In the summer of 1937 Japan started action against China and threw into the front a great number of the newest planes which Japan had created with their original ideas and technique. New $11.69 (29% off). Concerning fighters in particular, Japan had abandoned biplane type which was counted as the common sense of the then world and already employed the Type 96 Carrier Fighter (96 Kansen) that Japan had produced on the basis of many pieces of new technique and ideas such as all-metal, internally braced low wing monoplane design and the engine cowling designed to reduce air resistance. 96 Kansens always successfully engaed with I-15 and I-16 fighters and SB-2 bombers of Russian make as well as Gladiator fighters of

Grumman Aviation produced the G-18, the prototype XF4F-2, which first flew in September 1937. New $22.59 (29% off). Initial evaluation revealed several performance problems, which led the U.S. Navy to reject the G-18 in favor of the Brewster's F2A "Buffalo". The Navy asked Grumman to continue with the project, and resulted in the G-36, which flew in February 1939. The G-36 tests exceeded the performance of the F2A, resulting in the U.S. Navy approving the design and ordering it into production as the F4F-3 Wildcat. Two yeas following its deployment, during the critical stages of the Pacific War in 1942, the improved F4F-4 Wildcat was introduced. It had folding wings, and three 12.7mm machine guns in each wing, pl

In 1939, the Naval Aviation Headquarters conceived a plan of trial manufacturing a floatplane fighter, a new type beyond all precedents in the world. New $11.69 (29% off). On the assumption of landing and invading the Southern regions, the Japanese Navy intended in those days to station float planes in waterways and bays near the landing places until the completion of land air bases for the purpose of defending those under construction and occupied territories. Since the floatplanes might have to fight with enemy fighters in the air, they were required to be pure fighters comparing favourably with enemy fighters in performance. The Navy firmly believed that sufficiently armed floatplanes would be able to fight on

The appearance of the A-10 is remarkable while its performance is amazing. New $30.39 (29% off). Known affectionately as the "Wart Hog" by its pilots, it's a large single seat aircraft, identified by a pair of TF-34-100A high bypass fan jet engines mounted high near the rear of the twin tailed fuselage. A few of the specifications are: Length 53' 4"; height 14'8", span 57'6"; maximum gross weight 47,400lbs, including 16,000lbs of external stores. Internal armament is the GAU-8/A 30mm Gatling cannon capable of 2100 or 4200 rounds per minute. It carries 1350 rounds of ammunition, a fire control head-up display, CRT TV monitor, laser spot seeker plus a diversified armament panel that can facilitate any operational n

Total production of the Type 52 series consisted of 10,449 aircraft of which Nakajima produced 6,570. New $12.39 (29% off). It first entered combat in August 1943 at a time when the Japanese forces were withdrawing from previously held islands in the South Pacific. The type 52c was the last of the A6M5 series, and the most effective against Allied aircraft due to its armament configuration three of 13mm machine guns and two 20mm cannons. A total of 93 Type 52 and 52b zeros were field modified to "c" weapons configuration. The 7.7mm machine guns, housed in the cowling of the Zero since its first introduction, proved to be less effective during the latter stages of the conflict, due to the heavier armor protection

There were several major changes that set the "D" apart form earlier Mustangs. New $23.29 (29% off). One was the change from four .50 caliber machine guns to six, three in each wing. Another was to mount the guns upright which helped to eliminate a jamming tendency that occurred in the four gun system. Ammunition was increased to 400 rounds per inboard gun, and 270 rounds for each of the other four. Underwing pylons were strengthened to carry the 110 or 165 gallon auxiliary drop tanks or 1,000 lb bomb. P-51D Mustangs went to fight in the later Korean conflict and it last flew combat in 1956 in the deserts to the Middle East, when Israel used Spitfires, Messerschimitts and Mustangs together in the Mid East conflic

It entered service in 1941, flying alongside the Bf 109 and it soon took control of air superiority over the English Channel. New $22.59 (29% off). Establishing itself as a mainstay fighter of the Luftwaffe, it outperformed the contemporary Spitfire Mk. V's in almost every respect and maintained this advantage until the arrival of the Spitfire IX in July 1942. The FW 190 fighter underwent constant improvement throughout its life. The A-3 version used the improved BMW 801Dg engine that produced 1,700hp. Armament was increased from four to six guns, consisting of two rapid firing MG 151's in the wing roots; two MG FF's outboard of the landing gear and two fuselage mounted MG 17 machine guns. Features:

