1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘Initial Series’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) - MARK I Models (updated)

1/144 FIAT G.50 ‘Initial Series’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) Italian AF, Finnish AF) - MARK I Models

The Fiat G.50 was an Italian fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s, which became the most advanced fighter to be produced in Italy at that time. The prototype flew in February 1937, while the first production aircraft were delivered to the air force two years later.

In the autumn of 1940, an improved version with an extended combat range was introduced and designated the G.50bis. In total, production of the G.50 reached 784 aircraft in seven production series; 426 of which were manufactured by Fiat (Aeritalia) and another 358 were built by CMASA. 58 aircraft were exported: 13 G.50s to Spain, 35 aircraft to Finland and 10 went to Croatia.

It was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane featuring an open cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a Fiat A.74 two-row radial engine and was fitted with a Hamilton-Fiat propeller. The first versions of the G.50 were fitted with different configurations of armament: either a single or a pair of 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and an additional pair of 7.7mm guns in the wings. The Fiat G.50bis can be distinguished by the redesigned tail, addition of a larger rudder and relocated tail wheel.

The Fiat G.50s were extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including deployment in Belgium, North Africa, in the Balkans, in the Aegean and the Italian mainland. In Finland they served with distinction during the Winter War of 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941 "44 against the Soviet Union.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Fiat G.50 Srs.IV (CMASA-built), Black 352-Red 13 (MM 5403), 352nd Flight (352a Squadriglia), 20th Fighter Squadron (20° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 56th Wing (56° Stormo), Italian Air Corps (Corpo Aereo Italiano, CAI), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Ursel airfield, Belgium, autumn 1940

2) Fiat G.50 Srs.IV (CMASA-built), Black 354-Red 3 (MM unknown), 354th Flight (354a Squadriglia), 24th Fighter Squadron (24° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 52nd Wing (52° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Tirana airfield, Albania, January 1941

3) Fiat G.50 Srs.III (CMASA-built), FA-27 (MM 4944), Black FA-27, 3/LeLv 26 (3rd Fltight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Kilpasilta airfield, Finland, 1942

4) Fiat G.50 Srs.I (CMASA-built), FA-17 (MM 3599), Black FA-17/White 1, 1/LeLv 26 (1st Flight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Lunkula airfield, Finland, summer 1941

Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 38 parts and one clear part (the cockpit windshield). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

 Code Number:MKM144127

Estimated Price: TBC (17Euro)

Estimated Release Date: TBC

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144127

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=&art=179103

1/144 FIAT G.50/50bis ‘Italian Arrow’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) - MARK I Models

1/144 FIAT G.50/50bis ‘Italian Arrow’ (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) (Italian AF, Finnish AF, Luftwaffe) - MARK I Models

The Fiat G.50 was an Italian fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s, which became the most advanced fighter to be produced in Italy at that time. The prototype flew in February 1937, while the first production aircraft were delivered to the air force two years later.

In the autumn of 1940, an improved version with an extended combat range was introduced and designated the G.50bis. In total, production of the G.50 reached 784 aircraft in seven production series; 426 of which were manufactured by Fiat (Aeritalia) and another 358 were built by CMASA. 58 aircraft were exported: 13 G.50s to Spain, 35 aircraft to Finland and 10 went to Croatia.

It was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane featuring an open cockpit and a retractable undercarriage. It was powered by a Fiat A.74 two-row radial engine and was fitted with a Hamilton-Fiat propeller. The first versions of the G.50 were fitted with different configurations of armament: either a single or a pair of 12.7mm machine guns in the nose and an additional pair of 7.7mm guns in the wings. The Fiat G.50bis can be distinguished by the redesigned tail, addition of a larger rudder and relocated tail wheel.

The Fiat G.50s were extensively used on various fronts by Italy, including deployment in Belgium, North Africa, in the Balkans, in the Aegean and the Italian mainland. In Finland they served with distinction during the Winter War of 1940 and the Continuation War of 1941"44 against the Soviet Union.

