Products (19285)

A gleaming silver steed flown by the most capable and intrepid young men Britain could call upon, the Bristol Bulldog was one of the most important British aircraft of the inter-war period, when powerful biplane fighters unquestionably ruled the skies. Initially developed as a private venture by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bulldog was the brainchild of accomplished aircraft designer Frank Barnwell, the man behind the successful Bristol F2B Fighter of the Great War, and was a light, all-metal and fabric-covered fighter, powered by a 440hp Bristol Jupiter engine.The Bulldog was armed with a pair of forward-firing Vickers 0.303" machine guns mounted on either side of the cockpit, but ultimately never fired its guns in anger during a relatively short seven-year period serving with Fighter Command. Although it was the most capable fighter of the day, the Bulldog was more closely associated with challenging formation flying and spectacular aerobatics, with the Royal Air Force thrilling huge crowds at airshows and pageants around the country, as they demonstrated the effectiveness of a modernising air force.What the Bulldog did do was help advance Britain's aviation industry towards the production of the sleek, monoplane fighters which would contest the Second World War, as it highlighted the fact that biplane designs were fast approaching their zenith. Perhaps the most famous incident involving a Bristol Bulldog proved to be a rather unfortunate one, when an accomplished, but rather headstrong RAF pilot performed unauthorised low-altitude aerobatics for a group of onlookers and a private civilian aerodrome in Berkshire.Flying so low that the wingtip of his fighter struck the ground during a manoeuvre, the Bulldog cartwheeled across the airfield, inflicting catastrophic injuries on the pilot - that pilot was future Second World War RAF ace and inspirational national hero Douglas Bader.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 15.9 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 21.4 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 120 Item Scale: 1:48 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 3 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 214

With the RAF already operating Phantoms initially intended for the Royal Navy at Leuchars air base in Fife, the withdrawal of HMS Ark Royal in 1978 meant that they also inherited the rest of the Fleet Air Arm Phantom fleet. Nos 43 and 111 Squadrons would use the Phantom FG.1 to defend Britains airspace until 1989, when they both converted to the BAe Tornado F.3. Contains Plastic model kit Instruction sheet Paint layout sheet Decals.

During RAF air operations in the Gulf War of 1991, the effectiveness of Iraqi anti-aircraft defences resulted in Tornado and Jaguar strike missions having to be flown at higher altitudes, thus reducing their effectiveness.They needed the support of the RAF's ageing Blackburn Buccaneer jets with their 'Pave Spike' laser designator equipment to deliver ‘smart’ munitions effectively, the only trouble was, these aircraft were back at their home base in Scotland.The race was on to prepare and fly twelve Buccaneers in newly applied 'Desert Camouflage' and their laser designator equipment to the Persian Gulf and in just a matter of days, the self-titled 'Sky Pirates' were on their way.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 26.8 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 6.88 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 18.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 141 Item Scale: 1:72 License line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. 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 Wingspan (mm): 186

An aircraft which possibly underlines the capabilities of the modern helicopter more effectively than any other type, the mighty Boeing CH-47 Chinook has already been in military service for over sixty years and shows no sign of disappearing from world skies any time soon. The distinctive tandem twin-rotor configuration of this heavy-lift helicopter cleverly counteracts the effects of engine torque by having each of its huge rotor blade stacks rotate in opposite directions, thus negating the need for the tail rotors traditionally associated with helicopters. The impressive Chinook made its first flight in 1961 and since then, it has become one of the most effective aircraft designs of the post-war era, capable of operating in almost any environment, no matter how inhospitable the terrain. Clearly, this has made the Chinook invaluable when performing many roles, ably tackling a multitude of military and civilian applications. As the world's largest operator of the Chinook outside the US, the Royal Air Force ordered 33 of these heavy-lift behemoths in 1978, with No.18 Squadron taking the honour of becoming Britain's first operational Chinook unit in August 1981. These first helicopters were designated HC.1 (Helicopter Cargo Mk.1) and had hardly settled into service when events on the other side of the world required their first overseas deployment. Following the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982, five of the RAF's Chinooks were wrapped in Driclad PVC protective covers and loaded on the deck of the requisitioned container ship Atlantic Conveyor. Tragically, all but one of these helicopters was lost following an Exocet missile strike on the vessel, with that surviving Chinook earning legendary status within the RAF. Having already been in Royal Air Force service for over 42 years, the latest variants of the mighty Chinook seem certain to be in service for many years to come. Specification Item Scale: 1:72 Parts Included: 171 Skill Level: 3 Scheme Options: 2

Brace yourself for a stealthily guarded FAA revelation!A masterpiece of the skies, and now your Airfix workbench, the Supermarine Seafire returns to our range after a ten-year absence!The XVII was the first of the Seafire variants to feature a cut-down rear fuselage and distinctive teardrop-style canopy. The aircraft could carry a heavier weapons load thanks to reinforced construction, with both fuel tanks and rockets under the wings. This plane flew on the frontline until the early 1950s when it downgraded to training duties.The Navy’s answer to the ever-popular Spitfire, this masterpiece astounded the world with its unrivalled performance in the most demanding of conditions. It effortlessly operated from aircraft carriers, making it a formidable presence over land and sea. Folding wings allowed it to take off swiftly and land on the decks of naval vessels, extending its reach and influence over the ocean.The awe-inspiring design ensured agility and speed, boasting sleek, aerodynamic contours radiating elegance and boosting manoeuvrability. This machine reached top speeds of approximately 378 miles per hour (608km/h), giving pilots an unyielding advantage.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 21 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm): 7 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 23.5 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 134 Item Scale: 1:48 Scale License line: BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 3 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 2 Wingspan (mm): 235

The Severn class lifeboat is the largest lifeboat in the RNLI fleet introduced in 1995. As an all-weather vessel, she can take on the worst sea conditions and comes into her own on long offshore searches and rescues. When lives are at risk out at sea, time is of the essence. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, the Severn class lifeboat can reach casualties fast in calm or rough seas. She carries a small powered Y boat, ideal for rescues near rocks and shallow waters, and can be launched using the Severn's integral crane. The kit in this box enables you to build a fully detailed model of this RNLI Lifeboat. Full details of the outside deck, hull and fittings are included and you can view a fully detailed interior by removing the cabin roof. The decal scheme will allow any one of the current operational RNLI Severn class lifeboats to be modelled. Contents Plastic kit, instruction sheet, paint guide and decal sheet. Specification 1:72 Scale Parts Included: 238 Skill Level: 2 Scheme Options: 1

When it entered service with No.48 Squadron at RAF Manston in March 1936, the Avro Anson became the first monoplane type to achieve squadron service status and was also the first RAF aircraft to feature a retractable undercarriage.  The RAF Anson Mk.I was equipped with a fixed forward firing .303 machine gun operated by the pilot and a single Lewis gun mounted in the manually traversed dorsal turret. It could also be equipped with a modest bomb load, something which was required by submarine hunting aircraft operated by Coastal Command.  Despite the RAF entering the Second World War with 26 squadrons equipped with Avro Ansons, they were basically obsolete as a fighting machine and were quickly withdrawn to secondary training roles, a task for which the ‘Faithfull Annie’ was particularly well suited.  As part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, many thousands of aircrew destined for service with Bomber Command were trained both in the UK and overseas. Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) : 26.9 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) : 7 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) : 35.9 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? : 199 Item Scale : 1:48 Scale License line : BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Contents (what's in the box) sets : Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Finish : Plastic Number of Scheme options : 3 Skill Level : 3 Flying Hours : 3 Wingspan (mm) : 359

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

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