemes define Eduard’s Weekend Edition re-release of its splendid 1/72 Albatros D.V biplane fighter. Check out the four liveries here...
ITALIAN ARROW
It may come as a surprise, but Mark I’s newly tooled 1/144 Fiat G.50 is the first kit of the type in this scale.
‘WHAT-IF’ TILTROTOR
Amusing Hobby will certainly please more adventurous Luftwaffe modellers with its new 1/48 Weserflug P.1003/1. Find out more with our examination of this fascinating kit.
SPLENDID SPOTTER
Czech firm Brengun has filled a gap in the market with a modern tooling of Luftwaffe ‘eye in the sky’ – the Hs 126.
BIG SNAKE DEBUT
At last… we have a modern 1/32 tooling of the Bell Cobra helicopter, with ICM’s new AH-1G. CHRIS CLIFFORD finds out more.
BUSH WAR DASSAULT
Special Hobby hit on a real winner with its 1/72 Mirage F1 tooling, which has been released in various versions – but is now available as a South African Air Force AZ/CZ airframe
Eduard spACE F-14 Detail Set
Is Tamiya’s F-14A Tomcat sitting in your stash? If so, it’s worth considering Eduard’s bespoke mixed-media cockpit upgrade.
MOSSIE SNEAK PEAK
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: With the release of Airfix’s newly tooled 1/72 Mosquito B.XVI fast approaching, here is a preview of the kit’s contents, in preparation for next month’s exclusive build feature.
FLYING TARGET
Modellers seeking something a little different may wish to consider ICM’s splendid (and brightly coloured) new tooling of the KDA-1 (Q-2A) Firebee target drone.
New Airfix Dogfight Double
It’s a case of Mustang versus Swallow with Airfix’s latest 1/72 dual-kit release
Modelsvit 1/72 Mirage 2000C - New Tool!
It’s funny how quality kits of some aircraft are available in, say, 1/48 scale but a 1/72 equivalent remains elusive (or it happens the other way around). This can certainly be said of the Dassault Mirage 2000C…until now.
THE RAF’S FLASHING BLADE
With the imminent arrival of Airfix’s newly tooled 1/48 Canadair Sabre, here’s a sneak peak at the parts of what promises to be one of this year’s most popular releases.
ON YELLOW WINGS
UKRAINIAN MANUFACTURER ICM has stayed with a biplane theme for its latest large-scale aircraft release, with a newly tooled 1/32 Stearman PT-17/ N2S-3 Kaydet.
BEST SPITFIRE YET?
WHEN EDUARD announced it was releasing a newly tooled 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, it definitely grabbed modellers’ attention.