01/2023

Dear Friends and Fellow Modellers, Welcome to the first newsletter of 2023. The January issue traditionally introduces our planned projects for the year. This year will be no different, so we’ll waste no time and get right down to the nitty gritty. We’ll start off with January, new releases for which are already available from our e-shop and have been since last week.

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  INFO Eduard

  # 155

  e-magazine FREE Vol 22 January 2023

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  INFO Eduard

  # 155

  e-magazine FREE Vol 22 January 2023

  © Eduard - Model Accessories, 2023

  FREE FOR DOWNLOAD, FREE FOR DISTRIBUTION!

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  eduardeduard

  JANUARY 2023

  CONTENTS

  EDITORIAL

  KITS

  BRASSIN

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED SETS

  BIG ED

  BUILT

  ON APPROACH

  –

  February 2023

  TAIL END CHARLIE

  HISTORY

  BOXART STORY

  B-25J Mitchell STRAFER ProfiPACK 1/72

  Spitfire Mk.Vb mid Weekend edition 1/48

  Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) Weekend edition 1/48

  Bf 110E ProfiPACK 1/72

  P-400 ProfiPACK 1/48

  A6M2 Zero Type 21 ProfiPACK 1/48

  F4F-3 Wildcat 1/48

  Spitfire Mk.Vb late 1/48

  F-4B Phantom II 1/48

  P-38J 1/48

  Beaufort Mk.I 1/48

  P-51D-10+ wheel bay PRINT 1/48

  Midway

  The air war over Ukraine - Bogged in the mud

  Fast and low

  The black day of the Jagdgeschwader “Udet”

  High sky collision

  In the clouds over the Channel

  Headhunters over Buna

  Bailing out over the jungle

  4

  10

  24

  30

  52

  72

  78

  84

  98

  115

  Published by Eduard-Model Accessories, spol. s.r.o.

  Mírová 170, Obrnice 435 21

  support@eduard.com www.eduard.com

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  Dear Friends and Fellow Modellers,

  Welcome to the first newsletter of 2023.

  The January issue traditionally introdu-

  ces our planned projects for the year. This

  year will be no different, so we’ll waste no

  time and get right down to the nitty gritty.

  We’ll start off with January, new releases

  for which are already available from our

  e-shop and have been since last week.

  New Kits for January

  For the second time in a row, a new

  release within the ProfiPACK line untradi-

  tionally draws on plastic from an external

  source. Such sources are generally used

  by us in releasing kits in our Limited Editi-

  on line, but there have been some excepti-

  ons in the past. In December, we released

  a 1:72nd scale Bf 109E-3 with the plastic

  coming from Special Hobby, and last year

  in February, the ProfiPACK line saw a Hu-

  rricane Mk.I that hailed from the Polish

  firm Arma Hobby. This time around, again

  in 1:72nd, we have a B-25J based around

  the Hasegawa molds, along the same

  lines as September’s Limited Edition ‘Gun-

  n’s Bunny’. I expect this ProfiPACK B-25J

  Straffer, a B-25J with the metal plated

  gunned nose, will be just as popular as

  Gunn’s Bunny, not just because of an at-

  tractive assortment of accessory items,

  but also because the marking options

  include items that simply could not be

  included in Gunn’s Bunny due to space limi-

  tations. That felt like a crime. But the deve-

  lopment of this item was not to just create

  the opportunity to rectify said crime. It

  was more of a response to the slowing of

  the market brought on by Russia’s invasi-

  on of Ukraine. The market slowing was a

  reaction to this idiotic war. Between April

  and September of last year, it dropped our

  sales by some twenty percent, and we re-

  acted by reducing the number of editions

  of some of our kits, notably in the Limi-

  ted Edition line. That gave us a surplus of

  B-25J plastic, that was then diverted to

  this January release.

  Coincidentally, we have another 72nd sca-

  le twin coming out this month, the Bf 110E.

  It is a repop of the original ProfiPACK, and

  signals a continuation of the return of the

  Bf 110 family to our catalog. January has

  a total of three such re-editions, and be-

  sides the aforementioned Bf 110E, we have

  our tried and tested P-400 Airacobra in

  1:48th, and the recently sold out A6M2 Zero

  Model 21.

  Besides the four ProfiPACKS, we have

  a couple of new Weekend kits, the So-

  pwith Camel with a Clerget engine and the

  Spitfire Mk.Vb. The Mk.Vb is an extremely

  complicated type, featuring a host of con-

  secutive manufacturing modifications. The

  subtype being released this month can be

  considered, albeit as a bit of an oversim-

  plification, a mid production version, cha-

  racterized by an armored windscreen and

  a newer wing with asymmetrical kidney

  shaped cannon fairings under the wings.

  New Kits for February

  Coming in February is the 48th scale Li-

  mited Edition kit of the Hind-E. The kit will

  feature Zvezda’s plastic and eight marking

  options. Besides masks and coloured pho-

  toetched, accessories will include Brassin

  wheels, chaff/flare dispensers and GPS

  antennae. The theme of the markings is

  geared towards service with the air forces

  of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.

  As with our other 72nd and 48th scale Hind

  kits previous, this edition will include a pu-

  blication from noted Czech military pilot

  Jaroslav Spacek.

  The Hind E is historically a striking subject

  matter for a kit, and one that we will re-

  turn to one more time in 2023 with a spe-

  cific item. No less striking, however, is the

  ProfiPACK Fokker D.VII (AOW), signaling

  a return to World War One subjects. This kit

  was originally envisioned as a re-edition

  of the most successful of the Fokker D.VII

  kits, the ProfiPACK Fokker D.VII (OAW) with

  the catalog number 8131. But because this

  was repeatedly reissued several times in

  the past, we decided to create a new item

  this time around. The boxart shows what

  is quite possibly the most depicted aircraft

  of the First World War, Lo!, flown by Lt.

  Ernst Udet, during combat in the cockpit of

  a very elegant Fokker D.VII which this po-

  pular aviation personality flew during that

  time. The aircraft carried the somewhat

  enigmatic inscription ‘Du Doch Nicht!!’ on

  the elevators and was shot down by defen-

  sive fire from the Breguet being attacked.

  EDITORIAL

  INFO Eduard4

  January 2023

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  The marking options are a collection of

  six choices used in previous issues of the

  Fokker D.VII OAW kit. All in all, the options

  offer an attractive set of both striking and

  historically significant aircraft that inclu-

  des among others the red and white air-

  craft flown by Lt. Kurt Monington of Jasta

  18 with a raven and skull on the fuselage

  and another famed Fokker with artwork

  inspired by a fable of the Seven Swabians

  (the Brothers Grimm) from Jasta 65.

  The February ProfiPACK line picks up with

  the Zero line, and will come in the form of

  an A6M3 Model 22/22a. It contains decals

  for five aircraft that served with ground

  based units of the Japanese Navy in the

  South Pacific and Japan. And be aware,

  the A6M3 Model 22 is not identical to the

  Model 32!

  Carrying on with the Pacific theme, we

  have another kit, the Spitfire Mk.VIII in

  1:48th, which is being released as a Wee-

  kend kit. The kit is based around the pro-

  ven Spitfire Mk.IX/VIII/16 molds, and same

  as other February new kit releases, it is

  a component of our range renewal efforts.

  The decal options will allow building one

  of four aircraft that served with the RAAF

  in Australia and Indonesia, and within the

  RAF in Italy and Burma.

  Another item for February’s Weekend line

  and based on older but proven molds is

  our popular Fw 190A-8/R2 ‘Sturmbock’

  in 1:72nd scale. These armored machines

  were developed for combat with American

  four engined bombers and their kits are

  traditionally among our best selling items.

  One interesting fact related to this is that

  the subtypes Fw 190A-8 and Fw 190A-8/R2

  account for half of all Fw 190 kit sales,

  which is furthermore the most popular

  type of aircraft we have kitted in terms of

  sales. This kit includes four marking opti-

  ons from JG 3, JG 4 and JG 300. The boxart

  depicts some of the most dramatic aerial

  combat to take place during the Second

  World War over Austria.

  A significant force behind the momentum

  of our aforementioned range revival comes

  in the form of the only February re-edition.

  This is the ProfiPACK Bf 110E in 1:48th. This

  is the first Bf 110 release in 1:48th since

  our fire, the second anniversary of which

  came just before Christmas on December

  19th. The re-emergence of these kits had

  to wait that long due to production capaci-

  ty limits. In the coming months, Bf 110 kits

  in both 48th and 72nd scales will be ex-

  panding into the ProfiPACK and Weekend

  lines, and both kits will come back in the

  Limited Edition family as well, under the

  name Adlertag. At approximately the mid-

  way point of the year, the much reques-

  ted Bf 110G-4, catalog Number 8208, will

  be making a comeback.

  New Kits for March

  For March, we are prepping for the con-

  tinuation of the Wildcat series with a Li-

  mited Edition kit dubbed ‘Guadalcanal’.

  This will be dedicated to the F4F-4 Wildcat

  early and late versions. It will be another

  of the Dual Combo kits, with two comple-

  te kits in the package. In this case, it will

  be one set for the early version F4F-4,

  the other will be geared towards the later

  variant. These differ in the fuselage. The

  decal options will cover not only Guadal-

  canal operations conducted by the Cactus

  Air Force, but also aircraft operating off of

  aircraft carriers in various regions of the

  PTO during the same timeframe.

  In March, the ProfiPACK line will see

  another 48th scale Spitfire, this time the

  Mk.Vc Trop and a 72nd scale Bf 109E-4. The

  Weekend line will grow by a 72nd scale Bf

  110G-2, while the re-edition concept will be

  applied to the MiG-21bis and Avia B.534 of

  the fourth production series. Both of these

  will be in 1:48th. Actually, I can’t rule out

  that the MiG might be a new item with new

  markings. We have what we need to go

  down that road.

  Kits for the Second Quarter

  Truth be told, every year I have a greater

  problem with the structuring of informa-

  tion regarding planned kits for the upco-

  ming twelve months. It’s mostly the result

  of the sheer number of new releases that

  come out each year. Despite the fact that

  many modellers on internet forums com-

  plain that we release too few kits and the

  wait times are long, we do put out some

  seventy new items per year. That sort of

  a schedule makes it very difficult to put to-

  gether a summary of all planned releases.

  There is also the perception held by many

  modellers that only the initial release of

  a given kit can and should be considered

  a true new release. Anything else is of-

  ten considered a repop and is overlooked

  by both the buying public and reviewers.

  I have a problem with this, because at least

  in our case, the re-editions are carefully

  planned items and not straight repops. It’s

  not like we put the exact same items into

  twenty different boxes. Each of our pro-

  jects includes as much as a dozen sprues.

  Typically, we try to group into main sprues

  all of the fine details that will be common

  for a specific type, and complement these

  with version specific sprues that hold fu-

  selages and wings that are the items that

  normally will bear the brunt of the diffe-

  rences. The kit then contains the relevant

  combination of sprues. As a goal, we avoid

  requiring the end user to apply any sur-

  gery to these types of things, which would

  allow a certain level of modularization.

  This would be a comparatively comfortable

  ‘out’ and would be pretty cheap to boot, but

  the same cannot be said for the modeller.

  So, we reject that route and keep the end

  user at a higher level of priority, which ex-

  plains why we include version specific fu-

  selages and wings of a given type.

  It will be during the second quarter when

  this philosophy will show itself in all its

  glory. That is when we will be unveiling

  our Rufe. Formally, it is a version of the

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  January 2023

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  Zero. However, our version will not have

  very much in common with our Zero Model

  21, from which the float equipped A6M2-N

  was derived. The new kit begs for four new

  sprues for its proper evolution. I have to

  say that I am very much looking forward to

  this kit. Initially, we thought that we would

  suspend the tradition of releasing new

  kits as Limited Edition items, but after a

  detailed historical analysis of the type, we

  thought that it would be a shame to do so.

  So, in April, we will start off with the now-

  -traditional Limited Edition kit. The Profi-

  PACK version will follow in July.

  For May, we have another Limited Editi-

  on kit coming. This will be the F-104C in

  1:48th, another in the line of Starfighters,

  of which we have released a few to date.

  In this case, however, we have changed

  the supplier of the plastic and this Vietnam

  War version will hail from Kinetic.

  June will see a significant premiere. The

  Limited Edition Wunderschone Neue Ma-

  schinen Pt.1 will introduce the Bf 109F-2

  and F-4, the first of our Bf 109F, G and K

  kits in 1:72nd scale, which will be with us

  for a good number of years. The 1:72nd

  scale Bf 109F, G and K are a very complex

  undertaking, and up to now, we have ne-

  ver committed to such an expansive type

  under one project umbrella. This is one of

  the reasons why it has taken as long as it

  has. Another major reason that the road to

  fruition was as long as it was even for us is

  that the basis for the project was data de-

  veloped for our 1:48th Bf 109F/G/K, and we

  changed and corrected it to a large extent.

  These were on a technological as well as

  a conceptual level. Since those first 48th

  scale kits were released, our technologi-

  cal abilities have evolved, and with them,

  our view as to how a model kit should look

  and go together. Those of you familiar with

  last year’s released S-199 and CS-199 will

  now have insight into how these Bf 109s

  will look, because the S-199s are part of

  the overall same project and share a lot in

  common with the Bf 109F/G/K.

  The release schedule of the Bf 109F, G

  and K will be the same as the 1:48th scale

  Spitfire Mk.I

  -

  V. the Zeros, the Wildcats and

  Trener kits. Taking it in order, in the coming

  months we’ll see Wunderschone Neue Ma-

  schinen Pt.2 with the Bf 109G-2 and G-4.

  This will be followed by ‘Gustav’, with the

  Bf 109G-6, and next year, we’ll pick up with

  the G-14. This will be followed by the G-6/AS

  and G-14/AS. This year will also see the

  release of the first ProfiPACK Bf-109F-2

  and F-4. New kits of specific Bf 109F, G and

  K variants will be spread out over seve-

  ral years and will total somewhere in the

  neighborhood of dozens. The entire project

  includes fourteen sprues (not counting the

  molds for the S-199 and CS-199), and most

  of these deal with differences in the fuse-

  lages and wings. We are also, of course,

  covering detail changes as well, including

  such things as the sizes and types of tires

  and wheel hubs, tailwheels and rudders.

  As with the Rufe model, this approach will

  raise your comfort level in the build wit-

  hout the need of any major surgery. For

  those of you that really want to take your

  work to the next level, we are also pre-

  paring a slew of accessory items, such as

  photoetched, and 3D printed parts, starting

  with simple wheels to more complex items

  like engines and cockpits.

  We’ve got one more special edition co-

  ming in the second quarter. We decreased

  the number of kits produced for the Hind

  E, and diverted the resulting balance to

  a truly unique release. Unlike the Hind E

  kit, this one will not include the publicati-

  on and will feature just one decal option.

  This will be for Mi-35 coded 3366, a Hind

  who’s paint scheme was inspired by the

  INFO Eduard6

  January 2023

• Page 7

  Alien franchise. The decals are the center-

  piece of this project. From a graphic deve-

  lopment standpoint, this is a very complex

  item, and its development was accompa-

  nied by constant doubt within our design

  team. But, after successfully completing

  the rivet sets for the Mi-24 and Mi-35, it

  was concluded that the completion of this

  decal set was well within our capabilities

  as well. In the past, we have designed and

  produced many large decal sheets, but in

  the case of Alien, it’s a collection of decals

  that end up covering the entire model. The

  project is unique, and a first. It will be pro-

  duced in very limited quantities, no more

  than 1,000 units, and will also likely be-

  come a real collector’s item.

  We don’t live off of unique items alone, and

  so there are ProfiPACK and Weekend kits

  planned for the second quarter, as well

  as for the following ones. Amongst 1:48th

  scale ProfiPACK kits, this will include the

  initial release of the naval Camel 2F.1, the

  Z-326 Trener Master, and there will be ano-

  ther Wildcat. It may be a late F4F-4, or we

  may opt for the FM-2. This year, we’ll put

  out both, but the order of their release has

  not yet been set. Putting out a Dual Combo

  FM-2 boxing as a Limited Edition release is

  also on the table. The second quarter will

  also see a Bf 109E-1. Re-edition efforts will

  centre around a quarter scale Bf 109G-6,

  MiG-21PFM, another Bf 110, and in 1:72nd,

  an Fw 190F-8, MiG-21MF (Fighter Bomber),

  and a MiG-15UTI. For the Weekend line, we

  are planning a Tempest Mk.II and a Series

  2 Tempest Mk.V, an Fw 190A-4 and A6M2

  Zero Model 21. Not long ago, someone

  wrote in a modelling forum that after the

  release of Academy’s Model 21 Zero, this

  will be the final option for a release of this

  type from Eduard. Rest assured that this is

  definitely not the case. As always, we will

  give you plenty of reasons to consider the

  Eduard kit as your FIRST choice!

  Third Quarter

  Here, we begin to skate on some thin ice.

