Avro Arrow

A Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Avro Arrow, RL 201, has just touched down. This all white version models the first Avro Arrow to fly. It's a stunning model and would look stunning displayed with the Corgi BAC TSR.2, XR219, also the first of it's type to fly.

Both these stunning aircraft projects fell victim to politics. Interestingly the American aircraft that were supposed to fulfil the roles of these aircraft were never adopted by either nation.


Photos by SuperKungFu. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Canada_CF-105_Arrow
http://www.avro-arrow.org/index.html#What
http://www.avroarrow.org/AvroArrow/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2

Final touchdown for the Space Shuttle!!!

I just watched the space shuttle Atlantis touch down for the last time. I was disappointed that it landed in the dark but it was really interesting to see what it looked like using the infra red cameras. Amazing to see how hot the undersides were relative to the rest of the aircraft.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/US-Space-Shuttle-Atlantis-On-Course-To-Touch-Down-For-Final-Time-As-Nasa-Ends-Programme/Article/201107316034482?f=rss

Corgi Catalogue October 2011 to March 2012

The new Corgi Catalogue is out!!!! New molds announced inlcude the Hawker Demon, Westland Puma and Tornado F3!!!! There are also some new schemes and mods for older molds. Have a look to see what tickles your fancy!!!!

AA37806 Albatross Ltn Helmut Dilthey Jasta 40 mid 1980's ALBATROSS 1/48

AA36010 BAe Hawk RAF Special Edition Special Markings Scheme BAE HAWK 1/72

AA38506 Messerschmitt Bf110 C4/B Russian Front 1941 BF-110 1/72

AA39702A Hawker Hurricane llc-BN230, FT-A RAF 43 sqd ldr Vivier Ack HURRICANE 1/72 (no picture available)

AA39801 Panavia Tornado F3 ZE763/HD 111 Sqn RAF, New Tool. TORNADO 1/72

AA31605 Handley Page Victor B.1 XA918 RAF Farnborough HANLEY PAGE VICTOR B.1 1/72

AA32314 BAC Lightning F6 5 Sqdn, RAF Binbrook 1084 BAC LIGHTNING 1/72

AA39205 Supermarine Spitfire Mk2 Grey Green SPITFIRE 1/72

 

AA33420 Westland Sea King HAR3 Prince William HELICOPTER 1/72

AA36807 Westland Lysander V9289, 357 Sqn Burma 1945 WESTLAND LYSANDER 1/72

AA39403 Vickers Valiant B.1, Wz404, RAF 207 Sqn, Suez Vickers Valiant B Mk1 1/144

AA39602 HAWKER DEMON, NEW TOOLING HAWKER DEMON 1/72

AA33713 Heinkel He111, "Herrmann Bomb" A1+AH1 KG53 Legion Condor, MODIFIED TOOLING HEINKEL-111 1/72

AA27001 Westland Puma HC.1 XW219, 230 Sqn RAF Benson, NEW TOOLING HELICOPTER 1/72

AA34409 NA P-51D Mustang GA-S, 112 Sqn RAF Italy P-51 MUSTANG 1/32

BAC TSR-2 XR220 RAF Museum Cosford (no picture available)

On the Collectors Front...

On the collectors front we've secured a few hard to find models as well as some fast disappearing from dealer's shelves. Brought in to order these are stands outs in any collection.

The hardest to find model is the 1st release Corgi Halifax bomber involved and shot down in a raid on Tirpitz. The aircraft crash landed on a lake and the crew then had to make good their escape. The aircraft sank when the ice melted and has been recovered and displayed as is at Hendon.

Next we have the Corgi Malta Special Duties Wellington.

Coastal Command features very highly in some model collections and two recent Corgi releases are disappearing fast!!! They are the Coastal Command Halifax and Blenheim. Photos courtesy of Dilli from DAF.

For rotary fans there's also the Corgi Yeovilton Sea King and Beirut Chinook.

Up next are a couple of Dragon Luftwaffe types, the Bf109G and Fw190D-9.

Last but not least, two more Corgis in the form of the Spitfire Mk.XIV and Blackburn Buccaneer.

In news just leaked!!!!

It looks like one of the news molds in the upcoming Corgi catalogue is going to be the Puma!!!! This is breaking news that will probably be confirmed in the next few days!!!!

P-51D Big Beautiful Doll lost at Duxford Flying Legends Airshow.

Some bad news from Duxford last weekend is the loss of P-51D Mustang, Big Beautiful Doll. This very attractive aircraft after which many a diecast model has been modelled was involved in a midair collision with a Skyraider.

The Skyraider lost 4 feet of wing but was able to recover to the field. The pilot of Big Beautiful Doll baled out at low level while the aircraft crashed into a field.

http://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/10/mid-air-collision-at-duxford/

SAAB DRAKEN & VIGGEN!!!

Another newcomer to diecast aviation is Aviation 72. They will soon be introducing a range of 1/72 scale aircraft with fixed undercarriages. The types include training aircraft, helicopters and also jet fighters.

The significant thing though is, that they will be doing models not yet done in diecast. How the models will turn out is anyones' guess but there is some excitement around the announcement of the Saab Draken and Saab Viggen.

Other types include the Tiger Moth, Chipmunk, Bulldog, Gnat, Gazelle and Sea Hawk.

BIG NEWS FOR MIRAGE LOVERS!!!

Falcon Models, a relative newcomer to the diecast aircraft model scene has recently announced that they will be doing a Mirage III diecast model in 1/72. The first models Falcon has released are the T-33 Shooting Star and F9F Panther.

The next two models being released are the F-86D Saber Dog and the Fi 156 Storch. The models aren't perfect, for example the T-33 has badly details intakes and the Storch isn't as delicate as it needs to be but then they are giving us models now yet done in diecast.

In November Falcon plan on introducing the Mirage III. Many are already lobbying for the most accurate model possible. This would benefit both the manufacturer and the also the collector.

The first Mirage due out is: FA725001 Dassault Mirage IIIC Armee de l'Air EC 2/10 Seine, France.