AIRFIX (354)

A secret release that will inspire aviation model-makers.  This legendary aircraft has three scheme options to choose from, so you can decorate your 1:48 scale model kit in a variety of ways. A gleaming silver steed to be 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 Bristol Aeroplane Company, the Bulldog was the brainchild of accomplished aircraft designer Frank Barnwell, the man behind the successful Bristol F.2B Fighter of the Great War. It was a light, all-metal, fabric-covered fighter, powered by a 440hp Bristol Jupiter engine. The Bulldog was armed with a pair of forward-firing Vickers 0.303 in machine guns mounted 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. Bristol Bulldog Mk.IIA The Bristol Bulldog was a key British fighter of the inter-war years, designed by Frank Barnwell and powered by a 440 hp Bristol Jupiter engine. Though it never saw combat, it became famous for precision formation flying and aerobatics, showcasing the Royal Air Force’s modern capabilities at airshows across the country. New Parts Include: Wide-track undercarriage with metal wheels and tailwheel Later type tail fin and rudder Optional exhausts with cabin heater and spent cartridge collection bins New cylinder heads to represent the type fitted to the Bristol Jupiter VIIF engine of the Bulldog Mk.IIa New parts for the external oil cooler Decal Options  A05145 - Bristol Bulldog Mk.IIA, No.23 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kenley, England, 1931. (A) A05145 - Bristol Bulldog Mk.IIA, 'C' Flight Commander, No.3 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Abyssinian Crisis, East Africa, 1935. (B) A05145 - Bristol Bulldog Mk.IIA, No.32 Squadron, Royal Air Force Kenley, England, 1935. (C)

This detailed 1:600 scale naval ship kit allows you to recreate the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, featuring 151 plastic components and offering two genuine paint schemes. Designed for modellers aged 8 and up with a skill level of 3, this kit provides an engaging project of one of the Kriegsmarine's distinguished warships. Prinz Eugen was sent into the North Atlantic alongside the Bismarck to target convoys heading to Great Britain. During the Denmark Strait battle, she inflicted damage on both HMS Hood (later sunk by Bismarck) and HMS Prince of Wales, before making her way to Brest in occupied France. The heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen was named after Prince Eugene of Savoy, an 18th-century Austrian general. As part of the Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruisers, she was a formidable ship equipped with eight 20.3cm guns in four twin turrets, twelve 10.5cm anti-aircraft guns, and twelve 53.3cm torpedo tubes. Commissioned in August 1940, Prinz Eugen became one of the Kriegsmarine's most effective surface raiders. Her most notable action occurred in May 1941 when she joined Bismarck on Operation Rheinübung, aimed at disrupting Allied convoy routes in the Atlantic. During the subsequent encounter in the Denmark Strait, Prinz Eugen's precise gunnery played a role in the devastating attack on HMS Hood, while her shells also hit HMS Prince of Wales. After the battle, she managed to evade British forces and reached the safety of Brest, while Bismarck continued alone to her tragic end. Following repairs and further missions in the Atlantic and Baltic, Prinz Eugen survived the war, surrendered to the Allies in Copenhagen in May 1945, and was later given to the United States Navy as a war prize. She was used in the Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in July 1946, surviving both explosions before eventually capsizing in December 1946, where her wreck remains today. Features 1:600 scale model with 151 plastic components Skill level 3 - intermediate build complexity Two genuine paint schemes included Suitable for ages 8 years and above Part of the Battle of Bismarck collection Second World War German heavy cruiser Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 35.4 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 3.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? 151 Item Scale: 1:600 Scale Contents (what's in the box) sets: Plastic model kit, instruction sheet, paint layout sheet and decals. Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 2

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.

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.