  Not that there are no plans, but as a rule,

  that has so far not been broken, plans

  tend to be subject to some dynamic chan-

  ges after the second quarter. In any case,

  the main project for the third quarter is

  the 1:48th scale Bf 109K-4, which we would

  dearly like to release in time for the IPMS

  Nationals in San Marcos. This model is

  in a similar boat as the 72nd scale Bf 109

  line – this kit also comes out of the earlier

  Bf 109F and G releases that came before it,

  but the design of the Bf 109K-4 introduced

  some technological and conceptual chan-

  ges and innovations. The same can be said

  for the S-199 and CS-199, being prepared

  for the end of the year. In both cases, we

  have achieved technological and concep-

  tual maturity, and I dare say we’ve fine tu-

  ned these things just right. When we get to

  the realization of the Kurfurst Limited Edi-

  tion kit, we’ll do the same for the marking

  options. Of course, we’ll complement it all

  with accessory items, down to 3D prints,

  so you have something to really look for-

  ward to!

  The third quarter also sees plans for

  a Limited Edition Z-526 Trener, the final

  sub variant of the line. There will also be

  Wilde Sau Episode Three, the Final Coun-

  tdown, dedicated to Wilde Sau units equi-

  pped with various versions of the Fw 190A.

  In the ProfiPACK line, we should see the

  48th scale Rufe, another Wildcat, another

  Camel, and the aforementioned Bf 109F-2.

  The Weekend line will expand by the addi-

  tion of the A6M3 Zero Model 32, another

  quarter scale Bf 110, Spitfire Mk.16 and an

  I-16 Type 10.

  Fourth Quarter

  Economists would call this venturing into

  speculation. At this point in the New Year,

  the fourth quarter is still very far off and

  plans change. At the moment, what Li-

  mited Edition kits based around outside

  sourced plastic will be developed is up in

  the air. Whatever it will be, this item is nor-

  mally the hit of E-day in the fall. Finalizing

  agreements for the supply of the outsour-

  ced plastic won’t occur until next month at

  Nuremburg, and there are currently seve-

  ral items in the running. Where this will go

  is uncertain also because the Nuremburg

  Toy Fair, at least as far as our industry is

  concerned, will not be exactly a beehive

  of activity due to kit producer attendance.

  And really, the same can be said of retai-

  ler attendance, so this will be the most

  unusual Toy Fair over the past fifty years.

  I do hold out some hope that it won’t be so

  bad, and that it might end up like this past

  E-day, or the soccer World Cup in Qatar.

  These were also events that had a lot of

  negative predictions associated with them,

  but came through surpassing all expecta-

  tions. Regardless of this year’s outcome,

  I believe that the Toy Fair will rebound over

  the coming years, recovering from the co-

  vid restrictions, and return to its former

  prosperity. How the fair goes, I will report

  on in the March newsletter.

  Be that as it may, the main focus for the fall

  will be the 1:48th scale Avia S-199. It will

  have its premiere at E-day, and same as

  the Bf 109K-4, it will come from a comple-

  tely new set of molds. We are also planning

  a Limited Edition kit for the end of the year,

  ‘Malta’, featuring the Spitfire Mk. V, and the

  aforementioned 1:72nd scale Gustav, the

  Bf 109G-6, which will apparently also

  include a Bf 109G-5.

  We also have another new release planned

  for the very end of the year, and on the

  table are several possibilities. Whether

  it will be the MiG-21F-13, the P-51B Mus-

  tang, the A6M5 Model 52 Zero or some-

  thing in 1:72nd will be finalized in the co-

  ming months. Take it as an early Christmas

  surprise, to be revealed at E-day, because

  within our system of releasing informati-

  on, it just has to be that way.

  Accessory Items for 2023

  Out of the planned accessory items, I will

  point out those that jump out at me from

  the long list of things to come. The first of

  these would be the Brassin wingfold set

  for the F4F-4 Wildcat . I consider this a true

  masterpiece, able to turn a normal model

  into the pearl of a collection and able to

  attract the eye of any onlooker like a pole

  dancer. This printed set contains a set of

  plastic wings, because its integration na-

  turally requires the cutting up of these

  items, which is much easier to do with two

  sets of wings rather than with just the one

  set from the kit. The Brassin line will also

  include 3D printed parts for the Fw 190A-8

  in 1:48th scale. The first of these will be

  the cockpit, replacing the older cast resin

  item, and among other things, illustrates

  INFO Eduard

  7

  January 2023

• Page 8

  the advances made in this technology. Our

  plan is to replace the cast cockpits with

  3D printed ones over time. We are also

  going to produce 3D prints for armor in

  1:35th and ships in 1:350th. Also of note are

  eleven new Space sets, complemented by

  a set for the raised rivets on the 1:48th

  scale Su-25 using the same technology.

  Among new mask and photoetched sets,

  I would point out items for the Tornado IDS

  in 1:32nd from Italeri and the first sets for

  the 48th scale Airfix Anson.

  Shows

  It looks like the revival of the show season

  is unstoppable. That would mean that after

  Nuremburg, we will attend all significant

  shows through the spring, including Pro-

  sek and Moson, and even Lingen between

  them. We will also attend some smaller lo-

  cal shows, although these will be more for

  exposure of our new items than as ven-

  dors. In the summer, we will be in Texas

  at the IPMS Nationals, the fall will have us

  at E-day, in which we want to draw on the

  success of the last show, and take it a step

  further. Unfortunately, Telford will is not in

  our plans.

  Excellent news has come out of Slovakia,

  which will see the return of Bratislava’s

  Plastic Winter. It will be the return of a le-

  gend in a big way. It will have a new ve-

  nue and you have no idea how much I am

  looking forward to this show! So much so

  that the final big premiere of our making

  that I mentioned in the last paragraph will

  take place in Bratislava on November 11th,

  2023!

  Articles

  There are two, in this issue, both from Mira

  Baric. There is the tenth edition of his re-

  port on the air war over Ukraine and the

  second part of Midway, about the search

  for sunken ships with Paul Allen. As is now

  our custom, we have five Boxart Stories.

  This newsletter is published in the clas-

  sic PDF format and can be downloaded as

  you have in the past. At the same time, it

  is available through the Triobo publishing

  vehicle. You had an opportunity to test this

  new system out back in December, and the

  feedback has been overwhelmingly posi-

  tive. There are some negative points that

  were raised, but among modellers, how

  can it be any other way? It does appear

  as though there are no fatal flaws in the

  system. If you should run into an issue,

  though, you can bring it to our attention,

  and we can discuss the principles of its

  functionality. Starting with February, our

  newsletter will be published using Triobo

  exclusively.

  2022

  The space allocated for my introduction to

  the newsletter has been pretty much used

  up, but I would at least like to summarize

  some stats for 2022. The year has been an

  interesting one and somewhat surprising,

  because over a six month period of the

  market cooling, and the associated drop in

  sales, it ended with a recovery that brou-

  ght us in line with our best year ever, 2020.

  This is because of excellent performance

  over the first and fourth quarters last year,

  brought on by your support for us and our

  products. Our main markets, traditionally

  the Czech Republic, the EU, the United Sta-

  tes and Japan, even saw relatively signi-

  ficant growth. This amounted to 7% in the

  Czech Republic, 9% in Japan, and as high

  as 14% in the US. There were some ma-

  jor jumps in the year in smaller markets,

  such as China by 58% and Australia by 71%,

  but the champion amongst the developed

  world is Canada, with a jump of 84%.

  With the EU, it is a bit more complicated,

  because we trade with individual nations.

  The results vary, and while we recorded

  an increase in sales of 11% in France and

  even 26% in Poland, in Germany we regis-

  tered a decrease of 11%. There were down-

  turns elsewhere as well. Predictably, Ru-

  ssia fell by 47% and this year the bottom

  will fall out if the war doesn’t end soon.

  We’ll see no sales in the Russian mar-

  ket immediately at the start of this year.

  Less understandable is the drop in sales

  to Great Britain, where they amounted to

  25%. In a market that has seen long term

  growth, this is rather shocking. It can’t be

  blamed on Brexit, and in Britain we saw

  a drop in the year before last of 5%, in line

  with the global figure compared to 2020. In

  short, everything appeared pretty normal

  and back then, there was a drop of about

  a percentage across the board. Last year’s

  25% drop in sales is more dramatic, and

  I would venture a guess that it points to

  a worsening condition for mutual trade

  between Great Britain and the EU. Fur-

  thermore, even we are seeing worsening

  conditions with respect to imports from

  Britain, almost to the level seen back in

  the days of communism. We have even re-

  fused delivery of some items, because the

  additional duties and import taxes were

  higher than the cost of the actual goods.

  Add to that the cost of postage, which has

  risen, and continues to rise enormously,

  and you can see why there is fear for the

  future of international trade. I would like

  to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude

  to all those who, despite these conditions,

  still purchased items off our e-shop. Your

  help in maintaining this avenue of sales is

  not taken for granted.

  That was the good news. Here’s the bad

  news. The other side of the coin when it

  comes to sales are expenses. These, un-

  fortunately, rose exponentially. At the end

  of the summer, it even appeared as though

  these would not see any limits. There were

  also the effects of supply issues from ear-

  lier in the year. Luckily, our industry was

  not as hard hit as, say, the automobile se-

  ctor. We never had to stop, or even limit,

  production. Nevertheless, inflation raised

  our expenses significantly, bit into our

  profits and put the brakes on development.

  The fall brought some relief on all fronts,

  including on the threat of further increases

  in energy costs, even though if these costs

  reach the government mandated ceiling,

  we’ve got something to look forward to….

  we’ll still end up paying three times as

  much as last year. The rising cost of pro-

  duction is the main, and really, the only, re-

  ason for price increases which we needed

  to implement with the New Year. We tried

  to minimize these as best we could, and

  because this was our responsibility alone,

  I put a lot of careful thought into this step.

  Despite all this, I firmly believe that we still

  provide the best value for the money com-

  pared to other firms. I believe that this will

  be noticed by you, and that we can count on

  your continued support for 2023!

  And, I wish all the best for the New Year,

  much success and good health!

  Happy Modelling

  Vladimir Sulc

  INFO Eduard8

  January 2023

• Page 9

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• Page 10

  HISTORY

  SEARCHING FOR THE LOST SHIPS

  WITH PAUL ALLEN

  MIDWAY

  Battle of the Corral Sea, described in the

  previous part of this series, marked the

  very first aircraft carriers encounter in the

  history. It was a Japanese tactical victory

  since they lost only one small aircraft ca-

  rrier, Shōhō and one destroyer while they

  sank a large American aircraft carrier Le-

  xington, a tanker and a destroyer. Strate-

  gically the battle meant an Allied success

  since they prevented the Japanese landing

  at Port Moresby.

  In comparison Midway represented the

  very first American victory which not only

  hampered the Japanese offensive plans

  but also struck a devastative blow again-

  st their Navy from which they have never

  fully recovered. The ground for this was

  laid exactly by the Battle of the Corral Sea

  To describe the Battle of Midway would be beating of the dead

  horse. The details about the air combat can be found in Tom

  Cleaver’s article in the Info No. 152 (issue 10/2022). Therefore, in

  the following text we will focus on some key moments and also

  look into the search for the ships sunken during this battle.

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Midway became the target of the first attack as early

  as December 7, 1941. Pictured here is the wreck of

  PBY-3 Catalina (BuNo 0824), destroyed in a night

  bombardment by the destroyers Ushio and Sazanami.

  Aerial shot of Midway on November 24, 1941, shortly before the start of the war with Japan.

  Text: Miro Barič

  Source: US Navy

• Page 11

  HISTORY

  during which the aircraft carrier Shōkaku

  was severely damaged by three bombs

  and required the dry dock repairs. The se-

  cond aircraft carrier, Zuikaku avoided the

  damage however lost a half of her aircraft

  crews and waited for the replacements.

  Therefore, both ships were missing at the

  attack on Midway.

  On the other side the American aircraft

  carrier USS Yorktown, seriously damaged

  in the Corral Sea, was repaired with the

  enormous effort and barely withing a

  month could join another battle. It was an

  unpleasant surprise for Japanese.

  Ace in the sleeve

  The greatest American advantage though

  was the intelligence acquired by decoding

  the Japanese messages. It helped to un-

  cover the Japanese plan to land at Port

  Moresby – and thanks to it the Commader

  of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz

  started to trust the judgment of the HYPO

  station on Hawaiian Islands much more

  while evaluating the intercepted Japanese

  messages. And precisely their information

  played the critical role in the case of the

  Battle of Midway. It is the proof that even

  the nerds can help win the wars!

  HYPO station was one of two main crypto-

  graphic intelligence unit of the USN in the

  Pacific. The other one was in Melbourne.

  The third station in Philippines had to be

  evacuated before the Japanese onslau-

  ght and the personnel was incorporated

  into the Australian unit. HYPO station was

  commanded by Cpt. Joseph Roschefort, a

  very colorful individual in the otherwise

  dull uniformed world. Rochefort was born

  in 1900 in Dayton, Ohio. In 1917 he enlisted in

  the US Navy. During the enlistment proce-

  ss he lied he had been born in 1898 and this

  age difference accompanied him throu-

  ghout his whole career which started by

  graduating from the Navy Mechanic School

  and starting the service on the tanker USS

  Cuyama. There, another officer noticed his

  passion in solving the rebus and cross

  words and recommended him for the Navy

  crypto-analytical studies. During 1929-1932

  the Navy ensured he could master the Ja-

  panese language (including the studies in

  Tokyo) a when he was in the beginning of

  1941 commissioned to lead HYPO station,

  he had already had nine years of service

  in the intelligence units under his belt. He

  was allowed to personally choose the ma-

  jority of his team members, so he molded

  his team according to his needs. Their main

  task was to break the Japanese Navy code

  called JN-25 by the Americans.

  In cooperation with British, Australian and

  Dutch colleagues the American analytics

  gradually achieved the capability to read

  10 to 15% of each Japanese message. To

  estimate the rest of the contents was a

  problem. That the large-scale Japanese

  offensive was being prepared was clear

  even before the first shot were fired in the

  Corral Sea. Those in Washington though

  supposed that the attack will be directed

  to the south, then towards Johnston Island.

  And finally estimated the date of the attack

  no sooner than middle of June 1942. On

  the contrary Rochefort was convinced that

  the Japanese operation is headed towards

  the central Pacific and its target is Midway

  and it will commence in the beginning of

  June. And that he was right in all aspects

  made him a lot of enemies in Washington.

  Luckily, Admiral Nimitz fully agreed with

  his conclusions and made the correspon-

  ding arrangements. Had he relied on the

  instructions from Washington he would

  have reached Midway after its capture by

  the Japanese. Instead, he could wait for

  Japanese and set the trap for them while

  they had no idea about the main American

  forces movement.

  Trick on Japanese and their own

  command

  In order to confirm its judgement HYPO

  station came up with the deceit Admiral

  Nimitz also agreed with. One intercepted

  message contained the words “koryaku

  butai” which had been confirmed as “in-

  vasion fleet” combined with the designa-

  tion AF. As a target of the attack AF was

  mentioned in further Japanese messages.

  Rochefort was convinced that AF is Mid-

  way. But people in Washington believed

  it to be Johnston Island. Then one of Ro-

  chefort’s team members, Wilfred “Jasper”

  Holmes proposed that Midway faked the

  water supply problems. Nimitz gave the

  plan green light and the instructions were

  sent to Midway by underwater cable. Con-

  USS Yorktown in dock at Pearl Harbor on May 29, 1942. Damage from the Battle of the Coral Sea was repaired

  in record time.

  Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi at sea in the summer

  of 1941. Three A6M Zero fighters are parked forward.

  Joseph Rochefort

  Source: US Navy

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  INFO Eduard

  11

  January 2023

• Page 12

  sequently, the island reported in the plain

  language that the sea water processing

  equipment suffered from the explosion and

  the drinking water supplies will last for two

  weeks only. The message was intercepted

  by the Japanese station on Kwajalein and

  sent it to the higher command. A couple

  of hours later commander of the air group

  scheduled to occupy AF sent the request to

  the headquarters for the emergency water

  supplies. This confirmed the identity of the

  target.

  All these analytical successes were not for

  free. During the month of May 1942, when

  any piece of informational was invaluable,

  for days Rochefort did not leave his bunker

  and worked for more than 12 hous a day. He

  did not follow the military rules and regu-

  lations but applied his own methods which

  were successful. While at work he wore

  the bathing robe and flippers. One can ea-

  sily picture the image of Captain Benjamin

  “Hawkeye” Pierce from MASH series played

  by Alan Alda. Rochefort was lucky as well.

  In the very end of May 1942, the Japanese

  ceased to use JN-25 code and replaced it

  with another. That would have been bro-

  ken from the scratch – however all that

  was important for the battle of Midway the

  American cryptanalytics had already found

  out. Nimitz wanted to reward Rochefort’s

  efforts and proposed his decoration with

  Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Nimitz’s

  superior, Admiral Ernest King refused it.

  He considered Rochefort the officer with

  the least military look he has ever met. Af-

  ter some other officers from Washington

  complained about him, he was transferred

  to San Francisco and put in charge of a dry

  dock and was no longer involved in cryp-

  to analytics until the end of war. Despite

  King’s objections he was awarded Legion

  of Merit at the end of war. He passed away

  in 1976 and received a real award for his

  work only after his death. In 1985 he was

  awarded long denied Navy Distinguished

  Service Medal and in 1986 Presidential Me-

  dal of Freedom.