Found In : Plastic Models  >  Plastic Model Airplanes  >  1/40-1/49 Scale

Tags : 1/48 Scale Military German Fighter World War II

In September 1939, aircraft manufacturers Nakajima and Mitsubishi received an unofficial order to trial-manufacture the Raiden, the Japanese Navy's first interceptor (a fighter to undertake the air defence of land bases). New $11.69 (29% off). It was finally decided, however, that the development and trial-manufacture of the Raiden should be conducted only by Mitsubishi. It was in April of 1940 that the plane was designated "14-Shi Interceptor (J2M1)" and official requirements were set out by the Navy. The requirements gave priority to climbing power, maximum speed and high altitude performance. Aircraft engines of those days that could meet all these requirements were only the air-cooled engine "Kasei" type 11 t

A plane which since July 1932 the Nakajima Aircraft Mfg. New $11.69 (29% off). Company had designed and manufactured for trial under the name of KI-84 was officially adopted in April 1944 by the Army as the Fighter Type 4 "Hayate" and the mass production was started. The number of the Hayate produced by the end of World War II totaled about 3,500 which ranks next to that of the Zero and the Hayabusa but is the largest in the Japanese aircraft history in view of the number produced in about a year. The performance of the Hayate was equal to, or higher than that of the Allies' fighters of those days. This was the first fighter worthy of the name having excellent speed (climbing ability), firepower and maneuverabili

In June 1942, the F4U-1 production models made their maiden flight. New $22.59 (29% off). However, due to their restricted forward field of view, and because of a propeller wash effect caused them to stall left wing first during low speed landings, they first were used as land based fighters. Succeeding the F4U-1 in the summer of 1943 was the F4U-1A, which was equipped with an extended rear wheel landing gear shaft, a slightly modified glazed canopy, and a small triangular strip of metal bolted to the right leading edge of the wing to equalize the stall and avoid the roll to the left at touch-down. . Features: * Two figures (seated and standing) included. * Equipped with an extended rear wheel

The Hawker Siddeley Harrier astounded the world with its unique ability to take-off and land vertically utilizing vectored thrust from its powerful 8000kg thrust engine. New $14.19 (29% off). First tested in concept in 1960, the aircraft went through many periods of testing and modification prior to acceptance by the Royal Air Force and other nations in 1974. The production Harriers utilized either a Pegasus 6 or 11 engine of 8000 or 9750kg thrust and it was only natural that the Royal Navy should find application for this type of aircraft with their fleet air arm. Various political and financial considerations delayed the order for the "Navalized" Harrier until May 1975, when the Admiralty ordered an initial 24

First flight was on 1 April 1939 and combat trials were concluded in July 1940 with 15 pre-production A6M2's sent to two squadrons by the end of the month. New $12.39 (29% off). These aircraft had folding wing tips to accommodate aircraft carrier elevators, and were the ones first seen by Gen. Chennault in China, and at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Although the A6M2 met or exceeded original design specifications, modifications were taking place at the Mitsubishi factory to improve roll rate, speed up handling aboard carriers, and utilize the uprated Sakae 21, 1,130 hp engine. The first A6M3 type 32 (code named HAMP) took to the air on 15 July 1941 with production beginning in April 42. A total of 343 aircraft w

In 1943, the 8th Air Force was launching raids on Germany with its B17 and B24 from England. New $36.69 (29% off). The aim was to destroy German main production factories. Unfortunately, losses during theses missions were very heavy and it became urgent to develop a fighter able to escort the bombers over enemy soil. The limited ranges of the Spitfire and P-38 Lightning did not make these fighters able to go further than Paris, leaving the bombers alone to fend for themselves for the rest of the flight. With the development of the P-47, this problem was overcome. The P-47 was the first single-seated fighter to be equipped with a supercharger, allowing it to fly at the same high altitude as the bombers. This high-

