Zero Fighter Flies Over Japan for the first Time Since WWII.

KANOYA, Japan -- One of Mitsubishi's legendary Zero fighter planes took to the skies over Japan on Wednesday for the first time since World War II.

The restored plane made a brief flight to and from a naval base in southern Japan. Decorated former U.S. Air Force pilot Skip Holm flew the aircraft.

This particular plane was found decaying in Papua New Guinea in the 1970s. It was owned by an American until Japanese businessman Masahiro Ishizuka purchased it and brought it to Japan last September.

"I wanted for the people of Japan and especially young people to know about this Zero airplane, as well as those who are old who remember the past," Ishizuka said. "Each of them should have different thoughts and perspectives on this, but I just want people to know how Japan has developed its technology."

Kamikaze pilots took off from the same airfield as Wednesday's flight, Kanoya Naval Air Base on the island of Kyushu.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/27/zero-fighter-flies-over-japan-for-1st-time-since-wwii.html?ESRC=eb.nl

Oxford developing a Supermarine Walrus!!!

It comes as a huge surprise to find images from Oxford of a new mold being developed in the form of a 1/72 scale Supermarine Walrus! From the images we can assume it will be from their Blue Box line. 

With Corgi doing their 1930's bi-planes one could reasonably have expected them to do the Walrus after their ambitious Short Sunderland release. Alas Oxford beat them to the punch! With Oxford's very good Avro Anson and DeHavilland Rapide and Comet we can look forward to this release with eager anticipation. 

It's 75 years since the Lancaster bomber first roared aloft.

It's now 75 years since that crisp January morning when a small crowd gathered at Manchester's Ringway Airport to see if a new prototype could get off the ground. Its creator, Roy Chadwick, had even brought along his elder daughter, Margaret, to share the moment.

The test pilot, Sam Brown, revved up the four engines and the elegant monster tore down the runway and into the sky. It circled the airfield, banked to left and right, came back down and parked. As the crowd rushed to hear the verdict, the fuselage door flew open.

A beaming Brown did not mince his words. 'It was marvellous!' he declared.

'Daddy, you must be very pleased,' Margaret told her father. 'Yes, I am,' Chadwick replied, 'but one cannot rest on one's laurels.'

His colleague at the Avro aircraft company, general manager Roy Dobson, was less restrained. 'Oh boy, what an aeroplane!' he cried. He wasn't exaggerating. They had all just seen the maiden flight of the mighty Lancaster.

By the end of the war, 7,377 Lancasters would have carried out more than 150,000 missions —including the supremely audacious Dambuster Raids of 1943 — and dropped more than 600,000 tons of bombs on the enemy, a feat unequalled by any other plane. Yet 3,249 aircraft and their crews would be lost in action.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3412842/The-flying-death-trap-helped-save-civilisation-s-75-years-Lancaster-bomber-roared-aloft-leaders-refuse-celebrate-giant-smashed-Nazi-war-machine.html?offset=0&max=100&jumpTo=comment-113488767#comment-113488767

Bomber Camp 2016 - The Mission

Here is a crude video put together from our first Fantasy Camp prototype event a year ago with the Collings Foundation. This was more of a recreation of a WWII mission than an actual Bomber Crew School which we are doing now. 

Wayne shot the video from the back of the P-51C. Other air to air was shot from the Twin Beech. Mark shot the great bomb drop video while strapped into a harness and he stood on the catwalk between the bomb racks.

Notice the first bomb how it starts spinning and wobbling. This was our first attempt at making bombs (out of concrete) and we hadn't figured out how to secure the fins. The fin group loosened up and you sure can see the results.

I had a friend put my own video camera on a tripod next to the target truck. I figured since I was aiming at the truck and this was my first time using a Norden Bombsight that the target was the safest place in the whole area!

If you can, turn up the audio and listen to the sound of the bombs as they rush in just before they hit the ground. It is awesome. The only thing missing was the boom noise at the end.

We are now taking sign ups for our WWII Bomber Crew Fantasy Camp. You can learn all about the different crew positions in a WWII B-17 or B-24 and then you will learn gunnery and train just like they did in WWII. First with a WWII shotgun aiming at clay pigeons and then trying to hit the moving target from the turret truck and finally live fire with a 50 cal.

The next day you get checked out in the ball turret ground trainer, load up the bombs and fly a mission. You can: shoot the 50's in the waist at the attacking Messerschmidt 262 German Jet, take the ball turret for a spin in the air and try to hit the target with the Norden Bomb Sight.

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/bomber-camp-2016-battle-bombers.html

Corgi announces new Messerschmitt Bf 109E and Curtiss P-40B Warhawk.

Corgi has announced two new CAD toolings following on from the Spitfire, Hurricane and Mustang that previously benefitted from the latest developments in diecast technology. 