  Disastrous losses

  The result of the Battle of Midway is well

  known. Japan deployed four large aircraft

  carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū and Soryū) and

  lost all four of them. In addition, Japan lost

  a heavy cruiser. US Navy sent three aircraft

  carriers to a battle (Enterprise, Hornet,

  Yorktown) and lost one of them including

  a destroyer. What contributed to the cata-

  strophic Japanese defeat was the fact that

  the Americans knew their plan and that this

  plan was extremely complicated. Japanese

  fleet was divided into several independent

  groups with different tasks and moving far

  Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga after modernization in the mid-1930s.

  The stern of the Kaga circa 1941.

  Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu during training cruises in January 1938.

  Source: Naval History and Heritage CommandSource: Naval History and Heritage CommandSource: Naval History and Heritage Command

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard12

  January 2023

• Page 13

  from each other. Therefore, in case it was

  necessary, they could not help each other

  and their coordination was very deman-

  ding. The battle started on June 3, 1942, by

  the unsuccessful B-17 attack against the

  transportation ships from the invasion fle-

  et. At night the PBY Catalina flying boat’s

  torpedo hit and damaged the tanker Ake-

  bono Maru. It was the only American su-

  ccessful torpedo attack during the whole

  battle. In the morning of June 4 Admiral

  Chūichi Nagumo dispatched the Japanese

  carrier-borne aircraft to attack Midway Is-

  land. They were opposed by 26 F2A Buffalo

  and F4F Wildcat fighters of the US Marines

  led by Major Floyd Parks. Fifteen of them

  were shot down and most of the returning

  aircraft were seriously damaged. Among

  them a Wildcat flown by Marion Carl for

  who this mission was a baptism of fire.

  Several months later he became famous

  during the battles of Guadalcanal where he

  was credited with the majority of his 18.5

  victories.

  In the meantime, bombers from the island

  were sent on the counterattack again-

  st the Japanese aircraft carriers. Without

  the fighter escort however, they did not

  score any hits and suffered heavy losses.

  Five out of six Avengers were shot down,

  out of fours B-26 Marauders two did not

  return, out of eleven SB2U Vindicator two

  were lost and out of 16 SBD Dauntless ei-

  ght were destroyed. Their pilots had not

  been trained sufficiently yet and attacked

  from gliding flight instead of diving. Their

  commander, Major Lofton Henderson was

  killed and in August 1942 an airport at Gua-

  dalcanal was named after him. Only 15 B-17

  bombers attacking from the high altitude

  returned without a loss. It was clear to

  Nagumo that the aircraft arrived from Mid-

  way where Japanese failed to catch them

  on the ground. The first attacking wave

  also reported that they did not manage to

  destroy all installations and suggested to

  launch another wave. Therefore, its aircraft

  were being prepared in hangars to attack

  the ground targets. Nagumo however had

  no idea that at that time the aircraft from

  the American carriers were already air-

  borne. One of the ships was discovered by

  a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and

  Nagumo ordered to stop the aircraft re-ar-

  ming and armed them with torpedoes and

  armor piercing bombs.

  And then all hell broke loose for the Ja-

  panese Admiral. Arming the aircraft and

  dispatch of the second attack wave from the

  carriers ideally took Japanese 45 minutes

  but experiencing the complications it could

  have easily been an hour and even more.

  He did not have that time. The first wave

  from the attack on Midway was returning

  and if he did not want to lose them ditching

  in the ocean having exhausted all their

  fuel, he had to receive those first. At the

  same time first aircraft from the American

  carriers showed up. They however did not

  wait to form a large group but dispatched

  their units individually. Consequently, TBD

  Devastator torpedo bombers reached the

  Japanese formation first. Attacking one

  after another it was first 15 aircraft from

  Hornet’s VT-8, then 14 from VT-6 from En-

  terprise and 12 from Yorktown’s VT-3. All

  15 Devastators from the first group were

  shot down and 29 out of 30 aviators were

  killed including the commander, John Wal-

  dron. The commander of the second group,

  Eugene Lindsay was also killed. VT-6 lost

  nine aircraft and only two Devastators

  from the last group survived.

  Therefore 34 out of 41 deployed torpedo

  bombers were lost without achieving a

  A Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat (BuNo 5244) takes off from Yorktown on the morning of June 4, 1942. This is aircraft

  No. 13 of the VF-3 unit flown by Lt. (JG) William Leonard.

  Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū dodges bombs from American B-17s on the morning of June 4, 1942.

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command Source: US Navy

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard

  13

  January 2023

• Page 14

  single successful hit. It was the Devasta-

  tor’s very last combat mission. Their sa-

  crifice though was not futile. They caused

  another delay in re-arming of the Japane-

  se aircraft. And above all they lured A6M

  fighters protecting the formation down to

  low altitudes at the time when the SBD

  Dauntless dive bombers from VB-6, VS-6

  and VB-3 were approaching at the high

  altitude. Then they could choose the tar-

  gets at will and undisturbed. Kaga received

  five direct hits, Akagi only one but another

  near miss disabled the steering and Soryu

  was hit directly at least three times. Under

  the normal circumstances the bomb hits

  would not have been fatal. On all three

  ships however, the explosions occurred in

  the hangars among the aircraft full of fuel.

  They were surrounded by bombs and tor-

  pedoes which the servicemen did not have

  time to store in the protected ammunition

  storages. All of it caught fire and started to

  explode. Within couple of minutes the Ja-

  panese ships were in flames from the bow

  to the stern.

  Hiryū versus Yorktown

  The only undamaged Japanese aircraft ca-

  rrier Hiryū wasted no time and launched 18

  D3A Val dive bombers escorted by six figh-

  ters which followed the returning Ameri-

  can aircraft and attacked the first ship they

  discovered. It was USS Yorktown which

  sustained three bomb hits. Those tore a

  huge hole in the deck and disabled most of

  her boilers. Within an hour the ship’s crew

  managed to temporarily cover the deck

  and restore the propulsion. When another

  wave from Hiryū arrived in the form of ten

  B5N Kate torpedo bombers escorted by six

  fighters the ship appeared to them unda-

  maged, and they concluded it was another

  ship. This time they hit Yorktown with two

  torpedoes. The vessel without the power

  started to list to the port side. The Japa-

  nese were convinced that they sank two

  American carriers and balanced the po-

  wers. They were preparing to strike the

  remaining enemy ships when 24 American

  dive bombers arrived and hit Hiryū with

  four to five bombs. The morning scenario

  repeated itself with large scale fires and

  the ammunition explosions which sealed

  the ship’s fate. While Soryu and Kaga sank

  on June 4 evening, Akagi followed then

  only next day early morning and Hiryū sank

  last on June 5 at 9 am.

  The main forces consequently avoided

  the further confrontation, and the Japa-

  nese withdrew. The cruisers Mogami and

  Mikuma however were left behind due to

  their earlier collision and damage. In the

  following two days they were the target the

  air raids which ultimately sank Mikuma on

  June 6.

  Mogami escaped heavily damaged. On the

  American side the efforts to save York-

  town continued ultimately marred by I-168

  submarine. On June 6 she hit the carrier

  with two torpedoes, third one struck de-

  stroyer Hamman which sank with the loss

  of 80 crew members. On the following day,

  June 7 in the morning, she was followed

  by Yorktown to the ocean bottom. The Ba-

  ttle of Midway final act was capturing of

  several Japanese sailors. First USS Trout

  submarine picked up two survivors from

  Mikuma on June 9. Then, on June 14 a Ca-

  talina crew spotted a small boat hundreds

  of miles off Midway.

  Five days later, on June 19, it was found by

  USS Ballard which picked up 35 Japane-

  se sailors from it. There were mechanics

  left behind on the sinking Hiryū. They made

  their way up from bellow the deck, found a

  boat, launched it on the water just minutes

  before Hiryū disappeared under the sur-

  face. They tried to reach their own territory.

  Originally there were 39 of them but five of

  them did not survive the two weeks on the

  ocean. The rest became POWs and were

  transferred to Pearl Harbor. Three Ameri-

  can aviators were also captured but their

  fare was much worse. Pilot Fran O’Flaher-

  ty and his gunner Bruno Peter Gaid from

  Enterprise were interrogated and the mu-

  rdered by throwing them overboard with

  the weight attached. Japanese tried to kill

  Wesley Osmus from Yorktown in the same

  way but he resisted so they killed him with

  a hatchet and threw his dead body over-

  board.

  Kaga and Akagi found

  Midway was a turning point in the Pacific

  war and ships sunken in this battle would

  have been valued exhibits in Paul Alle-

  n’s collection. He was heavily involved in

  searching for the shipwrecks however on

  October 15, 2018 he passed away after sud-

  den illness. The company he had founded

  continued in his efforts for some time af-

  terwards. Precisely a year after Allen’s de-

  ath his ship RV Petrel sailed on expedition

  Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless No. 17 of unit VS-5 prepares to board Yorktown on the morning of June 4, 1942. Seated in the cockpit is Ens. Leif Larsen.

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard14

  January 2023

• Page 15

  This F4F-3 Wildcat from VMF-221 was flown by Capt. John Carey on June 4, 1942. He was wounded in combat

  and made an emergency landing. His partially disassembled BuNo 4006 is photographed in late June 1942.

  This SBD-3 Dauntless (BuNo 4542) belonged to VB-6 of the USS Enterprise. However, its crew, pilot

  George Goldsmith and radio operator James Patterson, landed aboard Yorktown due to damage and

  lack of fuel. The aircraft was later lost with that ship.

  The burning USS Yorktown during the Japanese attacks

  on June 4, 1942.

  Attacking torpedo bomber B5N Kate (top right) seen from

  the deck of Yorktown.

  One of a pair of SBD-3 Dauntlesses from VB-3 that were unable

  to land aboard Yorktown due to damage and thus ended up in the

  water alongside the cruiser USS Astoria.

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: Naval History and Heritage CommandSource: Naval History and Heritage CommandSource Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard

  15

  January 2023

• Page 16

  to Midway. First, on October 18, 2019, they

  found Kaga’s wreck. Her parts had been

  discovered by the US Navy in 1999 during

  the exercise involving mapping the ocean

  bottom. The had discovered 15 meters long

  bulkhead, two 25 mm caliber cannons po-

  sts and landing lights in 5200 meters dep-

  th. RV Petrel discovered the whole wreck

  in 5400 meters depth. The wreck is upright

  but significantly covered with sediments

  and most of her deck and superstructure

  is missing. She is surrounded by a lot of

  debris. Two days later, on October 20, 2019,

  RV Petrel crew discovered Akagi’s wreck

  as well with the help of high frequency so-

  nar in the depth of 5490 meters. The ship

  is upright but as opposed to Kaga is fair-

  ly undamaged. The photographs could not

  be made since the underwater robot was

  damaged while researching Kaga two days

  ago.

  Sources:

  Hrbek, I., Hrbek, J. - Krvavé oceány, Naše vojsko, 2002

  Hubáček, M. - Pacifik v plamenech, Mladá Fronta, 2001

  Layton, E., Pineau, R., Costello, J. - And I Was There:

  Pearl Harbor and Midway – Breaking the Secrets, Willi-

  am Morrow & Co, 1985

  Lundstrom, J. - The First Team, Naval Institute Press,

  1990

  www.history.navy.mil/

  warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/battle-of-midway-

  -ijn-aircraft-carriers-kaga-and-akagi-discovered.html

  The burning aircraft carrier Hiryū on the morning of June 5, 1942, shortly before sinking.

  The destroyer USS Hammann sinks after being hit by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine. The image was

  taken from the deck of the Yorktown, which was also hit. At the top right is the 127 mm caliber gun platform.

  The aircraft carrier Yorktown tilted after being abandoned by her crew. On board are two Wildcat fighters.

  Source: US Navy

  Source: US Navy

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  HISTORY

  Dauntlessy z VS-8 z Hornetu útočia na japonský

  krížnik Mikuma 6. 6. 1942.

  Japonský ťažký krížnik Mikuma 6. 6. 1942 krátko

  pred potopením.

  INFO Eduard16

  January 2023

• Page 17

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Source: PaulAllen.com

  HISTORY

  Platform for one of the Kaga's anti-aircraft guns.

  The platform of the 127 mm gun.

  The odo on the side of the Kaga wreck below the platform for one of the 127 mm guns.

  One of the 203 mm guns on the port side of the Kaga.

  Kaga wreck

  After the battle. In the cockpit of an F4F-4 with seven downed symbols sits

  Lt. (JG) Elbert McCuskey. At left is Ensign George Gay, the only member of VT-8's

  Hornet squadron to survive her Devastators' attack on the Japanese ships.

  Japanese sailors from Hiryū who were captured by the USS Ballard

  on June 19, 1942.

  INFO Eduard

  17

  January 2023

• Page 18

  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: National Library of Scotland

  Kherson was captured by Russian right

  at the beginning of the invasion. Besides

  Donbas it was the only regional center and

  large city the Russians managed to captu-

  re. It is located on the Dnieper right bank

  and its importance was as a launching po-

  int for the further advance on Mykolaiv and

  Odessa. Since the further advance was

  stopped and due to the Ukrainian counte-

  rattack in the end of August, Kherson be-

  came a logistics nightmare.

  With the unstoppable regularity, the Ukrai-

  nians shelled and destroyed the bridges

  across the river Dnieper, weapons dumps

  and command centers. Simultaneously

  they exercise the permanent pressure on

  the Russian front lines. And despite the

  Russian occupation administration organi-

  zed the mock referendum after which the

  Kherson area, together with other three

  ones, was “forever” annexed to the Ru-

  ssian Federation, it was clear to the Army

  command that holding the positions on the

  Dnieper right bank will only lead to further

  losses. So, on November 11, an anniversary

  of the armistice that ended WWI, they ret-

  reated from Kherson to the left bank and

  destroyed all the bridges behind them.

  The legendary Chornobayivka was libera-

  ted on the way to Kherson. The Ukrainians

  had launched the large number of the

  rocket and artillery attacks on its airbase

  destroying a large quantity of the Russian

  helicopters and ground equipment. Gradu-

  ally the airport was turned to a one huge

  graveyard. The Ukrainians recaptured two

  of their own helicopters (Mi-8 and Mi-24P)

  which had been captured by Russians at

  the beginning of the invasion in non-air-

  worthy condition and painted their Z mar-

  kings on them. Now the aircraft returned

  to the hands of their original owners.

  Much like during WWI

  In November the larger operations at dif-

  ferent front sections were limited by rainy

  weather and mud. The worst conditions

  were around Bachmut in Donetsk area

  where the Russians have been pushing

  for several months. The images from the-

  re started to resemble the battle of Ypres

  (Passchendaele) during WWI-trenches

  filled with water, shot up trees and ever-

  -present mud. While the activity at the

  front (except Kherson) practically stopped

  it continued to be “hot” in the air. The Ru-

  ssians continued with their attacks against

  the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. They

  used rockets, cruise missile launched from

  the ships and airplanes as well as the ka-

  mikaze drones. For example, on November

  23 ten strategic bombers tu-95 took part

  in the attack and from the safety of the Ru-

  ssian airspace far from the front launched

  more than 70 cruise missiles. More than

  50 were shot down by the Ukrainian AA

  defense. Those who penetrated however

  caused a massive damage. In the course of

  October and November the Russians have

  launched altogether seven attack waves

  and hit around 40% of the Ukrainian energy

  infrastructure. After each of these attack

  wave millions of people remained without

  electricity, heating and running water.

  During the last three November weeks,

  no Iranian unmanned vehicle Shahed-136

  appeared which prompted great specula-

  tions about these kamikaze drones. In the

  end it turned out that the Russians had

  only exhausted the first batch and awaited

  further delivery. For more than two mon-

  ths Iran vehemently denied any drones

  deliveries to Russia. It was an obvious lie

  though. Ultimately on Saturday Novem-

  HISTORY

  Text: Miro Barič

  The air war over Ukraine

  Bogged in the mud

  The Ukrainian soldiers in trenches near Bachmut, 2022. The British soldiers in the battle of Passchendaele, 1917.

  During the period of November 1 through December 1 the most im-

  portant event was finding out how long the eternity takes. It is 42

  days. This was exactly the time which elapsed since the Russian

  president Putin proclaimed that Kherson will be Russian forever

  until the moment the city was liberated by the Ukrainian troops.

  Otherwise, there were no ground movements in Ukraine due to the

  poor weather. The massive shelling of the cities by the Russian

  missiles continues as well as strengthening of the Ukrainian air

  defenses.

  INFO Eduard18

  January 2023

• Page 19

  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: Australian War Memorial collectionPhoto: ZSUPhoto: ZSU

  HISTORY

  ber 11 Iranian Secretary of State admitted

  the drones deliveries with the caveat they

  had been done a longer time before the

  outbreak of the war and the quantity was

  small. According to the Ukrainians it is

  another lie since the large-scale deploy-

  ment of the Iranian drones in Ukraine was

  confirmed by many photographs, wrecks

  of the shot down aircraft even captured,

  almost intact crashed UALs.

