According to the BBC, a pair of British civilians are restoring a World War II-era Avro Lancaster to flying condition. Paying homage to their elder brother who piloted and was subsequently killed in a Lanc during the War, the rebuilt Lancaster is based in Lincolnshire and can already ferry passengers around the taxiway. Their hope is to get the Lancaster into flying condition later this year. For further information, check out this web page:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20886684
As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).
In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.
As a new year dawns, rumor has it that Hobby Master will be building a 1:72 scale rendition of the US M36 Jackson tank destroyer. The new tooling (#HG5401) will portray a vehicle that saw action towards the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Other new products were also announced in the waning moments of 2012, including a 1:72 scale examination of a Douglas A-20G light attack bomber (#HA4201).
In the larger, 1:48 scale regime, collectors can look forward to Francis “Gabby” Gabreski’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX fighter, which was attached to No. 315 Squadron in the ETO. For those of you unfamiliar with this Polish American pilot, he was the top scoring US ace in the ETO, scoring over 34 kills during his tenure (#HA8304). Gabreski first served with the RAF, then transferred to the USAAF in February 1943.
As 2012 draws to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our longtime customers as well as the many newcomers that have joined our growing family over the past twelve months. Without you, we wouldn’t have succeeded over the past twelve years, taking a simple passion and turning it into a well-known global business. So, here’s to a happy new year, bright and prosperous future, and, of course, a well-deserved thank you for patronizing our site. We look forward to serving your needs in the year ahead…
We’re thrilled to have received Oxford Aviation’s latest batch of time travelers from its History of Flight collection. Of note is this 1:72 scale reproduction of King Edward VIII’s De Havilland Rapide (#OXDR002), making him the first monarch to become a qualified pilot.
Also available is a Brooklands Aviation De Havilland Tiger Moth biplane (#OXTM002), making it a wonderful addition to any early aviation pioneer collection. Packed in a handsome presentation case and priced at only $39.99, the History of Flight collection has become an important part of our aviation lineup.
With scant hours to go before the ball drops in Times Square, Dragon has indicated that two long awaited items are now shipping out to their dealer network. The first item expected is their fourth take on the German Flakpanzer Coelian anti-aircraft vehicle (#DRA60593), thus completing the quartet of Flakpanzers already envisaged. Also on the truck is a USAF Northrop XB-35 Experimental Heavy Bomber, first announced several months ago but finally taking wing. Loads of other Dragon Armor and Dragon Warbirds pieces announced months ago are purportedly in the works, although no solid release dates are appearing on the manufacturer’s latest shipping manifest.
Originally slated for November, it now appears as if the latest batch of War Master diecast military vehicles and aircraft are penciled in for a January ship. Several intriguing offerings are among the mix, including this US M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System (#WMTK021).
Also up for scrutiny is this Italian Macchi C.202 fighter, an oft-requested item now that they are no longer available from the IXO Models range (#WMAPF0019).
It seems as though Minichamps is getting in gear to release even more new bikes for the coming year. According to their web site, collectors can expect to kick the tires on a 1:12 scale 1978 Honda CB 900 F ‘Bol D’or’ that is finished in blue. Also due out in the New Year is a 1958 Triumph TR6 Tiger awash in a silver and red scheme.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that other previously hyped bikes aren’t too far behind, most notably their 1955 Vincent Black Lightning and 1948 Vincent HRD Black Lightning with a prostrate Rollie Free figure gripping the handlebars, first announced way back in February 2010.
Images have now been posted for Dragon’s second take on its 1:72 scale Ka-Mi amphibious tank. Painted in a light ocean blue pattern, their latest Imperial Japanese Navy tank represents a vehicle tied to the 27th Naval Special Ground Base Guard, then located at Aitape, New Guinea, during July-August 1944 (DRA60584). Dragon is claiming a February release, even though their first look at the Ka-Mi has yet to hit the surf.
Perhaps looking to capitalize on the success of their earlier Israeli Mirage interceptors, Falcon Models plans to offer an all-new version this February. Based upon a Mirage IIICJ Shahak Interceptor that was piloted by Eitan Ben-Eliyahu, who was attached to the Tayeset 101 “First Fighter Squadron”, then deployed to Hatzor Air Base, Israel, in 1969, this desert-enhanced rendition is quite striking and bears loads of ordnance for multiple configurations (#FA725008).
Also shown for the first time is a Swiss Air Force Mirage III-S, which was attached to Fliegerstaffel 16 in 1989 (#FA725oo9). Look for the Swiss version in March.
