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From the modeller’s perspective, one of the most interesting features of WWII Italian aircraft is their presentation and looking at this magnificent 252a Squadriglia machine, it is not difficult to see why this latest addition to the Vintage Classics range has been so well received. Combining the distinctive shape of this handsome aeroplane with the attractive three tone upper surface scheme it wears, this will surely encourage many modellers to look for more Regia Aeronautica projects to keep their new Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero company. This beautiful new model is scheduled for imminent release and with only a small number of kits remaining unallocated, this really is a final opportunity to make sure you are not one of the ones missing out. Ruling the waves With both the A-4 Skyhawk and MiG-17 available in large numbers by the time of the Vietnam War, the scene was set for an aviation showdown in the skies of Southeast Asia and a meeting of two of the world’s most agile combat jets.
The Fokker Dr.1 was developed following the introduction of the British Sopwith Triplane fighter in 1917, an aircraft which having met one in combat, was described by von Richthofen and the most manoeuvrable aircraft in the skies and unquestionably the most capable Allied fighter at that time. The prowess of the new British fighter in a combat scenario led von Richthofen to lobby his superiors to instruct the German aviation industry to develop their own triplane design as a matter of urgency and following the capture of several RFC Sopwith Triplanes, German industry responded. In fact, the development of a new triplane fighter became something of an obsession in Germany over the next few months, as many companies embarked on their own triplane projects, with at least twenty different designs progressing to the production of a prototype aircraft. Pilot David ‘Bull’ Whitley joined No.264 Squadron straight from successfully negotiating his flight training courses and before the unit moved to Martlesham Heath. He was going to fly the new Defiant turret fighter and would go on to forge a successful working relationship with his assigned air gunner Sgt. Robert Charles Turner, a team which would fly together throughout the savage fighting which followed the German Blitzkrieg offensive in Western Europe.
Airfix | No. A50185 | 1:72
Airfix Gift Sets are ideal for more advanced modellers and include glue, acrylic paints and brushes. Due to the huge variety of kits produced by Airfix over the years and the way in which each new catalogue presented these models to an already captivated audience, it is unlikely that many modellers were strong enough to resist straying from their usual modelling subject area from time to time. With temptations ranging from Space and Sci-fi to dinosaurs and historical figures, there was always something to have us considering a diversion from our more usual fare of Spitfires and Lancasters. One range which could always be relied upon to captivate a massive modelling audience, our ships allowedactive young minds to build scale representations of the sailing ships which were involved in the discovery of new worlds, as well as some of the most powerful warships the world had ever seen. If you enjoyed doing a little research alongside your modelling, these floating wonders became almost irresistible as modelling projects. The RAF Museum at Hendon in London is planning an exhibition about Airfix which is due include examples of Roy Cross’ artwork for the company. The exhibition is due to open in June 2013 and is planned to relocate to the RAF Museum at Cosford in Autumn 2014. Both RAF Museums are free. In preparation for war, the Graf Spee sailed for the South Atlantic, where she could raid merchant sea lanes unopposed in the three months which followed the start of the Second World War. Sinking nine merchantmen, the ship was a cause of great concern amongst the British admiralty. Sending three cruisers to deal with the threat, the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 underlined the destructive potential of this powerful ship, but would ultimately lead to her own demise. Damaging all three of the British ships during a savage engagement, the Graf Spee was herself damaged and had to put in to Montevideo port for repairs, replenishment and to offload her casualties.
