Pre-production photos Aviation72 AV7221003 RAF DeHavilland DH86 Tiger Moth T-6818.

Aviation72 AV7221003 De Havilland DH86 Tiger Moth RAF Trainer T-6818 in 1/72 scale.

Pre-production photos Aviation72 AV7226004 DeHavilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk WB660 British Army.

Aviation72 AV7226004 De Havilland Canada DHC1 Chipmunk WB660 Basic British Army Trainer in 1/72.

Pre-production photos Aviation 72 Scottish Aviation Swedish Air Force Bulldog.

Aviation72 AV7225003 Scottish Aviation Bulldog, Swedish Air Force Basic Trainer in 1/72 scale.

Corgi 50th anniversary Red Arrows Hawk.

Corgi has released a picture of their upcoming BAe Hawk, AA36011, in the latest Red Arrows livery on their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/corgidiecast

Unique P-40B Arrives At American Aero Services.

The Collings Foundation’s unique Curtiss P-40B Warhawk has finally arrived back in the United States. It didn’t fly home, but rather took the slow boat from England, disassembled inside a shipping container. The fighter is currently with Gary Norville’s American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Norville’s capable crew, long-associated with Collings Foundation restorations, is already reassembling the Warhawk, and plan to have her flying again by early September.

As some of our readers will be well aware, this P-40 can trace its wartime history back to December 7th, 1941. It was stationed that day at Wheeler Field on Oahu, Hawaii, but amazingly suffered no damage during the Japanese the attack. In fact, she remains one of the two only surviving, airworthy American aircraft from the infamous Pearl Harbor raid. The other aircraft is the Grumman J2F-4 Duck owned by Chuck Greenhill.

The Collings Foundation’s P-40B was one of just 131 P-40Bs to roll off Curtiss’s factory in Buffalo, New York during 1940-1941. She joined the US Army Air Corps as 41-13297 in March 1941, moving to Wheeler Field, Hawaii in April to join the 19th Pursuit Squadron of the 18th Pursuit Group. In October 1941, the Warhawk suffered a wheels-up landing. The damage required a spell in a maintenance hangar for repair, and this is perhaps why the airframe survived. 

She was still in the hangar when the Japanese raided Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Following maintenance she returned to her original squadron. However, on January 24th, 1942, with only 56 hours of flight time, she spun out of control while on a routine training flight and crashed into a mountain killing her pilot Lt. Kenneth Wayne Sprankle. The crash occurred in a rather inaccessible area of the island, so after retrieving Sprankle’s body, the recovery team left the aircraft in place, and there she stayed for the next five decades.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/unique-p-40b-arrives-american-aero-services.html

Airshow Review by Shaun Schofield : Cold War Jets Open Day – August 2014

August bank holiday weekend can mean only one thing – cold war jets. Shaun Schofield headed up to Bruntingthorpe for his yearly fix of classic jet noise.

For the avid enthusiast of classic jets, no season would be complete without a visit to at least one of the Cold War Jets Collection’s two annual open days. In the five years I have been attending these events, they have continued to go from strength to strength; this year’s August run being arguably the best yet, with greater numbers and variety of types on show than I can remember.

Kicking off the show was a trio of Buccaneers. It’s been a few years since all three have run together, with serviceability issues affecting at least one of the jets in that time, so to see the full set once again was a real highlight of the event, and true testament to the hard work and effort ‘The Buccaneer Aviation Group’ put into keeping these characterful jets running.

Having made its debut at the May open day, the VC-10 is the newest runner in the collection, and by far the largest. The Nimrod especially offered an alternative take on its traditional run, performing two turns on the runway akin to the way the smaller aircraft are displayed, providing a much welcome opportunity to view the aircraft from differing angles.

It’s fair to say that for many, the main draw to these events are the Lightnings. There really is nothing quite like seeing one of these imposing monsters hurtle down the runway in full reheat, leaving torn ear drums and a symphony of car alarms in their wake, except perhaps seeing two! XR728 was given the honours for the first Lightning run of the day, with XS904 running before the VC10 closed the show; a stunning spectacle in every respect.

For the full review please follow the link.

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/08/29/airshow-review-cold-war-jets-open-day-august-2014/

Final product photos, HA3606, F-106A 49th FIS, Griffiss AFB.

Hobby Master 172 Air Power Series, HA3606, F-106A Delta Dart BuNo. 60453, 49th FIS, Griffiss AFB New York 1986.

Convair F-106A 56-0453 was the third F-106 produced in the San Diego plant and delivered to the USAF on September 30, 1957 as 60453. It was retained by Convair for various testing until August 1961 then released to the 318th FIS, 325th FW, McChord AFB, Washington. 