  Blood-stained selfie

  Since we mentioned the Iranian drones

  let’s recall an incident briefly mentioned

  in the previous part. Details about the

  case which occurred on Saturday Octo-

  ber 12 near the city of Vinnytsya when the

  Ukrainian AF lost a Mig-29 surfaced only

  recently. The fighter was hit by a debris

  from Shahed-136 drone just shot down

  and the pilot had to eject. A month later

  the photograph of the pilot with blood on

  his face was published and a little later his

  whole story. At that time there was ano-

  ther wave of the Russian rockets and dro-

  nes headed towards the Ukrainian cities.

  The defenders dispatched Mig-29 fighters

  against them. One of them was flown by

  Major Vadym Vorochylov from 204th Bri-

  gade of the Tactical Aviation. His call sign

  was Karaya. Those of you who are familiar

  with the name Erich Hartmann do not need

  further explanation on the call sign. Voro-

  shylov had chosen it in 2014. The Ukrainian

  citizens however gave him the nickname

  Ghost of Vinnytsya. Contrary to Ghost of

  Kiev this is a real person.

  He treated his airplane as a living thing.

  Talked to it and touched it so as it worked

  as best as possible. His favorite was the

  aircraft with bort number 10 which he flew

  on about 20 combat missions and always

  could rely on it. On that fateful day Voro-

  shylov woke up at 4 am due to the air sc-

  ramble. The pilot from his unit destroyed

  two Shahed in the south of Ukraine of the

  first mission. Voroshylov flew the next mi-

  ssion. He shot down three Iranian drones

  and returned to the base without any pro-

  blems.

  At dusk however another wave of raids

  came in. Major Voroshylov took off from

  the frontline airfield in the south of Ukraine

  and headed towards Vinnytsya area. He

  started to scan for targets and first he de-

  stroyed a drone. Then he launched a missi-

  le against another one. The drones gene-

  rate rather weak thermal trace therefore

  they had been attacked at relatively short

  distance. So, when Voroshylov hit his fifth

  drone on that day its debris hit his Mig-29

  fighter as well. “It broke my windshield

  and destroyed the aircraft nose” said the

  pilot later. “I was not seriously woun-

  ded but the blood from my facial cuts got

  into my eyes and impaired my situational

  awareness. My first though was that I did

  not want to eject. I saw the lights of some

  Shot up trees near Bachmut, 2022.

  This pilot shot down 5 drones in a day. He should

  also be credited with two cruise missiles.

  The Australian soldiers in shop up forest near Passchendaele, 1917.

  Vadym Voroshylov in the Mig-29 cockpit.

  INFO Eduard

  19

  January 2023

• Page 20

  Photo: ZSUPhoto: ZSUPhoto: ZSU

  village in front of me. I checked my cont-

  rols, and the rudder did not work. I could

  only control the pitch. Making turns was

  very limited. I turned left and saw a dark

  spot. I said to myself that it was probably

  a field and there is nothing on it. At that

  moment the flames erupted on the ri-

  ght side of the cockpit and when the fire

  reached me I promptly ejected, exactly

  according to the manual”, as the pilot re-

  called the dramatic moments. While he

  was still on the parachute, he pulled out a

  mobile phone to check his wounds. Thus,

  the selfie with his blood-stained face was

  taken. At the same time, he wanted to let

  the ground control know that he was okay.

  It took him approximately two minutes to

  land. For his conduct president Volodymyr

  Zelenskyi awarded him with the highest

  award, Hero of Ukraine.

  Blue-yellow markings

  Also, the fighter flown by Voroshylow had

  the long history. It had been manufactured

  in the summer of 1990 and delivered to the

  161st Fighter Squadron of the Soviet AF at

  Limanske airbase near Odessa. The air-

  craft sported the standard camouflage of

  light gray and green-gray colors and ca-

  rried the bort number “blue 31”. After the

  breakup of the Soviet Union it remained in

  Ukraine and sometime in 2001-2002 it was

  assigned to the 204th Brigade of the Tacti-

  cal Aviation in Belbek, Crimea. The bort

  number was changed to “blue 10”. During

  2007-2008 this Mig-29 was grounded sin-

  ce his airframe has reached the prescri-

  bed maximum flight hours. In 2014, after

  the Crimea was occupied by the Russians

  together with the other non-airworthy air-

  craft it was dismantled and transported

  by trucks to a new airbase of the 204th

  Brigade of the Tactical Aviation at Kulba-

  kine near Mykolayiv. During 2015-2017 it

  flew again but when its unit was trans-

  ferred to Luck airbase “blue 10” ended up

  in the group of other grounded airplanes

  at Ivano-Frankivsk airbase. This group of

  the non-airworthy airplanes became the

  target of the rocket attack in the very be-

  ginning of the Russian aggression launch-

  ed on February 24. “Blue 10” was parked

  a little further and escaped without da-

  mage. The plane remained there until April

  at least and then, with the help of the allies

  who supplied the spare parts, was re-

  paired and in June returned to service. At

  that time it was painted in the blue-yellow

  livery reminding of the former Ukrainian

  aerobatic group Falcons. It was returned

  to its original unit where it flew sporting

  this new marking until its last flight.

  Posilňovanie PVO

  The continued attacks against Ukraine

  carried another side effect-they sped up

  the supplies of the Western AA systems

  to Ukraine. In October Germany delive-

  Major Vadym Voroshylov took selfie of his bloodied face while he was still on the parachute.

  Wreck of the Voroshylov’s Mig-29 fighter carrying blue 10 bort number.

  Mig-29 in blue-yellow livery was returned to service in June 2022.

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard20

  January 2023

• Page 21

  Photo: Twitter / mil¬_in_ua – W M Blood

  Photo: Twitter / mil¬_in_ua – W M Blood Photo: Twitter / mil¬_in_ua – W M Blood

  Photo: Twitter / mil¬_in_ua – W M Blood

  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: ZSU

  red the first of four promised IRIS

  -

  T sys-

  tems which was immediately deployed

  in the defense of the Ukrainian cities. In

  November the batch of various AA sys-

  tems arrived from several countries. USA

  for example delivered the first two out of

  eight promised NASAMS batteries. In the

  end of 1990s this system was developed

  by the Norwegian company Kongsberg in

  the cooperation with the American com-

  pany Raytheon. AIM-129 AMRAAM missile

  is used in this system. Initially it was air-

  -air rocket, and it is its first application in

  NASAMS system as ground-air missile. Its

  range is 50 kilometers. NASAMS can also

  use AIM-9X sidewinder or IRIS

  -

  T rockets.

  In that case the range is 25 kilometers.

  According to the reports from the Ukrai-

  nian battlefield the weapon is very effici-

  ent. During the one of the Russian attacks

  in the middle of November NASAMS fired

  10 rockets and destroyed 10 targets. Bri-

  tain and Netherlands promised to supp-

  ly additional AMRAAM missiles for these

  systems. Britain promised in total 1000 AA

  rockets of various types.

  On November 7 the Ukrainian Secretary

  of Defense, Oleksyi Reznikov, announced

  also acceptance of the Aspide system

  alongside the first NASAMS battery. These

  are originally Italian rockets developed in

  1970s. Their range is 25 kilometers. In fact

  they were supplied by Spain who also, in

  the middle of October, finished the trai-

  ning of the Ukrainian soldiers to operate

  these rockets. Crotale is another older but

  still efficient system. It was developed in

  France in the 1960s but was continuous-

  ly modernized. Its latest version is dated

  Polish system Neva SC mounted on the WZT-1 tank chassis

  This Mi-8 originally belonged to 11th Brigade of the Army AF and in February, during

  the retreat, it was abandonded at Cornobayivka airport. In November the Ukrainians

  recovered it. Initially it should have been “red 89” in the command version.

  This Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopted was captured by Russians in Chornobayivka as well

  in non-airworthy condition and now it was returned back to its original owners.

  20 mm caliber cannon Zastava of Yugoslav origin which the Ukrainians upgraded

  by night vision gunsight.

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard

  21

  January 2023

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  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: ZSU

  Photo: Twitter

  in 2008. It is the short-range system – 16

  km range and 9 km altitude. It is capable of

  hitting the UALs, cruise missiles and cer-

  tain types of rockets. In November France

  delivered two Crotale batteries.

  In November the picture was published

  confirming the delivery of the Polish sys-

  tems Neva SC. Two Ukrainian soldiers

  were photographed in front of one of them.

  The Polish modernized the originally So-

  viet rockets S-125 Neva (SA-3 Goa NATO

  code name). Many analog components

  were replaced by digital ones resulting in

  the rockets‘ higher accuracy and reliabili-

  ty. The mobility was increased by mounting

  them on the WZT-1 tank chassis, a T-55

  towing version. The picture was apparently

  taken in the summer and the details about

  Neva SC supplies remain unknown. In the

  past the Ukrainians retired their S-125

  Neva rockets but then they modernized

  them to S-125-2D Pechora standard featu-

  ring 40 kilomenters range and in 2020 they

  re-introduced them to the service.

  More was awaited

  In December the delivery of another

  older western system was anticipated.

  MIM-23 Hawk battery was supposed to

  arrive from Spain. These rockets were in-

  troduced to the service in the USA in 1960s

  however they were gradually modernized.

  Spain delivered Phase III version which

  appeared in 1980s and 1990s. Around 20

  countries still use these rockets including

  Greece, Romania, Egypt, Israel and Japan.

  In the USA this system was retired in 2002

  but Americans will send additional rockets

  to Ukraine to arm six launchers delivered

  by Spain.

  In December additional four AN/TWQ-1

  Avenger systems were supposed to arrive

  from the USA developed on the chassis

  of the widely used Humvee utility vehicle

  carrying eight launching devices for Stin-

  ger rockets. Their range is 5 kilometers

  and ceiling 3.8 kilometers. The are prima-

  rily designated for defense against cruise

  missiles, drones, helicopters and low al-

  titude flying aircraft. These four systems

  allocated to Ukraine will serve against

  Iranian drones and cruise missiles.

  Not only rocket systems but also artille-

  ry ones proved efficient against the dro-

  nes. The German AA tanks take advantage

  of their highly accurate, radar controlled

  35 mm cannons. A video was published

  showing a Gepard destroying a cruise

  missile with a short burst of fire. Besi-

  des already delivered 30 tanks Germa-

  ny committed to supply another seven.

  Britain committed to deliver 125 AA ca-

  nnons. Originally from Yugoslavia the 20

  mm caliber M55 Zastava cannons showed

  up in Ukraine. The Ukrainians upgraded

  them by installing the night vision devi-

  ces. The origin of these weapons is unk-

  nown, they could have been delivered from

  Croatia, Slovenia or Northern Macedonia.

  Brimstone 2

  in ground-to-ground version

  Ukraine not only received weapons for

  the AA defense. In the end of November,

  the Great Britain supplied the improved

  Brimstone 2 rockets. These were initially

  developed for the air-to-ground role to be

  launched from Tornadoes and Eurofigh-

  ter Typhoon. Its first version has been in

  the production since 1999. After it is fired

  by the aircraft Brimstone 1 range is more

  than 20 kilometers. Brimstone 2 version

  was introduced into service in 2015. Its

  range is more than 60 kilometers and fea-

  tures the larger 6.2 kilos warhead efficient

  against the modern tanks. The missile flies

  to the target area on an autopilot and once

  there it chooses its target by its own ra-

  dar and laser guided system and attacks. It

  can destroy the moving targets as well. In

  April Ukraine received Brimstone 1 rockets

  which however are not fired from the air-

  craft. Simple launching device was modi-

  fied and mounted on the trucks or pickups.

  On May 17, first two Russian tanks were

  reported destroyed by these rockets. The

  ground launching device however means

  the shorter range due to the lack of the ini-

  tial altitude and speed which it would have

  had when fired from the aircraft. Accor-

  ding to the published video the Brimstone

  2 missiles were transported by a C-17 from

  99th Transport Squadron RAF from Brize

  Mi-17 helicopter originally procured by the

  USA for Afghanistan. Now it is located in the

  snow-covered Ukraine sporting the desert

  camouflage.

  This Mi-17 was donated to Ukraine

  by Slovakia in June. Its first image appeared

  only now.

  The Ukrainians use simple ground launchers for their Brimstone rockets.

  The photograph was probably taken during the training

  Ukrainian Su-24 with a distinct blue-yellow markings on the fuselage bottom including the drop tanks.

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard22

  January 2023

• Page 23

  Photo: Twitter

  Photo: ZSU

  Norton airbase. They were offloaded at

  a non-specified location and a C-17 re-

  turned immediately. The Ukrainian will

  launch Brimstome 2 rockets from the

  ground as well i.e., sacrificing the range

  with higher accuracy though in comparis-

  on to the earlier version.

  Ukrainian Sea Kings

  On November 23 the British Secretary of

  Defense Ben Wallace announced that he

  was sending three Sea King helicopters

  to the Ukraine. At the time of the announ-

  cement the first one already reached its

  destination. From the beginning the British

  informed that these aircraft are in SAR

  version (Search and Rescue). It did not

  stop various speculations about possible

  anti-submarine or early warning versi-

  ons. Even though it is a non-combat, ol-

  der version the impact is large. Sea King is

  the very first western-made type Ukraine

  aquired since the beginning of the Ru-

  ssian invasion on February 24, 2022. The

  most important information is that already

  six weeks before the announcement ten

  Ukrainian crews and ground personnel

  had been undergoing the training on this

  type in Britain. It shows that the western

  countries keep the information secret until

  the deal is completed. If the West decides

  to donate to Ukraine other (for example

  combat ready) helicopter or airplanes, or

  the modern aviation ammunition we will

  learn about it only after the Ukrainian avi-

  ators training will be finished and the air-

  craft deployed at the frontline.

  Czech drones from Luxembourg

  Our Czech readers will be interested to

  learn about the Luxembourg military aid

  to Ukraine. This tiny country (population

  of 650,000) donated 28 Humvee utility ve-

  hicles, 20 12.7 mm caliber machine guns,

  50 satellite communication terminals and

  470 night vision goggles. Luxembourg

  also acquired for Ukraine 400 122 mm ca-

  liber rockets for the Grad launchers. The

  most important delivery however was six

  Primoco One 150 reconnaissance dro-

  nes manufactured by a Czech company.

  These aircraft are 3.65 m long, have 4.85

  m wingspan, their range is 200 km and

  endurance up to 15 hours. Their airspeed

  is 150 kph, maximum weight 150 kilos and

  their standard equipment is the movable

  camera but according to the customer’s

  specifications they can be equipped with

  other sensors.

  Small losses

  Despite several reports by both sides

  about the shot down aircraft during this

  reporting period only one loss of a pilo-

  ted vehicle was confirmed. It could be also

  related to the combat operations slowed

  down by muddy terrain. That confirmed

  loss was an Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter

  from 456th Transportation Brigade which

  was on November 11 hit by a portable mi-

  ssile during its mission in Donetsk area.

  The entire crew, Col. Serhyi Khomik, Maj.

  Viktor Penkovyi and MSgt. Vitalyi Golda.

  He acted as a hero when he retrieved Col.

  Khomik from the burning wreck. Sadly he

  could not be helped and Golda suffered the

  injuries to which is succumbed on Novem-

  ber 16. In addition to this confirmed loss

  during November 1 through December 1,

  another wrecks of two Ukrainian helico-

  pters were found (Mi-24P and Mi-8MTS)

  which had crashed during the earlier,

  non-specified period. On the Russian side

  a Ka-52 wreck, until now not registered as

  destroyed, was found near Kherson. Su-34

  “red 22” registered as RF-95005 was found

  near Kupyansk. Most likely it is an aircraft

  shot down in this area on September 24.

  Tragedy in Poland

  On Tuesday November 15 in the afternoon

  a tragic event took place. A rocket landed

  on the Polish territory and killed two pe-

  ople in Przewodow, Lublin County, barely

  10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

  The rocket explosion created a large cra-

  ter and knocked over a tractor with trai-

  ler. The investigation confirmed it was

  a rocket from the S-300 system belon-

  ging to the Ukrainian

  AA defense. It had

  been launched du-

  ring a Russian attack

  against the missi-

  le headed towards

  the Ukrainian power

  station. The rocket

  however missed the

  target and the self-

  -destructing system

  for such situation

  failed as well. It only

  exploded after hitting

  the ground and two

  Polish civilians lost

  their lives.

  Wreck of the Su-34 marked “red 22” and carrying the

  registration RF-095005 found near Kupyansk.

  The tragic results of the

  Ukrainian S-300 missile

  impact in Polish Przewo

  -

  dow. Two people lost their

  lives.

