Pre-production photos, HA1968, F-4B "Jolly Rogers" 1965.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1968, F-4B Phantom II 151474, "Jolly Rogers" 1965.

Pre-production photos, HA4403, Dutch F-35A Lightning II.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA4403, F-35A Lightning II F-001, Royal Netherlands Air Force.

U.S. F-15s performing at Estonian independence flyby diverted to intercept Russian spyplane.

On Feb. 24, Estonia celebrated its independence day. Part of the celebrations was a military parade in the city of Pärnu. U.S. F-15C fighters belonging to the 48th FW, currently deployed to Lithuania’s first air base in Zokniai, near Siauliai, took part to the flyby but they were forced to do double duty since they were first diverted to intercept a Russian plane.

Unfortunately, no details about the aircraft that was intercepted were released. The official statement by Estonian authorities says only: “Fighters identified the plane as a spy plane belonging to Russia.”

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/26/estonia-flyby-delayed/

Israeli Air Force reportedly hit targets in Bekaa Valley near Lebanon-Syria border.

Several media outlets in both Lebanon and Israel are reporting about a series of air strikes conducted by Israeli warplanes in the evening of Feb. 24 on the Lebanese-Syrian border area.

Al-Arabiya TV quoted witnesses according to those “more than two Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hizbullah posts in the outskirts of the towns of Janta, Brital and al-Nabi Sheet,” even if it is still unclear whether the airstrikes hit targets located inside Syria or Lebanon.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency two Israeli airstrikes were conducted on “the outskirts of al-Nabi Sheet near the Lebanese-Syrian border,” whereas LBCI TV said the Israeli planes struck targets “in the countryside facing the towns of Janta and Yahfoufa,” inside Syria.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/24/iaf-hits-in-bekaa-valley/

Hawker Typhoon to Go on Display in Canada.

Warbirds News has learned that the RAF Museum is loaning their unique Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB to the Canada Aviation & Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.

The aircraft, RAF serial MN235, is the sole surviving complete and original example of the breed, and as such it is an extraordinary honour for the Canadian museum to receive her for display. It is also a mark of respect for the many Canadian pilots who fought and often died in the type flying perilous, low-level, ground-attack missions against the Germans in WWII.

  

Typhoons were the scourge of the German army leading up to, and following D-Day, and played a major role in defeating the enemy. Several Royal Canadian Air Force units, including 440 “City of Ottawa” Squadron, flew the Typhoon, or “Tiffie”, as it was often affectionately referred to.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/hawker-typhoon-display-canada.html

Flying Legends 2014 poster by Romain Hugault.

French aviation artist Romain Hugault is the author of the 2014 Flying Legends airshow poster. The poster shows two Spitfire XIV at (very) low level over a field with poppies, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/02/18/flying-legends-2014-poster-by-romain-hugault/

Canada's Lancaster bomber to cross Atlantic for U.K. tour

Canada's WWII Lancaster bomber will soon be heading across the Atlantic to join the only other airworthy plane of its kind for a series of special flights over the U.K.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton revealed Monday that it plans to fly its vintage Avro Lancaster to England in August. Together with the Royal Air Force's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster, it will be involved in a month-long flying tour in the U.K. before returning home to Hamilton in September.

The last time Lancasters flew together was 50 years ago over Toronto, at RCAF Station Downsview. The RCAF flew a special formation of three of the bombers in April 1964 to mark their retirement from service.

The sight of two Lancasters flying in formation once more is a "once in a lifetime opportunity, something that will never happen again," said Al Mickeloff, spokesman for the museum in Hamilton, which owns the Canadian Lancaster. “We don’t expect to ever do another trip like this.”

This pic is from the Saskatoon Control Tower as the crew of Avro Lancaster C-GVRA did a couple of passes at YXE and then went to Winnipeg.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/canada-s-lancaster-bomber-to-cross-atlantic-for-u-k-tour-1.2546757

http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/397254-canadian-lancaster-phots.html

Hobby Master April 2014 releases.

After a long wait the April releases are finally available. April will be a bumper month with models folks have been requesting for ages. 

In 1/72 we start with the highly sought after WWII Beaufighter in the RAF day scheme and German Democratic Republic MiG-21! There's an Israeli RF-4E, Canadian F-86 Sabre, Vietnam era F-100, "Brentwaters Aggressor" F-16C and JASDF F-2A.

In 1/48 we see Dave Shilling's P-47D and A PR. XI Spitfire. In 1/32 a tri-colour schemed Vraciu F6F-3 Hellcat. Lastly there's a 1/200 Morning Star.

Italian and French jets escorted hijacked plane because Swiss AF was outside working hours

On Feb. 17, an Ethiopian Boeing 767 from Addis Ababa to Rome Fiumicino was hijacked by the copilot while the pilot was in the toilet, and eventually landed at Geneva airport.

