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B-25 Mitchell Mk. II
The North American B-25 Mitchell Mk. II was a twin-engined medium bomber of World War II built by North American Aviation. Equivalent to the B-25 C/D in USAAF service, the Mk II was the designation assigned the B-25 when operated by the RAF, who flew the type in the European, North African and Mediterranean Theatres. Versatile and rugged with good handling characteristics, it was popular with aircrews.
BE2c (Airfix)
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c by Airfix 1/72 scale Kit No. A02101 Cost: $12.00 Decals: Two versions, one for Royal Flying Corps, the second for Royal Naval Air Service, both during 1916 Comments: New tooling; injection molded plastic with engraved panel lines;...
Beagle Basset 206
Beagle Basset 206 by Airfix/MPC 1/72 scale Kit No. 255 Cost: $19.95 - $34.95 (Long out of production) Decals: One version - Royal Air Force Transport Command Comments: Optional position landing gear; extensive raised rivet detail; raised panel lines; heavy engraved...
Boeing Model 314 Clipper
The Boeing 314 was America’s answer to the luxurious British Short Empire flying boats, and saw brief commercial service in the Summer of 1939.
Minicraft’s kit is a re-issue of the Airfix mold, and features detailed engines and markings for this last of the pre-WWII Clippers.
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I
A heavily armed “turret fighter” that saw action in the early months of WWII, the Boulton Paul Defiant soon began to be mauled by Luftwaffe fighters once German pilots realized it had no forward firing machine guns. Released by Airfix in 2014, the Mk. I Defiant featured all new tooling, engraved panel lines, and rich detail throughout the airframe.
Bristol Beaufighter TF.X
Bristol Beaufighter TF.X by Airfix 1/72 scaleKit No. A04019Cost: $17.00Decals: Two Versions - both RAFComments: NEW TOOLING; Engraved panel lines; detailed torpedo; option for full complement of eight 90 lb. rockets with separately mounted rails for each; optional...
Bristol Beaufort Mk. I
The Bristol Beaufort was a British twin-engined torpedo bomber, a design based upon the vast experience gained from Bristol’s earlier Blenheim light-bombers. It was powerful and well-armed, leading to the Bristol Beaufighter, the aircraft which eventually replaced the Beaufort in its maritime strike role. In a daring torpedo attack on the night of April 6, 1941, a Beaufort badly damaged the German battleship Gneisenau as it lay at anchor in Brest Harbor.
Bristol Blenheim Mk. I
When the Bristol Blenheim entered service in March 1937, it was a signal that the British government had at last awakened to the threat of Nazi Germany and was beginning to build up the offensive capability of the Royal Air Force with the addition of this first, modern bomber. Although considered fast upon its debut, it was already showing signs of obsolescence by September 1939, but it had fulfilled its role as the vanguard of a new wave of bomber aircraft.
Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B
The Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B was a two-seat, carrier- and land-based low-altitude strike aircraft, and was the first aircraft designed specifically for low-altitude, high-speed penetration of enemy airspace for precision delivery of conventional or nuclear weapons. Entering service with the Royal Navy in April 1965, the S.2 equipped six Fleet Air Arm (FAA) squadrons and operated from the aircraft carriers Ark Royal, Eagle, and Victorious.
De Havilland DH.88 Comet
Airfix’ venerable kit of the winner of the1934 MacRobertson intercontinental Air Race remains popular but screams out for retooling of its ancient 1957 molds. The DH 88 was a direct ancestor of the de Havilland Mosquito of World War II.
F-51D Mustang
The North American F-51D Mustang was the re-designated P-51 of World War II fame. It was employed extensively for close air support of U.N. forces during the Korean War, particularly during the struggle to hold the Pusan Perimeter after the bloody retreat from the Chosin Reservoir during the winter of 1950-51. It was prized for its ability to loiter over the front lines and provide air support, to the degree that some F-80 jet units re-equipped with the F-51D.