For the next 21 years the aircraft was shifted several times between the 318th FIS, the 48th FIS, ADWC at Tyndall AFB, Florida, before reaching the 49th FIS at Griffiss AFB, New York. In 1987 60453 was sent to storage and was destroyed in 1995.

Italian Tornados collide near Ascoli.

Two Italian military jets have collided in mid-air during a training exercise in eastern Italy.

The aircraft crashed 30km (18 miles) from Ascoli in the Marche region on Tuesday, setting off raging fires in the forest below.

Four people are thought to be missing, including both the pilots and navigators.

Local reports had indicated that the two pilots had ejected, but they have not been confirmed. No casualties have been reported on the ground.

"A giant ball of fire lasted for five seconds before slamming into the mountains", Fabio Valeri, who witnessed the crash, told Italian news channel Sky TG24.

Residents in the nearby villages of Olibra and Venarotta described hearing a bang before the fire broke out on the ground.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28855459

Africa's First Home Grown Military Aircraft.

Africa's very first fixed wing military aircraft took to the skies for its first public flight at the Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria. The Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) is the first plane to be fully designed, tested and developed in Africa. AHRLAC was developed by Africa's largest privately-owned defence and aerospace company, Paramount Group and looks to address modern threats such as piracy, insurgencies, poaching and terrorism.

AHRLAC is the first of its kind in the world, the versatile craft addresses key needs by performing tasks that would previously require up to four separately configured aircraft. It integrates the design of attack helicopters with surveillance platforms and reconnaissance aircraft and has the ability to carry surveillance, weapons, radar and electronic warfare systems. It brings advanced operational solutions at a fraction of the cost of previous technology.

"AHRLAC is a home grown, world class capability that will enable developing countries and advanced nations to strengthen and diversify their security infrastructure," says Paramount Group Executive Chairperson, Ivor Ichikowitz, "It offers the global industry a new, very cost effective and multi-role solution that will change the way global air forces procure and structure their air fleets. AHRLAC is a solution shaped for today’s modern threats like insurgencies, piracy, poaching and terrorism."

http://motoring.howzit.msn.com/innovation/design/africas-first-home-grown-military-aircraft#image=1

US32622F - Corgi Lancaster VR-A CWH

Here is a short review of the latest Corgi 1/72 scale Lancaster release - a special edition commission for the Canadian Warplane Heritage. The following explains some of the background:

For the upcoming tour of England, CWH has commissioned Corgi to produce an exclusive limited production run of 1/72 VR-A Lancaster's. Different than the original one as this one is to replicate the original VR-A, not the restored beast. So has skinny props, baffles on engine, blister on top, different turret, proper markings, etc. It's on the water now and is being delivered to the UK. Will be available from the merchandise trailer accompanying the Lancaster while on tour. If any left, they will be made available in Canada and online.

The model is now available exclusively from the CWH trailer as it visits various venues during the air show season. 1200 are being produced so hopefully this will satisfy the demand.

The actual model is very good and the colours, fit of parts and general overall construction make it one of the best Lancaster's released in recent years. The last few releases have had a lot of attention to get the colours right and this continues with a good rendition of the basic green/brown scheme. The fit of the undercarriage is good along with the propeller's (a problem in the past on some previous releases). An interesting feature is the option to fit the bombs to the bomb bay. A couple of types are included with a big 'cookie' taking centre place.

It is a long time since a Corgi commission was made available and I hope this is a great success to maybe encourage more in the future. Here are some photos to enjoy.

 Shuttle

Hobby Master releases for October 2014

Quite a few new releases for October, first up is a 1/32 SBD-1 from VMB-1 US Marine Corps 1940. For 1/72 we have jets, plenty of jets...

There are two A-10Cs Thunderbolt IIs, one Michigan ANG "Red Devils", the other Indiana ANG "Blacksnakes", an F-4EJ Kai 302 Hikotai, JASDF and a Turkish F-100D Super Sabre.

There are also two F-16AM Block 15s of the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Air Forces. For the USAF there's an F/A-22 Raptor, F-106A "The Last" and the only non jet, the A-1H Skyraider "Lieutenant America". Representing NASA is an F-15D.

In 1/48 there's a P-47D Razorback flow by Steve Pisanos, with and without the signature stand.

Two Lancaster Bombers First Flight Together

The First Flight Of The Canadian And Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Flying Together At Coningsby. Filmed On Wednesday 13 August 2014.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2724404/Dambusters-reunited-Two-Second-World-War-Lancaster-bombers-fly-time-50-years.html

CWHM Lancaster KB726 (C-GVRA) arrival signals start of Lancaster Bomber Tour.

