ICM ICMDS7204

How to Build The Revell 1:32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa (designed to be used with Revell kits) The name Supermarine Spitfire has now become synonymous with an entire island people, and their battle to maintain their freedom in the shadow of the Nazi jackboot. The very shape and sound of the Supermarine Spitfire seems to still invoke and embody the usually reserved pride of the British person. It is probably true to say that Reginald Mitchell's beautiful aircraft design is one of the most easily recognised and much-loved shapes that ever took to the skies. When actual mass production of the Supermarine Spitfire ceased in 1948, over 20,000 machines had been built, and operated by over thirty countries around the world. This iconic series saw service with the RAF right up until the mid-1950s. It also saw service with the Irish Air Corps as late as 1961; a full 26yrs after the flight of the prototype K5054. Revell has now released an all-new 1:32 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IIa. With some minor modifications, this model may also be built as a Mk.I or a Mk.Va. Over the course of five Chapters, James Hatch examines the kit contents in detail, describes construction of the model with lavish illustrations, and points out the areas of the kit that may be improved and corrected. This new book features an exhaustive step-by-step guide to construction; plus a painting and weathering tutorial. A number of essential reference resources are also included. More than 200 photos, a reference guide, and photos of the kit sprues are all included-a must have before you build the model!

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Soviet Stars in the Skies Pt 1. Red Stars in 16 sizes for small fighter types

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Supermarine Spitfires in Soviet Service. Along with British Hurricanes, the Soviet Air Force (voyenno-vozdushnyye sily"VVS) also managed to fly another aircraft of the Royal Air Force as a front-line fighter"the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb. In the West this airplane is feted as the winner of the Battle of Britain, and is also a national symbol of World War II. In the skies of Russia these fighters became participants in 1943 of the bloodiest battles over the Kuban. Two front-line fighter aviation regiments of the Soviet VVS"57th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (GIAP) and 821st Fighter Aviation Regiment (IAP)"were re-equipped with the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb. It was the 57th GIAP that first entered combat with the enemy in these fighters, in May 1943. Earlier the regiment was known as the 36th IAP, and was formed in Baku in 1938. Pilots flew the regiment's first combat sortie under the command of Major Aleksandr Alekseevich Osipov on 27 November 1941 as part of the 72d Fighter Aviation Division (IAD) (later the regiment was subordinated to the 237th IAD). The regiment fought in the Southern, Crimean, and North Caucasus fronts until 15 November 1942. It is possible to make 3 full profiles. - Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vb 57 GIAP Kuban 1943 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXe 26 GIAP Leningrad 1944-1945 - Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc MJ858

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Sopwith Pup by Matthew Willis (Hall Park Books Limited) By Matthew Willis The Sopwith Pup, as it is unofficially but universally known, was one of the first true British fighter aircraft, and one of the most significant of the First World War. It played a key part in maintaining control of the skies over the Western Front during and after the RFC's toughest period, Bloody April, 1917. Its superb flying qualities kept it competitive as ever-faster and more powerful opposition appeared, and it played an unglamorous but important role in the defence of the UK against zeppelin and heavy bomber attacks, and was fundamental to the development of ship-based aviation. With the very well-established categories of military aircraft that are familiar today, it is hard to comprehend the world in which the Pup was born, where these clear delineations did not exist. Certainly the idea of the fast, agile single-seat fighter was barely thought of when the Pup's outline was first chalked on the floor of the experimental workshop at Sopwith's Kingston-upon-Thames premises in 1915. The new aircraft was known as the 'Sparrow', was powered by a 50hp Gnome rotary. Test pilot Harry Hawker took the aircraft to Brooklands and amazed trainee RFC pilots by flying it under the bridge across the Byfleet Banking. It was fully aerobatic and capable of a speed just shy of 85mph despite the low engine power. It is unclear whether Sopwith intended the machine to form the basis of a military aircraft but in any event, its performance and handling, even on such low power, must have recommended it for that purpose. The 'Sparrow' therefore became the progenitor of the aircraft that would become the 'Pup'. It was around the time of the prototype's first appearance that the Pup seems to have gained its popular name. Brigadier-General SeftonBrancker, then the RFC's Director of Air Organisation, is reputed to have remarked, on seeing the prototype Scout beside its larger sibling at Brooklands, 'Your 1 Strutter has had a pup!' For all its value as a front line fighting aeroplane, the Pup had a potentially even greater impact on the development of naval aviation; in particular, the sometimes tortuous path of launching aircraft from, and returning them safely to, ships at sea. Moreover, the Pup became one of the more successful operational aircraft in this fledgling area of combat. This is the first WWI title in the series and includes all the usual Warpaint features historical text, modellers glossary, colour artwork by Richard Caruana and a three page colour walkaround by author Matthew Willis.

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