The aircraft, flying as ET 702 was escorted on its route by two Eurofighter Typhoons of the 36° Stormo on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert).

When the Ethiopian flight reached the boundaries of the French airspace it was handed over to the French Air Force whose Mirage fighter jets escorted it until landing in Geneva: noteworthy, the hijacked liner was accompanied until landing by the French jets because instead of Swiss interceptors because the entire interception took place early in the morning, outside the working hours (08.00 – 12 and 13.30 – 17.00) of the Swiss F-18 Hornets!

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/18/ethiopian-air-def-response/

Iceland Air Meet 2014 at Keflavik airbase.

Personnel and weapons systems from Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden took part in the Iceland Air Meet 2014 (IAM2014) exercise, which took place between Feb. 3 and 21 in Iceland.

The large exercise took advantage of the concurrent deployment in Iceland of a Royal Norwegian Air Force detachment, involved in the regular NATO peacetime preparedness mission, although NATO mission and IAM 2014 remained two separate events.

For the first time ever, IAM 2014 saw the deployment to Iceland of aircraft from the Finnish and Swedish air forces, which took the opportunity to improve interoperability with both NATO and non-NATO members within the NORDEFCO (Nordic Defense Cooperation).

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/18/iam-2014-keflavik/

Polish Air Force Su-22 Fitters will be modernized.

According to the Polish Minister of National Defense Tomasz Siemioniak, who talked to  the media during his visit to Świdwin airbase, the iconic Cold War fighter bombers will be upgraded.

The Polish Air Force currently operates an aging fleet of 26 Su-22M4′s and 6 Su-22UM3K. The decision on the extent of the upgrade is to be made mid-March, this year. Earlier the Fitters were planned to be withdrawn by 2015 and replaced by UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The modernization is not to be expensive, and is to be carried out by the Military Aviation Works no. 2 in Bydgoszcz, the same plant that takes care of the Polish F-16 Block 52+ fighters.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/20/polish-af-su-22-upgrade/

Hélicoptères de Combat #5 - Super Frelon

Picture of the Altaya Super Frelon courtesy of Le Chapelier. The model is due out mid March.

Hélicoptères de combat # 4 - Bell UH 1 Iroquois

Picture of the Altaya Bell UH-1 courtesy of Le Chapelier. This model is due out shortly.

Hélicoptéres de Combat #3 - Kamov KA-50

Pictures of the Altaya Kamov Ka-50 courtesy of Le Chapelier.

Hélicoptères de Combat #2 - Apache

Pictures of the Altaya Apache courtesy of Le Chapelier.

Hélicoptères de Combat #1 - Super Puma

Le Chapelier, a regular forum contributor, has posted some pictures of the new Altaya combat helicopter range. He has reviewed some of their products on DHP (Diecast Hangar Pub).

Operation Jericho - 18 February 1944.

Pathe newsreel film of the Amiens prison raid (later known as 'Operation Jericho' ) on February 18th 1944, led by Group Captain Charles Pickard from RAF Hunsdon in Hertfordshire.

RAF Red Arrows unveil new tailfin for 50th display season.

A NEW tailfin design has been unveiled on jets of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, to celebrate its 50th display season.

The makeover is the most significant change to the look of the Team's famous aircraft in its history.

In the shape of a Union flag, the striking new tail design reflects the Best of British and emphasises the Red Arrows' role as ambassadors for the United Kingdom and as the public face of the Royal Air Force.

The new tail is in celebration of the Red Arrows' 50th display season in 2014 and was unveiled today at the Team's home - RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

All of the Team's jets are receiving the fresh look, although their iconic red and white fuselage remains unchanged.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=87462142-5056-A318-A8A61044D59939C1

Final product photos, HA1940, RAAF No.1 Sqn. F-4E Phantom II.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1940, F-4E Phantom II RAAF No. 1 Squadron, 1973. 

This model is limited to Australia only and is made in 1/72 Scale. This fighter bomber served in the Royal Australian Air Force between 1970 and 1973 with the No. 1 Squadron. 24 Phantoms were leased to the RAAF from the US whilst awaiting the arrival of the F-111C bombers and proved to be very successful in helping pilot training.

Whilst in service the Phantoms participated in airshows including the RAAF 50th Anniversary shows during March and April 1971. On June 21st 1973 the Phantoms departed Australia and were returned to the USAF.

Squadron Leader David Rogers flew the sortie with Flight Lieutenant Lester Cavanagh on 20th June 1973 which was the last Phantom mission for the RAAF. The F-4E was presented to the RAAF in 1990 and is currently on display at the RAAF Museum in Point Cook, Victoria.

Poland selects Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master as advanced jet trainer.

According to the Polish Ministry of National Defense the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master has been officially selected to be the Polish Air Force’s jet trainer in Dęblin.

Last week, between Feb 3 and 5 the plane has gone through a verification process in the 41. Training Aviation Base located in Dęblin. This aimed at verifying whether the aircraft fits the contract requirements.