Although usually associated with the Wehrmachts feared Lightning War attacks at the beginning of WWII, the Ju87B Stuka was also a highly effective maritime strike bomber. Capable of performing precision dive bombing attacks against any Allied vessel, the Stuka took a heavy toll of shipping in the English Channel, North Africa and in the Mediterranean. The Stuka also saw service with the air forces of Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as remaining in Luftwaffe service throughout WWII. The attack dive of the Stuka was so severe, that quite a number of automatic features had to be incorporated into the manoeuvre.At an altitude of approximately 15,000 ft., the pilot would locate his target through a bombsight window, which was located in the floor of the cockpit. His engine and propeller had automatic controls, to optimise the aircraft when in a dive, and an automatic trimmer would make the aircraft tail heavy, as the pilot initiated the dive. He would move the dive lever to the rear, which would limit the kick of the control column and quickly begin a defined sequence of actions, which if done correctly, would see his ordnance detonate on his intended target. He quickly set the trim tabs, reduced the throttle and closed the engine coolant flaps. The aircraft would automatically become tail heavy and pitch over in a 180-degree roll, placing the aircraft in a steep nose-down dive at the same time, dive breaks were automatically deployed, to reduce the speed of the dive, to a constant 360 mph. This was the point of no return as the attack sequence had begun.As the strain on the body of the pilot increased, he still had much work to do. The angle of his dive could be checked by looking at a series of red lines on the side of his cockpit window and lining them up against the horizon 60, 75, or 80 degree angle of attack. He would then look forward through the fixed gun sight, to line up his attack, before releasing his heavy main bomb - the optimum release height was indicated to the pilot, by a light flicking on in his altimeter. The bomb was carried on a large U-shaped cradle, which would swing down on release, throwing the bomb safely clear of the large propeller and on to the target. As all this action was taking place, the pilot would have certainly had at least a couple of reassuring glances at the red pins protruding up from the top of the wings, which informed him that the automatic dive recovery system was engaged, should he fall victim to a g-induced black-out. All this would have been taking place in just a matter of a few, frantic seconds!Once the bombs had left the aircraft, it automatically began its dive recovery sequence. This was the point at which the maximum g loading on the crew would be felt and forces in excess of six times the force of gravity were regularly experienced, which could result in vision impairment at the very least. Once recovered and the nose of the aircraft was above the horizon, the dive breaks were automatically retracted, the throttle was opened and the propeller was set to climb the pilot then quickly had to manually open the coolant flaps, to prevent the engine from overheating and then resume flying the aircraft.This was the point that the Stuka was at its most vulnerable, flying at low level, at relatively slow speed and in hostile territory. His rear gunner may still be blacked out and indeed the pilot might still be feeling a little light headed, but every anti-aircraft gun, rifle and enemy fighter in the vicinity would be taking pot-shots at them, from every angle.Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm) 22.9 Item Height - Without Packaging (cm) 8.35 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm) 28.8 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer? 158 Item Scale 1:48 Contents (what's in the box) sets: Sprues & decals Finish: Plastic Number of Scheme options: 2 Skill Level: 3 Flying Hours: 3 Wingspan (mm): 288

Packed full of detail, this brand-new mould includes closed or open canopy options, to reveal the detailed internal fuselage structure. The wings can be built with open or closed leading edge slats and dropped flaps. The undercarriage features covered or uncovered wheels, with optional bomb racks and full bomb load. One of the more unusual aircraft to see action during the Second World War, the Lysander was designed to provide the British Army with a modern aircraft for reconnaissance, observation and artillery spotting. Possessing exceptional short take-off and landing capabilities, the Lysander was just what the Army were looking for. Unfortunately, many of the design requirements incorporated into the aircraft were the result of outdated thinking. Of 175 Lysanders sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force, 118 would be lost, the aircraft unable to defend itself against Luftwaffe fighters.

As the third of Britain's four engined heavy bombers to enter RAF service during WWII, the Avro Lancaster proved to be an exceptional aircraft, possessing a large unobstructed bomb bay, which allowed it to carry some of the largest bombs of the war. At least thirty five Lancasters managed to complete an astonishing 100 missions or more and are referred to by historians and enthusiasts as the Lancaster Centurions, an exclusive group of extremely hard working bombers. Scheme 1: R5868 S-Sugar 467 Squadron RAAF. Scheme 2: LM624 57 Squadron. BAE SYSTEMS is a registered trade mark of BAE Systems plc. Includes Sprues Decals

Described by General Eisenhower as one of the four weapons that helped the Allies to win the Second World War, the Douglas DC3 and its military variant the C-47 Skytrain (Dakota in RAF service) has since gone on to be an instantly recognizable symbol of both air travel and the liberation of occupied lands that so characterized the Second World War. Continuing to serve even today in both modernized and original formats the DC3/C-47 is now seen as a pioneer of air travel. Includes Plastic model kit Instruction sheet Paint layout sheet Decals

The Armstrong Whitworth Whitley saw action right from the first night of the Second World War when it dropped leaflets over Germany. It then took part in the first bombing raids over German and Italian territories, making the Whitley an integral part of the RAF's bombing offensive in the war. Specifications Item Length - Without Packaging (cm): 31.3 Item Width - Without Packaging (cm): 35.6 How many pieces will be found in the box opened by the customer?: 152 Item Scale: 1:72 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 Wingspan (mm): 356