I am afraid that I have been dealing with some computer issues again today, so my initial plans for our latest Newsletter have been changed at the eleventh hour. There is so much information to give you this week, that this is not altogether a bad thing – Edition No.395 of the Flying Tigers Newsletter […]
Britain’s Supermarine Spitfire ‘A Spitfire Summer’ – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.394
I was lucky to receive a number of kind e-mails this week, following our Mustang article on last weekends Newsletter, saying how much they enjoyed the feature – I am extremely grateful for your comments. I was also asked if I would do something similar regarding the Spitfire this week, particularly as this year is […]
North American P-51 Mustang ‘Turning the screw’ – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.393
When you ask such a leading question as ‘Which was the best fighter aircraft of WWII?’, you really do open an aviation can of worms. There are some compelling arguments for quite a number of aircraft types, which flew with air force and navy units and on both the Allied and Axis forces. You could […]
RNHF Sea Hawk – A most beautiful aeroplane – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.392
The UK historic aviation scene is lucky to benefit from a diverse and growing collection of magnificent aircraft, a number of which are maintained in flying condition. Some of the most enigmatic aircraft are those which were operated from the decks of ships, both during and after World War II. Fleet Air Arm aircraft just […]
A sad farewell for the much loved TFC Hellcat – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.391 (13/02/15)
As I put the finishing touches to last weeks Newsletter, I received some rather distressing news regarding one of the best loved Warbirds in the UK – In fact, it was so distressing that I had to do a little more research, before allowing myself to believe the rumours. Unfortunately, they turned out to be […]
Eagles of the Rising Sun – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.390 (06/02/15)
As aviation enthusiasts, we have been forced to accept that the best days of our hobby are probably behind us. As austerity measures and a changing military climate have changed air forces probably forever, we have to accept that the days of aviation diversity and a multitude of exciting spotting venues is now a thing […]
Post War Luftwaffe Focke Wulf – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 389 (30/01/15)
The North West of England can boast a rich heritage in aviation design, testing and manufacture, which spans the entire history of manned flight. Unfortunately, much of this is now very much consigned to the history books and many of the factories and airfields from the past have long since disappeared. As a proud Lancastrian, […]
Phantastic Phantoms – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 388 (23/01/15)
There are some aircraft types that seem to possess something that little bit special, when it comes to popularity amongst aviation enthusiasts and die-cast aviation collectors alike. Spitfires, Mosquitos and Lancasters would certainly qualify in the propellor powered era, but when talking about jet aircraft, there is one aircraft that almost universally seems to rise […]
Westland Whirlwind XJ729 – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 387
There is nothing like a cold and windy winters evening to make you yearn for the delights of the summer Airshow season and I have to say that last year was something of a classic year. One of the most pleasant aviation surprises I experienced last year was catching up with the only airworthy Westland […]
The Great Messerschmitt Mystery – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 386 (09/01/15)
We have a rather intriguing title for our latest Newsletter. Over the years, I have been asked this question on literally hundreds of occasions and I thought it was about time that we looked at it in a little more detail – ‘Should it be Me, or Bf when talking about Messerschmitt fighters of WWII?’ […]
Rare Gladiator Pair – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 385 (02/01/15)
The undoubted highlight of the 2014 UK Airshow season was the visit of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Avro Lancaster Mk.X to these shores, which really was as magnificent a spectacle, as it was unexpected. Fortunately, the UK is blessed to be at the forefront of the historic aviation movement, and home based enthusiasts have […]
Aggressor Units – Playing the Enemy – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 384 (20/12/14)
There can be few aircraft in the modern era of aviation, that are as enigmatic and interesting as the US Aggressor Squadron aircraft – a real case of a ‘Sheep in Wolf’s clothing’. Aircraft wearing dissimilar markings are a pleasant change from the traditionally bland designs of front line squadron aircraft and as a consequence, […]
Gallic Flair – The beautiful Mirage F.1 – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 383 (12/12/14)
As a life-long aviation enthusiast, I am sure that I share many recognisable traits with my fellow Flying Tigers Newsletter readers. Although we all have our favourite aircraft, which if pressed, would always be at the head of our personal lists, we also have our reserve list and a number of guilty pleasures (steady on, […]
Talons of the Butcher Bird – The mighty Focke Wulf Fw 190 – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 382 (05/12/14)
We are having something of an AXIS WEEKEND with our special sale offers at Flying Tigers this weekend, which is the only excuse I need to feature one of the most feared aircraft of the Second World War – the mighty Focke Wulf Fw 190 ‘Butcher Bird’. Our header picture this week is rather special […]
Bristol Blenheim Flies at Duxford – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 381 (28/11/14)
As we put the finishing touches to last weeks Newsletter, we received information which warmed the heart of every historic aviation enthusiast in Great Britain – The Bristol Blenheim had made it’s first post restoration flight! In the late evening sunshine on 20th November, Blenheim G-BPIV majestically rose in to the sky above IWM Duxford, […]
