Kit Previews A – D
Arado Ar 196A
The Arado Ar 196 was a low-wing, shipboard reconnaissance monoplane built by the German firm Arado that became the standard aircraft of the Kriegsmarine (German Navy), throughout World War II. Mainly assigned to surface raiders, two of its notable operations were the capture of the British submarine HMS Seal off the coast of Norway in May 1940, and the repeated interception of RAF Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley bombers.
Arado Ar 234 B-2
The Arado Ar 234 B “Blitz” (Lightning) was the world’s first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The first Ar 234 combat mission, a reconnaissance flight over the Allied beachhead in Normandy, took place August 2, 1944. With a maximum speed of 735 kilometers (459 miles) per hour, it easily eluded Allied piston-engine fighters. It was equipped with an auto-pilot and carried its payload in a semi-recessed bomb bay under the fuselage.
Arado Ar 234C with E.381 “Julia”
Arado’s Ar 234 C, the four-engined version of the world’s first operational jet bomber, was the most aerodynamically advanced and the fastest jet aircraft of World War II, being some 35 mph faster than the Ar 234 B. The first successful flight of the C series was on October 16, 1944. Arado’s E.381, a rocket-powered mini-fighter with the same volatile fuel mixture as Messerschmitt’s Me 163, never went into service, but would not have been popular with pilots.
Arado Ar 240C-2
Arado Ar 240C-2 Nightfighter by Revell-Germany 1/72 scale Cost: $19.99 Decals: One version, circa 1943 Luftwaffe nightfighter Comments: New tooling; engraved panel lines History The Ar240 was designed as a high altitude fighter and reconaissance platform but saw...
Arado E.555
Arado E.555 by Revell Germany 1/72 scale Kit No. 4367 Cost: $25.00 Decals: Two versions, both fictional: KG 100 and Geschwaderstab/KG 200 Comments: Engraved panel lines and flush riveting; highly detailed cockpit, bomb bay and wheel wells; includes full complement of...
Arsenal VG-33/39
The Arsenal de l’Aeronautique VG-33 and VG-39 represented the zenith of French military aircraft design just before World War II — and were on par with the impressive Messerschmitt Bf 109. Unfortunately, they came on the scene too late and in too few numbers to change the outcome of the Battle of France.
Avia B-534
The Avia B-534, while it did not see extensive combat, is a widely recognized fighter airframe of 1930’s design, in part because it has the distinction of fighting both for and against Nazi Germany during WWII. The first B-534 prototype flew in late May 1933. Two squadrons of B-534’s, in German hands, took part in the September 1939 invasion of Poland, but later in the war Bulgarian B-534’s would be used against the Germans in the Balkans.
Aviatik Berg D.I
The Aviatik Berg D.I, often known as the “Berg Scout,” was the first Austrian-designed fighter plane ever built. Entering service in May 1917, it suffered teething difficulties before proving itself a competent aircraft. Its upper wing, just inches above the fuselage, was unusual in providing pilots with greatly improved visibility compared to contemporary biplane fighters. Some 700 were built during the war; afterwards it was rebuilt as a civil two-seater.
Avro 504K
Avro 504K by MPC 1/72 scale Cost: $9.00 Decals: One version Comments: Old mold; simple model of WWI British trainer History A development of A.V. Roe's Series 500 racing aircraft, the Avro 504 was designed in 1913 and went into service with the Royal Flying Corps the...
Avro C102 Jetliner
Poised to enter service with Trans-Canada Airlines a full eight years before the first American jetliner, the Boeing 707, took its first flight, the Canadian Avro C-102 Jetliner was a cutting edge turbojet-powered transport that was championed by no less an aviation figure than Howard Hughes. But the Canadian government cancelled its development, ostensibly in favor of Avro’s CF-100 all-weather jet fighter.
Avro CF-100
Canada’s first and only indigenously-produced jet fighter, the CF-100 served in 9 NATO squadrons in its peak operational years from 1956-1962. On December 18, 1952, it was the first straight-winged jet aircraft to achieve controlled supersonic flight.
Avro CF-105 Arrow
Prior to its 1959 cancellation, the Avro Arrow was poised to vault Canada to pre-eminence as the nation with the most advanced fighter-interceptor in the world…
B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell was a versatile medium bomber of World War II, and on April 18, 1942 was the means by which the U.S. first hit back at Japan after the devastating December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a lethal anti-shipping and attack aircraft in the Pacific and Mediterranean Theatres.
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.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 was the largest, most complex bomber in the world upon its 1944 debut. It had its share of bugs but ultimately performed the strategic bombing of Japan and delivery of the only two atomic bombs dropped in wartime.
B-45 Tornado
North American Aviation’s B-45 Tornado was the first American jet bomber to enter service with the U.S. Air Force, a distinction often mistakenly attributed to the Boeing B-47. Entering service in 1948, it was a front-line bomber of Strategic Air Command until 1959.
Martin B-57B Canberra
The Martin B-57 was derived from the English Electric Canberra, the first jet bomber to enter service with the Royal Air Force. It closely resembled its British cousin, with the key changes being a redesigned cockpit and new air brakes. It saw action in Southeast Asia, where its fine handling qualities helped it excel at close air support and night interdiction missions. It had excellent loitering capability, and was the first aircraft to bomb the Ho Chi Minh trail running through Laos and Cambodia.
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;...
BE2c (Roden)
The Bleriot Experimental 2c was a British observation aircraft of WWI, very stable in flight but unable to defend itself in combat and reliant on fighter escort to function effectively…
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...