Academy Sea Harrier FRS.1 - Royal Navy (1:144)

Sea Harrier FRS.1 - Royal Navy British Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS.1 V/STOL Strike Fighter. The British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS.1 (Fighter, Reconnaissance, Strike, Mk 1) entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1978 as a unique solution to providing fighter cover from light aircraft carriers. Unlike conventional naval aircraft, the Sea Harrier used vectored-thrust nozzles to achieve short take-offs and vertical landings, removing the need for catapults or arrestor wires. The type’s finest hour came during the Falklands War of 1982. Armed with AIM-9L Sidewinders and equipped with Blue Fox radar for target detection, twenty-eight Sea Harriers from 800, 801, and reformed 809 Naval Air Squadrons deployed on HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible, supported by ten Harrier GR.3s from RAF No. 1 (F) Squadron, provided the UK’s only fleet air defence. Despite early doubts about their limited radar and modest speed, the Sea Harriers proved decisive, achieving twenty confirmed air-to-air kills against Argentine fighters and attack aircraft, without loss in aerial combat. They also flew hundreds of sorties on strike and patrol duties, often in harsh weather and at the limits of their endurance. The Sea Harrier’s effectiveness in the South Atlantic silenced critics and earned it a reputation as one of the most effective and adaptable naval fighters of its era. Its performance was a decisive factor in securing British victory, and the FRS.1 remains forever associated with the Falklands campaign. Reissued Minicraft kit. 2 sprues plus clear parts. Choice of 2 markings: (1) Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ451, 801 NAS, HMS Invincible, Falklands Conflict 1982; (2) Sea Harrier FRS.1 XZ457, 800 NAS, HMS Hermes, Falklands Conflict 1982. 1:144 scale plastic model kit from Academy, requires paint and glue.

Airfix Alvis Saracen Mk.5 (1:35)

Alvis Saracen Mk.5 This 1:35 scale model of the Alvis FV603 Saracen Mk.5 is an impressive kit comprising 219 pieces, offering modellers at skill level 3 a challenging and rewarding project with ample scope for detailed customisation. Crafted by the renowned Alvis Company of Coventry, the Saracen armoured personnel carrier was prioritised for production in the late 1940s due to the urgent situation in Malaya. With a crew of two, the FV603 could accommodate ten soldiers in its rear section, with the commander and wireless operator sitting behind the driver, facing forward, while eight soldiers sat opposite each other in two rows along the armoured sides. Key Features: 1:35 scale model with 219 plastic pieces Skill level 3 build suitable for ages 8 and above Three authentic paint schemes representing Cold War era service Highly detailed armoured personnel carrier design Opportunity to add extensive detail throughout the build History: The Alvis Company of Coventry was known for producing prestigious cars in the 1930s, so when they started manufacturing an Armoured Personnel Carrier for the British Army in the late 1940s, it was expected to be both capable and of high quality. Originally planning to produce the Saladin armoured car, the urgent situation in Malaya shifted focus to the FV603 Saracen armoured personnel carrier. Renowned for its excellent off-road capabilities, the Saracen is often associated with images of it patrolling urban areas worldwide, rather than engaging in traditional battlefield scenarios.

Thunder Models LRDG F30 Patrol Truck (Standard Edition) (1:35)

