AIRFIX (26)

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.

The Boeing B-17 ‘Flying Fortress’ boasts a remarkable legacy, as both a strategic weapon and an enduring symbol of American air power during the Second World War. Designed as a large, multi-engine bomber with substantial defensive armament, the B-17 was introduced in 1938. First used in combat with the RAF in 1941, carrying out bombing raids in France, its poor performance suggested that improved defences and greater bombing accuracy were needed. Later variants like the B-17G were more effective and gradually became potent strategic weapons, capable of carrying out high-altitude, long-range attacks. Despite heavy defensive armament B-17s still suffered at the hands of enemy fighters.

With so many airworthy two-seat Spitfires currently offering members of the public once-in-a-lifetime flight experience opportunities around the country, it’s interesting that every Spitfire T.9 started as a single-seat fighter, either a Mk.VIII or more commonly, a Mk.IX. Also, despite the Spitfire being arguably the most famous fighting aeroplane in history, with over 20,000 aircraft eventually produced, no official two-seat training variants were produced during the Second World War. A post-war phenomenon, the current fleet of Spitfire T.9s is helping to preserve the legacy of this magnificent aircraft.

Representing one of the most glamorous aircraft types to ever take to the skies, the Boeing 314 Clipper was produced to allow passengers and cargo to travel across the vast expanses of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in levels of style and comfort which rivalled those on the great ocean liners. Twelve aircraft were produced for Pan American World Airways and BOAC, however, the start of the Second World War resulted in these opulent flying boats being used mainly for military purposes, with aircraft serving as transport for Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston Churchill.

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.

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.

The Bristol Blenheim was conceived as a privately funded high-speed civilian aircraft, intended to wrestle the record for the fastest civilian aircraft in Europe away from the Germans. Successfully achieving this, it immediately attracted the attention of the RAF. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Blenheim was available in more numbers than any other RAF aircraft.

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)

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.

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

The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman's reliable chassis and drivetrain, combined with sloped armour. Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer.However, when coming up against the heaviest tanks of the Wermarcht at the end of that year, the need for 90 mm gunned tank destroyers became urgent and during October-December 1944, 187 conversions of standard Medium Tank M4A3 hulls were produced by Grand Blanc Arsenal. These vehicles, designated M36B1, were rushed to the European Theater of Operations and used in combat alongside standard M36s.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 21.3 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 9.37 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 8.7 Item Scale: 1:35 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 3

Production of the Tiger I began in August 1942 at the factory of Henschel und Sohn in Kassel, initially at a rate of 25 per month and peaking in April 1944 at 104 per month. 1,355 had been built by August 1944, when production ceased. Deployed Tiger I's peaked at 671 on 1 July 1944. It took about twice as long to build a Tiger I as another German tank of the period.When the improved Tiger II began production in January 1944, the Tiger I was soon phased out. Eager to make use of the powerful new weapon, Hitler ordered the vehicle be pressed into service months earlier than had planned. A platoon of four Tigers went into action on 23rd September 1942 near Leningrad. Operating in swampy, forested terrain, their movement was largely confined to roads and tracks, making defence against them far easier.Many of these early models were plagued by problems with the transmission, which had difficulty handling the great weight of the vehicle if pushed too hard. It took time for drivers to learn how to avoid overtaxing the engine and transmission, and many broke down. The most significant event from this engagement was that one of the Tigers became stuck in swampy ground and had to be abandoned. Captured largely intact, it enabled the Soviets to study the design and prepare countermeasures.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 24.1 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 8.37 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 10.2 Item Scale: 1:35 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 4 Flying Hours: 3

With over 52,000 vehicles built between 1941 and 1945, the Bedford QL 3-ton truck was one of the most numerous British vehicles during the Second World War. Designed as either a general duties truck or troop transport, the QL was powered by a 3.5 litre, 6-cylinder petrol engine producing 72bhp, giving a governed top speed of 38mph.Thanks to its high ground clearance, cross-country tyres and a 2-speed, 4-wheel-drive transfer box located in the centre of the chassis (giving 8 forward gear ratios), the QL had excellent cross country mobility. A large number are still in use by enthusiasts.As a vehicle with such power and endurance, it's little wonder why the Bedford QL 3-ton truck is still used my so many. Once a much-loved part of history, you can now bring this 1:76 scale Airfix model home today. Much like the original Bedford QL 3-ton truck, the model features immense wheel and body detailing as well as tw eye-catching livery schemes. At 90mm in length, this model will make a fantastic addition to your Airfix model collection.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 9 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 3.35 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 3.2 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 135 Item Scale: 1:76 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1

A complete overview of products from the English manufacturer of plastic models Airfix, paints and modeling tools Humbrol. Specification Language: English. Number of pages: 146. Publication dimensions: 30 x 21 x 0.9 cm.