  HISTORY

  INFO Eduard

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  January 2023

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  The sea surface runs just a few feet be-

  low the bomb bay of the Mitchell, whose

  nose's eight half-inch guns shake the en-

  tire aircraft in a long burst that nails the

  freighter's personnel to the deck. The le-

  ad-spewing Mitchell approaches the ship

  at over 250 mph, the bomb bay opens, the

  pilot lowers the altitude even more and

  judges the moment. The bomb must be

  dropped from such a height and at such a

  speed that when it hits the water surface it

  bounces in a skipping manner towards the

  ship. Now! The bomb is released, hits the

  surface and after the first bounce it flies

  just above the sea to the target. A second

  bounce follows, and then the bomb hits the

  hull. The explosion engulfs the middle of

  the ship in fire and smoke as a thunderous

  shadow sweep over it, making a sharp turn

  towards the shore. Another round of ma-

  chine gun fire showers the damaged ship,

  and just seconds later another bomb, sent

  by the second Mitchell of the attacking pair,

  hits the hull. The ship's fate is sealed, and

  the sailors seek salvation in lifeboats. The

  cargo destined for the Japanese troops

  sinks inevitably to the bottom of the sea,

  and the other ships of the supply convoy,

  which are attacked by other Mitchells,

  "fare similarly". This scene was recreated

  by Adam Tooby on a boxart for the B-25J

  STRAFER kit. His dramatic painting faith-

  fully depicts a situation typical of Mitchells'

  attacks on supply convoys. Destroying

  ships by bombing proved to be a difficult

  task during the war. Conventional bom-

  bing encountered several problems, from

  heavy anti-aircraft fire to the difficulty of

  hitting slender maneuvering targets. Tor-

  pedo or dive bombers did not have suffi-

  cient range to operate from land bases in

  such a large operational areas, and there

  were not enough aircraft carriers to guard

  all the sea lanes through which supplies

  flowed to Japanese forces. So as early as

  1942, 5th Air Force units under the com-

  mand of General George C. Kenney began

  experimenting with what was called "Skip

  Bombing", i.e., bombing from very low al-

  titudes using the bomb's bouncing off the

  water's surface. However, the standard

  B-25D had to be modified for this task.

  First, the aircraft needed to be equipped

  with as powerful forward-firing armament

  as possible to silence the anti-aircraft fire

  of the vessels. Since no bombardier was

  needed for this type of bombing, his entire

  “office” in the nose was used to install ma-

  chine guns. The main work in this regard

  was done by Paul Irvin "Pappy" Gunn, a le-

  gendary figure whose life story we descri-

  bed in a three-part article in issues 9, 10

  and 11/2022. A mechanic, designer and pilot

  in one, he created an improvised design

  with four machine guns in the bombardier's

  compartment, the other four machine guns

  being placed in housings on the lower part

  of the fuselage sides. With the Mitchells

  thus modified, often equipped with internal

  auxiliary tank as well to increase operati-

  onal range, the pilots then set out for their

  targets. After the introduction of the B-25J

  version, a factory modification of the ma-

  chine gun version was then created, which

  had up to 14 forward-firing machine guns.

  Among the most prominent bomber groups

  that switched to this type of attacks, was

  the 345th Bombardment Group called "Air

  Apaches". The 499th BS, which adopted the

  nickname "Bats Outa Hell", was part of its

  lineup. During the 26 months that the 345th

  BG fought in the Pacific, its crews made

  10,609 attacks and flew 58,562 combat

  hours. In all, they dropped 58,000 bombs

  weighing a total of 6,340 tons and expen-

  ded over twelve and a half million rounds.

  All this resulted in the sinking of 260 enemy

  vessels, with 275 more damaged. In additi-

  on, the “Apaches” destroyed 260 Japanese

  aircraft on the ground and shot down ano-

  ther 107 in aerial combat. A Mitchell named

  Betty's Dream was assigned to this unit

  in June 1945 and completed 22 missions,

  during which she claimed two sunken ve-

  ssels. On August 21, 1945, she then escor-

  ted a pair of white Japanese Betty bom-

  bers aboard which Japanese peace envoys

  were traveling to le Shima after the previ-

  ous surrender in Manila. This aircraft was

  assignated to pilot 1/Lt Charles "Pop" Rice,

  Jr., the co-pilot was 2/Lt. Victor Tatelman.

  Today, the restored 45-8835 Mitchell flies

  in the "Betty's Dream" livery at the Texas

  Flying Legends Museum.

  BOXART STORY #7012

  Text: Richard Plos

  Illustration: Adam Tooby

  Fast and low

  INFO Eduard24

  January 2023

• Page 25

  #84186

  BOXART STORY

  Among the German fighter units that moved

  from the Eastern Front to Western Europe at

  the end of summer 1943 was II./JG 3 “Udet”

  under the command of Maj. Kurt Brändle.

  From the eastern battlefield, its Stab and

  three Staffeln returned with more than 2,100

  kills to their credit. It suffered its heaviest

  losses during the Battle of Kursk and in the

  following weeks of July, losing 24 Messer

  -

  schmitts Bf 109 in combat and 14 pilots killed,

  wounded or missing.

  After moving west in late August 1943, JG 3

  was supplemented with a large group of no

  -

  vices, but its core was still a strong group

  of experienced veterans. The transition to

  combat with American bombers and their

  fighter escorts was no easy task. Brändle’s

  unit scored more than thirty kills during

  September and October, but lost 22 pilots

  with 17 Bf 109s shot down, while another 20

  were written off due to crashes. However,

  the worst was yet to come.

  On November 3, 1943, American heavy bom

  -

  bers made a raid on Wilhelmshafen, accom-

  panied by one Fighter Group with P-38s and

  seven others armed with P-47s. Germans

  were only able to send 139 fighters due to

  bad weather. Brändle’s II./JG 3 took off from

  Schiphol and in a 30-minute battle with P-47s

  of 4th Fighter Group under the command of

  Lt. Col. Blakeslee claimed four victories. Two

  P-47s were lost and Brändle scored his 171st

  and 172nd victories in the process.

  However, the situation was reversed in

  the afternoon when Schiphol airfield was

  attacked by 64 B-26 Marauders. The first

  box of Marauders flew under the protection

  of Coltishall Wing and the second box was

  protected by Spitfires of the Canadian Digby

  Wing, commanded by W/Cdr Lloyd W. Chad

  -

  burn. Brändle’s unit was ordered to make an

  emergency take-off at 15.40, but alarm came

  late as bombs began to fall on the airfield as

  the last of the 109s were taking-off. Brändle

  didn’t have time to organize his unit against

  the attacking formation. The fighter escort

  faced about fifteen 109s, which were scatte

  -

  red in flights of two to four fighters. Spitfires

  attacked them immediately.

  The first kill was recorded by F/O A. Brad

  -

  shaw of No. 129 Sq at 15:56 over Zandvoort,

  on the coast. Canadian No. 416 Sqn. fought

  the 109s in a wild dogfight at 1,000 feet over

  the same town. At 16.00 one fighter was shot

  down by F/Lt D. E. Noonan over the town´s

  centre. His victim was apparently Fw. Wal

  -

  ter Stienhans of 6./JG 3, whose machine

  crashed into the town and the pilot was

  killed.

  On the outskirts of Zandvoort one Bf 109 each

  were claimed by F/Lt R. D. Booth, F/O W. H.

  Jacobs and F/Lt A. H. Sager. Noonan and

  Sager together shot down one more. There

  was probably some overclaiming, because

  only Gefr. Hans Hahn, also of 6./JG 3, crashed

  on the outskirts of the town and perished.

  A member of this Staffel, Fw. Walter Stien-

  hans, shot down Jacobs, who was last seen

  with black smoke coming from his Spitfi

  -

  re and did not survive. Over Schiphol one

  Bf 109 was shot down by S/Ldr M.G.L.M

  Donnet of No. 64 Sq. This may have been

  the machine that crashed at Hoofdorp and

  its pilot escaped unhurt. Two other Messer

  -

  schmitts made emergency landings at Schi-

  phol, one with combat damage, the other due

  to pilot error.

  Over the sea off Ijmuiden, W/C Chadburn hit

  another Bf 109, whose pilot bailed out.

  F/Lt John D. Mitchner of No. 402 Sq RCAF

  first pursued one fighter whose pilot bailed

  out before the Canadian could open fire. He

  then sent down another machine, burning,

  whose pilot also bailed out. This moment is

  captured by Piotr Forkasiewicz in the pain

  -

  ting of this boxart story.

  Chadburn claimed another Bf 109, whose

  pilot also bailed out from burning machine.

  The final success was achieved by S/Ldr

  G. W. Northcott of No. 402 Sq RCAF, who hit

  a Bf 109 which caught fire and disintegrated.

  Northcott mistakenly thought his wingman's

  machine was on fire. However, his wingman

  flew unhurt through the explosion and lost

  contact with his leader. This situation was

  recreated by Piotr Forkasiewicz on the bo

  -

  xart of the previously released 1/48 sca-

  le kit Spitfire Mk. Vb late. The five victories

  listed above correspond to the three losses

  that occurred over the sea. Major Brändle,

  Lt. Horst Brock of 6./JG 3 and Uffz. Hor-

  st Kirschner of 4./JG 3 did not survive. The

  crushing defeat of II./JG 3 became one of the

  most successful actions in the history of the

  Royal Canadian Air Force.

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Piotr Forkasiewicz

  The black day of the Jagdgeschwader “Udet”

  INFO Eduard

  25

  January 2023

• Page 26

  Canadian William Melville “Mel” Alexander

  was one of the most famous aces in the

  Royal Naval Air Service and the RAF. Of his

  22 victories (23 are also given) he achieved

  a total of 10 during 1917 in the Sopwith Tri

  -

  plane N5487 “Black Prince” as a member of

  the Black Flight of No. 10 Naval Squadron. He

  also took part in the air battle of July 6, 1917,

  in which the commander of Jasta 11, Man

  -

  fred Freiherr von Richthofen, was severely

  wounded.

  When Alexander went on leave in mid-Oc

  -

  tober, he had 12 victories to his credit, two

  of them already on Camels. On his return in

  late December, his unit was fully rearmed

  with Camels.

  Later Alexander would remember this type

  as an excellent aircraft, but tricky one. Any

  -

  way, if a pilot passed the first 10 to 15 flying

  hours unscathed, he usually had the plane

  firmly in his hands.

  It was in Camel B6289 that Alexander achie

  -

  ved his first victory after returning from

  leave. It was marked with a white letter A,

  which placed it in the unit’s A Flight, and an

  individual color motif was painted on the

  wheel discs. The aircraft itself already had

  two victories to its credit, achieved in 1917

  by Flt. Sub-Lieut. H. L. Nelson. It was later

  turned over to No. 9 Naval Squadron and

  crashed in June 1918.

  When Alexander took off with B6289 from

  Teteghem, near Dunkirk, on January 23,

  1918, at 14.05 he was part of the High Offen

  -

  sive Patrol of ten machines of No. 10 Na-

  val Squadron. The formation headed over

  the front at 7,000 feet. Five minutes ahead

  of them, a formation of Camels from No. 3

  Naval Squadron had taken off as well. Over

  the Houthulst forest, they came into com

  -

  bat with four DFWs escorted by three figh-

  ters of a new type. They managed to shoot

  down one of the two-seaters, but after the

  fight the English Flt. Sub-Lieut. Herbert S. J.

  E. Youens was missing. The German planes

  were apparently Pfalz scouts from Jasta 7,

  and Youens, who was captured, was then a

  guest at that unit's airfield at Aertryke. The

  commander of Jasta 7, who was Lt. d. R. Carl

  Degelow, claimed in his memoirs, after the

  war, that he had shot down Youens, but was

  not credited with the victory. However, this is

  probably a fabrication.

  Victory over Youens was awarded to Lt. d. R.

  Gustav Wandelt from Jasta 36, at 15.45 near

  Staden. Then just five minutes later, also

  near Staden, Jasta 36 clashed with the Ca

  -

  mels of Naval 10. The Naval pilots with their

  biplanes were just in the clouds chasing

  three two-seaters escorted by one fighter.

  These were soon joined by five Albatross

  from Jasta 36. Flt. Lieut. W. A. Curtis first hit

  a green-painted two-seater which broke up

  in mid-air, and then dove to pursue another

  two-seater with silver paint. Flt. Sub-Lie

  -

  ut. Nelson fired a burst at two Albatross in

  succession during the chase in the clouds,

  but to no avail. “Mel” Alexander chased one

  Albatros above the cloud layer and managed

  to hit it from below in the fuselage during

  a turn, the German went into a spin. Ale-

  xander followed his adversary through the

  clouds and lost contact when he had to focus

  on another enemy machine. He was credited

  with an “out of control” victory.

  A painting by Adam Tooby shows just the

  moment in the opening stages of the battle,

  with Alexander flying close to an Albatros

  with blue paint on the nose, the identifying

  feature of the Jasta 36 machines.

  This German fighter unit recorded in its

  diary that it was attacked by six Sopwiths.

  Wandelt was pursuing one Camel when

  suddenly his machine was hit in the engine

  and collided with another Camel. He did not

  survive the crash. The unfortunate pilot who

  collided with Wandelt’s Albatros was Cana

  -

  dian Flt. Sub-Lieut. Ross A. Blyth, who was

  also killed. Blyth’s colleagues did not see the

  collision, but both Alexander and Flt. Sub

  -

  -Lieut. Manuel saw falling planes. The latter

  stated in his report that the machines fell to

  -

  gether in a spin then hit the ground together.

  On the German side, both Wandelt’s victories

  and the circumstances of his death were

  witnessed by Lt. d. R. Heinrich Bongartz and

  Max Naujock. The wreckage of Blyth’s Ca

  -

  mel was photographed by the Germans with

  a large group of soldiers, a common custom

  at the time. The picture is characteristic in

  that none of the onlookers look triumphant

  or cheerful. The 25-year-old Canadian avi

  -

  ator is buried today in Perth cemetery, near

  Leper (Ypres), Belgium. Wandelt’s final res

  -

  ting place is unknown.

  BOXART STORY

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Adam Tooby

  High sky collision

  #8486

  INFO Eduard26

  January 2023

• Page 27

  BOXART STORY

  The German Navy found itself in a very di-

  sadvantageous situation in the second half

  of the 1941. The battleships Scharnhost and

  Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen

  were anchored in Brest thus becoming the

  target of repeated RAF raids. The Germans

  did not want to risk the ships sailing around

  the west coast of Great Britain and Ireland on

  way to their home ports in Northern Europe,

  because there they could not provide air co

  -

  ver. There was the option of sailing through

  the Channel, but to some of the German Navy

  leadership such an idea seemed too risky.

  The last time a group of large warships had

  operated so close to British shores was in

  1588, it was the Spanish Armada.

  The Channel option prevailed under code

  name Cerberus. The action was to be carried

  out in poor weather to make it more difficult

  for the British to threaten the ships. The Ger

  -

  mans began to clear mines in the route and

  started jamming of radio communication and

  radars.

  The British knew of the impending evacuati

  -

  on thanks to the ULTRA intercepts. They also

  had information about the mine clearance. In

  early February 1942, they expected German

  ships to sail north any day. And so, they tried

  to place new naval mines along the anticipa

  -

  ted route.

  On the Luftwaffe side, the then General der

  Jagdlflieger, the legendary Oberst Adolf

  Galland, was given the task to organize air

  cover for the ships. He was also the author

  of its cover name for this air operation – Do-

  nnerkeil (Thunderbolt). He had 252 fighter

  aircraft at his disposal. The bulk of these

  were Bf 109s and Fw 190s from JG 1, JG 2 and

  JG 26. He was also given the operational part

  of the training unit Jagdfliegerschule 5 as

  well as Bf 110 night fighters from NJG 1 and

  NJG 3. Bombers from KG 2 also took part.

  The commanders of these units learned of

  the plan the day before, on 11 February 1942.

  In the evening, Brest was bombed by RAF

  planes and the task force did not set sail un

  -

  til 22:45. Coincidentally, neither British sub-

  marines nor patrolling radar aircraft picked

  it up. Scharnhost, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen

  set off accompanied by six destroyers, which

  were joined by other vessels, mostly torpedo

  boats, during the following day.

  Galland led fighter operations from the

  headquarters of his former unit JG 26 in

  Audembert. Directly on board Scharnhor

  -

  st was fighter pilot Oberst Max Ibel, former

  Kommodore of JG 27. He commanded fighter

  units within Luftflotte 3 (Jafü 3). But within

  this operation he served as Jafü Schiff and

  was tasked with coordinating with the fighter

  units. He took direct command at the end of

  the air battle.

  During the night of 11-12 February, night fi

  -

  ghter aircraft carried out routine activities

  which were not intended to draw attention to

  the ships. The first fighter escorts appeared

  over the task force at 08:50 (German time)

  near Cherbourg. Coincidentally, these were

  Bf 110 night fighters. They were involved

  mainly because of their experience of flying

  in poor weather conditions. Formations of fi

  -

  ghters, numbering between ten and sixteen

  machines, were gradually launched over the

  task force during the day. Worse weather pre

  -

  vailed on the British side of the Channel, but

  some German fighters took off with visibility

  of 100 meters.

  The British became suspicious at 11:00 (Ger

  -

  man time), and on radar they spotted a group

  of circling aircraft moving at about 20 to 25

  knots. Two pairs of Spitfires independently

  detected the ships around 11:30. One of them

  broke radio silence and reported the vessels,

  which at the same time prepared the Ger

  -

  mans for an air attack.

  At a 13:15, the Germans came under inaccura

  -

  te fire from the Dover batteries, which were

  firing in bad weather according to information

  from radar operators. Fifteen minutes later,

  six valiant Swordfish crews tried to release

  torpedoes, but all were shot down. The British

  lost a total of 42 aircraft out of 450 deployed in

  the afternoon attacks, and one destroyer and

  several escort vessels were also damaged.

  By nightfall the Germans had made 396 figh

  -

  ter sorties and 50 bomber sorties. They lost

  22 machines. The only damage suffered by

  the escorted vessels was to Scharnhorst and

  Gneisenau, which ran into mines. On the RAF

  side, there were a number of shortcomings

  in communications and armament. The Ger

  -

  mans managed to achieve a tactical victory,

  but it was de facto a strategic retreat in the

  Battle of the Atlantic.