This latest Dogfight Double kit is due for imminent release and should be available through your usual model supplier over the next few weeks. Italian ‘Sparrowhawk’ a classic addition Initially Maltas only defending fighter aircraft were outdated Gloster Gladiators and then Hawker Hurricanes but at the height of the battle, cannon armed and tropicalized Spitfire Mk.Vbs were used to intercept the German Junkers Ju88 and Ju87 Stuka dive bombers which were escorted by Messerschmitt Bf109Es. It became a struggle that was in some ways similar to the Battle of Britain. Eventually at the end of 1942, the war in North Africa had been won by the Allies so Malta was no lo of such important to the Axis powers and the bombing stopped allowing the starving civil population to be re-supplied by sea. Referred to as 'The Red Devil' by French airmen by virtue of the distinctive colour of his aircraft, the legend of the Red Baron would only begin to form in the years after his death, once all the facts about his heritage and flying prowess had become more widely known. Arguably the world's first aviation celebrity figure, the legend of von Richthofen was made more compelling by the chivalrous manner in which he flew combat missions, something which proved an irresistible distraction from the indiscriminate carnage of trench warfare for many people. Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a, Wk Nr 111711, test flown by Hans Fay and surrendered to the Allies at Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany, on March 31, 1945
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The latest edition to our growing and incredibly popular range of 1/35th scale armoured fighting vehicle kits, the HMC M7 Priestis scheduled for imminent release and should be available in model shops over the next few weeks. Final Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary release Welcome to this latest edition of Workbench and all the news, updates and exclusive announcements from the fascinating world of Airfix modelling. Both of these magnificent ships were popular additions to the Airfix model range and their inclusion in the growing Vintage Classics range has been welcomed by many. We are pleased to announce that both are now ‘on the water’ and scheduled for imminent release. An armoured minister of wrath
As a feared, yet respected enemy, Manfred von Richthofen was buried by the Allies with full military honours at Bertangles cemetery on 22nd April 1918, where he was laid to rest amongst the fallen of his enemies, just eleven days before what would have been his 26th birthday.The above is an account of undoubtedly one of the most famous incidents in the history of aviation and when this is combined with the fact that this new release also occupies quite a historic position in an Airfix modelling sense, could there be a more appropriate build project for us to embark on this year? With this kit destined to be the first Dogfight Double kit to be inducted into the Vintage Classics hall of fame and with it boasting a restored version of its original iconic artwork, we think this release will strike a chord with many a modeller in the weeks and months ahead. By 10am, six Fokker Dr.1 fighter aircraft of Jasta 11 took off from Cappy aerodrome to embark on an offensive patrol over the Somme Valley region. Led by their inspirational commander, Manfred von Richthofen, this was an elite unit where only the finest fighter pilots were invited to join the squadron - the ‘Best of the Best’, but on that morning, von Richthofen would have a significant distraction. This latest patrol would be the first combat sortie for his young cousin Wolfram von Richthofen, who had been given strict instructions not to be drawn into any fighting and simply to gain height and watch the battle from a safe distance, just to experience what an aerial duel looked like. Having the distinction of being the first MiG-17 equipped unit in the Vietnam People’s Air Force, the 921st Fighter Regiment ‘Red Star Squadron’ received its aircraft after their pilots had undergone extensive training in China. Initially, thirty-six former Soviet Air Force machines arrived at their Phuc Yen airfield home base during 1963, with greater numbers of the more capable MiG-17F variant following over the next eighteen months – the majority of these aircraft were Chinese licence manufactured Shenyang J-5 examples. Operational by early 1964, the North Vietnamese MiG-17s would play a significant role in the escalating Vietnam Air War, where they would be forced to fly their almost obsolete jets against the very latest US air power. The vehicle presented here is one which was the subject of several famous wartime photographs, with its crew using a welcome lull in the fighting to enjoy an ‘Al fresco’ meal by the side of their fighting machine. Christened ‘ANZIO’ by her crew, this Priest was involved in the heavy fighting which took place during the Italian campaign, as the Allies attempted to break the stubborn resistance of the Gustav Line and to finally use this second front as a springboard to launch offensives into Germany itself. Although the Bristol F2.B Fighter would go on to be regarded as one of the finest fighting aeroplanes of the Great War, its combat introduction on the Western Front was inauspicious to say the least. Intended as a replacement for the much maligned Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c, the Bristol Fighter was rushed into service so that Britain's latest combat aircraft could take part in the Second Battle of Arras in April 1917 and demonstrate the advancement in Allied aircraft design. During its first operational sortie on 5th April, six aircraft from No. 48 Squadron RFC, led by famous Victoria Cross recipient William Leefe Robinson, were bounced by Albatros fighters of Jasta 11, led by Manfred von Richthofen, the famous Red Baron. During the ensuing melee, four of the new fighters, including the one flown by Robinson, were shot down, with a further machine suffering serious damage.
Total loss statistics for both aircraft types during the conflict are difficult to definitively corroborate, however, it is though that 282 Douglas A-4 Skyhawks were lost (195 in combat), compared with 63 MiG-17 losses. What is certain is that when talking about basic, rugged, no frills jet aviation types, both the MiG-17 and A-4 Skyhawk definitely occupy the same historic airspace. A Dogfight Triple - Our third look at this restored original Roy Cross box artwork, this time in full Vintage Classics presentation for the first time.
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His opponent was clearly an experienced pilot and May simply could not shake him from his tail - his only chance of survival was to dive for the ground and try to make it over Allied lines, in the hope that his enemy would not follow. What he didn't know at the time was that he was being chased by the distinctive red Fokker Dr.1 of Manfred von Richthofen, the greatest air ace the world had ever known. This latest stunning box artwork shows the meeting of two of aviation’s most agile early jets, both extremely advanced in their own right We are always told that an image can say more than a thousand words and in the case of this magnificent piece of historic Airfix artwork, just take a moment out of your busy day and give your eyes a treat.
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