AIRFIX (107)

From 1944, the de Havilland Mosquito B.XVI was delivered to front line squadrons. The B.XVI was a development of the earlier B.IX variant, but a new pressurised cabin had been incorporated so the aircraft could operate at high altitude.  Although it was unarmed, the B.XVI could carry a 3,000Ib bomb load. Not long after the start of B.XVI production, modifications were incorporated on the production line to allow a 4,000Ib ‘Cookie’ or blockbuster bomb to be carried internally, a weapon which possessed devastating destructive capability.  Combining the power of these fearsome weapons with the legendary speed and bombing accuracy associated with Mosquito operations allowed Bomber Command to keep the pressure on the enemy throughout the latter stages of WWII. By this time, with its first test flight on 12 March 1945, the last bomber version of the Mosquito, B.35, was at an advanced stage of development. Powered by the Merlin 113/114 engine, the war ended before the B.35 entered service. However, it had a long career with the post-war RAF, serving operationally until early 1954. When the RAF’s new jet-powered replacement for the Mosquito, the English Electric Canberra was introduced to service in May 1951, the Mosquito B.35 was relegated from frontline operations and many B.35s continued to operate in secondary roles after conversion to target tugs.  These conversions were undertaken by Northamptonshire-based Brooklands Aviation Ltd and called TT.35s. These remained in service with Civilian Anti Aircraft Cooperation Units (CAACU) until the last one was retired in May 1963. The TT.35’s target-towing system consisted of a wind-driven ML Type G winch with 6,000ft of non-twisting steel cable towing a fabric target drogue. Features This 1:72 scale kit consists of 182 parts and introduces 21 newly designed parts Open and closed bulged bomb bay doors 4000lb “Cookie” bomb,  Bomb bay interior parts,  Target towing winch parts and other details. Marking options for 3 distinctive new schemes which tell the story of the Mosquito’s changing roles in late World War 2 and into the post-war era- including the colourful TT.35 target towing variant “TA719” which survived into preservation. 

Although armoured, the Ferret Scout Car was never intended to face enemy heavy armour, relying on its low profile, speed and stealth to make contact with enemy units, some of which were engaged in similar reconnaissance roles. Creeping into contested territory, the Ferret was built for sniffing out the enemy, but not to cause trouble in an offensive sense. Their role was to send real-time radio reports back to HQ and, should their scouting take them out of radio range, to utilise a second HQ Ferret to relay messages back. They provided military planners with information and, if detected, the Ferret would extricate the crew away from any combat situation at speed. As long as they were only targeted by small arms fire, they would have adequate protection until their driver could get them out of harm’s way, speeding back towards more friendly territory.

As a thoroughbred fighting aeroplane, the basic airframe of the Supermarine Spitfire was capable of accepting successive modifications which saw this incredible aircraft remain in production throughout the entire Second World War. That adaptability allowed the Spitfire to be upgraded to meet the challenge posed by the latest Luftwaffe fighters, one which saw the Spitfire Mk.IX hurriedly introduced during the summer of 1942 to combat the dominance of the fearsome Focke Wulf FW190 ‘Butcher Bird’. This variant of the Spitfire has since been described as potentially the most effective ‘stop-gap’ fighter in the history of military aviation.

Entering RAF service in 1980, the mighty Boeing Chinook HC.1 has benefitted from almost constant upgrade and further procurement since that time, and has become an essential component within Britain’s military capabilities. Indeed, it seems as if the only aircraft capable of replacing a Chinook is another Chinook, a situation not likely to change for many years. With the latest Chinooks being some of the most advanced aircraft in the current Royal Air Force inventory, the Chinook Sustainment Programme will ensure these aircraft can continue serving the nation in a way only the Chinook can, for at least the next two decades.

The Supermarine Spitfire is arguably the most famous and beautiful fighter aircraft ever to grace the skies. First flying in 1936, R.J. Mitchell’s masterpiece was the interceptor of choice for Fighter Command by 1940, and the envy of many of the world’s air arms. Powered by the equally famous Rolls Royce Merlin V12, the Spitfire was capable of speeds of over 360mph and had exceptional manoeuvrability. The Spitfire was an excellent dog-fighter, able to turn on the inside of an opponent to great effect during the struggles over southern England and the English Channel during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire Mark I has come to be seen as a symbol of ‘The Few’, vital to the defence of the United Kingdom against the previously all-conquering Luftwaffe. Along with the Hurricane, it cemented its place in history during the Battle of Britain and continues to be a hugely desirable ‘warbird' at airshows.

