The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet and related twin-seat F/A-18F are twin-engine carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm M61 rotary cannon and can […]
Sundowners VF-111, Hobbymaster Updates and New to Pre-Order.
Three distinct Navy squadrons have called themselves ‘Sundowners’. The U.S. Navy frequently has given the same designation to two or more aviation units, leading to lasting confusion. Officially, the U.S. Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation. However, historical tradition within the […]
Fighting Falcons VF-96, Randy “Duke” Cunningham, Hobbymaster New Announcements and Updated Photos.
Fighter Squadron 96, or VF-96 Fighting Falcons was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1962 to 1975. When assigned to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) their tail code was NG, and their radio call-sign was Showtime. Originally established as United States Naval Reserve squadron VF-791 Fighting Falcons on 20 July […]
The Folland Gnat, Latest Model Announcements and Sale Offers !
The Folland Gnat is a small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft developed by Folland Aircraft for the Royal Air Force. The Gnat was designed by W.E.W. Petter as a development of the private venture Folland Midge. It first flew in 1955. Its design allowed its construction without specialised tools by countries […]
The Bristol Blenheim, Latest Model Arrivals and Additional Sale Offers.
The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the first two years of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter. It was one of the first British aircraft […]
Operation Black Buck, Latest Hobbymaster Model Arrivals and Sale Offers !
During the 1982 Falklands War, Operations Black Buck 1 to Black Buck 7 were a series of seven extremely long-range ground attack missions by Royal Air Force Vulcan bombers of the RAF Waddington Wing, comprising aircraft from 44 Squadron, 50 Squadron, 101 Squadron planned against Argentine positions in the Falkland Islands, of which five […]
New Corgi Aviation Archive 2nd Half 2016 Catalogue Announcement.
Dear Newsletter Readers, There is no regular Newsletter this week due to my lap top computer screen breaking late this week, which has set me back a bit in writing it up ! However, I have been able to get the latest Corgi Aviation Archive Catalogue releases loaded up to the website today, which are all […]
The Short Sunderland Flying Boat, F22 Raptor and F35 Lightning II at RIAT and Offers of the Week.
The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber developed for the RAF by Short Brothers. It took its service name from the town (latterly, city) and port of Sunderland in northeast England. Based in part upon the S.23 Empire flying boat, the flagship of Imperial Airways, the S.25 was extensively re-engineered for […]
USS Nimitz and its Aircraft, Hobbymaster New Announcements, and Arrivals at Flying Tigers this week.
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is a super-carrier of the United States Navy, and the lead ship of her class. One of the largest warships in the world, she was laid down, launched and commissioned as CVAN-68 but was re-designated CVN 68 (nuclear-powered multi-mission aircraft carrier) on 30 June 1975 as part of the fleet realignment. The […]
VF-1 Wolfpack Tomcat , New Oxford Diecast and Corgi Model Announcements.
Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established on 14 October 1972 it was disestablished on 30 September 1993. It was the 5th US Navy squadron to be designated VF-1. Known as the “Wolfpack” the squadron saw combat during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The squadron […]
The Junkers Ju 52, Operation Merkur Crete and New Brand Calibre Wings !
The Junkers Ju 52 (nicknamed Tante Ju (“Aunt Ju”) and Iron Annie) is a German tri-motor transport aircraft manufactured from 1931 to 1952. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over twelve air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an […]
Gulf of Sidra Incident (1989), Hobbymaster and Century Wings Updates and Arriving soon.
The second Gulf of Sidra incident occurred on 4 January 1989 when two United States Navy F-14 Tomcats shot down two Libyan MiG-23 Floggers that appeared to have been attempting to engage them, as had happened eight years prior in the first Gulf of Sidra incident, in 1981. In 1973 Libya claimed much of the […]
Adolf Galland, Latest Hobbymaster Model Announcements and Vehicle Sale !
During the final years of the Weimar Republic, jobs were scarce and life was hard for the Galland family economically. Adolf had some experience of flying gliders so he applied to the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule or DVS (German Commercial Flying School) which was heavily subsidized by Luft Hansa. He was one of 100 successful applicants out […]
Avro Lancaster B.III, ED888/PM-M2 ‘Mike Squared’ , New Model Arrivals and Sywell Activity
Of over 3,000 Avro Lancasters used by RAF Bomber Command only 24 were successful in flying 100 or more operational missions. Of these, the most successful was Avro Lancaster B.III ED888, which completed 140 “ops” and became known as “Mother Of Them All”. Avro Lancaster B.III ED888 was built by A.V.Roe at Manchester early in 1943, […]
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, Hobbymaster New Arrivals and Latest Special Offers !