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (Fiat/Aeritalia-built), Black 367-Red 2 (MM unknown), 367th Flight (367a Squadriglia), 151st Fighter Squadron (151° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), 53rd Wing (53° Stormo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Turin-Caselle airfield, Italy, spring 1942

2) Fiat G.50bis Srs.V (Fiat/Aeritalia-built), Red 163/3 (MM 5943), 163rd Flight (163a Squadriglia), 161st Fighter Squadron (161° Gruppo Caccia Terrestre, CT), Independent Wing (Stormo Autonomo), Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica, RA), Taranto-Grottaglie airfield, Italy, February 1943

3) Fiat G.50 Srs.I (CMASA-built), FA-25 (MM 3614), Black FA-25/Yellow 1, 3/LeLv 26 (3rd Flight, 26th Fighter Squadron), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Kilpasilta airfield, Finland, October 1942

4) Fiat G.50bis Srs.VII (CMASA-built), White 352 (MM 6352), 3./JG 108, Luftwaffe, Wiener-Neustadt airfield, Austria, summer 1944

Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 40 parts and one clear part (the cockpit windshield). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

Code Number:MKM144128

Estimated Price: TBC

Estimated Release Date: TBC

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM144128

https://www.aviationmegastore.com/?action=prodinfo&parent_id=&art=179104

1/144 STR1402 Gates Learjet 35 - Stransky Kits

1/144 STR1402 Gates Learjet 35 - Stransky Kits

Expect to see a range of civilian and military options across a number of releases.

Available: July 2018
14,50 EUR
http://www.stransky-kits.com/E-shop.html?vyhledavani=&vsude=&list=&xmlid=2150012#detail
http://www.stransky-kits.com/E-shop.html?vyhledavani=&vsude=&list=&xmlid=2150009#detail

1/144 Curtiss Hawk 75A ‘Ilmavoimat’ (Finnish AF) - MARK I

1/144 Curtiss Hawk 75A ‘Ilmavoimat’ (Finnish AF) - MARK I

Curtiss H-75A 'Ilmavoimat' Curtiss Hawk 75A ‘Ilmavoimat’ (Finnish AF). The Curtiss H-75 was the export version of the American P-36 Hawk (Curtiss Model 75) fighter of the mid-1930s. Several subtypes were produced and designated the H-75A-1 to A-9, which differed in engine, equipment and armament installations.

The first foreign order was received from France which took delivery of more than 400 aircraft of different variants (H-75A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4/H-751s).

After the fall of France, Germany sold the captured Curtiss fighters to Finland which extensively and successfully used them against Soviet forces. In total, 44 aircraft of various variants were delivered in 1941-44 comprising both ex-French and ex-Norwegian supplies.

In Finnish service, the Curtiss 75s were well liked and affectionately called “Sussu" (Sweetheart). They remained in service until August 1948 and the last were eventually scapped in 1953.

The H-75 was a single-seat, all-metal low-wing monoplane with fabric-covered control surfaces. It had a retractable undercarriage with the main landing gear rotated 90° to fold flat into the wing.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp two-row radial engine, it was fitted with Curtiss Electric propeller. The H-75’s armament consisted of two machine guns in the nose, and another one (all H-75A-1s, 40 early H-75A-2s and some H-75A-6s) or two guns in each wing (H-75A-3, A-6). A small bomb carrier was also mounted under each outer part of the wing.

Colour schemes included in the kit:
1) Curtiss H-75A-6, CUw-560 (ex-Norwegian No.439), Yellow/White 0, LeLv 32 (Fighter Sq.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Lappeenranta airfield, autumn 1941
2) Curtiss H-75A-2, CUw-556 (ex-French No.107), White 6, LeLv 32 (Fighter Sq.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Nurmoila airfield, June 1942
3) Curtiss H-75A-2, CU-581 (ex-French No.170), Blue 1, 3/HLeLv 32 (Fighter Sq.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Nurmoila airfield, early spring 1944
4) Curtiss H-75A-1, CU-577 (ex-French No.23), Yellow 7, LeLv 32 (Fighter Sq.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Nurmoila airfield, autumn 1943
Curtiss H-75A-1, CU-577 (ex-French No.23), HLeLv 11 (Fighter Sq.), LeR1 (Fighter Regt.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Pori airfield, 1945-47

This injection-moulded kit (one model is included) contains 30 parts and four clear parts (the cockpit canopy, rear windows and a landing light). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM14475

Available: June 2018
Price : £14 GBP

1/144 de Havilland Vampire FB.5/FB.52/J 28B - Mark I

1/144 de Havilland Vampire FB.5/FB.52/J 28B - Mark I 

de Havilland Vampire FB.5/FB.52/J 28B 'In the North' (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box)
(RAuxAF, Swedish AF, Finnish AF, Norwegian AF)

The de Havilland Vampire was a British jet fighter developed during WWII. It was the second jet, after the Gloster Meteor, operated by the RAF. The Vampire Mk.5, which flew in June 1948, was a fighter-bomber modified from a Vampire F.3 fighter.

