Final product photos, HA2314, 30 Sqn. RAAF Beaufighter Mk.IC.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA2314, Bristol Beaufighter Mk.IC A19-5, "F" of No. 30 Sqn., RAAF Port Moresby, March 1943.

Beaufighter Mk.IC msn T4924 was built by the Fairey Aviation Co. in Stockton, UK and delivered to the RAAF on April 20, 1942. It was assigned A19-5 and arrived at 30 Squadron on June 15, 1942 with the code F. 30 Squadron was established as a long-range fighter squadron attacking Japanese shipping and coastal bases. 

In March 1943, 30 Squadron took part in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea where heavy losses were inflicted on the Japanese. After incurring various types of damage and repairs over two years the aircraft came to a tragic end on December 13, 1944.

Pre-production photos, HA2116, F-100C "Miss Mynookie".

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA2116, F-100C Super Sabre SK-737 "Miss Mynookie", 188th TFS New Mexico ANG, Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 1968.

Pre-production photos, Air Force 1 1/72 P-61 Black Widow "Lady in the Dark".

Petescollectibles seems to be first out with pre-production photos of the much anticipated 1/72 scale Air Force 1 Aircraft, 00113A, Northrop P-61B Black Widow, USAAF 548th NFS, #42-39408 "Lady in the Dark", Le Shima Island, August 14th 1945. This aircraft was credited with the last Allied victory of the war.

Final product photos, HA7908, Boeing F4B-3 US Marines Command Plane H.Q.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series, HA7908, Boeing F4B-3, BuNo. A8911, Command Plane H.Q. US Marines, Washington NAS Anacostia, 1930.

Boeing F4B-3 BuNo. A8911 was the last in a contract of 20 aircraft and given c/n 1615. It was delivered to the U.S. Navy and last served on board the USS Saratoga with VF-1B in 1932 before being transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps becoming the Head Quarters Command aircraft. 

This aircraft was frequently used to fly VIPs and in 1934 – 35 was used as an air show demonstrator. On February 14, 1939 this aircraft was involved in an accident with no loss of life.

Pre-production photos, HA4501, F-15E Strike Eagle, 391st FS Bagram AB.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA4501, F-15E Strike Eagle AF90-0223, 391st FS, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, 2012.

Final product photos, HA2313, Bristol Beaufighter Mk.1F 25 Sqn. RAF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA2313, Bristol Beaufighter Mk.1F R2069 "ZK-A", No. 25 Sqn., RAF, North Weald, Essex, September 1940.

No. 25 Squadron spent the first 3 years of WWII flying defensive patrols using the Bristol Blenheim which was proving to be too slow to intercept German bombers. New designs and better engines brought about the much quicker Bristol Beaufighter, replacing the Blenheim. 

No. 25 Sqn. received their first Beaufighters in October 1940 and operated them until January 1943 when the ultimate night fighter, the de Havilland Mosquito began assuming the role. Beaufighter, serial R2069 was the first Beaufighter Mk. IF delivered to No. 25 Squadron.

Final product photos, HA1969, F-4B Phantom VF-143, USS Constellation.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series, HA1969, F-4B Phantom II 151444, VF-143, USS Constellation 1967.

VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” adopted their insignia in 1953. One of several stories goes that the squadron commander’s wife said the insignia reminded her of a pukin’ dog which the pilots liked so the named was born. 

The second unit to be named VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” came about on June 20, 1962 and was equipped with F4H-1 Phantom II (later re-designated F-4B Phantom II).    F-4B 151444 was one of the B variants that were upgraded to N’s and joined the USN in 1973.

Hobby Master releases for September 2014.

September is a bumper month for HM with several choice new releases. First up is the 1/32 "White 17" of VF-27 flown by Lt. Richard E. Stambook.

In 1/72 there's a raft of jet aircraft including an Israeli F-15I Ra'am, Dutch and Norwegian F-16AMs, Shamrocks F/A-18+, John Stiles' Vietnam era RF-4C, Colorado ANG F-100D, Patrouille Suisse 50th Anniversary F-5E and a Luke AFB F-35A.

For 1/48 there is a trio of Battle of Britain No.19 Sqn. Spitfires flown by the likes of Grumpy Unwin, Brian Lane and S/Lt. Blake, all of whom claimed victories on 15 September 1940 (Battle of Britain Day). There is also an F4u-1D flown by Lt. Col. Donald K. Yost.

German Typhoon boasts special World Cup 2014 victory markings.

A German Eurofighter Typhoon has already been painted with special World Cup 2014 markings.

The image in this post were taken by photographer Gian Luca Onnis, at Decimomannu airbase, on July 14, the day after Germany beat Argentina on FIFA World Cup 2014 final.

