Revell RV5204

Book 'Airlift to the Top of the World' (book to accompany Shorts Sunderland decals) https://www.lindenhillimports.com/lhi-blog#/ "By 1950 it had been almost forty years since a publicly funded British polar expedition had been attempted. In contrast to the days of Scott and Shackleton, it was now possible to support such a venture with both motor and air transport. The British North Greenland Expedition (BNGE), a combined scientific and military venture to a remote region within 800 miles of the North Pole and headed by a Royal Navy Lieutenant-Commander, would not have been possible without the support of military aviation, mostly in the shape of the Royal Air Force's Coastal and Transport Commands. This book examines the origins of the Expedition and for the first time tells the full story of the role played by the RAF in transporting the BNGE northwards, supplying it, supporting its scientific research work, and bringing it safely home. It is a story that includes both potential and actual calamities and details missions flown by the RAF in some of the world's most extreme climatic conditions."

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Curtiss XP-55 Ascender By Gerry Balzer, 72-pages, 148-b&w photos, 4-color photos. The Curtiss XP-55 Ascender was a tailless swept-wing WWII pusher fighter design born out by the USAAC 1940 fighter competition. The USAAC was looking for a fighter to counter the threat of the German Bf-109 and the Japanese 'Zero' and replace the obsolete P-35s, P-36s and the front line P-40s just entering service. From this competition three unusual pusher prototypes were ordered, the Consolidated XP-54, Curtiss XP-55, and the Northrop XP-56. A low powered full scale flying model (model CW 24B)was built out of wood and cloth to substantiate the flying qualities, and was first flown on 2 December 1941. The XP-55 mock-up was completed in August 1942, and the first of three XP-55s was completed on 26 June 1943 with its first flight being conducted on 13 July 1943. The first aircraft was destroyed on 15 November 1943. Changes deemed necessary were incorporated in the second airframe in which performance testing began on 16 September 1944. Although the much more capable P-38, P-47, and P-51 had entered service, research into the XP-55s unusual design continued. The third XP-55 had entered flight testing in April 1944 and was used at Eglin Field for armament tests before being lost during a war bond rally display on 27 May 1945. By then the program had been terminated. Today, the second XP-55 presides in restored condition at the Kalamazoo Air Museum.

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MDFSD8 Scaled Down #8 Dassault Mirage 2000B/2000C/2000D/2000N and international versions. Dassault Mirage 2000B/C/D/N The delta wing Dassault Mirage 2000 is a French multirole, single-engine fourth-generation aircraft, designed in the late 1970s as a lightweight fighter based on the iconic Mirage III for the French Air Force (Armee de l'Air). Since then the Mirage 2000 evolved into a true multirole platform with several variants developed and has been sold to a number of nations. The variants include the Mirage 2000C fighter and Mirage 2000D and Mirage 2000N strike variants, and the improved Mirage 2000-5, and the proposed 2000-9. Over 600 aircraft were built, and it has been in service with nine nations. The Mirage 2000 has proven a capable performer under extreme combat conditions and has seen action across Europe, the Middle East and in North Africa as a part of the NATO contingent enforcing the 'No-Fly Zone' over Libya. Despite the aircraft currently being replaced by the much more advanced Dassault Rafale, the Dassault Mirage 2000 still plays a role in operations of the French Air Force today - and with other air forces around the world. Mirage 2000 fighters in currently operation with the French Air Force are the Mirage 2000C/B single seater the Mirage 2000N and the upgraded Mirage 2000NK3, designed for all weather nuclear penetration at low altitude and very high speed. Also in service is the Mirage 2000D, an upgraded version of the Mirage 2000N, for automated bombing using conventional and laser guided munitions, and the Mirage 2000-5, incorporating advanced avionics, new sensors and control systems. The Mirage 2000 has nine hardpoints for carrying weapon system payloads - five on the fuselage and two on each wing, and these include the BGL 1000 laser-guided bomb, AS30L, Armat anti-radar missile, AM39 Exocet anti-ship missile, Apache standoff weapon, and the stealthy cruise missile, the Storm Shadow/SCALP. The aforementioned French Mirage 2000NK3 aircraft can also carry the ASMPA medium-range air-to-ground missile. ASMPA has a tactical nuclear warhead and replaced the ASMP missile. The single-seat version is also armed with two internally mounted, high-firing-rate 30mm guns. Air-to-air weapons include MICA air-to-air missiles, and the Magic 2 missiles, the MBDA Super 530D missile or the Sky Flash. The Mirage 2000 gained export success with sales to Greece, Brazil, Qatar, Peru, Taiwan, India, the UAE and Egypt. Brazil retired its Mirage 2000s in 2013, however, the type remains in service around the world with many being upgraded to new standards. The success of this iconic Dassault delta is lavishly brought to life in this new MDF Scaled Down book which will provide information and inspiration for the modeller and enthusiast alike. By Andy Evans

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