Aircraft
The world of aircraft modelling is hugely varied, offering different scales and types... with more subjects appearing regularly. Established mainstream manufacturers include Airfix, Hasegawa, Trumpeter, Italeri, Revell, Eduard and Special Hobby, but there are many more, such as Arma Hobby, KP, ICM, Roden, AZ Model... the list goes on. Most kits are in styrene, but the world of resin and mixed-media aircraft is growing constantly... especially with the advent of 3D-printing, for accessories and whole kits.
THUNDERBOLT 'PUNCH'
Modellers with 1/32 Thunderbolts by Trumpeter, Revell or Hasegawa will find this turned metal upgrade from Master Model ideal for improving the model’s appearance.
“RADIO CHECK, OVER…”
Designed to fit Special Hobby’s newly tooled Bf 109E kits, this upgrade adds a set of FuG VII radio equipment for the rear fuselage, all visible behind a separate hatch.
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.
HUNTING THE BISMARCK
Catalina flying boats of RAF’s Coastal Command played a major part in locating the German battleship Bismarck during May 1941. Malcolm V Lowe tells the story of their epic search.
MUSSOLINI’S FALCON
Italeri’s 1/72 Fiat CR.42 makes its fifth comeback since debuting in 2006, with a whole new decal sheet. CHRIS CLIFFORD gives his verdict on this styrene sesquiplane.
MINIATURE MESSERSCHMITT MASTERPIECE
What can a newly tooled depiction of a classic and popular aircraft type bring to a market full of competitors’ takes on the subject? Mike Williams finds out with Special Hobby’s brand-new 1/72 Bf 109E-4.
GLOVER’S CHARIOT
Inspired by the film BAT*21 plus a childhood spent in and around Cessna-built aeroplanes, Chris Jones builds ICM’s newly tooled 1/48 O-2A Skymaster.
LIGHTNING STRIKES WITH ACCURACY
David Holmes builds Italeri’s detailed new-tool 1/72 F-35B Lightning II, representing an aircraft from the Royal Navy’s Lightning Force aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.
‘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.