To celebrate the fourth World Cup won by the German football team, one of the German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons deployed in Sardinia, was decorated with special tail markings.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/15/gaf-typhoon-special-tail/

F-35s return to flight. But they cannot attend the Farnborough airshow in the UK.

Grounding has been lifted with some restrictions. That’s why the F-35Bs will not be able to cross the Ocean to attend the Farnborough International Airshow.

On July 15, the Pentagon announced the fleet wide grounding has been lifted after investigation on the issue that caused the engine fire on an F-35A CTOL (Conventional Take Off and Landing) on Jun. 23 did not highlight a systemic problem.

The root cause of the fire has been identified in excessive rubbing between the turbine blades and the cowling, a problem not endemic to the fleet, based on the inspections of the other F-35 engines;  still something that must be closely monitored.

That’s why the return to flight is restricted: the F-35s can’t fly faster than Mach 0.9 and are limited to 18 degrees of angle of attack. The envelope is limited from -1 G to +3 Gs and, above all, after three hours of flight time, each front fan section of each engine has to be inspected with a borescope.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/15/f-35-not-attending-fia/

World’s Last A-7 Corsair in Black Special Color scheme.

Two A-7 Corsair jets of the Hellenic Air Force (including a cool Special Color) made a stop over at Aviano Airbase on their way to RAF Fairford’s RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo).

The Hellenic Air Force operates world’s last ageing but still much loved venerable Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II jets.

The aircraft, flown by the 336 Mira (Squadron) “Olympos” belonging to the 116 Combat Wing from Araxos, will be phased-out in October this year.

For this reason the one at the RIAT 2014 at RAF Fairford could be the last overseas appearance before retirement. To celebrate this event, the Greek Air Force sent to the UK two “special” Corsairs: an A-7E in a black special livery with the famous “Fly Low – Hit Hard” motto and a TA-7C two seater Corsair that was recently painted with a new wrap-around camo.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/14/worlds-last-a7-special/

Japan’s new stealth jet fighter has been officially unveiled.

Last month, a leaked, blurry image provided an interesting preview of the first prototype of the Advanced Technology Demonstrator-X (ATD-X), the indigenous war plane that Japan Air Self-Defense Force will operate in the air defense role, replacing the ageing Mitsubishi F-2.

On Jul. 12, the first official photos of the ATD-X (serialled 51-0001) were released by the Japanese Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), the Ministry of Defense’s agency that has developed the Shinshin (“spirit of the heart”, an early codename within the Japan Self Defense Force) for research purposes.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/12/atd-x-officially-unveiled/

Eurofighters invade Sardinia.

More than 40 Typhoons belonging to three European Air Forces have deployed to Decimomannu airbase in the last few weeks to take advantage of the local ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Installation) ranges.

Since mid June, more than 40 Eurofighter Typhoons belonging to the German, Italian and Austrian Air Force have deployed to Decimomannu airbase, in Italy, to undertake training activities in the large training ranges surrounding Sardinia island.

Decimomannu is the home of the AWTI (Air Weapons Training Installation) established 55 years ago by the NATO partnership of Italy, Germany, Great Britain and Canada. The AWTI exploits an ACMI (Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation) range where air-to-air missions and DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) are remotely monitored and recorded, and an air-to-ground bombing range at Capo Frasca, where pilots can train dropping both dumb and smart weaponry.

http://theaviationist.com/2014/07/11/typhoons-invade-sardinia/

Shuttle's Report - Duxford Flying Legends Airshow 2014.

After driving through a severe downpour on the A21/M25 I arrived at Duxford expecting the worst. However, apart from a couple of short, but heavy, showers the weather gods were again smiling. A chance encounter with Kev and Von H lead to my only diecast purchase, the lovely little RAF Puss Moth for £25. 

Von H also tipped me off about the Eric Brown book signing so that was my next stop. What a 'legend' ('Winkle' Brown, not Von H...!) and both he and Andy Saunders signed the book (Arrival of Eagles). We also spotted Zed in one of the stands and had a good chat. The 11am forum meeting was Kev, Von H and Myself and then it was off to get ready for the show.

Several aircraft couldn't make it (the Ju-52's, P-38, Seafire and several DC-3's) which was a bit annoying but I just wanted to see three of the 'acts' - the Connie, the 4 x Mk I Spitfires and the B-25. I was not disappointed. As usual, some great flying in windy conditions. The Peashooter and one of the Gladiators couldn't fly due to the conditions but the other aircraft put on some spirited displays. Well done to all the pilots.

So another entertaining 'Legends'. Despite the weather I enjoyed the show and just seeing those Spitfires has made me very happy.

 Shuttle

For more photos follow the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-9-Diecast/117765251636451