Using the famous Rolls-Royce "Merlin" liquid cooled 12 cylinder engine that produced more than 1,000 horsepower, the Mk I Spitfire attained a top speed of 586km/h. New $22.59 (29% off). The very distinctive elliptical shaped wing was useful in reducing parasitic drag and allowed a fairly thin wing construction. It carried a large coolant radiator under the starboard wing, and a small oil cooler under the port wing, giving it an asymmetrical appearance when viewed from the front and bottom. The retractable main landing gear also contributed to its smooth lines, and gave it higher performance. The Mk I Spitfire was armed with eight 7.7mm machine guns, four to each wing. Features: * Approx 50 parts

Without a doubt, the Messerschmitt Bf109 can be claimed as the most famous and successful German aircraft from the WW2. New $22.59 (29% off). It was the world's most advanced fighter at the time of its debut in 1936, and remained as the standard fighter for the Luftwaffe throughout the conflict. Features: * Approximately 65 parts in medium grey and clear with fine recessed panel lines. * Dummy engine eliminates "see through cowl" effect. * Highly detailed cockpit with accurate instrument panel, seat, control stick and rudder pedals, bulkheads, and sculpted pilot figure.

Bristrol's "Beaufighter" was one of the most successful and widely used twin engines fighter types during WW2. New $30.39 (29% off). The first series production Beaufighter MK.1 entered service in September 1940. With its four nose-mounted 20mm cannons and six 7.7mm machine guns in the wings, this stub-nosed fighter became the most heavily armed aircraft in service with the RAF during the war. Features: * Markings included for 3 different aircraft. * Interior detail includes cockpit, observer/gunners seat and instruments, fuselage rib and stringer detail. * Cockpit detail includes instrument panel with decal for instrument faces, seat with seatbelt decal, control stick and side consoles. * Detai

The Fw 190D-9 began production in June 1944, with early versions having the flat topped canopy, and from W. New $22.59 (29% off). Nr. 210002 onwards having the Galland hood (blown canopy). It went into combat with the III/JG 54 "Grunherz" (Green Hearts) in September 1944, at Achmer, Germany, as top cover for the new Messerschmitt Me262 Jet fighters then entering service. Features: * Detailed cowl with annular radiator and optional position cowl flaps. * Multi-part canopy may be posed open or closed - includes two types. * Rotating propeller. * Highly detailed cockpit with accurate instrument panel, seat, control stick and rudder pedals, bulkheads, and sculpted pilot figure. * Detailed pictorial

The revolutionary Messerschmitt Me262 was the first jet powered plane to see service. New $33.89 (29% off). The construction of pre-production aircraft designated Me262 A-0 started in April 1944 but the fighter production version that should have been the first version to be mass-produced was delayed because of Hitler's strict contrary orders prioritizing the deployment of fighter/bomber A-2a version. Then, in November 1944, the Me262 A-1a fighter version was finally put into production. It was equipped with four 30mm cannons in the nose to counter Allied bombers and escorting fighters. Late production planes were equipped with hooks under the nose to mount rocket launchers and with 24 R4M air-to-air rocket under

Following the release of a U.S. New $22.59 (29% off). Navy version of the Brewster Buffalo in 1993, Tamiya now releases the B-339 export version of the Buffalo used by the Royal Air Force and Netherlands East Indies Army Air Corps during WWII. Kit comes with new parts such as canopy, propeller, seat and decals to accurately reproduce the Buffalo used throughout South East Asia. Also includes parts to reproduce the U.S. Navy version featuring gray fuselage. Features: * Authentically reproduced large fuselage and unique landing gear. * Kit includes parts to accurately reproduce RAF, ML-KNIL or U.S. Navy aircraft. * New parts such as canopy, rear fuselage and propeller authentically reproduced in h

During the first half of the Second World War, the Messerschmitt Bf109 E was the main fighter of the German Air force. New $22.59 (29% off). The E-4 housed a 1,100 hp Daimler Benz DB 601Aa engine and was armed with two 7.9mm machine guns on the nose, as well as 20mm cannon on each wing. For some aircraft, bulletproof glass was used to reinforce the front of the canopy. In addition, a 20mm cannon, which ran through a tube in the propeller was supposed to be installed but was unsuccessful. Displaying superb acceleration and diving ability, the E-type planes overpowered RAF’s Hawk Hurricane and equaled the Spitfire fighters in the Battle of Britain. However, with a flight range of only 560km, the E-4 planes were