AIRFIX (43)

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.

One of the most distinctive military vehicles to see British military service, the Alvis Stalwart was a capable amphibious 6x6 cargo truck, introduced to keep Army units supplied with fuel, ammunition and general supplies during conflict. Initially developed as a private venture, the Stalwart can trace its lineage back through a series of successful 6x6 vehicles, most of which saw British military service, such as the Saladin armoured car and Saracen armoured personnel carrier. The Stalwart shared many components with its predecessors but was charged with performing a very different role. Entering service from 1966 onwards, the Stalwart lived up to its name, with its impressive off-road performance giving it a go-anywhere, fear-nothing reputation. Featuring an intricate drive and suspension system, the Stalwart afforded its crew a comfortable ride when operating over uneven terrain. However, even though the vehicle could reach speeds approaching 40mph on open roads, handling the Stalwart could be challenging, with each bank of wheels constantly trying to outpace those on the opposite side. A true amphibian, the Stalwart boasted watertight seals to protect all vital components, enabling it to deliver its vital cargo across bodies of water not served by bridges or temporary crossings, climbing out of the water on the other side if the ground was shallow or compact enough to support its weight. In the water, the Stalwart Mk.2 featured improved waterjet power and could reach speeds of 16km/h in optimum conditions.

The second of America's great four-engined heavy bombers of the Second World War, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator actually began development after the Army Air Corps approached the company to build B-17 Flying Fortresses. Unimpressed at the prospect, Consolidated proposed that they could design and produce their own bomber in the same time it would take them to establish production lines, and it would be better than a Flying Fortress. When their XB-24 prototype took to the air on 29th December 1939, it was a very different-looking aeroplane to the B-17 Flying Fortress, with its shoulder-mounted thin wings, deep, yet narrow fuselage and twin-boom tail, it had a maritime aircraft appearance about it. Following its eventual USAAF introduction in 1941, the B-24 Liberator was produced in vast quantities, serving in every theatre during the Second World War, and making a vital contribution to the Allied War effort.

During the Second World War, the danger of losing large numbers of aircrew forced to ditch in the seas around the British Isles was very real, resulting in the creation of the Royal Air Force Sea Rescue Service, operating under the motto ‘The sea shall not have them’. Using vessels designed by the British Powerboat Company and utilising racing boat technology, this service was all about speed, with the Type Two 63ft HSL ‘Whaleback’ being arguably their most distinctive craft. Powered by three 24ltr Napier Sea Lion engines, these boats must have sounded magnificent and it’s no wonder they were known as the ‘Spitfires of the sea’.

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.

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.

One of the classic British fighting aeroplanes of the Great War, the Pup was originally called the Sopwith Scout. However, as it was significantly smaller than its predecessor, the Sopwith 1½ Strutter, pilots almost immediately referred to it as the ‘Pup’. Entering combat service towards the end of 1916, the Pup was an excellent dogfighter, possessing incredible manoeuvrability and allowing the Allies to wrestle a period of hard-fought supremacy over the Luftstreitkräfte. Despite the single Vickers .303in machine gun being too light for modern aerial combat, almost 1800 of these diminutive fighters were built. This Vintage Classics Sopwith Pup kit is perfect for beginner modellers, with 26 pieces to put together and a single scheme making for a simple build. If you are returning to modelling and remember this iconic 1:72 scale kit from your childhood, clear a space on your workbench now, because the Pup will bring you a few hours of kit-building joy. Specification Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 8.5 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 11.1 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 26 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: 1 Skill Level: 1 Flying Hours: 1 Wingspan (mm): 111

The Bristol Superfreighter was designed in 1952 as a development of the Bristol Freighter to meet the requirements of the car ferry services, carrying cars and their passengers across the English Channel. By 1954 there were Silver City Airways services between Southampton-Cherbourg and Lympne-Ostend. In 1963 Silver City was amalgamated with other operators to form British United Air Ferries still using the Superfreighter. Cross Channel car ferry services came to end in the late 1960s when cheaper sea ferry services became more popular.

What is QUICK BUILD? Airfix QUICK BUILD is an exciting range of brick-based models suitable as an introduction to modelling for any age of 6 and up. The pre-coloured pieces simply push together to build an impressive model which can then be decorated with the included self-adhesive stickers. No paint or glue is needed to make these fantastic models look like the real thing, and once completed there's no evidence of any of the brick fittings showing.When built they are tough enough to be used as toys, or smart enough to use as display models. Either will show off those great modelling skills! Included with each model are a full set of easy-to-follow colour instructions, free-rolling wheels for cars and tanks, and display stands for all the aircraft. Ford Mustang GT is the only original Ford model to remain in uninterrupted production over five decades of development and revision. Over 10 million Mustangs have been produced in the U.S. alone. The latest GT is a muscle car for the 21st century, with not only the usual Mustang engine grunt, but also an eco-version as well. 45 parts make up this dramatic muscle car.Ford Motors Company Trademarks and Trade Dress used under license to Hornby Hobbies. Manufactured by Hornby Hobbies Ltd. Specification No Scale Parts Included: 46 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