One, the Bf 109E is totally re-tooled while the other, the P-40B Warhawk is a completely new. Corgi acknowledge accurate research is key to a successful new tooling.

http://www.corgi.co.uk/news/diecast-diaries/new-year-new-tooling/

Russian Tu-95 bomber exploding during take off last January.

As reported last year, the Russian Ministry of Defense suspended all the Russian Air Force Tu-95 Bear flights after a strategic bomber suffered an incident in Russia’s Far East on Jun. 8, 2015: the +60-year old Russian four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform skidded off the runway and exploded after the left wing caught fire during the take off run at Ukrainka airfield.

As a consequence of the incident, the second involving a Bear in two years (followed, on Jul. 14, 2015 by another incident), two of the five-man aircrew were reportedly killed (only one casualty according to the first reports.)

Now, a video of the incident has been released. It shows the aircraft’s left wing catching fire during the take off roll, causing the aircraft to steer off runway and explode.

http://theaviationist.com/2016/01/21/russian-tu-95-video-explosion/

Russia to deploy Ka-52 attack helicopters to Syria.

The “Hokum-B” combat helicopters will be used to protect the Russian contingent at Hmeymim airbase.

Russian Kamov Ka-52 (NATO reporting name “Hokum-B”) helicopters would be about to deploy to Syria according to a source who talked to ITAR-TASS.

The attack choppers will be used to protect the Russian Task Force deployed to Hmeymim airbase, near Latakia, as well as to conduct CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue) missions as the one launched to rescue the two pilots who ejected from the Su-24 Fencer shot down by a Turkish Air Force F-16 in November 2015 (during which, a Mi-8AMTSh Hip helicopter was hit by ground fire and later destroyed).

Interestingly, the first Ka-52 deployment will also be an opportunity for the Russians to test new technologies as the KRET Vitebsk EW (Electronic Warfare System).

http://theaviationist.com/2016/01/15/russia-to-deploy-ka-52-attack-helicopters-to-syria-to-protect-latakia-air-base/

Final product photos HA7729 P-51D Mustang "Old Crow".

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7729 P-51D Mustang 414450, Captain C.E. Bud Anderson, 363rd FS, 357th FG, 1944. There are two versions, one  with autographed stand, the other not.

Captain C.E. Bud Anderson served two combat tours with the 363rd FS/357th FG during WWII. The 357th FG was stationed at RAF Leiston, England and Anderson flew a P-51D s/n 44-14450 B6-S (B6 signified the 363rd FS) adorned with his familiar Old Crow nickname. 

Bud flew 44-14450 on 66 missions and added 11 ¼ aerial victories to his total. Bud Anderson never had to abort a mission and his aircraft never suffered a hit from enemy aircraft and he returned state side in February 1945 as a Major.

Final product photos HA3711 F-101B Voodoo Washington ANG.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3711 McDonnell F-101B Voodoo 57-0300, Washington ANG, 116th FIS, 1970s.

In 1917 the 116th FIS was the 116th Aero Squadron. In 1945 and several designation changes the now 116th FS was allotted to the Washington ANG. February 10, 1951 the unit became the 116th FIS. 

After a short time in England the unit returned to the U.S. equipped with F-86As, in 1955 with the F-94 Starfire. In 1957 they were given the F89D Scorpion and later the F-89J. 

In 1965 the F-102A Delta Dagger was supplied and in 1969 the F-101B Voodoo. F-101B 57-0300 was assigned to the 116th FIS from 1973-1974.

Final product photos HA3527 F/A-18C Hornet Swiss Air Force Falcons.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3527 F/A-18C Hornet Swiss Air Force J-5017, 17 Staffel "Falcons".

In 1997 the Swiss Air Force acquired 26 Boeing F/A-18C Hornets as well as 8 F/A-18Ds. In June 1997 17 Staffel “Falcons” was the first squadron to receive the new aircraft followed by 18 Staffel “Panthers” in the Spring of 1998 and 11 Staffel “Tigers” in 1999. 

Beginning in 2010 an F/A-18C from Staffels 17 (J-5017) and 18 (J-5018) were painted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Swiss military aviation. From 2010 until 2012 J-5017 was theSolo Display aircraft from Staffel 17 flown by Ralph “Deasy” Knittel.

Final product photos HA2814 F-22 Raptor 10-4193/AK, 3rd Wing.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2814 Lockheed F-22 Raptor 10-4193/AK, 3rd Wing, 2014.

Lockheed Martin produced a total of 195 F-22 Raptors of which 8 were for developmental purposes and 187 for full operational assignment. On May 5, 2012 F-22 10-4193 wearing tail number 4193/AK and piloted by 3rd Wing Cdr Col. Dirk “Stuff” Smith accompanied by F-22 10-4195/AK left Dobbins Air Reserve Base for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. 

