Last Friday was quite a busy day for the RAF Typhoons supporting NATO Baltic Air Patrol mission.

On July 24, the Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets intercepted and identified 10 Russian military aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

The RAF Typhoons from 6 Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth, in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) at Amari airbase, Estonia, were launched as a large formation of Russian planes flew close to the Baltic States airspace (most probably going to or returning from Kaliningrad Oblast).

According to the UK MoD, once airborne, the RAF jets identified the aircraft as 4 x Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback attack planes, 4 x Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound fighters and 2 x Antonov An-26 Curl transport aircraft who appeared to be carrying out a variety of routine training.

Newsworthy, Russian activity in the Baltic region has increased even more in the last few days. On July 29, NATO interceptors identified 12 Russian military aircraft flying near the Latvian border: 3 x An-76 and 1 x Il-76 cargo planes, 4 x MiG-31s and 4 x Su-24s, were detected flying near the Latvian outer sea border, above the Baltic Sea in international airspace.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/07/30/raf-photos-of-10-russian-planes/

Hobby Master releases for September 2015.

In what seem like a surprising turn around HM is releasing two 1/72 US Marine Corps SBD Dauntless bombers from the 1940s. SkyMax is also releasing a Devastator after a long absence.

Of course there's the normal raft of jet models. Highlights include an Israeli F-15A Baz "Foxbat Killer",  a USS Kittyhawk F-4J, Japanese F-2A in a 60th Anniversary scheme, two ROCAF F-16s, an A & a B model in a "Flying Tigers" commemorative scheme and a Pakistani F-86F.

In 1/48 scale there's a Spitfire Mk. IX flown by Sqn. Ldr. John Ratten and a P-12E from the "Skylarks" display team. In 1/32 scale, an F-6F-5N Hellcat flown by Major Bruce Porter.

Hobby Master announces a new F-14 Tomcat!!!

Hobby Master have annouced a new mold in the form the F-14 Tomcat. The first release will be HA5201 F-14A Tomcat US Navy USS Enterprise (CVN-65) VF-211 "Fighting Checkmates" CO, 2004.

It will be interesting to see how this mold compares with previous releases from Century Wings in particular, but also Forces of Valour, Witty and Dragon Wings.

Corgi Battle of Britain Typhoon Pre-pro.

SniperUK on DAF has posted photos of the upcoming Corgi Battle of Britain Eurofighter Typhoon.

This is the official first pre-pro (not hand painted cat model, arrived Thursday and on show at RIAT. 

The release date is now hoped to be October, as soon as the pre-pro is signed off it is being "fast tracked" for production apparently the interest is fantastic for this one.

It’s the second Tu-95 Bear crash in less than two months

On July 14, at 09.50 Moscow Time, a Tu-95 bomber crashed in an uninhabited area 80 km from Khabarovsk.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the aircraft was conducting a training mission and it was unarmed. All the crew left the aircraft uninjured.

Newsworthy, this is the second incident in little more than one month: on Jun. 9, a Tu-95 skidded off the runway at Ukrainka airbase, in the Amur region, in an incident that resulted in the death of one crew member.

Following the incident, all the Tu-95 fleet was grounded: a flight ban lifted few days ago and “celebrated” on Jul. 4 with missions over the Pacific that caused the interception of four Bears by two F-15s and two F-22s in two different episodes.

It’s unclear if the Bears will be grounded again. Surely, the latest mishap might be the sign that some quite old Russian warplanes, used to intimidate NATO allies all around the world, are being pushed to their limits, as some reports have highlighted.

Along with the two Tu-95s, the most recent Russian crashes include a Su-24 Fencer, two Mig-29 Fulcrums and a modern Su-34 Fullback.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/07/14/yet-another-tu-95-has-crashed/

Polish Su-22 Fitters Receive A Modernization Package Including A Change Scheme

Last year, the Polish Ministry of Defense decided to extend the operational life, that has lasted for 30 years, of 18 out of 32 Su-22 jets used by the Polish Air Force: 12 Su-22M4 single-seaters and 6 Su-22M3K two-seat trainers will remain in active service according to the report published by the Polska Zbrojna outlet.

All of the Polish Su-22’s are stationed in Świdwin, at the 21st Air Base.

The modernization plan assumes that the jets are going to be fitted with new avionics, including the imperial gauges in the cockpit, along with a new radio and flight recorder.

Still, the change which is most visible is the new camouflaged color scheme: the Polish fighter-bombers received a new, gray-toned paint scheme.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/07/15/su-22-gets-new-color-scheme/

Final product photos HA7730 P-51D Mustang 1st Sqn. PLAAF.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7730 P-51D Mustang 3032, 1st Sqn., PLAAF, 1949.

The PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force) P-51D #3032 of the 1st Squadron was captured from the Chinese Nationalist Air Force in 1949 when the Nationalist government was forced to flee to Formosa, now Taiwan. 

