Airfix 1:72 A50135 Dogfight Doubles Spitfire Mk1a and Messerschmitt Bf109e-4 Military Aircraft Gift Set,White

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This latest stunning box artwork shows the meeting of two of aviation’s most agile early jets, both extremely advanced in their own right Equipped with high explosive anti-tank shells, explosive and smoke shells, the M7 Priest proved to be a vital component of the ground war following its combat introduction in October 1942, with many examples going on to see service across the world long after the end of the Second World War. The vehicle presented here is one which was the subject of several famous wartime photographs, with its crew using a welcome lull in the fighting to enjoy an ‘Al fresco’ meal by the side of their fighting machine. Christened ‘ANZIO’ by her crew, this Priest was involved in the heavy fighting which took place during the Italian campaign, as the Allies attempted to break the stubborn resistance of the Gustav Line and to finally use this second front as a springboard to launch offensives into Germany itself. This latest Dogfight Double kit is due for imminent release and should be available through your usual model supplier over the next few weeks. Italian ‘Sparrowhawk’ a classic addition The latest edition to our growing and incredibly popular range of 1/35th scale armoured fighting vehicle kits, the HMC M7 Priestis scheduled for imminent release and should be available in model shops over the next few weeks. Final Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary release

Just as it seemed the hapless May would either hit the ground or appear large one final time in the red Fokker Dr.1's gunsights, the German aircraft was seen to rear up and immediately attempt to make a forced landing in a nearby beet field, with the undercarriage being ripped off the aircraft due to the rough ground. Mortally wounded, Manfred von Richthofen shut down the engine of his machine and cut off the fuel supply, before succumbing to his injuries at the controls of his aircraft, the result of a single bullet wound to his body. This historic victory was initially attributed to (although not claimed by) Captain Roy Brown, however, subsequent research revealed that the bullet lodged in von Richthofen’s chest was most likely fired by a trooper from an Australian machine gun position on the Morlancourt Ridge. The two kits together? A surreal scene that marks the closing of the war, the supposed numeric and qualitative superiority of Allied fighters once again challenged by the power of the Luftwaffe in a battle that "might-have-been". Instead of an earth-bound battle between such utterly different technologies Hitler squandered his resources in an attempt to conquer other worlds but ultimately succeeded only in placing all his remaining military assets in a location where they could be destroyed by one decisive atomic blow. History cannot tell us how these craft would have fared against each other as we have no historical knowledge and no extant craft to analyse. In the absence of this we can only surmise." Both of these magnificent ships were popular additions to the Airfix model range and their inclusion in the growing Vintage Classics range has been welcomed by many. We are pleased to announce that both are now ‘on the water’ and scheduled for imminent release. An armoured minister of wrath In preparation for war, the Graf Spee sailed for the South Atlantic, where she could raid merchant sea lanes unopposed in the three months which followed the start of the Second World War. Sinking nine merchantmen, the ship was a cause of great concern amongst the British admiralty. Sending three cruisers to deal with the threat, the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 underlined the destructive potential of this powerful ship, but would ultimately lead to her own demise. Damaging all three of the British ships during a savage engagement, the Graf Spee was herself damaged and had to put in to Montevideo port for repairs, replenishment and to offload her casualties. An impressive vessel in every respect, the German Deutschland class ‘Armoured ship’ Admiral Graf Spee was built during the 1930s, around the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, following the end of the Great War. Although this prohibited Germany from building warships with a weight greater than 10,000 long tons, the country knew that if they were to prevail in any war to come, they would have to challenge the dominance of Britain’s powerful fleet and have some presence on the world’s oceans. Working loosely around the restrictions, this new ship had a nominal weight which did conform to the weight limitations, however, when she was fully fitted out, she significantly exceeded it.

A hugely popular kit range over the years, our ‘Dogfight Doubles’ sets are still very much a part of every Airfix model range and regularly benefits from the inclusion of some recent new tooling releases, keeping these magnificent sets as hobby relevant as they have always been. The latest range includes a classic jet pairing from the mid 1960s, aircraft which proved that sometimes the most simple designs were the most effective in a combat situation. Operating in the same hotly contested airspace during the Vietnam Air War, both the North Vietnamese MiG-17F and US Navy Douglas A-4B Skyhawk may not have represented the latest cutting edge aircraft designs, but they were both extremely agile, highly capable and as tough as they come. They make for an ideal Dogfight Doubles pairing. With both the A-4 Skyhawk and MiG-17 available in large numbers by the time of the Vietnam War, the scene was set for an aviation showdown in the skies of Southeast Asia and a meeting of two of the world’s most agile combat jets. Initially Maltas only defending fighter aircraft were outdated Gloster Gladiators and then Hawker Hurricanes but at the height of the battle, cannon armed and tropicalized Spitfire Mk.Vbs were used to intercept the German Junkers Ju88 and Ju87 Stuka dive bombers which were escorted by Messerschmitt Bf109Es. It became a struggle that was in some ways similar to the Battle of Britain. Eventually at the end of 1942, the war in North Africa had been won by the Allies so Malta was no lo of such important to the Axis powers and the bombing stopped allowing the starving civil population to be re-supplied by sea. The next edition of Workbench is due to be published on Friday 24th July, when we will have more interesting features from the world of modelling.

From the modeller’s perspective, one of the most interesting features of WWII Italian aircraft is their presentation and looking at this magnificent 252a Squadriglia machine, it is not difficult to see why this latest addition to the Vintage Classics range has been so well received. Combining the distinctive shape of this handsome aeroplane with the attractive three tone upper surface scheme it wears, this will surely encourage many modellers to look for more Regia Aeronautica projects to keep their new Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero company. This beautiful new model is scheduled for imminent release and with only a small number of kits remaining unallocated, this really is a final opportunity to make sure you are not one of the ones missing out. Ruling the wavesHaving the distinction of being the first MiG-17 equipped unit in the Vietnam People’s Air Force, the 921st Fighter Regiment ‘Red Star Squadron’ received its aircraft after their pilots had undergone extensive training in China. Initially, thirty-six former Soviet Air Force machines arrived at their Phuc Yen airfield home base during 1963, with greater numbers of the more capable MiG-17F variant following over the next eighteen months – the majority of these aircraft were Chinese licence manufactured Shenyang J-5 examples. Operational by early 1964, the North Vietnamese MiG-17s would play a significant role in the escalating Vietnam Air War, where they would be forced to fly their almost obsolete jets against the very latest US air power. Well, we are delighted to say that our Photographer David M managed it, as he has just supplied us with these magnificent Defiant build images. The latest impressive modelling creation off the conveyor belt of projects our product designer Paramjit Sembhi has been turning out recently, this beautiful build surely highlights how this slightly less fashionable RAF home defence fighter makes for a stunning modelling tribute to this Battle of Britain 80th anniversary year. When combined with the previously released Spitfire and Hurricane, could there possibly be three better looking models to mark the achievements of Churchill's 'Few'? Although Manfred von Richthofen made his final flight 105 years ago this weekend, his story continues to be a source of fascination for many, the Baron fighter ace who became the most famous airman to have ever lived.