These 2 aircraft were the last of 47 F-22s destined for the 3rd Wing. F-22 10-4193 will be the flagship for the 3rd Wing and 10-4195 the flagship for the 525th FS.

Hobby Master releases for March 2016.

March sees the release of the 1st HM EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-136 Gauntlets. There are two F-4 Phantoms, a Vietman era F-4D and an RF-4EJ Kai in an interesting blue scheme. 

There are also two MiG-21 PFMs from the Polish and Czech Air Forces. From the Korean War era the there's F-86F "MiG Mad Marine" and from WWII a cannon armed Ju-87 G-1.

In 1/48 there's a razorback P-47D "Fiery Ginger IV" from the Pacific theatre.

Pictures of the new Air Commander McDonnell Douglas F-4E 62-0210 are out.

Air Commander AC-1005 1/72 scale McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II USAF 432nd TFW, 58th TFS, 62-0210 Phil Handley Udorn RTAFB, Thailand "Supersonic Gun Kill," 02 June 1972

On June 2, 1972 at approximately 1330 hours, Brenda 01, a hard-wing F-4E, tail number 68210, flown by Major Phil Handley shot down a MiG-19 with 20mm cannon fire, approximately 40 miles northeast of Hanoi.

At the time of the kill, the estimated flight parameters were: F-4 speed over 1.2 mach (800+ kts); MiG-19 speed mach 0.77 (500 kts); altitude above terrain 500 feet; slant range 200-300 feet; and flight path crossing angle 90 degrees. 

This was the only MiG-19 shot down by cannon fire during the course of the war in Southeast Asia, and is believed to be the highest speed gun kill in the history of aerial combat.

The release has been delayed to March 2016.

Modernising the Luftwaffe’s Sikorsky CH-53s.

The Luftwaffe’s venerable Sikorsky CH-53 fleet has gone through a number of upgrades in recent years, ensuring the continuation of its service with the German Armed Forces. Hartmut Feldmann writes.

Following the structural reform of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) in 2011, the nation’s Luftwaffe (German Air Force) became the sole organisation to carry out the armed forces’ tactical airlift role. When examining the operational capabilities of the available transport helicopter types, a decision was made to transfer the Bell UH-1Ds and the new NH90 light transport helicopters operated by the Luftwaffe to the Heeresflieger (German Army Aviation Corps). In return, command and control of the aged but reliable Heeresflieger Sikorsky CH-53s was transferred to the Luftwaffe by 2013. In 1968, the Bundeswehr received 110 CH-53Gs, a total of which 78 survive, with four variants currently operated – the CH-53 G, GS, GE and GA, all of which are fitted with different equipment and features (more on which later).  Until its transfer to the Luftwaffe the CH-53 MTHs (Mittlerer Transport-hubschrauber) served several different regiments of the Heeresflieger.

Following the Bundeswehr’s in-theatre experiences of the Afghanistan conflict, 20 CH-53Gs underwent an upgrade carried out by Eurocopter. Designated CH-53GS, the aircraft received Kevlar armour-plating, new and more powerful engines with new titanium rotor blades, a GPS navigation system, helmet-mounted night-vision goggles, radar and laser warning receivers (Missile Launch Detection System), chaff and flare dispensers and, optionally, two external fuel tanks carrying an additional c.5,000 litres of fuel. In addition to the automated self-defence systems the GS variant (the S stands for ‘Special’) can be fitted with three M3M 12.7mm calibre machine guns, two in the side doors and one mounted on the rear loading ramp.

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2015/12/23/modern-military-aviation-modernising-the-luftwaffes-sikorsky-ch-53s/

U.S. F-15E carrying B61 JTA mock nuclear bombs during tests at Nellis AFB.

As reported in July 2015, the U.S. Air Force is conducting a series of test drops, in Nevada, of the latest LEP (Life-Extention Program) upgrade to the B61 line of nuclear weapons: the B61-12.

These tests involve F-15E Strike Eagles of the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, as shown in the accompanying photos taken in the early morning hours of October 20 by The Aviationist’s contributor Eric Bowen.

As you can see the F-15E carries two bright orange B61-12 Joint Test Assemblies (JTA) as it is leaving Nellis AFB: noteworthy, the two devices are not quite identical to one another both in overall color pattern, and more interestingly, the tips of each JTA appears to be different.

As Bowen reported in an email to The Aviationist, the Strike Eagle and its unarmed chase plane returned to Nellis AFB approximately 2 hours later with only 1 of the dummy bombs still on board.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/12/30/f-15e-carrying-two-dummy-nukes-nellis/

Photographs of Romanian Air Force Mig-21 LanceRs and Portuguese F-16s.

The latest variant of the legendary Mig 21 as you have never seen it before.

