L-39 Albatros stort neer by Klerksdorp-lugskou

Pilot and aircraft identified.

The pilot and aircraft involved in the fatal crash at an airshow in Klerksdorp today were identified as Gianfranco Cicogna and the aircraft as ZU-HIT. Sincere condolences to family, friends and the aviation community.

Picture courtesy of Airplane-Pictures.net

L-39 Crash in Klerksdorp

A civil registered L-39 has crashed during an airshow in Klerksdorp, South Africa. Tragically the well known pilot was killed in the accident. The pilot's name has not been released until his next of kin has been informed.

Photo courtesy of  The Flying Kiwi.

L-39 similar to the aircraft that went down.

http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/8e316c004bcde06a8ae6efdcfc8ee867/Klerksdorp-plane-crash-brings-air-show-to-a-halt--20120630
http://www.ofm.co.za/news.asp?nid=30582

New Century Wings VF-84 Jolly Rogers F-14 Tomcat.

HHOW Toys exclusive US Navy F-14A Tomcat, VF-84 JOLLY ROGERS AJ207 1994, "The Last Day of VF-84 Jolly Rogers".

I can't say that this is a scheme I'd get excited about but there are more than enough Century Wings and Jolly Rogers fans that will be.

On the collector's front.

On the collector's front we've secured a few hard to find models ranging from WWII to the modern era.

There's the Battle of Midway SBD and Avenger, RAF P-39, Spitfire with pilots notes, Beaumont Tempest, a Sunderland and a SAAF Harvard.


For fast pointy things we have a Greek F-4E Phantom, 2 MiG 21s, Egyptian and Iraqi and 2 F-14 Tomcats, an Iranian Alicat and Jolly Rogers low-vis 1991 scheme.

De Havilland Mosquito FB.26 to take to the air!!!!

http://www.warbirdrestoration.co.nz/
http://www.facebook.com/Avspecs

Turkish warplane 'missing' near Syrian border

A Turkish Air Force F-4 Phantom is missing presumed shot down by Syrian forces. There is still no confirmation what brought the jet down or the fate of its crew. Contact was lost with the aircraft over the Mediterranean Sea, south- west of Hatay province.

Photo courtesy of Globalmilitaryreview

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18554246

Updated 24/6/2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18568412

Pre-production photos, HA1519, SNJ-5, Beetle Bomb.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1519, Blue Angels SNJ-5 Beetle Bomb 1948.

Pre-production photos, HA8204, Corsair Mk.IV, Lt. Robert Hampton Gray (VC).

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series, HA8204, Corsair Mk.IV (FG-1D) Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve pilot, Lt. Robert Hampton Gray (VC), 1841 Sqn., Royal Navy, 9th August 1945.

Pre-production photos, HA1418, A-4K Skyhawk, RNZAF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1418, A-4K Skyhawk, Kahu Composite Sqn., RNZAF, Ohakea AFB, New Zealand, 1997.

Final product photos, HA7715, P-51 Mustang, "Detroit Miss".

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series, HA7715, P-51 Mustang s/n 414164, 361st FG, "Detroit Miss" flown by 1st Lt. Urban Drew.

Captain Urban “Ben” Drew joined the 375th FS, 361st FG “Yellow Jackets”, 8th USAAF in Europe and flew P-51D 44-14164 “Detroit Miss”. Drew flew 75 combat missions with 6 air-to-air and 1 ground victories.

One was a Heinkel 111, he assisted in the destruction of a Blohm and Voss BV-238 seaplane. He was one of only two pilots to shoot down two Me-262 jets on a single mission and was awarded two DFCs, fourteen Air Medals and was one of only two men to receive the USAAF Cross.


There are two versions, one with the pilot's signature on the stand and one without. 

Final product pics, HA1218, TBM-3E Avenger, VT-10

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1218, TBM-3E Avenger VT-10, USS Intrepid, Spring 1945.

VT-10 made three combat cruises during WWII. They were assigned to the USS Intrepid from February 1945 until October 1945. On April 7, 1945 VT-10 took part in the massive assault against the IJN Battleship Yamato and an armada of support ships.

The Japanese ships were spotted by aircraft from Task Force 58 around 12:30 and the first aircraft dove at the ships at 12:37. The aerial attacks came in 3 waves. The first at 12:37, the second at 13:00 and the third and decisive one came at 13:40. There were 180 fighters, 75 bombers and 131 torpedo aircraft involved in the attacks.

At 14:05 the cruiser Yahagi sank after attacks by VT-10 aircraft. After the 3 attacks the mighty Yamato began to capsize and at 14:23 an explosion that could be felt several miles away ripped the ship apart. From the time of the first attack at 12:37 until finally sinking at 14:23 the Yamato was struck by at least 11 torpedoes and perhaps 2 more as well as by 8 bombs. Of the 2,332 crew on the Yamato 2,055 were lost.

VT-10 lost 2 aircraft and crews. During WWII VT-10 is credited with sinking or damaging 300,000 tons of Japanese shipping at a cost of 30 aircraft and 27 crewmen.