Revell P3-A Orion 1/48 Scale

The P-3C is a land-based, long range anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft. It has advanced submarine detection sensors such as directional frequency and ranging (DIFAR) sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment. The avionics system is integrated by a general purpose digital computer that supports all of the tactical displays, monitors and automatically launches ordnance and provides flight information to the pilots.

In addition, the system coordinates navigation information and accepts sensor data inputs for tactical display and storage. The P-3C can either operate alone or supporting many different customers including the carrier battlegroup and amphibious readiness group. The aircraft can carry a variety of weapons internally and on wing pylons, such as the Harpoon anti-surfacemissile, the MK-50 torpedo and the MK-60 mine.

Each Maritime Patrol Aviation (MPA) squadron has nine aircraft and is manned by approximately 60 officers and 250 enlisted personnel. Each 11-person crew includes both officer and enlisted personnel. The MPA squadrons deploys to sites outside the United States for approximately six months, and generally spends one year training at home between deployments.

Additional information:

http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types/usa/lockheed_martin/p-3/P-3_Orion.htm

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/p-3-history.htm

http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/p3.htm

Heller E-2C Hawkeye 1/72 Scale

The Northrop Grumman legacy in airborne early warning and battle management systems is long. The rugged, reliable Hawkeye 2000 is the latest of five generations aircraft built by Northrop Grumman since the mid-1940s. At that time, a TBF-3 Avenger was modified with the first-generation airborne search radar.

This was followed in the mid-1950s by the E-1B. In 1964, the Navy took delivery of the first aircraft specifically designed for AEW, the E-2A Hawkeye, 59 of which were delivered through 1967. They flew in Vietnam combat from the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ranger. E-2A's were modified to E-2B's with a then-new, programmable, high-speed digital computer.

Other information:

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=161

http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/e2.htm

Hasegawa YS-11 Japanese Maritime Safety Agency 1/144 Scale

The only Japanese airliner to enter production since WW2, the YS11 achieved a degree of success in its domestic market and in North America. The YS11 was a product of the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Company (or NAMC), a consortium of Fuji, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, Nippi, Shin Meiwa (now Shin Maywa) and Showa. NAMC formed on June 1 1959 to design and develop a short to medium range airliner, with particular attention being paid to meeting the specific operating requirements of the Japanese domestic airlines.

NAMC selected the RollsRoyce Dart over the Allison 501 to power the new airliner. Fuji was given responsibility for the tail unit, Kawasaki the wings and engine nacelles, Mitsubishi the forward fuselage and final assembly, Nippi the ailerons and flaps, Shin Meiwa the rear fuselage and Showa the light alloy honeycomb structural components.

The YS11 first flew on August 30 1962 (a second prototype flew that December), and was awarded Japanese certification in August 1964. By that time the first production aircraft were under construction, and the type entered service with Toa Airways (now JAS) in April 1965. Initial production was of the YS11100, the follow up YS11A200 (first flight November 1967) was designed for export markets and featured an increased max takeoff weight. The YS11A300 was a combi passenger/freight model, while the YS11A400 was a pure freighter with a forward freight door.

Model Kit Review:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/civil/abshierys11.htm

http://www.airlinercafe.com/page.php?id=129

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAMC_YS-11

The Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster was ordered by the U.S. Air Force in 1966 to replace the Cessna O-1 until a purpose-built aircraft could be put into service as a Forward Air Control and light observation aircraft. Because the Skymaster was a two seater, one crewmember could be freed from piloting the aircraft to concentrate on the difficult mission of Forward Air Control, which included such diverse tasks as marking targets for air strikes, giving strike briefings to incoming attack pilots, and avoiding ground threats. This made the O-2 ideal for the FAC mission, even if low-and-slow FAC pilots had to wait until the appearance of its successor, the OV-10 Bronco, to be protected by armor plating.

Other information:

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

http://users.ids.net/~qam/AircraftPages/o2askymaster.html

http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3432

http://www.skymaster.org.uk/history.asp

Dragon Boeing B-52H Stratofortress 1/200 Scale

By the 21st century, the Boeing B-52 was in its fifth decade of operational service. The eight-engine, 390,000-pound jet was the country's first long-range, swept-wing heavy bomber. It began as an intercontinental, high-altitude nuclear bomber, and its operational capabilities were adapted to meet changing defense needs.

B-52s have been modified for low-level flight, conventional bombing, extended-range flights and transport of improved defensive and offensive equipment -- including ballistic missiles that can be launched hundreds of miles from their targets.

