Final product photos HA5205 F-14AM IRIAF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5205 Grumman F-14AM 160347, IRIAF, 2014.

The first 2 of 79 Grumman F-14 Tomcats were delivered to Iran in January 1976. Along with the aircraft Iran also received 284 AIM-54A Phoenix missiles. In 1980 an eight year war broke out between Iraq and Iran where the F-14s played a major role in Iran winning the air war. 

Iran’s top F-14 pilot scored 11 victories. Later in an effort to extend the life of the F-14s the aircraft underwent a modernization program (MA) and 3-6049 / 160347 (cn H-49) was the first aircraft to receive the improvements.

Corgi Aviation Archive July to December 2016 catalogue.

Corgi have released their latest catalogue with surprising WWII releases focusing on the Battle of Britain and Pearl Harbour. The next Vulcan release is a "Black Buck" bomber so may well be the Vulcan to have. A Chinook rounds out the catalogue. Some really good releases for the second half of 2016 then.

Pre-production photos HA5303 MiG-23MS Red 49 USAF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5303 MiG-23MS Red 49, 4477th Test and Evaluation Sqn., Tonopah Test Range Airfield, USAF, 1980s.

Pre-production photos HA5302 MiG-23MS Libyan AF.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA5302 MiG-23MS 6915, Libyan Air Force 1980s.

Final product photos SM5007 Aichi D3A1 "Val", Akagi, "Battle of Midway".

SkyMax 1/72 Flying Heroes Series, SM5007, Aichi D3A1 "Val" Dive Bomber Model 11 AI-251, Aircraft Carrier Akagi, "Battle of Midway".

Final product photos HA8214 F4U-1 Corsair Lt. Kenneth Walsh.

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA8214 F4U-1 Corsair No. 13, Lt. Kenneth Walsh, VMF-124 Munda 1943.

VMF-124 arrived on Guadalcanal February 12, 1943. On April 1, 1943 Kenneth Ambrose Walsh downs three enemy aircraft on his first combat mission. On May 13, 1943, his second combat mission; Walsh became the first Corsair Ace by downing three aircraft and four probables. 

June 5, 1943 Walsh added two more aircraft before going on R&R until August 12, 1943. August 14, 1943 VMF-124 moves to Munda. By the end of August 1943 Walsh’s record is 20 aircraft victories and VMF-124 is sent to the USA. In June 1945 Walsh returns with VMF-222 and gets his 21st and last aircraft.

Pre-production photos HA4506 F-15E Strike Eagle, Bagram AB.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA4506 Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 89-0487, 335th FS, 4th FW, Bagram AB, Afghanistan, January 2012.

Final product photos HA3528 F/A-18C Hornet VFA-25, USS Abraham Lincoln.

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3528 F/A-18C Hornet BuNo. 164633 of VFA-25, USS Abraham Lincoln, Northern Arabian Gulf, April 2003.

VA-25 “Fist of the Fleet” began training on the new F-18A Hornet in May 1983 and in July that year they were re-designated Strike Fighter Force 25 (VFA-25). Beginning in 1992 VFA-25 transitioned to the new F-18C variant and eventually in 2012 they started flying the F-18E Super Hornet. 

In 1998 VFA-25 deployed onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln for the first time. In 2003 VFA-25 sailed to the Arabian Gulf to enforce the no-fly zone in Iraq. F/A-18C 164633 was delivered to VFA-25 in October 1991 and served as the CAG aircraft.

Final product photos HA1973 F-4D Phantom II "Steve Ritchie".

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1973 McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II 555th TFS, Vietnam 1972 "Steve Ritchie". The model comes with a signed name plate and 5 red stars.

During the Vietnam War between May 10 and August 28, 1972 Captain Steve Ritchie became an Ace by destroying 5 MiG-21s while piloting F-4Ds and F-4Es. 

During four of his five victories his RIO was Captain Charles DeBellevue. His first and fifth victories came while flying F-4D 66-7463 OY, victory two came in F-4D 65-0801 OY while three and four came flying F-4E 67-0362 ED. 

Between March 1 and October 15, 1972 F-4D 66-7463 is credited with six enemy aircraft shot down while being flown by five different crews.

Final product photos HL9019 WV-2 (EC-121P) VW-13.

Hobby Master 1/200 Airliner Series HL9019 WV-2 (EC-121P) BuNo. 141325, VW-13, 1960.

VW-13 (Airborne Early Warning Squadron 13) was commissioned September 1, 1955 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland but decommissioned in 1957 and on June 3 1958 VW-13 was re-commissioned. 

Though home base was NAS Paxtuxent River VW-13 was deployed to Argentia, Newfoundland flying the Atlantic Barrier along with VW-11 and VW-15. The Atlantic Barrier provided radar coverage to detect non authorized flights from entering North American airspace. 

On June 30, 1961 VW-13 was permanently deployed to Argentia. In August 1961 VW-13 deployed to Iceland and eventually did ship surveillance until decommissioning on July 30, 1965.