Kit Previews A – D
Bristol Scout
Like the French Nieuport 11, the Bristol Scout was originally a racing aircraft, and was among the first to be outfitted as a fighter, although it had no interrupter gear for its Lewis gun mounted outside the fuselage. The first Bristol Scouts appeared at the front in February 1915, assigned as escort fighters to squadrons with larger, two-man aircraft. British ace Albert Ball scored 4 kills in a single week flying the Scout, but the type was obsolete by Summer 1916.
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.
Bucker Bu 131
Bucker Bu 131 “Jungmann” by MPM 1/48 scaleKit No. ?Cost: $12.00Decals: One version – Luftwaffe trainerComments: Historically significant kit, but limited run crude injection molding History In the early 1930’s, Germany was in need of a light sport aircraft that could...
English Electric Canberra PR.9
The English Electric Canberra was the first jet-powered bomber to enter service with Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF). Developed by English Electric during the mid- to late 1940s in response to a 1944 Air Ministry requirement, it was intended to replace the versatile wartime de Havilland Mosquito. Given its speed and the high altitudes it could achieve with its large wing area, it was soon modified for reconnaissance work as well. The PR.9 was the final version.
SE-210 Caravelle
The Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravalle was one of the most successful European first-generation jetliners, serving from 1959 until 1996….
Alenia C-27J Spartan
The Alenia (originally Aeritalia) C-27J Spartan is a tactical military transport that has been in service with various nations since 1997. Designed and manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi, now part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, it is an advanced derivative of Alenia Aeronautica’s earlier G.222, and has sometimes been called the “Baby Hercules,” — it is equipped with the same engines and other systems used on the larger C-130J Super Hercules.
CT-4A Airtrainer
CT-4A Airtrainer by Tasman Models 1/72 scaleKit No. NoneCost: $10.00Decals: One version - Royal Australian Air ForceComments: Short run kit; engraved panel lines; white metal parts for seats, landing gear, and airscrew; vacuform canopy History The CT-4 Airtrainer is a...
Culver PQ-14
The Culver PQ-14 was a WWII-era target drone derived from the Culver Cadet, a two-seat light monoplane that first flew on December 2, 1939 and saw decades of both civilian and military use. Operated during and after the war as a radio controlled target drone, the PQ-14B could be operated with or without a pilot. Built entirely of wood, it was designed for high performance with a six-cylinder Franklin engine and fully retractable tricycle landing gear.
Curtiss Hawk III
Curtiss Hawk III by Classic Airframes 1/48 scale Kit No. 446 Cost: $24.00 Decals: Two versions by Microscale - both Fuerza Aerea Argentina (Argentine Air Force) Comments: Engraved and raised panel lines, white metal parts for landing gear, resin cockpit and engine...
Curtiss Hawk 75A-4/ P-36 by AML
The largest export customer of the Curtiss Hawk 75 was France, which took delivery beginning in 1939 of the A-1,2,3 and 4 versions. Despite its deficiencies — it was not a truly modern fighter — it is credited with destroying 311 German aircraft during the Battle of France. The A-4 was the fastest of the series, with a maximum speed of 323mph (520km/h). Britain and the Commonwealth countries also put it to good use against the Japanese in the Far East.
Curtiss N-9H
Curtiss N-9H by Olimp 1/72 scale Kit No. P72-005 Cost: $12.00 Decals: Two versions - Both U.S. Navy (White 2475 at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, 1918; Black 25D-N-3 at Naval Air Station San Diego, 1921) Comments: Engraved panel lines; subtle stressed fabric over frame...
Curtiss SBC-4 Helldiver
Obsolete when deployed to Samoa in April 1942 for anti-submarine patrol duty, the Curtiss SBC-4 was still the best aircraft available. The U.S. Navy, stretched thin in its efforts to counter Japanese advances in the Pacific in the weeks following Pearl Harbor, sent a Marine squadron of SBC-4’s to Tutuila Island while divebomber units serving with the fleet were receiving the new Douglas SBD Dauntless. VMO-151 held the line in the remote outpost for nearly a year before relief arrived.
Curtiss-Wright AT-9 Jeep
The Curtiss-Wright AT-9 advanced trainer was used during World War II to bridge the gap between single-engine trainers and twin-engine combat aircraft. The prototype first flew on October 16, 1940. In service the AT-9 was not easy to fly or land, making it ideal for teaching new pilots to cope with the quirks of high-performance combat aircraft coming off assembly lines at the time – such as the Lockheed P-38. Trainees either loved the AT-9 or hated it.
Curtiss-Wright SNC-1 Falcon
The Curtiss-Wright SNC-1 Falcon was a World War II era trainer for the U.S. Navy derived from the CW- 21 Demon, a similar but more powerful light fighter design. Flown for the first time in 1940, the sleek trainer impressed the Navy and led to production of 455 aircraft By war’s end, they had helped train scores of Navy fighter pilots, making a significant contribution to the Allied victory.
Ryan XF2R-1 Dark Shark
The Ryan “Dark Shark” was a further development of the FR-1 Fireball featuring a redesigned airframe and introducing turboprop power. Developed during a transitional period when turbojets were not yet powerful enough to propel combat aircraft, the iconic Dark Shark nonetheless never got past the prototype stage during to rapidly developing jet technology which birthed such aircraft as the McDonnell Banshee and the Grumman Panther.
De Havilland D.H. 4
De Havilland DH 4 by Roden 1/48 scaleKit No. Ro 414Price: $34.00Decals: Three versions - Two for United States Air Service; One for United States MarinesComments: Detailed cockpits with interior fuselage structure; detailed engine cylinder bank, twin forward-firing...
De Havilland D.H. 88 Comet
DeHavilland D.H. 88 Comet by SBS 1/72 scale Kit No. SBS 7003 Cost: $40.00 Decals: Two versions, both for aircraft competing in the 1934 MacRobertson London-to-Melbourne air race Comments: Resin kit with photo-etch and white metal parts; engraved panel lines;...
De Havilland DH 108 Swallow
The elegant — and highly lethal — de Havilland DH 108 “Swallow” was a British experimental research aircraft of the late 1940’s designed by John Carver Meadows Frost in October 1945. It originated from a mission undertaken by a team from de Havilland Aircraft which traveled to Germany within two weeks of the end of World War II to interview senior German aircraft designers. While it advanced civil and military aircraft designs, it killed three test pilots.
De Havilland Fox Moth
The de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth was a successful small passenger carrying biplane of the 1930’s, designed in late 1931 as a low cost light passenger aircraft. Flying for the first time on January 29, 1932, it used many components of its more famous predecessor, the DH.82 Tiger Moth which was then being built in large quantities as a military trainer. It enjoyed some success as an export, developing a reputation as a rugged bush plane in Canada.
De Havilland Vampire (SNCASE SE 535 Mistral)
SNCASE SE.535 Mistral (DeHavilland Vampire) by Heller 1/72 scale Kit No. 221 Cost: $9.00 Decals: Two versions - One Armee de l'Air (French Air Force), One Aeronavale (French Navy) Comments: License-built version of Dehavilland Vampire; mix of engraved and raised panel...