Shuttle comments on the Aviation 72 AV7227001 Short Tucano ZF168.

I took the opportunity of posing the new Tucano next to some other RAF fast jet training aircraft. I think they look rather splendid....!! Pretty happy with the Aviation72 release. Hopefully they will produce a nice range of them.

 Shuttle

The Mighty Vulcan Makes Her Final Shows…

As most of our readers will know, the fabulous ‘Tin Triangle’, the Avro Vulcan, will be making her air show curtain call in a few short weeks. Once the pride of the Royal Air Force nuclear deterrent during the 1960s and early 70s, Vulcan B.2 XH558 is the last of her breed to still keep air under her wings, but this will come to an end following her valedictory flight towards the end of the airshow season. 

Her last currently scheduled appearance is set for September 26th at the former RAF Church Fenton near Leeds, Yorkshire. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, who maintain the Vulcan, has published her remaining appearances HERE, but these will be subject to change, and there is always the possibility of additions so do check with their website or Facebook page HERE before making firm plans to see her. 

http://www.warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/mighty-vulcan-final-shows.html

Oxford Sea Hornet 801 Sqn, HMS Implacable.

SniperUK on DAF posted photos of his new Oxford Sea Hornet from 801 Sqn., HMS Implacable.

Picked this up in the market this morning, nicely done but IMHO the grey used for the upper surfaces is too light, it should be Extra Dark Sea Grey this is closer to Dark Sea or maybe even Ocean grey. 

Pics, the Gannet is painted using Xtracrylix EDSG and Sky.

F-22As arrive in Germany for Raptor’s inaugural deployment to Europe.

On Aug. 28, four F-22A Raptor jets belonging to 325th Fighter Wing, from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, have arrived at Spangdahlem airbase, Germany.

Rather than a show of force against Russia, the deployment was a testbed for the new rapid deployment concept (dubbed “Rapid Raptor Package“) to move a package of F-22s (accompanied by a C-17) and supporting logistics to any forward operating base and have the 5th generation multi-role fighter jets ready for combat operations within 24 hours of deploying with a small logistics footprint.

For more photos follow the link.

http://theaviationist.com/2015/08/28/in-pictures-f-22a-stealth-fighters-arrive-in-germany-for-raptors-inaugural-deployment-to-europe/

F-35A firing its 25mm gun at full capacity.

The video clip shows the 181 round gun burst of the gun embedded in the F-35A’s left wing root, providing operational F-35A pilots an ability to engage air-to-ground or air-to-air weapon targets using its strafing capability in addition to its beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-ground weapons. (Credit: F-35 Integraded Test Force)

http://theaviationist.com/2015/08/21/video-f-35-25mm-gun-full-capacity/

Limited Edition Lancaster model celebrating NX611's "Just Jane" 70th Year.

Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre presents a limited edition 1/72nd scale Corgi Aviation Archive die-cast model of Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane'.

This model will be made to the exacting standards of Corgi Premiums using their Lancaster moulds.  The colour scheme and decals are portraying NX611 in her 70th year. The model was due for release in August. 

http://www.lincsaviation.co.uk/store/merchandise/general/172nd-nx611-just-jane-corgi-die-cast-model--pre-order-posted.htm

Final product photos HA8507 P-51C Mustang "Kitten" Charles McGee.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8507 P-51C Mustang "Kitten", Charles McGee, 302nd FS/332nd FG, 1944.

North American P-51C 42-103968 c/n 26522 was one of the 1,000 P-51Cs manufactured in 1942. This aircraft was flown by Tuskegee airman Lt. Charles McGee of the 302nd FS/332nd FG who named the aircraft using his wife’s nickname “Kitten”.

Lt. McGee flew this particular aircraft for 136 of his 408 combat flights flown during 3 wars. After WWII McGee flew another P-51 “Kitten” in Korea followed by the Vietnam War as the C/O of the 16th TRS and flew RF-4s. Charles McGee dedicated 31 years in service to his country.

Final product photos HA4803 E-2C Hawkeye Marine Nationale (French Navy)

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4803 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 165456, Marine Nationale (French Navy).

Northrop Grumman E-2C 165256 c/n FR-2 is the second of this aircraft type for the French Navy 4th Flotille. The U.S. and France are the only countries operating the E-2C from an aircraft carrier. 

The first two E-2Cs for the French Navy were Group 2 standards equipped and delivered in December 1998 and April 1999. The third aircraft was built to Hawkeye 2000 standards and delivered in 2004. 

In 2007 a 4th E-2C with Hawkeye 2000 standards was ordered and the first 2 E-2Cs upgraded to Hawkeye 2000 standards.

Final product photos HA4802 E-2C Hawkeye JASDF Misawa AB.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4802 Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 54-3456, AEW-601, AEW Group, Misawa AB.

On 6 September 1976 a Soviet pilot defected in a MiG-25 and Japanese radar lost the target because he flew at a very low altitude. This worried the JASDF so between 1983 and 1994 Japan obtained thirteen Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. 

The aircraft were assigned to the 601 Hikotai “Batmen” based at Misawa AB, Honshu Island. Up until 1998 when the E-767 was added to their inventory the E-2C was the only AEW type of aircraft possessed by the JASDF. Japan has ordered the newer E-2D.

Final product photos HA4604 F-35B RAF ZM135 Edwards AFB.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4604 Lockheed F-35B ZM135, Royal Air Force, Edwards AFB.

The first of three developmental Lockheed F-35Bs for the RAF was completed in November 2011 with the first flight on April 13, 2012. These three aircraft have been delivered for evaluation and designated BK-01, BK-02 and BK-03 with each aircraft assigned the RAF serial of ZM135, ZM136 and ZM137 respectively. 

These RAF serials are being used to resemble the original Lightning F.1 serials used in the 1960s. The only difference is the first Lightning F.1 was XM134 but since it crashed a year later BK-01 was started at the second aircraft XM135 (ZM135).

Pre-production photos HA4601 F-35B RAF ZM137.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4601 Lockheed F-35B Lightning II ZM137, Royal Air Force, 2013.

The model can be configured for normal flight or VTOL modes, the lift fan door opens and the thrust vectoring nozzle can be moved up and down.

Final product photos HL9017 EC-121R Constellation "Da Nang Glider".

Hobby Master 1/200 Airliner Series HL9017 EC-121R Constellation 67-21487, "Da Nang Glider" 553rd RW, USAF Korat RTAFB Thailand, June 1969.

During the Vietnam War EC-121R Constellations were used to monitor enemy movements. On June 4, 1969 EC-121R 67-21487 c/n 4480, former USN 143206, departed Korat RTAFB for an 8 hour on site orbit. 

Shortly after entering the orbit all 4 engines shut down without any warning and the aircraft became a glider. Without pressure from the engines there were no hydraulics and the pilot had to wrestle with manual controls to keep the aircraft from diving and/or rolling. 

Eventually the engineer was able to restart the engines and they flew to the closest base at Da Nang, thus becoming the “Da Nang Glider”. No explanation was ever reached as to why this occurred.