As the war worsened in Korea, the Air Force, in 1951, designated the B-52 the country's next intercontinental bomber and approved an initial production order for 13 B-52s. The first B-52A flew Aug. 5, 1954. Production versions of the B-52A were B-52Bs, with more weight and larger engines. Some had photographic reconnaissance or electronic capsules in their bomb bays and were redesignated RB-52Bs. The B-52s increased in range, power and capability with each variant. The B-52H made its first flight March 6, 1961, and is still in service. In all, 744 B-52s were produced by Seattle, Wash., and Wichita, Kan., plants between 1952 and 1962.

Other information:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/systems/b-52-history.htm

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/b-52_facts.htm

Minicraft Rockwell B-1A 1/144 Scale

The B-1A is the prototype of the Air Force’s strategic B-1B Lancer, now a strong arm of America’s military. This version of the “Bone”, as the B-One is affectionately known, was used in the development of the advance aerodynamics and avionics that are standard in the operational bomber. The kit includes movable variable geometry wings (Swing Wings), clear cockpit and display stand, detailed landing gear. It is molded in white, which was standard for the prototypes, and the decal has the star spangled banner of the Strategic Air Command.

Revell Model Kit Review:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/mod/kolb1.htm

Other information:

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/b-1b_facts.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-1_Lancer

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/newb1_1.html

Minicraft Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation 1/144 Scale

The Lockheed Constellation (affectionately known as the "Connie") was a four engine propeller-driven aircraft built by Lockheed between 1943, and 1958, in its Burbank, California, facility. 856 aircraft were produced in four model variations. It was used as both a civilian airliner and U.S. military air transport plane, seeing service in the Berlin Airlift and as the presidential aircraft for President Eisenhower.

As the first pressurized aircraft in widespread use, it helped to usher in affordable and comfortable air travel for the masses. Among airlines that flew Constellations were Aer Lingus, Trans World Airlines, Pan American World Airways, BOAC, Air France, Eastern Airlines, KLM, Qantas, El Al, and Lufthansa. The Constellation is distinguished by its distinctive triple-tail design and graceful, dolphin-shaped fuselage.

Other information:

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

Monogram Messerschmitt Me-109G 1/48 Scale

The Bf 109E was the Luftwaffe's standard single-seat fighter for the first three years of the war and was able to outfight or outrun virtually all opposition. From the summer of 1942 the Bf 109G powered by a Daimler-Benz DB605D producing 1,800 hp with water-methanol injection and giving a speed of 685 km/h (428 mph), entered service in Russia and North Africa before being deployed in every other theater. With its standard armament of a cannon and two machine guns the Bf 109, like the Spitfire , saw action throughout the war.

Bearing in mind that the Bf 109 was to become one of the Royal Air Force's major opponents in the Second World War, it is ironic that the prototype had a British Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine when it made its first flight in September 1935. The power plant was, however, soon changed. In any case, Rolls-Royce was using a German built Heinkel He 70 to flight test some of its latest engines at about the same time.

Model Kit Review:
http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/luftwaffe/bf-109g10_48.htm

Other information:
http://www.aviationshoppe.com/Messerschmitt-ME109-BF109.html
http://www.warbirdalley.com/bf109.htm
http://www.historynet.com/magazines/aviation_history/3035966.html

Monogram Supermarine Spitfire Mark II 1/48 Scale

The Supermarine Spitfire was an iconic British single-seat fighter used by the RAF and many Allied countries in the Second World War.

Produced by Supermarine, the Spitfire was designed by R.J. Mitchell, who continued to refine the design until his death from cancer in 1937. Its elliptical wing had a thin cross-section, allowing a higher top speed than the Hawker Hurricane and other contemporary designs; it also resulted in a distinctive appearance, enhancing its overall streamlined features. Much loved by its pilots, the Spitfire saw service during the whole of the Second World War, in all theatres of war, and in many different variants.

Other information:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/spit1.html
http://www.mikekemble.com/ww2/spitfire.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire

Curtiss P-40 1/48 Scale

The P-40 fighter/bomber was the last of the famous "Hawk" line produced by Curtiss Aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s, and it shared certain design elements with its predecessors, the Hawk and Sparrowhawk. It was the third-most numerous US fighter of World War II. An early prototype version of the P-40 was the first American fighter capable of speeds greater than 300 mph.

Design work on the aircraft began in 1937, but numerous experimental versions were tested and refined before the first production version of the P-40, the Model 81, appeared in May 1940. By September of that year, over 200 had been delivered to the Army Air Corps. 185 more were delivered to the United Kingdom in the fall of 1940, where they were designated the Tomahawk Mk I.