Despite having one of the strongest navies in the world, the Royal Navy knew they needed a fleet of high-speed fighting ships to challenge enemy warships and to take a heavy toll of enemy merchant vessels. Mainly relying on stealth, speed and manoeuvrability, the Vosper company had been designing such craft since the early 1930s, with the Vosper 73ft Motor Torpedo Boat being a later development of those earlier vessels. Powered by three Packard engines, the Vosper was capable of speeds over 40 knots and in this variant, featured four 18-inch deck-mounted torpedo tubes, an Oerlikon 20mm cannon and up to four Vickers machine guns.

The PR.XIX was the final photo reconnaissance version of the Spitfire to see active RAF service. Produced by mating features of the Mk.XI Spitfire to the powerful Griffon engine of the XIV, the PR.XIX was one of the fastest and, some say, best-looking of all Spitfire variants. Due to its role as a reconnaissance machine, it featured no armament, relying upon its high top speed to evade potential enemies. After the war, the PR.CIC served in the Far East, operating over Hainan Island and performing the RAF’s last ever operational sortie by a Spitfire over Malaya on 10th June 1957.

Arguably the only German aircraft of the Second World War that could rival the Messerschmitt Bf 109 for notoriety, the Heinkel He-111 may have started its development masquerading as a civilian airliner, but it became one of the most feared bombers of the conflict. With its fully glazed nose and large, elliptical wings, the H-6 was the most produced variant of this famous bomber, serving in every theatre of war during the Second World War in the bombing, torpedo-bombing, mine-laying and reconnaissance roles. The lack of an effective replacement meant that these aircraft were forced to soldier on until the end of the war.

While it is the pilots that often receive the most acclaim for their role in defending the United Kingdom from the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in the late summer of 1940, they could never have completed this job alone. Supporting the pilots were many more men and women from across the UK who served as ground crew, performing the vital tasks of refuelling, rearming and maintaining fighter aircraft in between sorties. This was a particularly hazardous task during the Luftwaffe attacks and hit-and-run raids upon RAF airfields. In addition to refuelling and re-arming Spitfires and Hurricanes with thousands of .303 rounds, these hard-working people also patched up damaged fighters, started the engines before sorties, and assisted pilots despite the hectic pace of the battle. The bombing raids and strafing attacks claimed many lives and many more ground crew members were injured, but they carried on, both through the battle and throughout the remainder of the war, often working both in the blazing sun and freezing cold, ensuring that the RAF had the means to defend the skies of Great Britain. Includes 8 Ground Crew Figures 2 Pilot Figures 1 Trolley Accumulator 1 Oil Bowser 1 Ammunition Trolley Wheel Chock Miscellaneous Support Equipment

The Folland Gnat was a small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter developed by Folland for the RAF, and flown extensively by the Indian Air Force. Its design allowed construction without specialised tools by countries that were not highly industrialised. Although never used as a fighter by the RAF, the Gnat T.1 trainer was widely used.

Born out of Germany’s apparent obsession with the heavy fighter concept, the Messerschmitt Me 410 was an excellent multi-role successor to the Messerschmitt Bf 110 but entered service too late due to the protracted development of its immediate predecessor, the Me 210. The A-1 variant was described as a high-performance light bomber. Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 22.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 149 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 226 Schemes A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, WNr.10185, U5+KG, 16./Kampfgeschwader 2, Amsterdam-Schipol, Netherlands, October 1943. (A) A04069 - Messerschmitt Me410A-1, U5+CX, 13./Kampfgeschwader 2, Coulommiers, France, August 1943. (B)

In November 1934, the Air Ministry was trialling several manufacturers’ chassis to fulfil roles within the RAF. Albion won the contract with a specially modified version of the mid-sized 463 with the prefix AM (Air Ministry). It performed many roles, most commonly used as a refueller.

Satisfying a Royal Air Force requirement for an effective medium support helicopter, when the Westland Puma HC.1 entered service with No.33 Squadron in 1971, it was the first Anglo-French aircraft collaboration of its kind. Possessing exceptional speed and agility, the Puma was capable of carrying 16 passengers, 12 fully equipped troops, or two tonnes of cargo, either carried internally, as an underslung load, or via a combination of the two. An incredibly versatile and reliable helicopter, the latest variant of this magnificent aircraft remains in service with the RAF, some 53 years since those first machines arrived at RAF Odiham.

Built around the legendary attributes of the rugged Land Rover series, the 1 Tonne Forward Control vehicle was designed to meet a British Army requirement for an effective light gun tractor, one which was also capable of transporting 1 tonne of ammunition and other equipment in its load compartment. These vehicles were also required to be carried by air transport, and repositioning the Rover V8 engine to a position behind the cab removed the bonnet and gave these vehicles their distinctive flat front profile. These small, yet powerful 4x4 vehicles continued the legacy of the highly successful Land Rover in military service.