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Petr Štěpánek st.

  #7083

  In the clouds over the Channel

  INFO Eduard

  27

  January 2023

• Page 28

  The air war over New Guinea in 1942 is one

  of the best-known episodes of the Paci

  -

  fic War thanks to the memoirs of Saburō

  Sakai, who served with Tainan Kōkūtai un-

  til he was wounded on August 7, 1942, near

  Guadalcanal. Japanese naval aviators on

  New Guinea first used the Lae and Sala

  -

  maua airfields. Buna was captured in July.

  After a few weeks, Type 32 Zeroes from the

  2nd Kōkūtai and Tainan Kōkūtai began ope

  -

  rating from there.

  The Japanese were trying to fight their way

  to Port Moresby in southern New Guinea, to

  establish a base for an attack on Australia.

  In the air, the experienced invaders were

  initially faced by Australian pilots of Kitty

  -

  hawks. These were gradually supplemen-

  ted and replaced by American fighters with

  Airacobras, who quickly learned how to fight

  the Zeros. The forces thus began to balance

  out until finally the Japanese could not be

  sure of their superiority. Michael J. Claring

  -

  bould describes the fights in this area in his

  well-researched publications.

  One of the fresh American units to arrive on

  the battlefield was the 80th Fighter Squad

  -

  ron “Headhunters”, which was part of the

  8th Fighter Group. From mid-May 1942 it

  had been preparing to fight near Brisbane,

  Australia. Unit moved to Port Moresby on 20

  July under the command of 1/Lt Phil H. Gre

  -

  asley. Their frequent duties included escor-

  ting twin-engine bombers and attacking

  cargo vessels, mostly in the vicinity of Buna.

  Greasley flew to Buna at the head of eight

  Airacobras on August 26, 1942. However, he

  soon had to return with another pilot due

  to technical difficulties. He handed over the

  lead to Bill Brown, who mistakenly headed

  east to Milne Bay. His wingman, Danny Ro

  -

  berts, eventually broke radio silence and

  alerted him to the error. Brown quickly

  corrected the course and the Americans

  arrived at Buna from an unexpected direc

  -

  tion.

  Two trios of Zeros were just taking off from

  the airfield. The first was led by Warrant

  Officer Kazu-o Tsunoda (9 victories) of the

  2nd Kōkūtai and the second by Lt.(jg) Jōji

  Yamashita of Tainan Kōkūtai. They did not

  expect an American attack at all. Brown and

  Roberts hit the first trio. They killed PO1c Ki

  -

  -ichi Iwase and PO3c Daizō Ihara. Tsunoda's

  machine “Q-102” received ten hits, he was

  able to open fire on the attackers, but after

  landing his aircraft was no longer repairable

  and was later captured by the Australians.

  The second trio came under fire from Lieu

  -

  tenants Helveston and Roberts, they killed

  PO3c Kyoshi Nakano. His fellow PO2c Ichi

  -

  rōbei Yamazaki (14 victories) was wounded

  but helped Yamashita to score victory over

  one of the Airacobras. It may have been

  2/Lt Rogers, who, thinking he was hit by

  flak, ditched off the coast with his damaged

  machine and was rescued by natives. The

  Americans claimed a total of seven victo

  -

  ries, which, although inflated, did not detract

  from their clear victory over the seasoned

  IJN veterans.

  Tainan Kōkūtai, with its main base in Rabaul,

  was fighting on two fronts at the time. The

  other one, more important, was on Gua

  -

  dalcanal. During that same 26 August, the

  well-known Lt.(jg) Jun-ichi Sasai (27 victo

  -

  ries) led eight Zeroes on escort mission to

  the fateful island. However, along with two

  other pilots, he was killed in a dogfight with

  Marine Wildcats. His victor was probably

  the legendary Marion Carl .

  But the bad news wasn't over yet. The very

  next day, August 27, an aviator from Tainan

  Kōkūtai was killed by an Airacobra pilot. On

  another mission from Buna, eight fighters

  from Tainan Kōkūtai took off under Yama

  -

  shita's command to escort eight Val bom-

  bers from the 2nd Kōkūtai to Rabi airfield.

  The bombers dropped their loads and since

  there were no enemy fighters in sight, Ya

  -

  mashita unexpectedly authorized an attack

  on ground targets, including the tempting

  four-engine B-24. But two fliers, including

  Yamashita, were shot down by ground fire.

  One of them ditched near shore, and two of

  his colleagues were shot down as they tri

  -

  ed to destroy his Zero to keep it from falling

  into enemy hands. They were surprised by

  Australian Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron

  RAAF, led by the famous Les Jackson. Two

  Vals fell victim to them too. Tainan Kōkūtai

  thus lost nine Zeros and ten pilots, including

  two Buntaichō officers, in two days. This

  elite unit had to be withdrawn from the ba

  -

  ttlefield after another two months of fierce

  fighting.

  BOXART STORY

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Adam Tooby

  Headhunters

  over Buna

  #8092

  INFO Eduard28

  January 2023

• Page 29

  BOXART STORY

  The duel between Japanese naval fighter

  Saburō Sakai and Wildcat pilot “Pug” Sou

  -

  therland, which took place on August 7,

  1942, over Guadalcanal, is one of the most

  famous stories from the Pacific battles.

  Thanks to the books published about Sakai,

  as well as the interviews he gave after the

  war, his experiences during this encounter

  are fairly well known. For a depiction of this

  battle and his dramatic return to Rabaul in

  the Zero's cockpit, see the article on Saburō

  Sakai in the 06/2022 issue of INFO Eduard

  magazine.

  James Julian “Pug” Southerland was born

  in 1911 in Norberth, Pennsylvania. He joined

  the Navy in 1930 and graduated from the Na

  -

  val Academy six years later. He first served

  on the battleships Texas and New York but

  began flight training in 1939. He became

  a naval aviator in February 1940 and was

  assigned to VF-5. Two years later he was

  promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

  On this fateful 7 August, he took off from the

  deck of the USS Saratoga a total of three ti

  -

  mes. During the last sortie, he led a formati-

  on of four Wildcats that were part of the de-

  fence against a Japanese raid by G4M Betty

  bombers from the 4th Kōkūtai escorted by

  Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai. The Japanese

  wanted to attack the transport vessels that

  were supporting the Guadalcanal landings.

  Southerland was the first to spot the bom

  -

  bers over their target in the intense cloud

  cover. He claimed to have shot down two

  Bettys, but all three of his wingmen were

  attacked by Zeros led by Shirō Kawai. Two

  were shot down and the third returned to

  the carrier with a badly damaged machine.

  Southerland used up all of his ammuniti

  -

  on in the attack on the Bettys, and his ma-

  chine was slightly damaged by the Betty´s

  gunners. This made things very difficult for

  him when he was attacked by Zeros pilo

  -

  ted by PO3c Ichirōbei Yamazaki, who broke

  away from Kawai's formation, and two of

  Sakai's wingmen, PO2c Enji Kakimoto and

  PO3c Kazushi “Popo” Utō.

  Against the enemy's superior numbers,

  Southerland calmly fought a manoeuvre

  battle, getting into firing position several

  times, but unfortunately he was out of am

  -

  munition. He was quite protected from the

  effects of the Zeros' fire by the Wildcat's ar

  -

  mor and sturdy construction. After Yamaza-

  ki broke away from the fruitless power play,

  Saburō Sakai flew in to help his wingmen,

  and the ensuing development is well known.

  Piotr Forkasiewicz captured the final se

  -

  conds of the Wildcat's flight in his painting.

  Southerland bailed out of the machine at

  a very low altitude and the machine explo-

  ded just before hitting the ground. The Ame-

  rican pilot managed to open his parachute

  and landed on the ground. He was in shock,

  exhausted and had eleven wounds.

  At dawn on 8 August, Southerland headed

  east towards Lunga Point, cautiously

  passing through several deserted villages.

  He then attempted to use a canoe, but it lea

  -

  ked so he continued on foot along the coast.

  At one of the next villages he met two na

  -

  tive boys, one of whom was in contact with

  an Allied coastal watcher. Southerland was

  led to the village of Mamara and he could

  regain his strength there until dawn on 10

  August. The locals were all very friendly, but

  they were understandably concerned about

  the fighting they had seen or heard in the

  past few days. Only the oldest man in the

  village was unfriendly and expressed him

  -

  self in terms that he used to eat white men,

  but those days were gone.

  On the morning of 10 August, three boys lo

  -

  aded Southerland into a canoe, managed to

  bypass the Japanese camp at the mouth of

  the Mantanikau River, and turned the Wild

  -

  cat pilot over to a unit of U.S. Marines. On the

  way back, the canoe came under fire from

  the Japanese, sank, and the young natives

  fell into captivity. Fortunately, they managed

  to escape after a short time. Southerland

  departed Guadalcanal on 12 August aboard

  a Catalina, the first machine to land at

  Lunga airfield.

  In April 1944, he was appointed commander

  of VF-83 on USS Essex and later served

  with VF-23 on USS Langley, becoming co

  -

  mmander of CAG-23. With both units he

  flew Hellcats in 1945 and achieved three

  more victories. On October 12, 1949, whi

  -

  le serving with VF-43, he was killed in

  a F4U-4 accident during takeoff from USS

  Franklin D. Roosevelt. The wreckage of his

  Wildcat was first examined by aviation re

  -

  searchers in the 1990s.

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Piotr Forkasiewicz

  Bailing out over the jungle

  #82212

  INFO Eduard

  29

  January 2023

• Page 30

  #7012

  B-25J Mitchell STRAFER

  1/72

  ProfiPACK edition kit of US WWII medium bomber B-25J Mitchell

  with solid nose in 1/72 scale. The kit is focused on planes used

  in attack on ground targets from low level sky on the battlefields

  of the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

  plastic parts: Hasegawa

  marking options: 5

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: yes, pre-painted

  painting mask: yes

  resin parts: no

  Product page

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard30

  January 2023

• Page 31

  B-25J-30, 44-30934, 1/Lt Charles E. Rice, Jr., 449th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945

  B-25J-10, 43-28145, 71st BS, 38th BG, 5th AF, Lingayen, Philippines, 1945

  B-25J-20, 44-29147, Lt. William J. Faucher, 396th BS, 41st BG, 7th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945

  The most significant mission of the Mitchell named Betty-

  ’s Dream was escort of two white Betty bombers aboard

  which Japanese peace envoys traveled to le Shima on

  August 21, 1945, after the previous surrender in Mani-

  la. The aircraft was assigned to 1/Lt Charles “Pop” Rice,

  Jr. who later became the unit’s operations officer. The

  Betty’s Dream ship was only briefly with the 449th BS,

  having been assigned to the unit in June 1945. Due to that,

  it showed just a little sign of war wear and tear. The ty-

  pical drawing of a bat on the nose referred to the unit’s

  name, Bats Outa’Hell. The famous Indian head was painted

  in its later form, which was the artwork of Cpl. Charles

  O. Metzel and was applied on the aircraft of the “Air Apa-

  ches” from March 1945.

  The “Sunsetters”, as was the 38th Bombardment Group

  known, consisted of four squadrons, of which the 71st BS

  was nicknamed “Wolf Pack”. Tis aircraft is known in two

  marking states, as it originally sported smaller wolf head

  painted on the nose and no bombing mission marks under

  the cockpit. Later the wolf head was changed for bigger

  one and marks indicating 106 missions were added. Origi-

  nally, the side gun packs were fitted, known photos of the

  later state of marking show they had been removed. The

  decals of this marking option refer to the early version.

  Unfortunately, not too much is known about this aircraft.

  There was nothing found about it in the squadron’s offi-

  cial records, as many mission reports do not specify the

  aircraft participating. There is also uncertainty about the

  color of the Estrallita inscription as well as of the wolf’s

  head, as it was usually painted either brown or dark gray.

  We tend to believe it was brown in this case. Regarding

  the Estrallita sign we offer green and red option to choose

  from…

  The 41st Bombardment Group moved from Hawai to Oki-

  nawa for the final part of the war in June 1945 and they

  were the first unit to use the Mitchells to attack the Japa-

  nese home soil since the famous Doolitle Raid in 1942. The

  mission No. 1-45 was flown by 15 aircraft which attacked

  the Chiran airfield on Kyushu Island. The 44-29147 did not

  participate but was flown on other occasions. The air-

  craft was assigned to Lt. “Bill” Faucher, who was usually

  in crew with Lt. F. E. Brown as co-pilot. The aircraft was

  one of those left in natural metal finish and sported the

  girl wearing blue bikini swimsuit on the port side of the

  nose. The painting was probably one of many within USAAF

  inspired by famous Alberto Vargas’ paintings.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  31

  January 2023

• Page 32

  B-25J-20, 44-29657, 1/Lt Thomas Cockrell, 100th BS, 42nd BG, 13th AF, Puerto Princesa,

  Palawan, Philippines, 1945

  B-25J-30, 44-31063, 498th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, le Shima, Okinawa, Japan, July 1945

  Activated on January 15, 1940, 42nd BG patrolled the west

  coast during 1942 and moved to the Pacific theater in

  March and April 1943. The Group named “Crusaders” was

  assigned to 13th AF and entered combat in June 1943, ope-

  rating from bases in the Solomon Islands. In March 1945

  the group moved to the Philippines and attacked shipping

  along the China coast, targets in French Indochina and

  bombed airfields and installations in the Philippines. They

  also supported ground operations on Mindanao and supp-

  orted Australian forces on Borneo during May and June

  1945. Early in 1945 fifth unit, 100th BS, previously known

  as 106th Reconnaisance Squadron, was incorporated into

  the Crusaders. This Mitchell was assigned to Lt. Thomas

  Cockrell, whose son Gordon later followed father’s foot-

  steps as he served with US Army as a helicopter pilot. The

  colors of the noseart are not known, we tend to believe

  the blue colors of Crusaders’ shield and of the insignia

  were used. Red central circle is also possible, but the red

  circles were something unwanted on the aircraft fighting

  against Japanese…

  One of the most famous and colorful units in the Pacific,

  the “Air Apaches”, was constituted on September 3, 1942,

  as 345th Bombing Group (medium) and after activation

  they trained immediately with B-25s. Originally, they were

  to be deployed in UK, but Major General George C. Kenney

  had successfully pledged for more B-25 units to be as-

  signed to his 5th Air Force. Thus, in April 1943, the Group

  moved to the Pacific Theatre and after arrival to Austra-

  lia, their B-25Ds were field-modified to Strafer version

  according to the instructions set-up by famous “Pappy”

  Gunn, at the time already the Technical Officer of the 5th

  Air Force. The “Air Apaches” participated with these and

  later with B-25Js in no less than nine major campaigns.

  All four squadrons they consisted of had their distinctive

  markings and names, the 498th BS being known as “Fal-

  cons” with the stylized falcon head adorning the nose of

  each aircraft of the unit. The state of Darlin’ Donna por-

  trayed here matches the appearance of the aircraft when

  it arrived at le Shima at the end of July 1945. It was not

  sporting the famous Indian head nor the white wingtips,

  applied at the time already. The leading edges of the tail

  surfaces and wing had irregular strikes of the green color

  darker than the original and worn Olive Drab.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard32

  January 2023

• Page 33

  Cat. No. 672275

  Cat. No. 672206

  Cat. No. 672038

  Cat. No. 672244

  Recommended:

  for B-25J Mitchell STRAFER 1/72

  72425 B-25J bomb bay (PE

  -

  Set)

  672038 US 250lb bombs (Brassin)

  672039 US 500lb bombs (Brassin)

  672206 B-25 wheels (Brassin)

  672244 US 1000lb bombs (Brassin)

  672275 B-25J engines (Brassin)

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  33

  January 2023

• Page 34

  Spitfire Mk.Vb mid

  Weekend edition kit of British WWII fighter plane Spitfire Mk.Vb in 1/48 scale. The kit is focused

  on Spitfires in the so-called medium series with pre-set armoured glass on the windshield and

  a bulge covering the cannon cartridges on the lower surface of the wing in the shape of a kidney.

  plastic parts: Eduard

  marking options: 4

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: no

  painting mask: no

  resin parts: no

  Product page

  #84186

  1/48

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard34

  January 2023

• Page 35

  BM211, F/Lt John D. Mitchner, No. 402 Squadron RCAF, RAF Merston, United Kingdom, September–November 1943

  BL594, W/Cdr Alexandr Gabszewicz, No. 2 Polish Wing, RAF Northolt, United Kingdom, February–May 1943

  BL384, F/Lt John A. A. Gibson, No. 457 Squadron RAAF, RAF Andreas, United Kingdom, December 1941

  John Mitchener was born in Saskatoon, Canada in 1914

  and before he joined RCAF in October 1940 he had worked

  for three years as a bookseller. In June 1941 he finished

  his basic pilot training and after that, in the middle of

  August, he was transferred to Britain. In the beginning

  of September, he was assigned to No. 263 Squadron equi-

  pped with Whirlwinds where he flew until June 1942. After

  his brief instructor’s stunt at No. 55 OTU in July he was

  assigned to No. 247 Squadron and next month to No. 116

  Squadron. In November he was transferred to No. 402

  Squadron where, in the beginning of 1943, he scored his

  first victory. In October he was decorated with DFC and

  in February 1944 he completed his tour of duty. After his

  return to Canada, he served at Tealing and in August 1944

  returned to Europe where he was attached to No. 421

  Squadron as a flight leader. In the end of September, he

  was transferred to No. 416 Squadron and in November he

  assumed command of the whole unit. In 1946 he returned

  to Canada and continued his service with RCAF. In 1953

  he became commander of Sylvestre and Lac St. Debis air

  bases and in 1960 he retired due to the health issues. He

  passed away on December 8, 1964. During his wartime ca-

  reer John Davidson Mitchner scored 11 confirmed kills and

  three probables. He also damaged three enemy aircraft.