Handley Page HP 42
Designed to meet a 1928 Imperial Airways specification for a new airliner to serve the European, Middle East, and Far East routes during the 1930’s, the Handley Page Heracles class airliners made an outstanding contribution to civil aviation in the years leading up to World War II. The first HP 42, G-AAGX “Hannibal” made its maiden flight on November 14, 1930. This fleet of aircraft would ultimately log 7 million miles of travel by 1937, and had an unblemished safety record until a plane went missing over the Gulf of Oman in 1940.
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I
With completely new tooling, engraved panel lines and updated decals, one of Airfix’ latest Hurricane offerings is a gem that is easy on the pocketbook at under $10.00.
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
Hawker Hurricanes bore the brunt of air combat in France and during the Battle of Britain, comprising two-thirds of RAF Fighter Command’s operational strength through the Fall of 1940…
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F
Based on technology that was over a decade old, the MiG-17 with its lethal firepower of a single 37mm and two 23mm cannon proved a dangerous adversary for American pilots in the skies over Vietnam. Small and maneuverable with the ability to turn inside more advanced aircraft like the F-4 Phantom and F-100 Super Sabre, MiG’s aging little gunfighter was quite capable of beating its competition in traditional dogfights, and would forever change the principles of U.S. fighter design.
Mitsubishi Ki-46 “Dinah”
Mitsubishi Ki 46 II Dinah by Airfix 1/72 scale Kit No. X-207 Cost: $11.00 Decals: Two versions - both Imperial Japanese Army Comments: Older kit (released 1979); raised panel lines; basic cockpit; optional position landing gear; two half-crew figures; single-piece...
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog
Airfix Cessna O-1 Bird Dog 1/72 scale Kit No. A01058 Cost: $5.75 Decals: Three versions (USAF, Vietnam,1960; Canadian Armed Forces, 1974; Vietnamese Republic Air Force, 1960) Comments: Perfect weekend kit of the Cessna O-1 spotter plane History One of a long line of...
Vought OS2U Kingfisher
Vought OS2U Kingfisher by MPC/Airfix 1/72 scale Cost: $10.00 Decals: Two versions Comments: Old kit; detailing needed History The Chance Vought Kingfisher fulfilled a U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics requirement in the late 1930’s for an observation scout seaplane...
Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk Mk. II
The Curtiss P-40 entered service in May 1940, just as Hitler invaded Western Europe. 140 planes were soon sold to the British, who dubbed them “Tomahawk,” armed them with additional .303 Browning machine guns and sent them to fight the Germans in North Africa.
P-40B Tomahawk II
The Curtiss P-40B was provided to the British RAF under the 1941 Lend-Lease Act, and saw extensive action in North Africa. The B, dubbed Tomahawk II by the British, had additional armor protection for the pilot, and the RAF modified it further by replacing the single .30 caliber wing guns with a pair of .303 Browning machine guns in each wing. In the hands of the pilots of No. 112 Squadron, it provided air cover for the British 8th Army and harassed Rommel’s Afrika Korps with bombing and strafing attacks during its retreat from the Battle of El Alamein, which marked the beginning of the end for the Axis forces in North Africa.
R.E. 8
The Airfix kit is very basic and offers modelers simple construction. The Reconnaisance Experimental 8, nicknamed “Harry Tate,” was a widely used observation platform for the British Royal Flying Corps in WWI, and despite heavy losses remained in service throughout the war.
Supermarine Swift FR.5
The Supermarine Swift flew for the first time on August 1, 1951. It was the first swept-wing fighter to enter service with the Royal Air Force. Assigned the role of interceptor, it was a disappointment because it lacked the performance required at altitude, even after its engine was fitted with an afterburner. But, once it set an absolute world speed record at low altitude in September 1954, the Swift excelled as a low level reconnaissance platform.
TSR.2
British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2 by Airfix 1/48 scaleKit No. A10105Cost: $29.99Decals: Markings for any one of three experimental prototypes, XR219, XR220 and XR 222Comments: Detailed cockpit includes two crew figures; engraved panel lines; detailed landing gear and...