Other information:

http://www.warbirdalley.com/p40.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-40

http://www.chuckhawks.com/p40.htm

Hasegawa A-1H Skyraider w/Rocket Pod 1/72 Scale

The Douglas A-1 (formerly AD) Skyraider was a U.S. single-seat attack bomber of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. A propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, the Skyraider had a remarkably long and successful career.

Model Kit Review:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models/a1e.htm

http://www.ipmsusa.org/Reviews/How_To/Skyraider_Conversion/Skyraider_Conversion.htm

Additional Information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-1_Skyraider

Heller Junkers JU 52 1/72 Scale

By 1932, the German airline, Lufthansa, had sufficiently recovered from the economic woes of the 1920’s to put in service a three-engine civil transport plane, the Junkers Ju 52/3m. Based on a short-lived single engine model, the Ju 52 first flew in April 1931 and quickly became the workhorse of both the airline and the reviving Luftwaffe, with a standard passenger-carrying load of 17. During the Spanish Civil War, the Ju 52 ferried more than 10,000 Moorish troops from Morocco to Spain, as well as dropping 6000 tons of bombs.

With three BMW engines of 725 horsepower each, the Ju 52 had a maximum speed of 171 mph and a range of 800 miles. For air defense and tactical ground support the bomber carried two 7.92 machineguns and could be fitted with a variety of bomb racks as the need arose; the plane's trademark corrugated skin produced a very solid airframe.

By the beginning of World War Two over 1,000 Ju 52’s were in service; eventually a total of 5,000 planes would fly the Nazi colors performing every imaginable mission from troop transport to mine-laying on all fronts. During the war some thirteen ‘variations on a theme’ saw improved radios, interchangeable float/ski/wheel landing gear (indicating the wide range of Luftwaffe requirements), better armor and engines, and heavier defensive armament.

Model Kit Reviews:

http://ipmslondon.tripod.com/aircraftreviews/id15.html

Other information:

http://www.ju52-3m.ch/about.htm

http://www.warbirdalley.com/ju52.htm

AMT ERTL Henschel Hs. 129 Tank Killer 1/48 Scale

The Henschel Hs 129, often referred to by its nickname, the Panzerknacker, (tank cracker), was a World War II ground attack aircraft fielded by the Luftwaffe. Although likely to be a good anti-tank weapon, the plane was produced in only small numbers and deployed during a time when the Luftwaffe was unable to protect them from attack.

Model Kit Reviews:

http://www.ipmslivonia.org/ipms/Gallery/Hs129/KitRHs129.htm

http://hsgalleries.com/hs129ib_1.htm

http://www.scalemodelworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=49

Monogram F6F-5 Hellcat 1/48 Scale

Many US Navy pilots had good cause to refer to the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank". With its six .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, it could spit out a veritable hail of destruction which no Japanese adversary could hope to survive. After the war, Japanese pilots related their fear and dread each time they were engaged by the Hellcat. And, on the other side of the coin, the

Hellcat could absorb unbelievable punishment and still bring the pilot back to his ship. Pilots tell of "mostly holes where the airplane used to be" and "more air was going through it than around it". One Hellcat had been burning for a hundred miles before landing on its carrier. Top Navy ace, David McCampbell told of watching the piston and connection rod "popping in and out" of the mangled Pratt-Whitney "Double Wasp" engine as he struggled to fly the pieces of his Hellcat back to the carrier. The Grumman Company itself was often referred to as the "Grumman Iron Works".

Other information:
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/histf6f.htm
http://www.vectorsite.net/avf6f.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/f6f-hellcat
http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avf6f.html

AMT ERTL Grumman F7F-2N Tigercat 1/48 Scale

In early 1941, Grumman began design-work on a new twin-engine fighter for the War Department, for use on a planned larger Midway-class aircraft carrier. On June 30, 1941, Grumman was awarded a contract to build two prototypes, the first of which flew in December 1943. The XF7F-1 Tigercat was unusual for a fighter, with its shoulder-mounted wings, twin underwing-mounted engines, all-metal construction and tricycle landing gear.

Before the prototype even flew for the first time, Grumman was contracted to build 500 of them for the US Marine Corps, to be used as close-support aircraft for the massive landing operations then underway in the Pacific. Delivery began in April 1944. The first 34 F7F-1s were similar to the prototypes, then 30 two-seat night-fighter variants (called F7F-2Ns) were produced. Next, 189 single-seat models called F7F-3s were built which featured slightly more powerful R-2800 engines, slightly larger vertical stabilizers, and a 7% increase in fuel capacity.

