75th Anniversary Battle of Britain Flypast 15th September 2015

The largest gathering of Battle of Britain aircraft since the second world war took to the skies of southern England to mark the aerial conflict’s 75th anniversary.

Forty Spitfires & Hurricanes and a Bristol Blenheim bomber flew in various formations from Goodwood Aerodrome  last Tuesday afternoon, before dispersing across wartime airfields over the south of England. The flypast was delayed until 2 p.m. because of bad weather, which was very similar to weather 75 years ago!

Prince Harry arrived at Goodwood on Tuesday morning to inspect the assembled planes.. He was due to take part in the event, but gave up his spot as a passenger in a two-seat Spitfire to Tom Neil a veteran of the battle, when one of the two-seat Spitfires developed a mechanical problem.

The aerial display is a tribute to the pilots called “the few” by the wartime prime minister Winston Churchill for their efforts in defeating the Luftwaffe.

In the summer and autumn of 1940, 544 man and women from Fighter Command died as the RAF fought the Luftwaffe in the skies above southern England to force back the threat of  invasion by Hitler.

Tom Neil, 95, a former wing commander and Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire pilot, led the formation from the rear of a two-seat Spitfire – the symbol of Britain’s fight against Nazi forces

As the UK marks the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain during the summer and autumn of 2015, the Royal Air Force has commemorated this important event in Britain’s history by presenting one of its current front-line aircraft in the paint scheme of Hawker Hurricane Mk.I GN-A (P3576)  flown during the Battle by Flt. Lt. Nicholson of 249 Squadron.

AA36407 Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 – ZK349 Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Scheme.

Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 (ZK349) of 29(R) Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby, is making a very distinctive tribute to the only Fighter Command pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross, during the Battle of Britain – Flt. Lt. Eric James Brindley Nicolson. Typhoon ZK349 has been painted in the colours of Flt. Lt. Nicolson’s 249 Squadron Hawker Hurricane Mk.I GN-A (P3576), which was involved in combat with Messerschmitt Bf 110s of the Luftwaffe over Southampton, on 16th August 1940. Whilst attempting to bale out of his burning Hurricane, Flt. Lt. Nicolson saw a Bf 110 pass in front of his aircraft and, without thought for his own safety, immediately climbed back into his seat and fired on the German aircraft, causing it to dive away to its destruction. Only then did Flt. Lt. Nicholson make good his escape, but not before sustaining significant injuries.

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the fearless air and ground crews, RCAF McDonnell Douglas CF-18A #761 Demonstration Hornet was given a special paint scheme. The upper portion of the aircraft pattern resembles the early 1940s earth tone and dark green camouflage used on Royal Air Force and Commonwealth Hawker Hurricane Mark IIs and Supermarine Spitfires during the Battle of Britain. The tail contains murals of key events and persons related to the BOB. The aircraft will be piloted by Captain Denis “Cheech” Beaulieu.

Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale HA3526 CF-18A Hornet 2015 “Battle of Britain” commemorative scheme.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN SPECIALS

Please check out the ” Battle of Britain ” section on the website. Stocks are dwindling fast and the low prices on these models will not last for much longer. I have shown a few of these models to whet your appetite below.

 

MORE MODEL NEWS

The long awaited F-35 Lightning II models will be arriving soon ! There has been lots of interest and Pre-orders of both the two RAF versions shown below. Please order early to avoid disappointment ! You can order through the website, or by phone. Remember Flying Tigers does NOT take a deposit and ONLY takes payment on dispatch of your models.( Unless you pay by PayPal over which we have no control.)

 

HOBBYMASTER SALE UPDATE

Last week I added these to the website and to the Newsletter . Many of you have taken advantage of these offers already. Many are close to SELL OUT before they arrive at my warehouse. Please place your orders before they arrive in stock to be sure you get the model(s) you want.

I have re-stocked quite a number of models to the website that I have been able to get at special prices.The quantities are not large and they will land at my warehouse at the end of this month. I have made these offers Pre-orders to give everyone a chance to take a look and order in advance of their arrival. First come first served as usual and when they have gone they will be gone for good ! I have shown a selection below, but there are more models available by clicking on the “Offer of the week” link here which will take you straight to all the models that have been added. Alternatively if you want to take a closer look at any of the models below, simply click on the image and it will take you straight to the model.

 

NEW HOBBYMASTER MODELS TO PRE-ORDER

I have added a number of new models available to Pre-order. Models will be available in the New Year from Flying Tigers. All of these have low Limited  Edition numbers available, some particularly so !

To be sure to get one and not be disappointed please visit the Future Hobbymaster section by clicking the link here.

I have shown a few below which are already being ordered quickly !

CENTURY WINGS TOMCAT BLACKLIONS UPDATE.

Some of you have ordered the Century Wings latest Black Lions Tomcat that I sent a note out a few days ago. This F14B has been replaced with another version of the Black Lions the F-14D VF-213 06 Final Cruise and the item no. will remain as  CW001617.

Here is the new Artwork preview which replaces the earlier version.

This is now available from Flying Tigers to Pre-Order now !

Thank you for taking time out to read this week’s newsletter.

Richard.

Flying Tigers.