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

HMS Victorious joined the Home Fleet on commissioning in May 1941 and just nine days later her pilots encountered and attacked the German battleship Bismarck. On 26 May 1941, the new carrier HMS Victorious whose aircrews, despite their inexperience, succeeded in putting a torpedo into the battleship's midship section, which opened up a fuel tank on the Bismarck. After the sinking of the Bismarck, HMS Victorious continued to operate with the Home Fleet. Victorious's Fairey Albacore aircraft were subsequently involved in an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz in March 1942. She provided cover for Russian convoys PQ-15 and PQ-17 in May and June 1942 respectively. She then participated in Operation Pedestal and then went on to take part in the North African landings at the end of 1942. HMS Victorious sailed to Pearl Harbor to join USS Saratoga's Battle Group, Task Force 14. She arrived and took up duties under Task Force 14 in the the Southwest Pacific on 17th May 1943. She embarked US aircraft and aircrew, and with the Saratoga swept the Solomon Islands. During that year this busy ship supported the US Pacific fleet on many operations usually carrying both British and US Wildcat fighters. HMS Victorious covered Russian convoys from January-March 1944, then took part in Operation 'Tungsten' air strike against the German battleship Tirpitz on 3 April 1944. After another refit she joined the British Eastern Fleet enroute to the Far East. In July 1944, she led a strike against Palembang with HMS Illustrious, then on 25th July she led a strike against the Andaman Islands with HMS Indomitable. In October 1944, she was assigned to the British Pacific Fleet, serving in some of the final hard-fought operations at the end of the war. Specification 1:600 Scale Parts Included: 94 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 1

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

The largest warship in the world when launched in 1918. She was the pride of the Royal Navy on sailing to intercept the Bismarck in May 1941. After making contact with the German battleship she, with HMS Prince of Wales opened fire. The Bismarck returned fire and with her 5th salvo hit the Hood a fatal blow and she sunk within two minutes. Only three crew from her total of 1,500 survived. Specification 1:600 Scale Parts Included: 131 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 1

The Panzer IV was the most widely manufactured and deployed German tank of WWII. It was robust and reliable, seeing service in all combat theatres involving German forces. It also has the distinction of being the only German tank to be in continuous production throughout the war with over 8,800 produced between 1936 and 1945.Enjoy the nostalgia of Airfix Vintage Classics with the Panzer IV tank! This impressive and highly reliable tank during WWII is now available in 1:76 scale with two choices of livery for you to bring home for your airfix or wartime model collection today! Mould Tools made in 1971, pack illustration by Roy Cross, 1971.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 7.8 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 3.53 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 3.8 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 101 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

The restrictions imposed on Germany as part of the Versailles treaty saw if focus on wheeled armoured cars. The development of these centred around the need for mobile support around reconnaissance units. This final variant of the type was the SdKfz 234/4. The vehicle was fitted with a 75mm Pak 40 gun.Airfix are proud to present the SDKFz.234 Armoured Car as a model kit for you to add to your military or tank collection! Measuring 76mm and containing 57 pieces as well as sprues and decals, the SDKFz.234 is a guaranteed must-buy for you to bring home today!Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 7.6 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 2.76 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 2.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 57 Item Scale: 1:76 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 1 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1

Perfect for D-Day modelling this set contains various officers and men wearing uniforms and combat wear suited to the D-day period of 1944 and beyond. Carrying the weapons of the period they work perfectly with many other Airfix products. This set contains 48 unpainted figures in various suits, uniforms and carrying assorted weapons. Specification Item Scale: 1:76 Parts Included:48 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 1

This exciting set of the famous Leathernecks in action has a full complement of Marines with bazookas, flame throwers, and inflatable assault boat. The U.S. Marines also fought on the Normandy beaches on D-Day. This set contains 45 unpainted figures in various fighting poses with weapons. Specification Item Scale: 1:76 Parts Included: 45 Skill Level: 1 Scheme Options: 

First employed in North Africa in 1942, the 6-pounder anti-tank gun was able to destroy all German tanks then in service. lt was usually towed by a Universal or 'Bren' Carrier.If you're after something unique yet full of history then the anti-tank gun is the perfect choice! Now available in 1:76 scale and containing 45 pieces, this kit is a great collectable for both young and long-time model makers. In addition to the tank gun itself, this kit includes four crew figures. Mould Tools made in 1964, pack illustration by G.Schule, 1966.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 12.1 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 2.07 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 2.7 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 45 Item Scale: 1:76 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 1 Skill Level: 2 Flying Hours: 1