Much of the original order for Tigercats was cancelled after VJ-Day, and they never saw operational service in WWII. Less than 100 Tigercats were built after the war as night-fighters (F7F-3N and F7F-4N), electronic reconnaissance (F7F-3E) and photo-reconnaissance (F7F-3P) platforms, but higher-performance jet-powered airplanes soon replaced the Tigercat in the US Marine Corps. During the 1960s and 1970s, a few were gradually sold as surplus and converted to fire bombers or aerial photography ships.

Model kit reviews:

http://hsgalleries.com/f7f3nrc_1.htm

Other information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F7F_Tigercat

http://members.tripod.com/Air_Museum_ww2/id27.htm

Revell Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero 1/32 Scale

The Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen legendary status mirrored the fortunes of the rising sun, in which four years, the sun would finally set. For the Japanese and its former enemies, the A6M was the symbol of Japanese air power. The A6M fighter marked the beginning of a new epoch in naval aviation and was the first shipboard fighter capable of surpassing land-based aircraft.1 With its tight turning radius, it was an extremely deadly weapon in a dogfight, and was famous for its ability to outmaneuver, Brewster F2A Buffaloes, Curtiss P-40s and Grumman F4F Wildcats.

As early as 1937, Claire Chennault, the author of 'The Role of Defensive Pursuit,' warned the USAAF about the dangers of Japanese air power. Apparently his warnings were ignored, as the superiority of the A6M was a complete surprise to the American forces.2 As leader of the Flying Tigers, Chennault constantly stressed to his pilots, 'Never try to turn with a Zero. Always get above the enemy and try to hit him with the first pass.'3 Because of the A6Ms exceptional range and performance, it was to bear the brunt of the action, of almost every military engagement in the Pacific, until the end of the war.

Other information:

http://www.gl.iit.edu/wadc/features/aircraft/Zero/index.html

http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2004/12/the_japanese_ze_1.html

Heller Chance Vought F4U-7 Corsair 1/48 Scale

Development of the Corsair began in 1938, when the US Navy issued a request for a new single-seat carrier-based fighter. The Chance-Vought company won the contract with their unique, gull-winged airframe pulled by the largest engine then available, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp.

The wing design was necessitated by the tall landing gear which was, in turn, necessitated by the huge propeller required to propel the plane at the desired high speeds.
The prototype of the Corsair was first flown on 29 May 1940, but due to design revisions, the first production F4U-1 Corsair was not delivered until 31 July 1942. Further landing gear and cockpit modifications resulted in a new variant, the F4U-1A, which was the first version approved for carrier duty.

The Corsair served with the US Navy, US Marines, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force (and later, the French Aeronavale), and quickly became the most capable carrier-based fighter/bomber of the war. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in additional aircraft being produced by the Goodyear Company (as the FG-1) and the Brewster Company (as the F3A-1). Production ceased in 1952. Over two dozen Corsairs are believed to be still airworthy, most in the United States.

Other information:
http://www.calebflerk.com/corsair/index.htm
http://www.aviation-history.com/vought/f4u.html
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/histf4u.htm
http://www.f4ucorsair.com/tdata/history.htm

Monogram Black Widow P-61 1/48 Scale

The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was the first American warplane designed specifically for use as a nightfighter. Radar equipment installed in the nose of the aircraft allowed the crew to 'see' enemy aircraft in the cover of total darkness and engage with impunity as necessary, often achieving the important combat element of surprise.

Nightfighting, as a concept, was relatively new for the Second World War, with Britain finding a good level of success utilizing their deHaviland Mosquitoes in the role and Germany with their BF-110s. P-61 Black Widows served this same role over the skies of Britain, Europe and in the Pacific Theater and arguably served it quite well.

The USAAF watched the events in Europe unfold closely, noting how nightfighting was becoming a standard facet of the war - and advantageous one. Thusly, provisions were enacted to produce the first ever official designated nightfighter for military service.

Model kit review:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/usaaf/p-61_48.htm

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/allies/us/spahrp61.htm

http://www.rollmodels.net/nreviews/airplanes/48monogramp61/48monop61.php

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/p61ea_1.htm

B-26 Marauder 1/48 Scale

The Martin B-26 Marauder was one of the most controversial American combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was primarily used in Europe, and was in fact numerically the most important USAAF medium bomber used in that theatre of action. However, on four occasions, investigation boards had met to decide if the development and production of the Marauder should continue. The Marauder survived all attempts to remove it from service, and by 1944, the B-26s of the US 9th Air Force had the lowest loss rate on operational missions of any American aircraft in the European theatre, reaching a point less than one half of one percent.

Other information:

http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/baugher_us/b026-01.html

http://www.harmonize.com/swdroundup/B26a.htm

http://www.warbirdalley.com/b26.htm