One of the most important aircraft of the early jet era, the North American F-86 Sabre was in many ways a jet powered version of the company’s hugely successful P-51D Mustang from WWII and an aircraft which made full use of captured German aerodynamic research material. Featuring a distinctive 35-degree wing sweep, the Sabre also incorporated three nose mounted .50 calibre machine guns positioned on either side of the aircraft’s nose, with this jet powered gunslinger sharing many design philosophies with its famous piston powered predecessor. On entering service with the U.S Air Force in 1949, the North American F-86 Sabre would have the distinction of not only being America’s first swept wing fighter, but also the fastest fighter aircraft in the world at that time, a true aviation classic. Arctic Gladiators Aerobatic Display Team The USAF 720th Fighter Bomber Squadron formed the Arctic Gladiators team in June 1954. The display team consisted of four F-86F Sabre aircraft, which all carried the squadrons silver and red colour scheme, plus extra markings. The display team lasted just 10 years when it came to an end in 1955. Displays were limited to the US state of Alaska. Scheme A: North American F-86F-30 Sabre ‘Arctic Gladiators’ aerobatic team, 720th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, United States Air Force, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 1955. Scheme B: North American F-86-25 Sabre 514th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Royal Air Force Manston, Kent, England, 1954. Specifications Pieces: 166 Length: 239mm Width: 239mm 2 x Decal Options Includes all parts from previous releases.

One of the most effective British tanks of the Second World War, the Cromwell may have been slow in development but was a speedster on the battlefield, with its Rolls Royce Meteor engine capable of powering this Cruiser Tank to an impressive 40mph. The Cromwell was used extensively in Europe following the D-Day landings.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 18.1 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 8.3 Item Scale: 1:35 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 3

A thoroughbred fighting aeroplane, the Mustang possessed the range, speed and firepower needed to secure air supremacy in the skies over Europe and despite only entering the Second World War during its latter stages, was regarded as one of the most effective fighters of the entire war - an 'Ace' maker.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 40.9 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 46.9 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 238 Item Scale: 1:24 Scale License line: Produced under licensed. (Vehicle/Aeroplane Models) the distinctive logos, product markings, and trade dress are all trademarks of The Boeing Company. Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 6 Wingspan (mm): 469

An aircraft that must surely be considered one of the most distinctive types to have ever seen Fleet Air Arm service, the Fairey Gannet was as capable as it was unique and was significant as the only post-war military contract to be won by the famous Fairey Aviation Company. Arguably the most unconventional Fairey designed aircraft to enter full production, the Gannet was developed in response to a 1945 Royal Navy requirement for an advanced carrier-based, turboprop-powered anti-submarine hunter-killer, one which was rugged enough to withstand the rigors of operation at sea.  Intended to counter the recent expansion of the Soviet submarine fleet at the start of the Cold War era, the Gannet was equipped with all manner of the latest electronic detection equipment and if an enemy submarine was detected, it could be marked, tracked, and if necessary, attacked, using bombs, depth charges, rockets, and air-launched acoustic torpedoes. One feature of the Gannet which helped to give it a unique appearance was the adoption of its powerplant, the innovative Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba. This arrangement saw two gas turbine engines mounted side by side in the nose of the gannet, sharing a common gearbox, but both operating independently, each engine driving its own coaxially mounted, contra-rotating propeller. In addition to this, the engines could run on kerosene and even diesel fuel, which was safer to handle and less refined than traditional aviation fuels.  This arrangement provided Gannet crews with more than enough power for carrier operations, with the reassurance of two engines when embarking on long ocean patrols. Once in flight, the pilot could shut down one of the engines to conserve fuel and whilst this would reduce the Gannet's maximum speed, it would extend its loiter capabilities. Usually, a pilot would alternate engine use during a long patrol, running each engine for around an hour before swapping to the other engine - the engine mounted on the port side drove the front propeller. Another unique feature of the Gannet's design was its bi-folding wing system, something which was designed to allow this large aircraft to operate safely and to be stored aboard one of the Royal Navy's relatively small aircraft carriers. When a pilot engaged the wing unfold, this ingenious system not only prepared the wings for flight, but also automatically connected all flight control systems, hydraulic connections and fuel pipes to the main system, without any ground crew intervention.  In operation, there are reports that the Gannet was so rugged a design that when one aircraft lost the outer sections of both wings after performing a particularly violent manoeuvre, the aircraft still managed to make it back safely to its home carrier, something which can only have endeared the aircraft to its crews still further. The Fairey Gannet would prove to be an extremely rugged and highly effective anti-submarine aircraft, one which could carry an impressive array of offensive ordnance and one which was able to attack submarines either on the surface, or when submerged and trying to evade its attentions. Well-liked by air and ground crews alike, 348 Gannets would eventually be produced and in addition to serving with Britain's Fleet Air Arm, the aircraft would also see service with the navies of Australia, Germany and Indonesia. Tech Specs Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) - 29 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) - 8.73 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) - 34.4 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? - 344 Item Scale - 1:48 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 - 4 Flying Hours - 4 Wingspan (mm) - 344 Number of Scheme options - 2 Skill Level - 4 Flying Hours - 4 Wingspan (mm) - 344 Number of Scheme options - 2 Skill Level - 4 Flying Hours - 4 Wingspan (mm) - 344 Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) - 29 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) - 8.73 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) - 34.4 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? - 344 Item Scale - 1:48 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 - 4 Flying Hours - 4 Wingspan (mm) - 344 Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) - 29 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) - 8.73 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) - 34.4 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? - 344 Item Scale - 1:48 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 - 4 Flying Hours - 4 Wingspan (mm) - 344