It was a single-seat monoplane aircraft, of a combined wood-and-metal construction, powered by a DH Goblin turbojet. It featured twin-boom tail configuration with two wing-root intakes, bubble canopy and was fitted with a non-ejection seat. Two external tanks or 500lb bombs could be carried under the wing, while eight 3" RPs could be attached inboard of the booms.

The Vampire replaced wartime piston-engine fighters and was in front-line service until 1953. The Vampire FB.5 equipped many RAF units in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.

Almost 3,300 Vampires of all marks were manufactured, a quarter of them built under licence in other countries. It was also sold to many nations and operated in a wide range of environments around the world.

Colour schemes included in the kit:
1) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.5, WG833, No.603 (City of Edinburgh) Sq., Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Turnhouse airfield, 1954-57

2) DH 100 Vampire J 28B (FB Mk.50), 28317, 18-Red A, Flygflottilj 18 (Wing F 18), Royal Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet), Tullinge Air Base, spring 1953

3) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.52, VA-3, Black 3, HavLv 11 (Fighter Sq.), Finnish Air Force (Ilmavoimat), Pori airfield, 1953

4) de Havilland DH.100 Vampire FB Mk.52, V0126, Black ZK-X, 337 skvadron (Sq.), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Luftforsvaret), V�rnes Air Station, 1953

Two injection-moulded kits are supplied in this box and each kit contains 31 parts and three clear parts (the cockpit canopy and position lights). A comprehensive decal sheet is included.

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM14470

Additional Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Vampire

http://www.airvectors.net/avvamp.html

1/144 Dornier Do-17 "Flying Pencil" from Mark I

1/144 Dornier Do-17 "Flying Pencil" from Mark I 
Previously only available in 1/144 as garage kits, or the Amercom Do-17Z issued model, this welcome injected kit fills a hole in many peoples early war (and Spanish Civil War) collections.

Designed in the early 1930s, it was one of the three main Luftwaffe bomber types used in the first three years of the war. The Do 17 made its combat debut in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, operating in the Condor Legion in various roles. Along with the Heinkel He 111 it was the main bomber type of the German air arm in 1939–1940. The Dornier was used throughout the early war, and saw action in significant numbers in every major campaign theatre as a front line aircraft until the end of 1941, when its effectiveness and usage was curtailed as its bomb load and range were limited.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_17

Currently, three issues have been identified - its unclear is there will be Spanish Civil War Version?

MKM14462 - Do17Z 2/3 - Westfront (German & Swiss markings)
MKM14463 - Do17Z 2/3 - Ostfront (German & Finnish markings)
MKM14464 - Do17Z 2 - Balkan Operations (German & Croat markings)

Release Date: June 2017 (Planned)

Source: https://metrohobbies.com.au/

Other Do-17 kits currently available include:
http://www.petersplanes.com/avions/dornier17z/dornier17z.htm
http://kampfgruppe144.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/1144-dornier-do-17z-kits-by-petersplanes.html

1/144 Brewster F2A / Buffalo - by Mark I

1/144 Brewster F2A / Buffalo - by Mark I

The Brewster F2A Buffalo^[1] was an American fighter aircraft which saw service early in World War II. Designed and built by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation, it was one of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers. The Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the U.S. Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft. Although superior to the Grumman F3F biplane it replaced and the early F4Fs,^[2] the Buffalo was largely obsolete when the United States entered World War 2 being unstable and overweight, especially when compared to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.^[3]

Several nations, including Finland, Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands, ordered the Buffalo. Of all the users, the Finns were the most successful with their Buffalos, flying them in combat against early Soviet fighters with excellent results.^[4] During the Continuation War of 1941–1944, the B-239s (a de-navalized F2A-1) operated by the Finnish Air Force proved capable of engaging and destroying most types of Soviet fighter aircraft operating against Finland at that time and achieving in the first phase of that conflict 32 Soviet aircraft shot down for every B-239 lost,^[5] and producing 36 Buffalo "aces".^[6]