The Nationalist Air Force had received 3 squadrons of P-51s in 1946 but left 39 behind during their retreat and the PLAAF made good use of them. The PLAAF was officially established November 11th, 1949. A P-51 with PRC national markings and #3032 was placed on display in the China Aviation Museum, Xiaotanzhanzen, Beijing.

Final product photos HA4801 E-2C+ Hawkeye VAW-123 "Screwtops".

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4801 E-2C+ Hawkeye 2000 VAW-123 "Screwtops", USS Enterprise Atlantic Ocean, October 2005. The dish can be rotated.

VAW-123 can trace its beginning to 1945 with the commissioning of VC-12 known as Composite Squadron Twelve. In 1956 VC-12 was re-designated VAW-12 and eventually VAW-123 “Screwtops”. 

VAW-123 is a Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron based out Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia and is an operational fleet squadron equipped with the Northrop E-2C Hawkeye. 

The E-2C provides radar, radio and satellite communications for the unit it is assigned to operate with. While onboard USS Enterprise the unit provided support for special operation forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. 163693 arrived at AMARC January 30, 2013.

Final product photos HA1946 F-4D Phantom II Captains John Madden & Chuck DeBellevue.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1946 F-4D Phantom 66-0267 Capt. John Madden and Capt. Chuck DeBellevue 555th TFS/8th TFW, Udorn AFB Thailand, 1972. One version is autographed by Capt. Chuck DeBellevue, the other not.

Captain Chuck DeBellevue came from the 555th TFS / 432nd TRW with 4 MiG-21 victories under his belt while flying with Captain R. Ritchie, but now was paired with Captain John Madden of 555th TFS / 8th TFW at Udorn AB, Thailand. 

On September 9, 1972 during “Operation Linebacker” while flying F-4D 66-0267 call-sign Olds 01, Madden and DeBellevue fired two AIM-7 missiles at a MiG-21 but missed but then managed to down 2 MiG-19s giving DeBellevue victories 5 and 6 making him the highest scoring American Ace of the Vietnam War.

Final product photos HA0187 MiG-21 PFM North Korean AF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA0187 MiG-21 PFM No. 515, North Korean Air Force, 1971.

The MiG-21PFM is the most numerous version of the MiG-21 in the North Korean MiG-21 inventory. It is used by two regiments each with three squadrons. The MiG-21PFM has several improvements over earlier versions but still lacks many modern upgrades. 

The KPAF is considered to have approximately 200 of these aircraft which were delivered between 1968 and 1974 and again in 1985 along with some MiG-21MF. Also in their inventory are some MiG-29s and they are believed to be trying to acquire some Su-35s.

Final product photos HA0184 MiG-21 PFM Mongolian AF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA0184 MiG-21 PFM No. 005, Mongolian Air Force, 1980.

The Mongolian People's Army Aviation trained to operate jet fighters by using Yak-18, L-29 and in the early 1970s they received former Soviet Air Force MiG-15 UTI and MiG-17. 

In the mid to late 1970’s former Soviet Air Force MiG-21s, Mi-8s and Ka-26s were delivered and the MiG-21 PFMs were serial numbered 001 – 0012. 

In the 1990s; due to a lack of funds and spare parts 8 – 12 fighters and 2 trainers were placed in storage. In 2007 – 2011 all MiG-21s were removed from service and replaced by MiG-29s.

Final product photos HA0183 MiG-21PFM Soviet AF 1972.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA0183 MiG-21 PFM No.47, Soviet Air Force, 1972.

MiG-21PFM #47 was built as c/n 940MS13. Quite often “Red 47” is mistaken for NVA 473 which has a c/n of 7006 0468 plus “Red 47” cockpit opens sideways while 473 opens to the front. On the starboard side below the cockpit is written “Fiery Nightmare”. 

When “Red 47” was finished its days with the Soviet Air Force it became the gate guard at Kluczewo AB, Poland which closed in 1992 and “Red 47” eventually made its way to the "National Military Museum" (N.M.M.) (formerly Militaire Luchtvaart Museum), Buren, Netherlands.

WWII PBY Catalina Seaplane Destroyed Off Florida Coast In Movie Mishap.

A World War Two seaplane has been left abandoned and stranded for a while on a beach off the north Gulf Coast of the US. It the subsequent “recovery operation” the Catalina broke apart and has been destroyed.

The plane is a PBY-6A seaplane that was built and used during the war. The plane was being used in a new Hollywood movie starring Nicholas Cage, but during filming a minor flying complication occurred and the pilot had to do an emergency landing off the Florida shore line.

The plane landed close to the shore near the Alabama and Florida state border, and close enough to the beach that swimmers and surfers can take a look at the aircraft.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/catalina-destroyed-florida.html

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/salvage-attempt-on-catalina-seaplane-used-in-nic-cage-f-1715722705