A successful army is a well-supplied army.As Britain prepared for war in the late 1930s, the military weren't just desperately in need of vast numbers of aircraft, tanks and guns, they also needed many thousands of trucks and general utility vehicles to support all kinds of operations.The ability to effectively supply modern, mechanized armies with the huge amounts of fuel, ammunition, food and other commodities they would need was crucial to the success of any military campaign and as the speed of war increased, so these supply lines began to lengthen. Rugged, reliable and adaptable, these trucks would have a vital role to play in the coming conflict.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 15.6 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 6.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 133 Item Scale: 1:35 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: 3 Flying Hours: 3

The Messerschmitt Me410 was developed as a heavy fighter but went on to perform several roles such as night fighter, bomber destroyer and reconnaissance. Entering service two years later than scheduled in 1943 as a replacement for the Me210, the aircraft featured several distinctive features including the twin gun barbettes.The Me410 was essentially a development of the 210 featuring a lengthened fuselage, revised wings and more powerful engines. Although the Me410 performed well, it entered service too late to make an impact on the tide of war and was soon relegated to reconnaissance roles.The Messerschmitt Me410 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive looking aircraft types of the Second World War, the ultimate incarnation of Germany's fascination with the Zerstörer heavy fighter concept.Today, just a single complete example of a Messerschmitt Me410 is to be found on display anywhere in the world, one of the prized aviation possessions maintained by the Royal Air Force Museum at their Midlands RAF Cosford site, the very aircraft Airfix scanned at the outset of this exciting new model tooling project.Although an excellent and extremely heavily armed aircraft, the Me410 could not adequately defend itself against the latest Allied single engined fighters. No match for the latest Spitfires, Tempests, and P-51D Mustangs, once USAAF commanders freed their fighters from bomber protection duties and allowed then to go hunting the Luftwaffe, any advantage the heavily armed Me410s had were effectively negated and if caught in the gunsights of Allied fighters, they were unlikely to survive the encounter.Production of the Messerschmitt Me410 ended during August 1944, when the manufacturing lines were switched to producing single engined Messerschmitt Bf 109G fighters for home defence duties, however by that stage in the war, things were already looking rather futile for the struggling Luftwaffe.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 17.5 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 4.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 22.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 137 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

At the beginning of WWII the Luftwaffe were by far the largest and most powerful airforce in the world. Figures in this set are posed loading, fixing and maintaining aircraft. This set contains 46 unpainted figures. Specification Item Scale: 1:76 Parts Included:46 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

It would be difficult to think of an aircraft design so markedly different to the sleek and elegant Spitfire, but the Supermarine Walrus amphibious biplane was from the hand of the same designer. Despite its somewhat ungainly appearance, the Walrus proved to be an incredibly effective aircraft and flexible enough to take on a number of roles in some of the most demanding operating environments.Coming at the end of a long line of capable single-engined flying boats and amphibians, the Walrus was actually the product of a Royal Australian Air Force requirement for an updated and more robust version of their existing Supermarine amphibian, the Seagull III, which had proved so successful. The new aircraft, which would become known as the Seagull V, would need to have the capability to be catapult launched from Royal Australian Navy cruisers, so the wooden hull of the earlier version was replaced with a strong metal design, with additional stainless steel forgings for the catapult spools and mountings.Features Fully assembled measures 238mm long and 292mm wide Includes 156 parts, three plane options

The personnel included here are performing their various maintenance and rearming roles including some handling machine-guns, ammunition and even a camera. This set contains 48 unpainted figures. Specification Item Scale: 1:76 Parts Included:48 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

The Swift still holds the honour of being the first swept-wing jet fighter in RAF service. The FR.5 proved itself in the reconnaissance role, winning the NATO 'Royal Flush' reconnaissance competition in 1957 and 1959, conclusively beating off the best types other nations could offer.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 18 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 13.8 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 62 Item Scale: 1:72 Scale License line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1 Wingspan (mm): 138