The offer does not only include eight Masters, but also full mission simulator, partial task simulator, ejection seat simulator and computer based training support system, along with a logistics bundle. The place the training will take place will not change – it all will happen in Dęblin.

Master in Poland won a competition against BAe Systems Hawk and Lockheed Martin’s T-50.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/14/m-346-master-poland/

Red Flag 14-1 Nellis AFB

Royal Air Force Red Flag 14-1

The Royal Air Force deployed Typhoon, Tornado and E-3D aircraft to Red FLAG 14-1, the largest and most complex air combat training exercise of the year conducted at Nellis Air force Base, Nevada. 

Introduction to Exercise Red Flag 2014

About 300 RAAF personnel from around Australia deployed to Exercise Red Flag held between 21st Jan -- 15 Feb 2014. The Exercise was conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range, north of Las Vegas in the United States. 

The large scale exercise involved experienced aircrews from different air forces, including the United States and Great Britain flying strike, electronic warfare, tactical transport, fighter escort, airborne warning and control and air to air refuelling missions against dedicated defensive fighter aircraft and an extensive range of simulated surface to air threats. 

Exercise RED FLAG is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Centre and Nellis Air Force Base, through the 414th Combat Training Squadron.

Operation Daedalus 2014 – Sion Air Base.

Operation Daedalus 2014 once again combined both Swiss & Austrian Air Force assets to secure airspace for this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos in the Swiss Alps from 22 to 25 January.  Steve Comber reports from Sion Air Base, home to the Swiss Air Force contingent for the duration.

With Austrian Eurofighter EF2000s operating from Graz-Thalerhof in Austria, Swiss Air Force WEF air policing operations work on a three-year rotational basis between Meiringen, Payerne and, once again, in 2014 it was Sion’s turn to ‘make some noise’.

F/A-18 Hornets and F-5E Tigers were tasked complex airspace denial and surveillance operations with airspace restricted to a radius of 25 miles around Davos and Montreux and both with a central six mile ‘no fly zone’ strictly enforced.

http://globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/02/12/bloggar-steve-comber-operation-daedalus-2014-sion-air-base/

Snowbirds forced to cancel 2014 US air show schedule due to budget cuts.

Following their American demo team counterparts, that were grounded last year due to the sequestration cuts, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s “Snowbirds” has been forced to cancel their 2014 US air show appearances due to budget cuts constraints.

This does not mean their shows won't go on as scheduled in Canada, but their presence in the United States has now been put on hold.

The RCAF “Snowbirds” are Canada’s military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to “demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel.”

RCAF’s Snowbirds spokesman Captain Thomas Edelson says the numbers of flying hours were cut for the squadron based in Moose Jaw, Sask., so the four upcoming U.S. shows were cancelled.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/11/rcaf-showbirds-cancel-shows/

UK’s new Aerial Refueler grounded after Voyager plane plummets 2,000 feet.

The UK’s fleet of brand new “Voyager” aerial refuelers has been grounded after a tanker, bringing 181 military to Afghanistan, suffered an incident in Turkey’s airspace.

Based on the first reports, the Royal Air Force’s modified Airbus 330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) was overflying Turkey on Sunday night, when it suddenly plummeted 2,000 feet.

A few passengers received minor injuries hence the aircraft performed an emergency landing at an unspecified divert field in Turkey.

The UK’s MoD decided to suspend the flying activity of all its Voyager aircraft until the incident is investigated.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/02/13/raf-voyager-stand-down/

Unique Mustang Model Now on Display at The RAF Museum Cosford.

Now on display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is a 1:5 scale scratch built North American P-51D Mustang. This unique model took almost ten years to build and was kindly donated to the Museum in autumn last year. 

This remarkable Mustang model now forms a centre piece display in the Museum’s Visitor Centre where visitors can view all its intricate details up close.The model is the work of retired journalist and avid modeller David Glen and was built in tribute to the US pilots and crews who gave their lives in support of their European allies over two World Wars. 

At over 6ft in length with a wing span of over 7ft the model bears the markings of VF-B 413317, the aircraft flown by Captain Donald R. Emerson, 336 Squadron, 4th Fighter Group who was killed on Christmas Day 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/uncategorized/unique-mustang-model-display-raf-museum-cosford.html#more-10125

Prowler Arrives at Flying Leathernecks Museum.

The Flying Leathernecks Aviation Museum and Historical Foundation at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California has just taken delivery of a Grumman EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft. 

Based upon the airframe of the now-retired A-6 Intruder, the Prowler started service in the early 1970’s and is still active in small numbers with both Marine Corps and Navy squadrons. 

The introduction of the Boeing EA-18G Growler (a modified version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet), has seen Prowlers slowly being retired as their successor enters service in greater numbers. A few Prowlers have made it to museums.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/prowler-arrives-flying-leathernecks-museum.html#more-10111