  At No. 402 Squadron John Mitchner regularly flew Spitfire

  LF Mk. Vb BM211 coded AE

  -

  J in the fall of 1943. On the fu-

  selage starboard side, the aircraft carried his personal

  nose art of sunbathing Miss Jane, a character from the

  Daily Mirror magazine. This Spitfire featured the newer

  exhausts introduced as the standard with Mk.IX version.

  Majority of the No. 402 Squadron Spitfires Mk.Vb were

  equipped with these exhausts since they helped improve

  the aircraft performance.

  BL594 was delivered to No. 242 Squadron in April 1942 but in

  May it was damaged in an accident, consequently repaired,

  and delivered to No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, at that time ope-

  rating out of the Kirton-in-Lindsey airfield.

  It was coded RF

  -

  G and assigned to F/O Horbaczewski as his

  personal mount. In the beginning of February 1943 No. 303

  Squadron was transferred to Heston but BL594 was left at

  Kirton-in-Lindsey airfield assigned to No. 2 Polish Wing com-

  mander Alexandr Gabszewicz as his personal mount. His new

  Spitfire was re-painted to No. 302 (Polish) Squadron stan-

  dards including the unit insignia. Gabszewicz had his personal

  score, seven and half black crosses, painted on the drop tank

  port side including the name “Smarkata” (which refers to the

  very young age of his fiancée, Elizabeth Helen Bullimore). In

  the beginning of June, No. 302 (Polish) Squadron was trans-

  ferred to No. 1 Polish Wing in Heston and BL594 was left with

  No. 308 (Polish) Squadron. It was rebuilt to LF Mk.Vb standard

  and in January 1944 assigned to No. 234 Squadron. On May

  9, 1944, BL594 was shot down by flak near Berck-sur-Mer.

  Its pilot, F/O D. N. Greenhalghem, bailed out however did not

  survive.

  On December 11, 1941, Spitfire BL351 was assigned to the

  Australian No. 457 Squadron. Initially P/O Ken James was

  frequently at its controls. Later this pilot was credited

  with 2.5 kills. In February 1942, BL351 was assigned to

  F/Lt John Gibson, a New Zealander who in 1940 claimed

  11.5 kills while flying Hurricanes with No. 501 Squadron.

  Gibson had his personal marking, Donald Duck, painted on

  his new Spitfire, including all his confirmed aerial victo-

  ries, 13.5 of them at that time. In March 1942, BL351 was

  transferred to No. 452 Squadron and ultimately destroyed

  in a ground collision on May 8 of the same year.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  35

  January 2023

• Page 36

  BM309, 2/Lt Robert A. Boock, 335th FS, 4th FG, Debden, United Kingdom, February 1943

  During WWII the 4th Fighter Group was a component of the

  8th USAAF. The group operated out of Debden airbase which

  gave it a nickname Debden Eagles. Between September

  1940 and July 1941 three Eagle Squadrons were formed out

  of the American volunteer pilots before the United States

  entered WWII in December 1941. These units operated under

  the RAF command until September 29, 1942, when they for-

  med the 4th FG of the 8th USAAF. The No. 71, No. 121 and No.

  133 Squadron RAF became 334th, 335th and 336th FG of the

  USAAF. During the last large scale engagement of the 4th FG

  on January 22, 1943 2/Lt. Robert A. Boock from 335th FS fly-

  ing Spitfire Mk.Vb BM309 shot down a Fw 190 North-West of

  Dunkerque. His Spitfire carried an unofficial 4th FG insignia

  on the starboard side of the engine cowling.

  Recommended:

  for Spitfire Mk.Vb mid 1/48

  481065 Spitfire Mk.V landing flaps (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE1207 Spitfire Mk.V seatbelts STEEL (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE1322 Spitfire Mk.Vb weekend (PE

  -

  Set)

  644113 Spitfire Mk.V LööK (Brassin)

  648098 Spitfire wheels - 5 spoke (Brassin)

  648119 Spitfire wheels - 5 spoke, smooth tire (Brassin)

  648640 Spitfire Mk.V engine (Brassin)

  648663 Spitfire Mk.V cockpit (Brassin)

  648664 Spitfire Mk.V wheels (Brassin)

  648667 Spitfire Mk.V three-stacks exhausts rounded (Brassin)

  648668 Spitfire Mk.V three-stacks exhausts fishtail (Brassin)

  648669 Spitfire Mk.V six-stacks exhausts fishtail (Brassin)

  648738 Spitfire Mk.V landing flaps PRINT (Brassin)

  D48088 Spitfire Mk.V stencils (Decal Set)

  Cat. No. 648738

  Kat. č. 648664

  Cat. No. 648663

  Cat. No. 648640

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard36

  January 2023

• Page 37

  Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) 1/48

  Weekend edition kit of British WWI fighter aircraft Sopwith F.1

  Camel with Clerget rotary engine in 1/48 scale. The kit offers

  Camels served in RAF in Army, Navy and training units.

  plastic parts: Eduard

  marking options: 4

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: no

  painting mask: no

  resin parts: no

  #8486

  Product page

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  37

  January 2023

• Page 38

  B6289, W. M. Alexander, No. 10(N) Squadron RNAS, Téteghem, France, January 1918

  E7232, No. 4 Flying School, Freiston, United Kingdom, 1918

  D6402, Henry W. Woollett, No. 43 Sqn, Avesnes-le-Comte, France, April 1918

  Canadian William Melville Alexander was native from

  Toronto, and he was keen to learn to fly as soon as he

  turned out 18. As the Curtiss and Wright Brothers fly-

  ing schools were at full capacity, he took a journey to

  Stinson school in San Antonio, Texas. There he got just

  3,5 hours of training prior to his flying test. He succe-

  eded and received Aero Club of America Certificate

  No. 447. In 1916, back in Canada, he was appointed

  a flight sub-lieutenant in the RNAS and after future trai-

  ning he was sent overseas to become member of No. 3

  (Naval) Wing in France. There he was flying Sopwith 1½

  Strutters. Four months later, his unit was disbanded, and

  Alexander was posted to the new No. 10 (N) Squadron to

  fly Sopwith Triplanes as a part of Raymond Collishaw’s

  “Black Flight”. He achieved his first victory on June 2,

  1917, (shared) and he added seven more by the end of

  July. After the unit started to receive new Camels, Ale-

  xander achieved his first victory on this type on August

  16. He was also still using Triplane for some time along-

  side Camel. On August 27 he was appointed an acting

  Flight Commander. Altogether he achieved 23 victories,

  most of them classified as Out of Control (OOC) which

  was also the case of the only victory achieved with Ca-

  mel B6289. He did not continue military service after the

  war and died on October 4, 1988, in Canada.

  This Camel was manufactured by Ruston Proctor & Co Ltd.

  In September 1918 and was posted to No. 4 Flying School

  in Freiston, where it got colorful painting of white and red

  colors. The upper side of the top wing obtained the motif

  of the rays of rising sun, while upper side of bottom wing

  got simple stripes of white and red color. The name Dimps

  was painted on the left side only probably. The site of the

  RNAS Freiston Shores was established in 1917 and served

  as a satellite base for air-weapon training for near-

  by RNAS Cranwell. Originally it was nothing more than

  a field on area of about 80 acres and was originally used

  for final two weeks of training of officers on the advanced

  flying course at RNAS Cranwell. However, its role was soon

  extended, and the airfield was expanded and hangars,

  accommodation blocks and a control tower were built. The

  airfield was originally known as the RNAS Gunnery School

  or Armament Training School and then became the School

  of Aerial Fighting and Bomb Dropping when the RNAS be-

  came amalgamated into the newly formed RAF in 1918. The

  name of the school than changed again to the No. 4 School

  of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery and was redesignated

  again as No. 4 Fighting School. The base was disbanded

  in March 1920.

  Henry Winslow Woollett was set to follow in the footsteps

  of his father, who was a doctor. Henry, medical student at

  the outbreak of WWI, was commissioned in the Linconshire

  Regiment in August 1914 and took part in the Suvla Bay

  landings in the Dardanelles. He was transferred to the RFC

  in 1916 and after training he joined No. 24 Squadron RFC in

  November. They were flying DH-2s in France, which were

  getting obsolete at the time. Woollett managed to shoot

  down one enemy flying this “bunch of wires”. After con-

  verting to DH-5s, he added for more. In August 1917 Woo-

  llett returned to England, became Flight Commander. Back

  to France in March 1918, he joined No. 43 Squadron with

  Camels. As a leader of the C Flight, he brought his score to

  35 by early August. Of these victims 11 were balloons. His

  specialty in fighting these heavily defended targets, was

  the reason behind the adoption of irregular fields of very

  light color over the upper wing and rudder. This was to

  mimic the appearance of more colorful German aircraft.

  This additional camouflage lasted only for a couple of

  days before being ordered to be painted out. Some sources

  state white color of these fields, but on the existing photo

  they look somewhat darker and might be of very light blue

  as well. This is up to every modeler to choose.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard38

  January 2023

• Page 39

  FE1215 Sopwith Camel seatbelts STEEL (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE1323 Sopwith Camel F.1 Camel (Clerget) Weekend (PE

  -

  Set)

  644116 Sopwith Camel LööK (Brassin)

  648657 Sopwith Camel wheels type 1 (Brassin)

  648658 Sopwith Camel wheels type 2 (Brassin)

  648659 Sopwith Camel seat (Brassin)

  648660 Sopwith Camel Vickers Mk.I gun (Brassin)

  648661 Sopwith Camel US Colt Vickers gun (Brassin)

  648662 Sopwith Camel 20lb bomb carrier (Brassin)

  648674 Sopwith Camel Rotherham air pumps (Brassin)

  648676 Sopwith Camel Clerget engine PRINT (Brassin)

  3DL48038 Sopwith Camel SPACE (3D Decal Set)

  EX879 Sopwith Camel (Mask)

  B5406, Lt. Sadhar H. Malik, No. 28 Squadron RFC, Droglant, France, October 1917

  Sadhar Hardit Malik became the first Indian to fly as

  a pilot with the RFC in the WWI. He travelled to England

  from Punjab at the age of 14 to attend preparation school

  and college studies at Balliol College. After his gradua-

  tion in 1915 he applied to join the RFC but was denied.

  He then served with the French Red Cross in 1916 as an

  ambulance driver and still determined to fly he applied

  to join the Aéronautique Militaire in 1916. When his Oxfor-

  td tutor Francis Urquhart learned about it, he considered

  it scandalous and wrote to head of the RFC General Hen-

  derson. The intercession paid off and Malik was accepted

  as an air cadet. On April 6, 1917, he received a temporary

  commission as a second Lieutenant in the RFC and was

  trained as a pilot. His first assignment was with No. 26 Sqn

  from July 13, 1917. As an observant Sikh, he wore a turban

  instead of a helmet, later covered by specially designed

  flying helmet. Malik was transferred to No. 28 Sqn in 1917

  and managed to score his first victory on October 18. Just

  eight days later he scored another kill but was wounded

  in his right leg. He was set to get back to the action after

  convalescence, but he was diagnosed as having an allergy

  to the Sopwith Camel’s castor oil lubricant. Due to that

  he spent rest of the war flying Bristol F.2b Fighters and

  returned to India after the end of the hostilities to serve in

  the Indian Civil Service. He was very successful and held

  several trade and diplomatic posts, namely as Indian Am-

  bassador to France. He died on October 31, 1985.

  Recommended:

  for Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) 1/48

  Cat. No. 648676

  Cat. No. 648661

  Cat. No. 648659

  Cat. No. 644416

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  39

  January 2023

• Page 40

  #7083

  ProfiPACK edition kit of German WWII twin-engine heavy

  fighter aircraft Messerschmitt Bf 110E in 1/72 scale.

  plastic parts: Eduard

  marking options: 5

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: yes, pre-painted

  painting mask: yes

  resin parts: no

  Product page

  Bf 110E

  1/72

  Re-release

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard40

  January 2023

• Page 41

  4./NJG 1, St. Trond, Belgium, February 1942

  Lt. Herbert Kutscha, 5./ZG 1, Soviet Union, 1942

  Lt. Felix-Maria Brandis, 1.(Z)/JG 77, Malmi, Finland, 1942

  NJG 1 was the oldest night fighter Luftwaffe unit and was

  founded by the legendary Oberst Wolfgang Falck. At the be-

  ginning of 1942, the unit’s II. Gruppe was led by Major Walter

  Ehle, who kept the commanding position for over next three

  years. In 1942, the well-known night fighter Wilhelm Her-

  get, for example, also served within the ranks of 4. Staffel

  II./NJG 1. This “G9+JM” is interesting not only for the shark

  mouth marking, but also for the temporary application

  of a “naval” RLM 72 green on the upper surfaces, as this

  plane took part in patrol flights for Operation Donnerkeil.

  A quick identification mark came in the form of a yellow

  fuselage band. During the operation, the Germans managed

  to navigate the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as

  well as the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen through the English

  Channel from Brest (Bretagne, France) to northern Germany.

  The Luftwaffe, between February 11 and 13, 1942, ensured

  uninterrupted patrols over the formation. II./NJG 1 and II./NJG

  3 were tasked with cover duty during twilight and overnight

  hours. On the second day of operations, elements of both ni-

  ght fighter units relocated to Lister airbase in Norway, from

  which the last segment of the fleet’s cruise was covered.

  The unit’s detachment stayed in Norway through to the end

  of February. All air to air victories during Operation Donner-

  keil were achieved by day fighters of the Luftwaffe.

  Herbert Kutscha ((*1917 †2003) served with II./JG 77 at the

  beginning of the war, but he was soon transferred to 5./ZG

  1 equipped with Messerschmitts Bf 110. During the Battle of

  France, he shot down a number of aircraft, including a Bf

  109 of the air force of neutral Switzerland. Later, he also

  gained much success on the Eastern Front as a ground

  attack pilot, partially due to II./ZG 1 transformation into

  II./SKG 210. Kutscha’s II.Gruppe, under the command of

  Hptm. Rolf Kaldrack, was specialized in ground attack

  operations, especially in low level bombing. The Bf 110

  was able to move faster over the enemy territory than

  other bombers. Here is where the term “fast bombard-

  ment wing” (SKG; Schnellkampfgeschwader) was coined.

  Kutscha was awarded the Knight’s Cross after his 22nd

  victory. At that time there were 41 aircraft destroyed on

  the ground, 41 tanks, 15 locomotives, 11 anti-aircraft guns

  and 157 transport vehicles added to his tally. In June 1943

  he took command of 15. Staffel JG 3 “Udet”, utilizing single

  engine fighters. In the summer of 1944, he took control of

  II./JG 3 in Normandy and by the end of the year he changed

  the unit to lead II./JG 27. From February 1945 he comman-

  ded III./JG 1 on the Eastern Front. All in all, he flew over 900

  sorties and achieved 47 kills, six of which were four engi-

  ne heavy bombers and 22 of his kills he achieved behind

  controls of Bf 110. German Geschwader was much bigger

  unit than RAF or USAAF Squadron. In fact, it was corre-

  sponding to USAAF Wing, while Gruppe was equal to USAAF

  Group and Staffel was similar unit as the USAAF squadron.

  One of the aircraft of 1.(Z)/JG 77 commander Lt. Felix-Ma-

  ria Brandis while stationed on the Eastern Front. His credit

  count tallied 14 victories of which five victims were Bri-

  tish (including a pair of Fairey Albacores) and nine Soviet

  aircraft. Lt. Brandis died on February 2, 1942, when flying

  Bf 110E-2 (WNr. 2546) LN+AR at Olang. He crashed on the

  return leg of a combat sortie in bad weather conditions.

  By that time, his unit had been re-designated 6.(Z)/JG 5

  (January 25, 1942). The designation of the unit progressi-

  vely changed from 1.(Z)/JG 77 to 6.(Z)/JG 5, 10.(Z)/JG 5 and

  13.(Z)/JG 5. On the nose of the aircraft, there was the em-

  blem of a dachshund with a Rata (Polikarpov I-16) in its

  mouth. It was a typical marking of this unit, as a number of

  these dogs were mascots of the “Dackelstaffel” through its

  existence, irrespective of the unit designation carried at any

  particular time. Some sources even say each crew had their

  own dog. The wiener dogs even occasionally flew on combat

  missions with the crew. The unit opposed British aircraft as

  well as Soviet ones in northern Europe. This aircraft, flown

  by Lt. Harry Kripphal, fell a victim of anti-aircraft fire 30 km

  west of Murmansk on June 18, 1942.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  41

  January 2023

• Page 42

  WNr. 4035, Sonderkommando Junck, Mosul Air Base, Iraq, May 1941

  6./ZG 1, Russia, Summer 1942

  After the outbreak of the Anglo-Iraqi War, which

  lasted from April 18 to May 30, 1941, the Italians and

  Germans gave their military support to the Iraqis.