Modern warfare requires the support of a robust supply infrastructure and a fleet of effective vehicles to keep troops on the move and well-supplied. For almost 40 years and throughout the Cold War era, the British Army relied on the 4-ton 4x4 General Service Truck to fulfil this role. The undisputed load-lugging champion of the Army and a true workhorse of Britain’s armed forces, these incredibly rugged and reliable vehicles initially used multifuel engines but these were later replaced with more economical diesel units. With more than 50,000 produced, they were adapted to perform a multitude of different roles. Always in the background, these vehicles were unquestionably the backbone of the British Army.

With its reputation for being a rugged, dependable, no-frills, go-where-other-vehicles-can’t-go type of machine, the Land Rover attracted the attention of the British military, who wanted to buy large numbers of these utility vehicles. First ordered by the British Army in 1949, they quickly established themselves as an invaluable military asset, adaptable enough to take on a multitude of different roles. Perhaps its most important feature was its simplicity, and if one broke down, it was usually possible for the Land Rover to be fixed in the field without too much trouble.

A light, yet robust modern field gun, this impressive weapon was flexible enough for troops fighting in the most inhospitable of terrain and could be towed by Army Land Rovers, or carried as an underslung load beneath the larger British helicopter types. In service with the British Army from 1976, this new weapon was designed to possess greater range and lethality than its predecessor, whilst retaining the portability of that unit, however, this did make it a heavy gun. Produced in large numbers, these guns were exported widely and served with distinction during the Falklands War.

With the nickname “pneumonia wagon” due to its collapsible windscreen, the Bedford MWD truck was used throughout the Second World War by the RAF. Seen here with both early and late war options, this vehicle that transported the RAF ground crew was considered to be just as important as the aircraft they flew and maintained.

The stable flight characteristics of the government-designed Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c made it an ideal home-defence night-fighter aircraft. It famously claimed the destruction of the first German airship over Britain on 3rd September 1916, earning pilot Lt. William Leefe Robinson a Victoria Cross. This Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c plastic model kit comes with two paint scheme options, bringing variety to a popular design. With 54 well-engineered parts, this 1:72 scale kit is a joy to build. Specification Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 11.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 15.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 54 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1 Wingspan (mm): 156

The aviation hero of the Battle of Britain, the Hawker Hurricane is one of the most significant aircraft in British aviation history - the RAF’s first production aircraft to exceed 300mph and the first multi-gun monoplane fighter in RAF service. Thirty-two Squadrons of Hurricanes saw action during the Battle of Britain.

First flying in 1939, the Focke-Wulf FW190 was an immediate threat to RAF fighters when introduced in late 1941, being faster and more manoeuvrable than the Spitfire V then in service. The F-8 was the ground-attack version and differed primarily in its lack of outboard cannons. Various combinations of underwing weapons were fitted, but the most common was one centreline bomb and four small bombs on the wings. The A-8 version was the most numerous, heavily armed variant and entered service in 1944 in an attempt to stop Allied daylight raids. By then, however, the new Allied fighters had begun to outclass it.

Significant in the history of aerial warfare, the Fokker Eindecker was the first purpose-built First World War German fighter aircraft and the first to be fitted with gun synchronisation gear. This gear allowed the pilot to shoot through the arc of the propeller and in his line of sight. Once introduced, it took a withering toll on Allied aircraft.

A specialist variant of the Westland Sea King, the HC.4 was the Royal Navy's Commando troop carrying and resupply helicopter replacement for their Wessex HU.5 helicopters and a development of similar aircraft produced for the Egyptian and Qatari Air Forces. 42 newly built helicopters were eventually produced in this configuration, which by their nature, were never too far from any action hotspots.Deployed to combat zones right across the world during their 36-year service career, the Junglie as it was affectionately known, served with distinction from the Falklands War, through to the UK's campaign in Afghanistan. King of the Junglies Known as ‘King of the Junglies’, ZA298 was the longest serving Sea King HC.4. For over 30 years it was active in wars in the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. This latest iteration of our 1:48 scale Westland Sea King 2023 tooling includes new parts, not included in the first release. These include: Folding rotor blades and tail Undercarriage without sponsons unique to HC.4 variant New interior parts including lengthened cabin and extra seats Open/closed door option GPMG machine gun mount New cockpit detail parts Extra antenna and countermeasures detail parts to suit the HC.4’s front-line role