Kit Previews J – O
Lavochkin La-9
Like the Grumman Bearcat, the Lavochkin La-9 represented a dedicated effort to bring piston-engined fighter technology to its zenith at the dawn of the Jet Age, in part because the world’s air forces were transitioning to jets, at least initially, with baby steps. Entering service in 1946, it was the last piston-engined fighter fielded by the Soviet Union, equipped many satellite countries. It was not phased out until 1959, the year the MiG-21 appeared.
Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov LaGG-3
The LaGG-3 was the replacement for the Russian I-16. At the time of the German invasion of the Soviet Union it had recently entered service and was a modern, low-wing monoplane fighter featuring a fully enclosed cockpit and 20mm armament. By the end of 1941, it was the most numerous fighter in the Soviet inventory. But it was made of wood, and underpowered with quirky flight characteristics, leading pilots to call it the “Guaranteed Varnished Coffin.”
L-39 Albatros
L-39 Albatros by Eduard 1/72 scale Kit No. 7043 Cost: $28.00 Decals: Eight versions, including a prototype Russian test aircraft, markings for two Thai aircraft; two Czech aircraft, one West German, one Romanian, and one Libyan Comments: Engraved panel lines; highly...
CMC Leopard
The CMC Leopard-2 was the second prototype of a new aircraft intended to launch a new generation of business jets in Great Britain in the late 1990’s. But the world economy faltered just as the pricey plane was being perfected, and it became a footnote to aviation history.
Lightning F.2A/F.6
Trumpeter’s Lightning, a 2009 release, gets high marks for detail and ease of assembly (save for rather fiddly landing gear), but has little space for nose weights, which are definitely required if you build it with the gear down. Great kit but a tailsitter without a creative approach to nose weights.
Lippisch P.13a
Lippisch P.13a by PM Models 1/72 scale Kit No. PM-224 Cost: $10.00 Decals: One version - Luftwaffe Comments: Simple construction, engraved panel lines, basic cockpit History The Lippisch P.13a was an experimental ramjet-powered delta wing interceptor designed in late...
Lockheed L-210-10
Lockheed’s L-210 was an unusual high performance turboprop VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fighter design intended to protect naval convoys from enemy air attack, submitted in response to an RFP for the U.S. Navy Fighter Competition of 1950. While it led to Lockheed’s XFV-1 Salmon, the type never entered production due to the difficulty pilots had in landing it safely on its tail, and the steadily increasing performance of traditional jet fighters.
Lockheed L-212 Electra
Lockheed Model 212 by Special Hobby 1/72 scale Kit No. SH72094 Cost: $28.00 Decals: Four versions: 3 for Dutch East Indies, 1939-41; 1 for British Colonial Forces, India, 1942 Comments: Engraved panel lines; vacuform canopy and turret blister (one spare for the...
Loire 130
The Loire 130 was a French flying boat of WWII. Designed and built by Loire Aviation of St. Nazaire, it originated from a 1933 specification issued by the French Navy for a reconnaissance seaplane. First flown in November 1934, instability problems kept it from entering fleet service until 1938. A few saw service in Luftwaffe colors during the war, and a handful performed recce duties in the French Colonies, notably during the Franco-Thai War in early 1941.
Macchi Castoldi MC 72
Macchi Castoldi M.C. 72 by Delta 2 1/72 scale Kit No. 1 Cost: $15.00 - 20.00 Decals: One version Comments: Record-setting racing seaplane which continues to hold world speed record for its class; engraved panel lines; pilot figure included History The Macchi-Castoldi...
Macchi Castoldi MC 72 SBS
On October 23, 1934 , piloted by Francesco Agello, an MC 72 set the absolute world speed record for a piston-powered seaplane of 440 mph — a record which still stands over 80 years later.
Mansyu Ki-98
Mansyu Ki-98 by Meng 1/72 scale Kit No. DS-002 Cost: $26.50 Decals: Three versions, all 1945: Imperial Japanese Army; Macnchukuo Air Force; and Royal Thai Air Force Comments: Detailed exterior with engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail; raised detail on...
Martin Baltimore Mk. III/IV/V
The French government ordered 400 Martin Baltimores in early 1940 to replace its fleet of American-built Martin Maryland bombers. The French never received the aircraft due to the rapid, unexpected success of the German Blitzkrieg in June 1940. The Baltimores went to the British, who flew them in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Martin-Baker M.B. 6
While it never got off the drawing board, the Martin Baker M.B. 6 was a late WWII night fighter version of the experimental M.B. 5 that might have outperformed the Spitfire, but the RAF opted for jets.
Marcel Bloch MB.155 C1
The Bloch MB.155.C1 was the final variant of the MB.150 series of fighters to enter production and see operational service during the brief period of hostilities in WWII before the French surrender in June 1940. Arriving in squadrons in the final weeks before the Armistice in June 1940, only nine were completed before the Armistice with Nazi Germany. It would have replaced the MB.152 in French service if France had remained in the war longer.
Messerschmitt Bf 109E
Bf 109 E-3/E-4 by Amodel 1/72 scale Kit No. 72117 Cost: $15.00 - 20.00 Decals: Seven (7) versions - Luftwaffe E-4/N piloted by Adolf Galland, 1940-41; Romanian Air Force E-3; Armee de l'Aire E-3, November 1939; Swiss Air Force E-3, Summer 1939; Yugoslavian Air Force...
Messerschmitt Bf 109 F
Messerschmitt Bf109F-4/B by ICM 1/48 scale Kit No. 48104 Cost: $15.00 Decals: 4 versions - all Luftwaffe Comments: Engraved panel lines; multi-part engine; detailed cockpit; separately mounted rudder and cowling; three-piece canopy History The Messerschmitt BF109 was...
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2
The Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 was designed around the Daimler Benz DB 605 engine, capable of 1475 hp, a more powerful version of the 1350 hp-rated DB 601E that was the powerplant for the 109 F. Throughout the war there was a need to constantly improve the Luftwaffe’s fighters, but pilots felt that the 109G was a step backward from the 109F, as it sacrificed maneuverability for speed, a trade the RLM believed was worthwhile. Pilots preferred “the Franz.”
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6
Messerschmitt’s Bf 109G-6 was a mid-war effort to beef up the firepower and armor of a superlative fighter design that, by 1943, was past its prime. The G-6 for the first time carried the equivalent of heavy .50 caliber machine guns in addition to its 30mm cannon firing through the propeller hub. In this configuration it was sent up against Allied bombers, admittedly with often lethal results. But it was outclassed by the more capable Me 262 and Fw 190.
Messerschmitt Me 163
Nazi Germany’s rocket-powered point-defense interceptor terrorized Allied bomber crews and was nearly impossible to intercept, but had volatile fuels that could kill a pilot before takeoff….