In December 1941, Buffalos operated by both British Commonwealth (B-339E) and Dutch (B-339D) air forces in South East Asia suffered severe losses in combat against the Japanese Navy's Mitsubishi A6M Zeroand the Japanese Army's Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscar". The British attempted to lighten their Buffalos by removing ammunition and fuel and installing lighter guns to increase performance, but it made little difference.^[7]After the first few engagements, the Dutch halved the fuel and ammunition load in the wing, which allowed their Buffalos (and their Hurricanes) to stay with the Oscars in turns.^[8]

The Buffalo was built in three variants for the U.S. Navy, the F2A-1, F2A-2 and F2A-3. (In foreign service, with lower horsepower engines, these types were designated B-239, B-339, and B-339-23 respectively.) The F2A-3 variant saw action with United States Marine Corps (USMC) squadrons at the Battle of Midway. Shown by the experience of Midway to be no match for the Zero,^[2] the F2A-3 was derided by USMC pilots as a "flying coffin."^[9] However the F2A-3s performance was substantially inferior^[10] to the F2A-2 variant used by the Navy before the outbreak of the war despite detail improvements.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brewster_F2A_Buffalo

New kits released in February 2016:
MKM14444 F2A-1 Buffalo/B-239 ‘Early Versions’ (2in1)
http://www.4pluspublications.com/en/scale-model-kits/mkm14444-f2a-1-buffalo-b-239

MKM14445 F2A-1 Buffalo/B-239 ‘Early Versions’ (2in1)
http://www.4pluspublications.com/en/scale-model-kits/mkm14445-f2a-2-buffalo-b-339-usbelgian

MKM14446 Buffalo Mk.I/B-339D 'Far East Service' (2in1)
http://www.4pluspublications.com/en/scale-model-kits/mkm14446-buffalo-mki-b-339-far-east

1/144 Polikarpov I-15Bis - Armory

1/144 Polikarpov I-15Bis - Armory

A pre-war Soviet aircraft that saw use in many areas. expect tp sees decals from Soviet Russia, Chinese Nationalist Air Force, Finland and Spanish options/

Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polikarpov_I-15

Expected Release: tbc?

1/144 Bf-109 G-1/G-3 from MARK I Models

1/144 Bf-109 G-1/G-3  from MARK I Models

MKM14415   Messerschmitt Bf 109G-1/G-2 (2in1 = 2 kits in 1 box) )

(Luftwaffe, Finnish Air Force)   

                      

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a German fighter aircraft designed in the mid-1930s. Powered by a Jumo and later by Daimler-Benz in-line engine, it represented the first modern fighter of the era. Originally conceived as an interceptor, later models were developed to fulfil various roles, such as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day and night fighter, ground-attack or reconnaissance. Various armament modifications evolved in service, using pre-packaged or field kits. The aircraft was of an all-metal monocoque construction, featuring an enclosed canopy and a retractable landing gear.

The G-series aircraft were introduced in mid-1942. The initial variants (G-1 through G-4) differed only in minor details from its predecessor, the Bf 109F, most notably in the more powerful DB 605 engine. Odd numbered variants were built as high-altitude fighters, while even numbered variants were air superiority fighters and fighter-bombers.

The Bf 109 was the most produced fighter aircraft in the aviation history, and besides the German Luftwaffe it served in many other air forces and gallantly fought in all aerial combats of WWII. 

Colour schemes included in the kit:

1)   Bf 109G-1/R6, Horst Carnagico, Stab II./JG 5, Luftwaffe, Alakurrti airfield, Northern Russia, April 1943

2)   Bf 109G-2, Black 13, Günther Rall, 8./ JG 52, Luftwaffe, Eastern Front, August 1942

3)   Bf 109G-2/Trop, Yellow 5, Anton Hatner, 4./JG 51, Luftwaffe, Tunisia, November 1942

4)   Bf 109G-2, MT-201/White 1, Eino Luukkanen, 2/LeLv 34, Finnish Air Force, Utti airfield, Finland, summer 1943

This injection-moulded kit contains 16 parts, 1 clear part (the cockpit canopy) and 1 resin part (the cockpit interior). A comprehensive instruction leaflet and a decal sheet are included.