LRDG F30 Patrol Truck (Standard Edition) Includes: - Highly detailed plastic kit - Body, underframe detail - Fine interior parts - Requires glue and paints to complete NOT included - 235 parts - 1:35 Scale  Vehicle information: “Only men who do not mind a hard life, with scanty food, little water and lots of discomfort, men who possess stamina and initiative, need apply” The Long Range Desert Group was the first and ‘arguably the most dashing and successful irregular formation on either side in the entire war’.  Their role was deep penetration reconnaissance, road-watching (observing Axis forces movements along the coastal roads to establish logistics and military unit movements to and from the front line hundreds of miles away), and raiding (they attacked airfields long before the British Special Air Service thought of it). They also transported allied agents and the SAS on their initial raids behind enemy lines, recovered downed aircrew and lost soldiers, and were the first to accurately map the North African desert. They were often referred to as the ‘Libyan Taxi service’ by those who benefitted from their skills, and were highly respected for their ability to get to any point in the desert at a given time. The LRDG were masters of the Libyan Desert during the War in North Africa. Experts in desert navigation, driving, signals and survival. Their operational requirements were unique in the British Army and initially they chose the civilian 2 wheel drive Chevrolet WA trucks, robust and simple, and with the right driving techniques and equipment capable of passing over the majority of desert terrain encountered. After a year of operations these trucks desperately needed replacing, but there were no more Chevrolets, the best option in North Africa being the CMP Ford F30 with the No11 cab. Like the Chevrolet truck before and after their operational period, the Ford F30’s were modified specifically for LRDG desert operations. The cab was removed for a lower profile, the bonnet panels were usually discarded to allow greater cooling for the engine and transmission, Power take off air compressor fitted to the transmission, a condenser tank added that condensed steam from the radiator to save water, racks for sand mats and channels to help extricate the trucks from soft sand, Vickers MKI (no water can and hose connected, and water jacket filled with oil) and Lewis guns, as well as Boys Anti-Tank Rifle mounts for self-protection and raids, and sand tyres. Another feature is that these early Ford trucks were fitted with Chevrolet ‘Banjo’ type axles due to Ford having initial production issues with their axles. The different makes of axles were designed to be interchangeable on these trucks. There were 3 main variants, the standard Patrol truck, the 37mm Bofors anti-tank gun truck with a special gun mount in the rear body, and the wireless/navigator truck fitted a Bagnold Sun Compass, with a civilian Philips 635 radio receiver for the time signal required for accurate navigation by the stars, and the standard No 11 Wireless set for sending intelligence back to base. When used with the Windom dipole aerial mounted on 16 ‘ /4.6m poles they could often ‘skip’ a signal over a 1,000 miles directly back to Cairo. The Ford F30’s had the advantage of 4 wheel drive, a more powerful 95HP V8 engine, and a bigger load area compared to the Chevrolet trucks. However they were harder to camouflage due to their height, louder with the 4x4 transmission and V8 engine, heavier, had a shorter range due to their poorer MPG (Miles per Gallon) and were less reliable. Some of the trucks had their bodies moved back 12”/300mm on the chassis for better centralisation of the load over the rear axle. These can be identified by 2 spare wheels fitted between the body and the cab.

Eduard Fokker Dr.1 (Profipack) (1:72)

Fokker Dr.1 (Profipack) (1:72) Includes: - Detailed plastic kit - Pre painted photo etch parts - Cockpit interior and pilot included - Cantilever wing, body and strut detailing - Solid undercarriage - Prop and engine detail - Waterslide transfers/decals for up to 5 different schemes. - Paint mask included - Kit requires glue and paint to complete NOT included - 1:72 Scale Aircraft information and history: The Fokker Dr. I is one of the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. The silhouette of the compact triplane became a symbol of the German fighter aviation of the First World War, although the aircraft was dogged by technical issue and its operational use was relatively short lived. Designed by Anthony Fokker, the Dr.I was created in response for the German air force requiring a better aircraft to battle the new British Sopwith triplane fighter introduced in April 1917. Fokker with his experience gained from (hugo) Junkers and cantilever wings, he was able to design a wing with reduced drag and eliminating fine wire bracing. A total of 320 Fokker Dr.I planes were built by the end of May 1918 when production final ceased. The Fokker Dr.I was a capable aircraft only finally getting superseded by the Fokker D.VII as aviation design and development improved with more powerful and modern enemy aircraft coming into action. The Fokker Dr.I still saw flight on the frontlines used as backup alongside the modern D.VII. Some of the Triplanes returned to Germany to become trainer aircraft. The most famous pilot of the Dr.I is Manfred Von Richthofen Fokker Dr.I, achieving 17 kills. More information can be found inside the included history booklet/ manual.