The MiG 21 LanceR is the upgraded avionics and weapons systems version of the MiG 21 Fishbed, developed by Elbit Systems and Aerostar Bacău for the Romanian Air Force. The first LanceR flew in 1996 and was a LanceR A version.

The LanceR program saw the upgrade of a total of 114 MiG 21 airframes in three versions: the ground attack version (LanceR A), the two seater trainer version with ground attack capabilities (LanceR B) and the air superiority version (LanceR C).

The upgrade aimed at making the old Cold War planes capable to use both eastern and western weapons systems, mainly focused in the cockpit configuration with the introduction of modern avionics, HOTAS and NATO compatible weapon systems.

One major upgrade of the RoAF MiG-21s was the DASH mounted displays, the LanceR being one of the first fighters to employ this type of technology.

The MiG 21 LanceR fleet is split between the 71st Air Base Câmpia Turzii and the 86th Air Base Feteşti.The main mission of the MiG 21 LanceRs of the RoAF is providing QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) duties under the NATO control network by way of the Combined Air Operations Center in Torrejon.

The photographs in this post were shot by photographers Liviu Dnistran and Bogdan Pop during the Falcon Defence 2015, an exercise that saw the Portuguese Air Force training with the MiG 21 LanceR jets of the Romanian Air Force, 71st Air Base. The Portuguese AF deployed four F-16 fighter planes and support personnel for almost two months.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/12/24/air-to-air-photographs-roaf-mig-21s/

Fully armed RAF Typhoon participating in ISIS air war during AAR.

RAF Eurofighter Typhoons have joined the service Tornados in air strikes against the Islamic State.

Taken on Dec.22, 2015 from the boom position aboard a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker belonging to 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS), this interesting photo shows a fully armed Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 as it receives fuel over Iraq.

It is one of the first ever taken to a RAF Eurofighter performing a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the air campaign conducted against ISIS: interestingly the aircraft carries 4x Paveway IV bombs, along with 4 AIM-120 and 2 ASRAAM air-to-air missiles.

Deployed to reinforce the RAF contingent at Akrotiri, Cyprus, from Dec. 3, 2015, the Typhoon is actually a multirole aircraft, even if (unlike the Tornado GR4 attack jets) it can only carry Paveway LGBs. In fact Brimstones and Storm Shadows are pending integration in the following years, before the retirement of the RAF Tonkas from active service.

Image credit: Staff Sgt. Corey Hook / U.S. Air Force

http://theaviationist.com/2015/12/31/typhoon-taking-fuel-from-kc-135/

Turkish and Greek fighters engage in dogfight over the Aegean Sea.

According to Greek media outlets, Greek and Turkish jets engaged in a brief dogfight over the Aegean Sea after Turkish aircraft violated Greek airspace “several times.”

As we already explained in the aftermath of the Russian Su-24 shootdown by a Turkish Air Force (TuAF) F-16 over the Syria-Turkey border last month, the skies surrounding the disputed islands of the Aegean Sea are often the theater of incidents between the HAF (Hellenic Air Force) and the TuAF.

In fact Greece claims 10 miles of air space around a chain of Greek islands lined up along the Turkish west coast, part of those are in very close proximity to the mainland, while Turkey recognizes only six miles (that is to say the extent of the Greek territorial waters, recognized by each other): even though the Greek authorities often report unauthorised military flights directly over the Greek islands, the majority of the close encounters and alleged violations (2,244 in 2014) take place within the four-mile radius between the boundary of the territorial waters (as said, recognized by both parties) and the 10-mile radius which Athens considers its sovereign airspace (while Ankara considers international one).

The latest such incidents (the first since early December) occurred on Dec. 29.

According to Ekathimerini.com, Greek and Turkish jets engaged in a brief dogfight over the Aegean Sea after a formation of six Turkish aircraft “flanked by two CN-235 aircraft that were not in formation” violated Greek national air space nine times.

Noteworthy, two Turkish jets were armed.

It’s not clear where the violations took place but according to the Greek media the TuAF jets were chased by HAF interceptors in all cases.

In the past some of these mock dogfights did not end well. In Jun. 1992 a Greek Mirage F1 crashed during an aerial engagement with a Turkish F-16. In February 1995, a TuAF F-16 crashed after being intercepted by Greek Mirage F1s. In Oct. 1996, a HAF Mirage 2000 fired an R.550 Magic II and shot down a Turkish F-16D that had violated the Greek airspace.

On May 23, 2006, two HAF F-16s intercepted a TuAF RF-4 escorted by two F-16s: the subsequent dogfight resulted in a midair collision between a TuAF F-16 and a HAF F-16: whilst the Turkish pilot ejected safely, the Greek pilot died in the incident.

Image credit: Alan Wilson / Wiki. H/T Isaac Alexander for the heads-up

http://theaviationist.com/2015/12/30/aegean-sea-dogfight/