Available for Pre-order at http://www.kits-shop.com/index.php  (run by Miniwing) and free worldwide shipping (November 2013)

1/144 Wing Kit Collection Vol.9 - F-Toys

1/144 Wing Kit Collection Vol.9 - F-Toys

An early war series of aircraft interesting subject:
B-339E Brewster Buffalo, (D-RD,Burma)34 Squadron, Royal Air Force  (RAF)
B-339  Brewster Buffalo, 'August Deibel'  Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL)
B-239  Brewster Buffalo, BW-378 'Otto Wrede';Finnish Air Force ( Ilmavoimat)

IJN Type 96 'Claude'
IJN Type 96 'Claude' No. 4 Squadron, Carrier "Soryu"
IJN Type 96 'Claude' No. 4 Squadron, Kasumigaura

Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC (LK-R 'Night Duty' #1.#2), 87 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF)
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC, (LK-A  'Wing Commander Ian Gleed'). 87 Sqdn, (RAF)
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIC,  3 Squadron, Royal Air Force (RAF)

Available: 28 MAY2012

Source:http://www.platz-hobby.com/products/3538.html

1/144 Westland Lysander Mk-1 Skis - Foxone

 1/144 Westland Lysander Mk-1 Skis - Foxone
Foxone has released the next in the series of his Lysander series, that being the 'Ski' variant presented here in the colours of the 2/Le Lv.16 Lentolaivu, as used in the Finno-Soviet Continuaion War 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Lysander

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._16_Squadron_%28Finland%29

A complex kit for skilled modellers, it none the less results in a great looking item.

Please seen the other Foxone Lysander posts for more information.


Released: 18th January 2012
Price: 3.500 Yen
International purchase from Radjapan or HLJ

1-144 Dornier Do-17z - Amercom

1-144 Dornier Do-17z - Amercom

Issue 8 in the series of Amercoms "Flying Fortress" aircraft magazine and model series is....
The long awaited 1/144 model of a Dornier Do-17z

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_17

Do.17Z-1
Unit: 1./KG 76
Serial: F1+FH
Based at Beauvias-Tille, France, for daylight operations over the British Isles in September 1940.
http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b/325/2/4#32

Some further interesting information on aircraft F1+FH
http://www.hyperscale.com/2007/reviews/kits/ca4115reviewse_1.htm

Available through stores in Poland, and  e-bay!

Image used with permisson of Inkub at Miniwojna Blog
http://miniwojna.blogspot.com/search?q=amercom
http://amercom.com.pl/strony.php?kod=lb

1/144 Westland Lysander MK. I / II - Foxone

Foxone has release a new set of kits, the 1/144 Westland Lysander MK. I and Mk II.

I think these are great and am glad to see this kit produced. It is one of those unsung hero's of WWII, not the fast sexy fighters such as the Spitfire or P-51D, or the city destroying Lancaster's or B-17s, it is however an important and interesting aircraft.

Working initialy in it Liaison role and subsequently in its more famous role of landing and retrieving SOE Special Agents into occupied Europe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westland_Lysander
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Operations_Executive

The Lysander was flown by around the world by over 12 airforces and services in WWII and afterwards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Westland_Lysander_operators


More picture galleries of the FOXONE Westland Lysander can be found here
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/air_gallery/lysander/mk2_309RAF/mar.html
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/air_gallery/lysander/mk1_16FAF/ly120.html

A breakdown of the parts lists can be seen here:
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/o14/original_14.html
http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/o15/original_15.html

Each box has 1x Kit and 2x Decal options as shown on the images above.

Finally,
Another interesting little item, the 'Welbike'. Although more famous for use by the British Paratroops at Arnhem, it too was use by SOE special agents.
Designed to allow for the rapid movement of paratroops once landed.

http://foxonemodel.fc2web.com/original/B003/original_B003.html


Available: March 2011

Price:
Lysander Mk.I 3500 Yen
Lysander MK.II 3500 Yen
Wel Bike 500 Yen

Order:
Japan via Foxone or Yellow Sub
International - Radsan or HLJ

Previous Lysander Posts on KG144
http://kampfgruppe144.blogspot.com/search/label/Lysander

Reviews on Internet Modeler for MK.1 and MK.2