Pre-Pro Pictures of the 1/72 Corgi Short Stirling!!!

Pictures have been released of the new Corgi 1/72 Stirling four engined bomber.

The Short Stirling was the first British four engined bomber and will complete the Corgi Bomber Command Trio consisting of the Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax and Short Stirling. It's a huge beast and towered above the better known Lancaster.

The Stirling, after being superceded by the Halifax and Lancaster, continued being used in roles like mine laying, spy dropping, electronic countermeasures and glider towing.

Pictures were obtained from an internet forum.

UK release dates for Corgi models.

Proposed Releases w/c 20th June 2011

AA39401 Vickers Valiant B Mk1, XD818, Operation Grapple, Christmas Island, 1957 – NEW TOOLING,  run 2400 Sold Out

AA39102 Westland Whirlwind HAS Mk Vll, XN387 – Royal Naval Air Service Eglington 1961, run 1500

Proposed Releases w/c 4th July

AA31207 Avro Vulcan - XL427, 617Sqn, Scampton, Lincs, 1969, 1200 Allocated

AA39204C Supermarine Spitfire MkI R6891 DW-Q, 610 Sqn Biggin Hill 1940, 750 Allocated

It should be noted that 2 other Corgi No. 610 Sqn. Spitfires are also being done.

Please note that these are pre-production photographs and not pictures of the actual models going on sale.

Collectors News!!!

I'm happy to report that a few models have arrived or are already on their way to collectors here and abroad.

Models include the Gemini Ace Hermann Graf Bf 109F, Corgi Predator Royal Navy F6F Hellcat, HMS Emperor, Corgi P-38 Lightning flown by Robin Olds, HM JG.3 Fw190,  HM Royal Danish Airforce F-100D, MiG 15 nighfighter, JSADF F-104 and Dragon Warbirds F/A-18E Tophatters Hornet.

Two Witty stands for the MiG 29 and F-16 have also landed.

SAAF Hawker Fury photos!!!!

The first flight of the Hawker Fury I took place in March 1931. Because of the Great Depression and the high cost of the Fury only 118 were produced for the RAF. It was the first RAF operational aircraft to exceed 200 mph in level flight. In May 1931 No. 43 Squadron was the first to receive the new aircraft. Starting in 1936 five RAF squadrons received the new improved Fury II. Seven foreign air forces ordered the Fury II. In 1939 the RAF Furys were replaced by Gladiators and Hurricanes.

In September 1936 seven Furys numbered 200 – 206 were delivered to the South African Air Force. May 1940 1 SAAF Squadron moved to East Africa with six Furys. The SAAF aircraft mostly fought Italian Ca.133 bombers and Fiat CR.32s. September 30, 1940 2 SAAF Squadron was formed using Furys, Gladiators and Hurricanes. From now on Fury’s were mainly used to supplement SAAF Hawker Hartebeests. On 5 October, Lieutenant D. C. Uys of 2 SAAF Squadron stalled ‘206’ and crashed. He was badly burnt and the aircraft

was destroyed.

To recap, this is the Hobby Master 1/48 Hawker Fury, No. 2 Sqn. SAAF.

Hobby Master releases for August 2011

BIG, BIG NEWS!!!! Hobby Master is releasing an F/A-18!!!! The first is an F/A-18C and I've seen pre-pros of the F/A-18D. Very, very nice indeed!!!

It also seems as if we're eventually getting the Iranian F-5E. Other highlights are the Screaming Eagles F-4B Phantom and two seat TF-104 Starfighter.

In 1/48 there's another P-51D Mustang and Griffon engined Spitfire. In 1/200 we have an Air France DC-4 and an intersting KC-97G Flying Boom Tanker. There's another Ju-52 in 1/144.