Friday, 8 August 2014 saw the culmination of a plan months in the making as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s (CWHM) Avro Lancaster Mk.X KB726 (C-GVRA) safely completed its 3,700 mile trip to the UK, arriving at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, to begin a one-off month-long tour of Great Britain. Elliott Marsh previews the ‘Lanc’ season’, with exclusive images from the aircraft’s arrival courtesy of Karl Drage and Dave Gledhill.

The CWHM Lancaster’s near 4,000 mile journey to the UK took it from its Hamilton, Ontario base on Tuesday, 5 August, via Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, and Keflavik, Iceland, prior to its arrival at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK, on Friday, 8 August. Supporting the Lancaster for the initial leg of its flight was the CWHM’s B-25 Mitchell. 

Sadly, the planned formation flypast of the Canadian Lancaster, the Red Arrows and the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (RAF BBMF) Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane was cancelled due to poor weather, with the Lancaster instead arriving straight into landing at RAF Coningsby at around 1400.  It was greeted on the ground by over 100 RAF Bomber Command veterans, to whom this trip means so much, and hundreds of spectators lining the fence to greet the Canadians at the culmination of their transatlantic flight.

EXEMPLARY AIRMANSHIP SAVES HISTORIC SEA FURY.

Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy Historic Flight, Lt Cdr Chris Götke Royal Navy displayed exemplary airmanship when the Fly Navy Heritage Trust historic Hawker Sea Fury T20 G-RNHF (VX281) lost power during a display manoeuvre at RNAS Culdrose Air Day on 31 July, forcing him to take swift action and carry out a dramatic emergency landing.

Lt Cdr Götke’s quick thinking and skilful handling of a complex and potentially highly dangerous situation averted disaster, not only putting the aircraft on the ground safely and avoiding injury to the 33,000 crowd – but undoubtedly saving the aircraft as well as himself.

A witness on the display line said “I have complete and utter respect for the pilot for being so professional. It was a textbook forced landing in extremely difficult circumstances.”

“The aircraft lost power at a critical point in the display” said Commodore Bill Covington, a Trustee of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust. “Chris did a fantastic job. He only had 250-280 knots and couldn’t complete the manoeuvre as intended. He initially thought he would land in a nearby field but when he realised he didn’t have enough power to make it, he exercised superb judgment and landed the aircraft on the runway as soon as possible. 

Carrying out a successful forced landing in one of these heavy fast heritage aircraft is extremely difficult. It is hard enough to get it right even in practice – let alone from the middle of an air display. His quick reactions and calm decision-making protected the public and saved a rare and historically significant Navy Heritage aircraft.”

Lt Cdr Chris Götke (above) pictured with Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown CBE DSC AFC Royal Navy (95) the Royal Navy’s most decorated and distinguished Naval Test Pilot, in front of Sea Fury T20 just before he took off to fly to the Air Day at RNAS Culdrose.  Captain Eric Brown who has flown 487 different aircraft types, more than any other pilot in the world and also holds the world record for carrier deck landings at 2407, said of Chris’ skilful emergency landing “it was a pretty amazing piece of flying. There couldn’t have been a better person at the controls and the entire Fleet Air Arm community salutes him!”

For the complete statement from the Fly Navy Heritage Trust follow the link.

http://www.fnht.co.uk/exemplary-airmanship-saves-sea-fury.html

Essex Armed Forces Days.

Towards the end of June numerous Armed Forces Day events were held across the UK, in addition to the showpiece National event hosted this year by Stirling in Scotland. Mike Shreeve reports for GAR from two such events held in Essex at Barleylands Showground and Stow Maries Airfield.

Inaugurated a decade ago as Veterans Day, and held at the end of June to mark the anniversary of the first Investiture of the Victoria Cross in June 1857, the event was renamed Armed Forces Day in 2009. Intended to raise public awareness of the work of the Armed Forces, and to give local communities the opportunity to show their support for serving members of the Armed Forces, events were held nationwide across the last two weekends in June.

On 21-22 June, the South Essex Armed Forces Day event was held at Barleylands Showground, Billericay. 

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/07/31/aviation-event-review-essex-armed-forces-days/

RAF Benson 75th Anniversary.

As part of the celebrations to mark the station’s 75 year anniversary, Royal Air Force Benson took the very positive decision on 4 May to take its personnel, ground equipment and two of its helicopters into the local community near Wallingford, Oxfordshire.  Ian Harding reports for GAR.

This special event, which proved highly popular, was held during the May Day bank holiday weekend in Benson village to acknowledge Benson and Ewelme villages’ support to RAF Benson throughout its history. Events included a parade of troops marching to the music of the Central Band of the RAF, a church service at Benson’s St Helen’s church as well as various displays on the village green itself.

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2014/07/29/aviation-event-raf-benson-75th-anniversary/