Boulton Paul Defiant Ace in a Day – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 380 (21/11/14)
Many of our readers will be aware that 2015 will see Britain commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the exploits of the glorious ‘Few’. This is an extremely significant anniversary indeed and we can expect to see numerous events throughout the year planned to mark this occasion, along with significant support […]
The Great Air War – First World War Aviation Models Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 379 (14/11/14)
Last weekend’s remembrance commemorations were the culmination of a year of events which aimed to mark the centenary of the beginning of the first World War – the war to end all wars. The horrors of this conflict both captivate and petrify in equal measure, but it has been quite sobering to see how people […]
Boeing E-3D Sentry – Britain’s Sentinel of the sky. Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 378 (07/11/14)
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 […]
North American F-86A Sabre – Goodbye to a very rare bird. Flying Tigers Newsletter No.377 (01/11/14)
Without doubt, one of the rarest jet aircraft in the world has just been dismantled at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, for a journey to its new home away from these shores. This American aviation classic has been wooing UK Airshow audiences for well over 20 years, but unfortunately, our luck has now run out […]
Concorde Remembered – A sad anniversary – Flying Tigers Newsletter No.376 (25/10/2014)
Friday 24th October 2014 marked a sad anniversary in the world of aviation, as eleven years have now passed since the last commercial flight of the much loved Concorde supersonic passenger aircraft. To this day, Concorde still looks every inch a futuristic aeroplane and continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts all over the world, with its […]
The Avro Anson – In die-cast metal at last. Flying Tigers Newsletter No.375 (18/10/14)
One of the most common statements heard to emanate from die-cast aviation manufacturing companies is, “There are hardly any more aircraft types left to do”. Clearly, any aviation enthusiast will tell you that this is so far from being true, even before you start thinking of using current manufacturing advancements to produce much more accurate […]
RAF Tucano Display Team ‘Lest We Forget’ – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 374 (10/10/14)
In this Centenary year since the beginning of the Great War, one Airshow display aircraft carried the flag for this important anniversary in an extremely high profile manner this summer – the Royal Air Force Tucano T.1. Our header image for this weekend shows Tucano T.1 ZF244 waiting to begin its display at a rather […]
Lincolnshire Lancaster Association Members Day – Flying Tigers Newsletter No.373 (03/10/14)
The 2014 Airshow season will be remembered as something a little bit special by UK enthusiasts, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end and this weekends Shuttleworth show will officially bring the season to a close. As I will not be making the trip to Bedfordshire this weekend, my season ended last […]
Avro Vulcan B.2 XH558 ‘The Spirit of Great Britain’ – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 372 (26/09/14)
With the much anticipated news that one of Corgi’s most heavily pre-ordered aviation models has finally arrived in stock, there really was only one possible subject for our latest Newsletter, particularly as we now find ourselves in the midst of Vulcan Mania! The brand new 1/72nd scale Corgi tooling of the Avro Vulcan B.2 has […]
British Aerospace Hawk reaches 40 – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 371 (19/09/14)
With the sad realisation that the 2014 UK Airshow season is finally drawing to a close and the spectacularly memorable visit of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Lancaster is almost over, it is hardly surprising that a significant aviation event has almost slipped under the radar – the British Aerospace Hawk is 40 years old! At […]
Shuttleworth Collection Hawker Sea Hurricane Ib Z7015 – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 370 (12/09/14)
With the 2014 UK Airshow season dominated by talk of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Avro Lancaster and rightly so, I decided to head in a different direction last weekend and sample the atmospheric delights of the aviation time capsule that is the Shuttleworth Collection, at Old Warden aerodrome, in Bedfordshire. With the weather set fair […]
‘Hairless Joe’ Thunderbolt of the USAAF Wolfpack – Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition 369 (05/09/14)
As the USAAF entered the war in Europe, they brought with them a group of young pilots who were raw, but well trained and keen to make their mark on an air war, which was growing more savage by the day. They also brought with them the industrial prowess of the United States and the […]
Pipe-Lines Under The Ocean – D-Day 70th Anniversary Flying Tigers Newsletter Edition No.368 (29/08/14)
Having recently returned from a week’s well earned holiday on the sunny Isle of Wight, thought that our latest Newsletter should have something of a nautical flavour to it. Even though our breaks away are extremely hard won these days and we were both certainly in need of a good rest, you can take your […]
A Gathering of Lancasters – Flying Tigers Newsletter No.367 (15/08/14)
Although there have been a number of significant anniversaries this year, the 2014 UK Airshow season will probably be remembered by most enthusiasts for one thing – the Gathering of Lancasters. After almost a year of meticulous planning, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avro Lancaster Mk.X (FM213) arrived at RAF Coningsby on Friday 8th August, […]
The Fighter Collection F6F Hellcat – Flying Tigers Newsletter (Edition No.366)
Hardly a week seems to pass these days, without news hitting the web and enthusiast forums regarding historic aeroplanes, both home and abroad and their immediate futures. Without doubt, one of the highlights of 2014 so far has been the return to the air of The Fighter Collection’s magnificent Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat, which has to […]
