Kit Previews
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Shenyang J-31 Gyrfalcon
The Shenyang J-31 is a fifth-generation, multi-role, twin-engine stealth fighter built for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is China’s second stealth fighter, after the Chengdu J-20. Its similarity to the American F-22 Raptor as well as the F-35, combined with its lengthy development period, has fueled rumors of industrial espionage designed to steal the secrets of U.S. stealth fighters.
Kyushu J7W1 Shinden
Japan’s J7W1 Shinden was the only World War II fighter featuring a canard design that any combatant ordered into production. A pusher design with a rear-mounted, six-bladed propeller, the Shinden (“Magnificent Lightning”) was heavily armed with four 30mm cannon, but flight testing began on August 3, 1945, 11 days before Japan’s surrender.
Short S.C.1
Short S.C.1 by Pro Resin 1/72 scale Kit No. R72-046 Cost: $28.00 Decals: One version - XG900 experimental aircraft Comments: All resin kit; photo-etch details; vacuform canopy History The Short S.C. 1 was an experimental research aircraft developed in the 1950's to...
Short Sunderland Mk. V
The Short Sunderland Mk. V, was the final variant of the series. It abandoned the Pegasus engines of it predecessors in favor of more powerful Pratt & Whitney Double Wasps. Entering service in February 1945, it played a significant role in the Berlin Airlift, the Malayan Uprising and anti-submarine operations during the Korean War.
SIAI S.211
The SIAI-Marchetti S.211 (later Aermacchi S-211) is a turbo-fan powered military trainer aircraft designed and originally marketed by Italian aviation manufacturer SIAI-Marchetti. SIAI-Marchetti began to develop the S.211 in 1976 as a private venture, hoping to offer it to the company’s existing customer base of small air forces operating their piston-engined SF.260. On April 10, 1981, the first prototype took its maiden flight.
Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Siemens-Schuckert D.III by Flashback 1/48 scale Kit No. KLH 89 18 Cost: $32.99 Decals: Two versions – German home defense fighter and Swiss Air Force Comments: Re-issue of Eduard kit with resin and photo-etched details; engraved panel lines History The Siemens...
Sikorsky S-43
A smaller version of Sikorsky’s S-42 flying boat, the S-43 was known as the “Baby Clipper.” Pan American Airways purchased fourteen S-43’s and deployed them throughout its Caribbean and South American routes to supplement its S-42’s then in service; it was also a successful carrier in the Hawaiian Islands.
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
Sopwith’s 1 1/2 Strutter marked a milestone in British fighter development as the first to be equipped with a forward firing machine gun synchronized to fire safely through the arch of its propeller. It first flew in December 1915, and entered service, initially unarmed, with the Royal Naval Air Service in April 1916. Initially effective against enemy fighters, it was soon obsolete and the British RFC withdrew it from the Front by mid-1917.
Sopwith Pup
The Sopwith Pup was a single-seat fighter of the First World War, initially superior to enemy competitors but quickly outmoded due to the rapid pace of fighter development at the time. It flew for the first time in February 1916, and proved a match for the Albatros and Fokker fighters it encountered at the battle of Ypres and Cambrai.
Spad VII C 1
Special Hobby Spad VII C1 1/48 scale Kit No. 48009 Cost: $28.00 Decals: Three versions by Cartograf -- two French, one Italian, all World War I aces Comments: Engraved panel lines, resin cockpit including sidewalls, resin upper cowling section, two vacuform...
Hughes H-4 Hercules, the “Spruce Goose”
The Hughes H-4 Hercules, forever burned into the world’s consciousness as “the Spruce Goose,” was conceived by shipbuilder Henry Kaiser and built by Howard Hughes during and after World War II. Conceived as a means of thwarting the U-boat menace by flying up to 750 armed troops directly to Europe, it was the largest aircraft ever built. Plagued by delays, investigated by Congress, Howard Hughes silenced his critics by flying it himself in November 1947.
SR-71 Blackbird
SR-71 Blackbird by Italeri 1/72 scale Kit No. 145 Cost: $15 - 20 aftermarket Decals: Two versions, both for U.S. Air Force Comments: Raised panel lines; Partially corrugated wing surface; Boxed-in wheel wells; Choice of two-seater versions, one with dual controls;...
Sud-Ouest SO.1221 “Djinn”
The Sud-Ouest SO.1221 Djinn (“Genie” or “Little Devil”) was the world’s first production helicopter to make use of ‘cold jet’ propulsion, using compressed air from the gas turbine engine and ducting it through channels inside the rotor blades to expel it through nozzles at their tips. It flew for the first time on January 12, 1953.
Sukhoi Su-6 AM 42
Sukhoi Su-6 AM-42 by Valom 1/72 scaleKit No. 72001Cost: $22.00Decals: One versionComments: Engraved panel lines, photo-etch parts for cockpit, landing gear, and bombs History The famed Ilyushin Il--2 Sturmovik is a well-known Soviet attack aircraft of the Second World...
Sukhoi Su-24M Fencer
The Sukhoi Su-24 is a tactical bomber and strike aircraft developed to replace the Ilyushin Il-28 and Yak-28 medium bombers. Fast with long-range and the ability to deliver ordnance with pinpoint precision, like the American F-111 its avionics feature integrated navigation, bombsight and weapons control linked to a central computer. Entering service in 1975 at forward air bases within Warsaw Pact countries, it soon became a source of concern for NATO.
Sukhoi Su-30 MKK Flanker G
The Sukhoi Su-30MKK (NATO reporting name, Flanker-G) is a twin-seat, twin-engine high-performance strike fighter developed by Sukhoi in 1997 from the Su-30 (Flanker-C/G/H), which was itself an evolution of the original Cold War era Su-27 “Flanker” series. It was manufactured in Russia specifically for the Chinese.
Sukhoi Su-34
Sukhoi Su-34 by Italeri 1/72 scale Kit No. 59 Cost: $22.00 Decals: Two versions, both for demonstration aircraft, one of which performed at the 1995 Paris Air Show Comments: Engraved panel lines, detailed cockpit, ample underwing stores History The Sukhoi Su-34...
Sukhoi T-50
The Sukhoi T-50 is a Russian fifth generation jet fighter developed by Sukhoi Aviation. Development work on the T-50 began in 2007, and after extensive modifications it entered service with the Russian Air Force under the designation Su-57 on December 25, 2020. The plan is for it to replace the MIG-29 Fulcrum and the Su-27 Flanker. Incorporating aspects of Lockheed’s F-22 and Northrop’s YF-23 designs, it is the first true Russian stealth fighter.
Dassault Super Mystere B.2
Piloted by Gérard Muselli, the Super Mystère B.2 went supersonic in level flight during its maiden flight at Melun-Villaroche, France on May 15, 1956 — without using its afterburner. It was the first jet fighter in Western Europe to achieve Mach 1.
Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard
The Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard was the premiere shipboard fighter of the French Navy from its introduction in 1978 until its retirement in 2016. It brought a fearsome new dimension to naval air power during the Falklands War as the designated airborne launch platform for the Exocet anti-ship missile. For a few brief weeks in 1982, it posed a serious threat to the Royal Navy in the South Atlantic, until the British were able to force the war to a quick end.