Some of the most accomplished models in the die-cast aviation hobby come in the diminutive 1/200th scale ranges, which are produced by a number of mainstream manufacturers. Advancements in manufacturing techniques has allowed engineers to incorporate higher levels of detail and superb paint finishes to even smaller scales of models, although some of these impressive offerings are quite huge in stature. Traditionally, these particular models were produced to satisfy the Civilian Aviation collector market, but as the quality of these models has led more and more collectors to come into contact with them, manufacturers have started to add Military subject matter into there catalogues, with predictably healthy sales figures. We have added a couple of new 1/200th scale RAF aircraft models to the site this week, which really do have the title ‘Absolute Winners’ attached to them, but for the purposes of this weeks Newsletter, we are going to look at the one above – the striking Boeing E-3D Sentry.
E-3D Sentry AEW1
There can be no doubting that the Boeing E-3D Sentry is one of the most distinctive aircraft in the world. Based on the classic Boeing 707 airliner, the profile of the Sentry is dominated by the large, spinning radar antenna disc, situated to the upper rear of the fuselage, which is the reason why this aircraft is so special. An absolute electronic marvel, the Sentry is an airborne surveillance and command and control aircraft and its importance on the modern battlefield could not be more critical. Providing a seamless, electronic link to friendly aircraft, ground units and naval vessels, the Sentry is charged with providing real-time information on any incident and directing the appropriate response. If there is something interesting going on, there will normally be a Sentry on patrol. All this electronic wizardry requires a significant team of highly capable people to collate, decipher and act on the information the aircraft is gathering and a typical crew profile would be four flight deck crew, three electronic technicians and an eleven man mission crew. They could be in the air for around eleven hours on a typical mission, but the aircraft does have the ability to re-fuel whilst in flight, so this could be extended if necessary, although I would think that fatigue may require a crew change, if optimum performance is to be maintained. The Royal Air Force operates seven E-3D Sentry aircraft, which are usually based at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire and the image below was taken in July this year, as a Sentry recovered to the base during this years annual Airshow.
Having discussed the type of missions undertaken by the RAF’s Sentry AEW1 aircraft, it will come as no surprise that these are some of the busiest aircraft in RAF inventory. Although normally based at Waddington, the runway there is undergoing significant improvement at the moment, so the home based squadrons are dispersed to other RAF bases around the UK and Europe. On a recent trip to Lincolnshire for the annual LLA Members Day, I spotted the Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft whilst passing RAF Cranwell and there were no less than three E-3D’s residing at Coningsby. I am used to Coningsby being one of the most interesting RAF bases to visit over recent years, but it looks positively crowded at the moment, with the E-3D Sentry aircraft in residence as well.
A very busy Coningsby
Die-cast models of the RAF E-3D Sentry have been rather thin on the ground to date, so news of a new limited edition release in 1/200th scale was greeted with some excitement in the hobby. In the larger 1/144th scale, Corgi brought us a superb model, which featured a battery operated, spinning radome, but this was some time ago and these have long since disappeared. Indeed, even though they produced 1600 of these models, they rarely come up for sale on the secondary market and when they do, you can expect to pay a hefty premium for the privilege. With that in mind, this weeks magnificent NEW RELEASE is all the more exciting and certainly requiring of swift action, if you are to capture one. In Flight 200 IFE30514B is a beautiful new 1/200th scale Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 of the Royal Air Force, which is finished to the extremely high standard you have come to expect from this impressive manufacturer. It is a certificated, limited edition release of just 240 pieces worldwide, which is absolutely minuscule when you consider the popularity this subject matter will command. With just SIX models still available, this weekend could be your only opportunity to capture one of these beauties – click on THIS LINK to secure one of our last remaining RAF Sentry models.
New colours for Duxford Mustang
The magnificent North American P-51D Mustang is inextricably linked with operations from Duxford airfield, be it during the latter stages of WWII, or with the current Warbirds of todays Airshow scene. Mustang fans will have been interested to learn that a beautiful new machine has been unveiled at Duxford over the past few days and thanks to the very kind permission of photographer Tony Clarke, we have been allowed to show you his beautiful picture of ‘Etta Jeanne II’ in all her glory! Unfortunately, this aircraft is not a flyer and will eventually be suspended from the ceiling of the American Air Museum at Duxford, but that news makes this image all the more interesting to the aviation enthusiast. It has been finished in the colours of a P-51K Mustang 44-11631 ‘Etta Jeanne II’, which was the mount of USAAF Ace Lt. Col. Huie Lamb, of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, which was based at Duxford during 1944/45. In this aircraft (MX-V), Lamb would share in the destruction of an Arado Ar 234 jet bomber on 19th March 1945 and claim three strafing victories on 10th of April. More interestingly, his first Mustang ‘Etta Jeanne’ (44-63286) was almost the last aircraft that he flew. In December 1944, Lamb was on his first mission over enemy territory, which was to provide escort protection to bombers on a raid to Nuremburg. On the return leg of the mission, the Mustang appeared to have an overheating engine, but as a novice pilot, Lamb did not have any experience of the Mustang in such circumstances and was forced to ditch his aircraft in the English Channel.
Walrus to the rescue – just in time!
To add to Lamb’s problems, his wingman had lost the use of his radio, so was unable to radio the position of his comrade – instead, he headed for Martlesham Heath at full speed and on landing, jumped into a Supermarine Walrus seaplane and guiding the crew to where the stricken airman had ditched. After 45 minutes in the freezing water, the Walrus crew initially thought that Lamb was dead, but after pulling him aboard their aircraft, he began to show signs of life and as we now know, made a full recovery and returned to operations soon afterwards, none the worse for his ordeal, but probably less enthusiastic about a little dip in the Channel. I am sure that the sight of this beautiful Mustang in the American Air Museum at Duxford will serve to mark the efforts of all US pilots during the Second World War and is yet another reason to head down the A1 to Cambridgeshire.
Mustang Mania – Our latest Offer of the Week
As an ardent aviation enthusiast, there is nothing like the sight of a beautiful Mustang to get the pulse racing a little faster – it really is one of the most attractive aircraft ever to take to the skies. In my personal opinion, perhaps the finest die-cast models yet produced of the mighty North American P-51D Mustang come in the 1/48th scale range from Hobbymaster – they are quite magnificent. Allowing the power and majesty of these classic machines to be displayed in some style, the extra size afforded by this scale does the Mustang justice and I defy anyone to handle one of these beauties not to be suitably impressed by these models. With literally thousands of Mustangs flying through our hangar doors over the years and with many releases selling out, or coming close to it, this could be the final opportunity to secure some of these stunning models – what is even more appealing, our last few models are being made available at extremely attractive prices. We have three different 1/48th scale Mustangs for you, with each one at almost half price, for what are brand new models – a great deal. To take a closer look, please click on this OFFER OF THE WEEK LINK, or on the beautiful image below, which shows two of the Mustangs we have available and perfectly illustrates how magnificent they actually are – prepare to drool!