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, aerial reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare aircraft in its various versions. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, it first entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force. The Royal Australian Air Force […]
Bagram Airbase , New Hobbymaster F-15E Lakenheath & Corgi Weekend Sale !
Bagram Airfield also known as Bagram Air Base is the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. It is located next to the ancient city of Bagram, 6.8 miles southeast of Charikar in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan. The airfield features a dual runway capable of handling any size military aircraft, including Lockheed Martin C-5 […]
The Iranian Air Force (IRIAF) & Latest Hobbymaster and InFlight New Model Announcements
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) is the aviation branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The present Air Force came into being in the early 1980s when the former Imperial Iranian Air Force was renamed. The Air Force has attempted with some success to maintain in service the large number of […]
The Blackburn Buccaneer in Operation Granby, Century Wings Update and Offers of the Week.
Operation Granby was the name given to the British military operations during the 1991 Gulf War. The RAF involvement ended 25 years ago this coming Monday 11th April 2016. In total 53,462 troops were deployed during the conflict. The total cost of operations was £2.434 billion (1992), of which at least £2.049 billion was paid […]
US Navy Jolly Rogers, & Offers of the Week
Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103), nicknamed the Jolly Rogers is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1952. VFA-103 flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (USA). The squadron’s radio call sign is Victory and it is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven. The original […]
The Handley Page Halifax, Latest Hobbymaster Pre-Order Models & Easter Sale !
The Handley Page Halifax was a four-engined heavy bomber model operated by the Royal Air Force during World War II. The Halifax remained in service until the end of the war, performing a variety of duties in addition to bombing. It was a contemporary of the Avro Lancaster. The Halifax was also operated by […]
Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler, New Air Commander Announcement, & Offers of the Week.
The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe. The EA-6A was the initial electronic warfare version of the A-6 used by the United States Marine Corps in the 1960s. Development on the more advanced EA-6B began in 1966. An EA-6B aircrew consists […]
RAF Lakenheath , F-15 Eagles and Latest Hobbymaster Arrivals.
RAF Lakenheath is a Royal Air Force station near the town of Lakenheath in Suffolk, England located 4.7 miles (7.6 km) north-east of Mildenhall, Suffolk and 8.3 miles (13.4 km) west of Thetford, Norfolk. Although an RAF station, it hosts United States Air Force units and personnel. The host wing is the 48th Fighter Wing […]
Hans von Hahn , the Messerschmitt BF109E-4 and the Latest Hobbymaster Releases.
Hans von Hahn (7 August 1914 – 5 November 1957) was a German Luftwaffe ace and recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II. The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. During his career he was credited with 34 […]
Lockheed S-3 Viking , New Model Arrivals Next Week and “Offers of the Week” Sale.
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify and track enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B’s mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refuelling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface surveillance capabilities to the carrier battle group. A […]
The Airspeed Oxford, Stirrings at Sywell Aerodrome and Latest Sale Offers !
The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford is a twin-engine aircraft used for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery during the Second World War. With the expansion of the Royal Air Force in the 1930s the service had an operational requirement for an advanced training aircraft, particularly for crews destined for bomber aircraft. The […]
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, Sywell 2016 Airshow update and Offers of the week.
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed ) is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed “Balalaika”, from the aircraft’s planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or “pencil” by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage.Early versions are considered […]
The Douglas TBD Devastator and Latest Hobbymaster Sale Offers !
The Douglas TBD Devastator was a torpedo bomber of the United States Navy, ordered in 1934, it first flew in 1935 and entered service in 1937. At that point, it was the most advanced aircraft flying for the Navy and possibly for any navy in the world. However, the fast pace of aircraft development […]
The Supermarine Walrus / Seagull, Latest Oxford Diecast News and Tomcats !
The Supermarine Walrus was a British single-engine amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by R. J. Mitchell and first flown in 1933. It was operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and also served with the Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and Royal New Zealand Air Force […]
The Douglas Havoc / Boston and Hobbymaster Arrivals next week.
Douglas A-20A The Douglas A-20 Havoc (company designation DB-7) was an American attack, light bomber, intruder aircraft of World War II. It served with several Allied air forces, principally the United States Army Air Forces , the Soviet Air Forces , Soviet Naval Aviation and the Royal Air Force. Soviet units received more than one […]
The de Havilland Sea Vixen
The de Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen is a twin boom, twin-engined 1950s–60s British two-seat jet fighter of the Fleet Air Arm designed by de Havilland at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Developed from an earlier first generation jet fighter, the Sea Vixen was a capable carrier-based fleet defence fighter that served into the 1970s. Initially produced by de […]