  The Luftwaffe opposed the RAF with the unit named

  Sonderkommando Junck, which had Messerschmitt

  Bf 110 fighters, Heinkel He 111 bombers, and Junkers

  Ju 52 transport planes in its inventory. The unit was

  commanded by Oberst Werner Junck, who, during the

  course of the First World War with Jasta 8, gained

  five aerial victories. Between the wars, he was a

  well-known sport pilot. The Messerschmitts Bf 110

  carried Iraqi national insignia but were manned by

  German crews. In fact, the aircraft in question came

  from ZG 76 and ZG 26. The only unit’s victory during

  this episode was achieved on May 20, 1941 by Lt. Mar

  -

  tin Drewes (a future night fighter ace) of II./ZG 76,

  when he shot down a Gloster Gladiator flown by Sgt.

  Smith of A Squadron of Habbaniya Strike Force over

  Fallujah. Messerschmitt Bf 110E WNr. 4035 was found

  by the British after a forced landing. It was repaired

  in September 1941 and christened “Belle of Berlin”.

  Later it was flown to Egypt to No. 267 Squadron. The

  aircraft was written off after a forced landing enrou

  -

  te to South Africa.

  The wasp emblem (Wespe) was designed in the au

  -

  tumn of 1939 by Lt. Richard Malchfelder, a technical

  officer of one of the Zerstörergruppe (II./ZG 1). It was

  originally composed of three small wasps, and was

  utilized by the same Gruppe of heavy fighters that

  went through several designation changes (including

  II./SKG 210) and, finally, in early 1942, ended up as

  II./ZG 1. Soon, other Gruppe of Zerstörergeschwader

  1 came to use the wasp emblem and their Geschwa-

  der carried the operational name of “Wespen”. This

  aircraft sported the RLM 74/75/76 camouflage

  pattern.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard42

  January 2023

• Page 43

  OVERTREES

  OVERLEPT

  #7091X

  Bf 110E

  1/72

  #7083-LEPT

  Bf 110E

  1/72

  Product page

  Product page

  Recommended:

  for Bf 110E 1/72

  672005 DB 601A/N for Bf 110C/D/E (Brassin)

  CX633 Bf 110E (Mask)

  Cat. No. 672005

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  43

  January 2023

• Page 44

  #8092

  P-400

  1/48

  ProfiPACK edition kit of US WWII fighter plane P-400 in 1/48 scale. This version of fighter

  P-39 Airacobra was ordered by British Purchase Commission in Bell Company, after Japanese

  attack on Pearl Harbor and entry USA into the War were 200 examples taken up by USAAF,

  designes as P-400 and were sent to the 5th AF for the service in the South West Pacific.

  plastic parts: Eduard

  marking options: 5

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: yes, pre-painted

  painting mask: yes

  resin parts: no

  Product page

  Re-release

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard44

  January 2023

• Page 45

  80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, Autumn 1942

  AP356, Lt. Edward J. Kurt, 35th FS, 8th FG, Milne Bay, New Guinea, 1942–1943

  67th FS, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, November 1942

  On August 26, 1942, the formation of Airacobras of 80th

  FS managed to ambush Japanese Zeros taking off from

  the Buna airbase and shoot down six of them during two

  attacks with two more claimed as damaged. The interes-

  ting fact is, that it all happened due to the “lucky” naviga-

  tional error. Owing to the minimal activity of the Japanese

  air forces over New Guinea during the second half of 1942,

  these were the only kills credited to 80th FS in the course

  of 1942. George T. Helveston and Gerald T. Rogers claimed

  one Zero each, so it is therefore highly probable that Aira-

  cobra carrying Y letter code and kill marking belonged to

  one of these airmen. Black painted propeller spinner and

  vertical tail surface are very unusual and not documented

  on any other Airacobra operating over New Guinea. The

  aircraft also featured replacement rudder.

  Airacobra named “Earthquake McGoon” was personal air-

  craft of Lt. Edward J. Kurt and flew with 35th FS from Gurney

  Field built on the Eastern peninsula of New Guinea island

  during 1942/43. Lt. Kurt joined the squadron in August 1942

  after he received his transfer orders at 15th FG based on

  Hawaiian Islands. His Airacobra sports the standard British

  camouflage scheme, however with many repair patches on

  the surface. There is a color touch up with darker grey paint

  on the aircraft nose lower part and patches in distinctly

  darker green color are visible on the fuselage. Another

  curiosity is the cockpit door salvaged from the Airacobra

  belonging to the sister 36th FS commander, Maj. McNay, who

  left the position in October 1942. The artwork adorning the

  left door was painted over during the aircraft service life

  and in the pictures taken on Gurney Field it only the white

  circle is apparent. Blue painted propeller spinner and top of

  the vertical tail surface indicate that this Airacobra origi-

  nated from 39th FS inventory. A single bomber kill marking

  on the starboard side of the fuselage was probably achieved

  by another pilot of the same unit since Lt. Kurt did not claim

  any victory while serving with 35th FS.

  P-400 listed in the squadron records as “Old 13” was

  one of few original Airacobras delivered to 67th FS in

  the spring of 1942 and still serving on Guadalcanal in

  the beginning of 1943. Rudimentary conditions of the

  remote Pacific airbases and lack of the spare parts

  forced the ground personnel into many improvisa

  -

  tions. Textbook example is the story of the “Old 13”

  Airacobra which already crash-landed during her

  service on New Caledonia and her wreck was canni

  -

  balized for the spare parts. 67th FS heavy losses af-

  ter its transfer to Guadalcanal and the critical lack

  of the aircraft on the island caused the abandoned

  Airacobra wreck to be restored to the airworthy con

  -

  dition after a complex repair. The aircraft received

  a new wing and also a number of many fuselage pa-

  nels and hatches had to be replaced. According to

  the surviving repair record the replacement parts

  were painted in Olive Drab/Neutral Grey colors and

  therefore the Airacobra sported the unique display

  of the British and American camouflage shades. Fur

  -

  thermore, the more powerful engine was installed,

  and the damaged propeller blade was replaced by

  another one balanced by pouring the melted plumb

  into its tip. The instrument panel was furnished

  with the essential gauges only, there were only ho

  -

  les after the rest of the instruments. This repaired

  Airacobra was christened “The Resurrection” and

  this inscription was painted on both sides of the

  fuselage. Unfortunately, no photographic eviden

  -

  ce exists so the inscription appearance is based

  on another 67th FS airplane.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  45

  January 2023

• Page 46

  BX163, 80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, December 1942

  Lt. Eugene A. Wahl, 39th FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby New Guinea, Summer 1942

  Airacobra BX163 served originally with 39th FS where

  she received the marking in the form of the numeral

  18 and blue painted propeller spinner as well as the

  top of the vertical tail surface. The inscription “Helen”

  painted on the port side of the aircraft nose origina

  -

  ted from the service with 39th FS as well. At 80th

  FS the typical shark mouth and yellow letter V were

  added. The camouflage in Olive Drab and Neutral

  Gray colors was applied before the plane’s dispatch

  to the combat unit, same as with many other P-400s

  delivered to the Southwest Pacific area in the spring

  of 1942. On December 24, 1942, the Airacobra BX163

  was damaged during the emergency landing at Kila

  Drome, one of many aerodromes built in the vicinity

  of Port Moresby for its protection.

  One of the best known Airacobras was named “Wahl’s

  Eye/Pat” and participated in the fiercest air combats

  during the defense of Port Moresby. Its teethed mouth

  reminded more of the jaws of the deep-sea living fish

  than usual shark mouth. The blue propeller spinner

  and top of the vertical tail surface as well as the

  white number on it were a standard 39th FS marking.

  The airplane was flown by Lt. Eugene Wahl who was,

  together with several other 35th FG pilots, assigned

  for traineeship with 8th FG on New Guinea during the

  middle of May. On May 26 he claimed a victory over

  a Zero. Luck did not abandon him on June 9 when,

  after combat with Zeros from the famous Tainan

  Kōkūtai, he had to perform the emergency landing.

  However, after several days of hiking through the

  jungle he was able to rejoin his unit. Here he flew

  sorties until the end of June when the 39th FS was

  withdrawn to Australia to reorganize and re-equip

  with the more powerful P-38 Lightning fighters.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard46

  January 2023

• Page 47

  OVERTREES

  OVERLEPT

  #8067X

  P-39

  1/48

  #8092-LEPT

  P-400

  1/48

  Product page

  Product page

  Recommended:

  for P-400 1/48

  48872 P-39/400 landing flaps (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE919 P-39 seatbelts STEEL (PE

  -

  Set)

  644025 P-400 LööK (Brassin)

  648202 P-39 wheels early (Brassin)

  648203 P-39 wheels late (Brassin)

  Cat. No. 644025

  Cat. No. 648202

  Cat. No. 648203

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  47

  January 2023

• Page 48

  #82212

  A6M2 Zero Type 21

  ProfiPACK edition kit of Japanese WWII naval

  fighter plane A6M2 Zero Type 21 in 1/48 scale.

  plastic parts: Eduard

  marking options: 5

  decals: Eduard

  PE parts: yes, pre-painted

  painting mask: yes

  resin parts: no

  Product page

  KITS 01/2023

  1/48

  Re-release

  INFO Eduard48

  January 2023

• Page 49

  c/n 5379, PO1c Tsuguo Matsuyama, Hiryū Fighter Squadron, aircraft carrier Hiryū,

  December 7, 1941

  PO1c Saburō Sakai, Tainan Kōkūtai, Lakunai airfield, Rabaul,

  New Britain island, August 1942

  PO2c Kōtarō Koyae, Zuihō Fighter Squadron, Rabaul,

  New Britain island, April 1943

  During second attack against Hawaii the Hiryū aircraft ca-

  rrier sent nine Zeros under the command of Lt. Sumio Nōno.

  His pilots attacked Kaneohe and Bellows bases, claiming

  two destroyed aircraft and one car. Third Shōtai was led by

  PO1c Matsuyama, who shot down in coopeartion with his

  wingman P-40s piloted by 2nd Lieutenants George Whiteman

  and Samuel Bishop of the 44th Pursuit Squadron. Matsuyama

  had combat missions with the 13th Kōkūtai in China on his

  account already. On February 25, 1938, as wingman of the

  legendary Sadaaki Akamatsu, he participated in shooting

  down four aircraft. During the raids on Ceylon on April 9, 1942,

  Matsuyama's shōtai shot down a Blenheim Mk.IV, probably of

  S/Ldr Kenneth Ault´s crew, who was leading formation of No.

  11 Squadron RAF in an attack on Japanese ships. Matsuyama

  later served on the aircraft carrier Hiyō and was killed on

  April 7, 1943 in combat with the Wildcats off Guadalcanal. The

  airplane BII-124 was shot down on February 19, 1942 during

  the raid on Darwin. After being hit by anti-aircraft fire, Se-

  aman 1st class Hajime Toyoshima landed on Melville Island

  and was captured by Aboriginal Matthias Ulungura. Toyoshi-

  ma was the first captured Zero pilot and used alias "Tadao

  Minami". He became one of the organizers of the largest pri-

  soner escape in World War II. On August 5, 1944 at Cowra POW

  Camp he gave signal to escape. Total of 1,104 POWs attempted

  to espace, 231 were killed and four Australians lost their li-

  ves as well. Toyoshima was mortally wounded, so he lighted

  a cigarette and committed suicide.

  Saburō Sakai is best known Japanese fighter pilot, thanks to

  his memoirs and meetings with Allied airmen after World War

  II. He was born in 1916 and served from September 1938 with

  the 12th Kōkūtai in China. In October 1941, he was assigned to

  the newly organized Tainan Kōkūtai in Taiwan and took part

  in campaign heading South until he was wounded on August

  7, 1942 off Guadalcanal. After recovering, he served as an in-

  structor with Ōmura Kōkūtai, and later, despite bad eyesight,

  was combat deployed with Yokosuka Kōkūtai on Iwo Jima. At

  the end of war he served with Kōkūtai 343 (II) and Yokosuka

  Kōkūtai. He is listed as an ace with 64 victories, but Sakai

  himself claimed the number of his victories was lower. With

  the first two units he actually achieved 12 individual victories,

  8 shared and 4 probables. The V-128 was also flown by PO2c

  Arita and PO1c Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, who is credited with 87

  victories. The color of the stripes is chosen from Sakai's reco-

  llection, but there are other interpretations, such as a black

  or yellow stripe on the fuselage. During a fighter escort to

  Guadalcanal on August 7, Sakai shot down Wildcat “F12” from

  VF-5 piloted by "Pug" Southerland in an epic dogfight. Sakai

  was later severely wounded in the face by fire from VB-6

  Dauntless near Tulagi Island. After nearly five hours and more

  than 1,000 km, he managed to land back at Rabaul. Sakai died

  in 2000 after formal dinner with members of the US Navy.

  Petty Officer 2nd Class Koyae was born in 1923 in Miy-

  azaki Prefecture and completed his flight training in

  November 1942. He was than assigned to the fighter

  unit of the aircraft carrier Zuihō in March 1943. In April,

  the unit moved to Rabaul and Koyae flew the aircraft

  during Operation I-gō. In this period, green paint was

  applied to Zeros in field conditions. It was usually

  painted by hand, the edges of the green fields being

  softened with thinner sometimes. However, according

  to the unit log, Koyae did not fly combat sorties in Ap

  -

  ril 1943. In fact he did not encounter the enemy until

  November 1943 over Rabaul. During the same month

  he was transferred to Kōkūtai 253 at Rabaul and by

  early 1944 he was undergoing intense fighting. Upon

  his return to Japan, he was assigned to the Ōmura

  Kōkūtai. While on leave, on February 17, 1944, he spo

  -

  tted a Japanese bomber circling in the rain at night

  over the village of Goda, Miyazaki Prefecture. Koyae,

  with the help of the villagers, established a navigation

  signal and after some time he managed to guide the

  crew to right heading. For this achievment he received

  a written commendation from commander of Ōmura

  Kōkūtai. In July 1944, Koyae was assigned to Hikōtai

  701 and fought in the defense of the Philippines. After

  returning to Japan, he was assigned to Hikōtai 701 (II)

  and served with Ōmura Kōkūtai at the end of the war.

  After the war he worked as a fireman and published

  his memories. According to the local press, he achie

  -

  ved 20 victories, but these may be victories achieved

  by fighter formations in which he took part

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  49

  January 2023

• Page 50

  Lt. Kunio Kanzaki, CO of Hikōtai 311 of Kōkūtai 381, Kendari airfield, Celebes island, May 1944

  Lt. Nobuo Miyatake, Kamikaze Tokubetsu Kōgekitai, 1. Shichisei-tai, Kanoya airbase, Japan, April 1944

  Kōkūtai 381 was established in October 1943 at Ken-

  dari Base on the island of Celebes. It was a mixed

  Kōkūtai with 48 fighter-bombers (Hikōtai 602), 24

  night fighters (Hikōtai 902) and 48 fighter aircraft

  in Hikōtai 311, the latter commanded by Lt. Kanzaki.

  During the 1944 he operated from bases on islands

  in Indonesia and the Philippines. Their most fre

  -

  quent opponents were U.S. Army aircraft. Kanzaki's

  unit used special phosphorus anti-aircraft bombs

  to attack enemy bombers. Kanzaki's aircraft, manu

  -

  factured by the Nakajima company, has been recon-

  structed in the past with various color markings. It is

  assumed that the vertical tail surfaces and part of

  the upper wing surfaces were painted the same color

  like lower surfaces. The front part of the engine may

  also have been painted grey or yellow. It is not entire

  -

  ly clear from the photograph of the aircraft whether

  the white stripes on the lower fuselage are joined. It

  may have been designed to improve the mutual iden

  -

  tification of Army and Navy aircraft when fighting

  Allied fighters. Another reason for this camouflage

  may have been for easier identification during night

  fighter flights. For example, Lt. Kanzaki and his wing

  -

  man shot down a B-24 of the 380th BG over Balikpa-

  pan on the night of January 12-13, 1944. Some aircraft

  of Kōkūtai 331 were also painted in the same upper

  and tailplane camouflage. Both units operated in one

  tactical group during part of 1944.

  From the April 3, 1945 a total of eight special attack

  units with the battle name “Shichisei” were organi

  -

  zed from the airmen serving in Genzan Kōkūtai (II)

  and Hikōtai 306 (part of Kōkūtai 721). Lt. Miyatake,

  who was 24 years old at the time, led the 1st Shi

  -

  chisei-tai in an attack on a convoy off Okinawa on

  April 6, 1945. During that day, eleven other airmen

  from Genzan Kōkūtai (II) sacrificed their lives along

  with him. They took off successively in four forma

  -

  tions. Their formation was part of the 524 aircraft of

  special attack units and escort fighters from IJN and

  IJA sent against Allied vessels off Okinawa as part of

  Operation Kikusui I. The U.S. Navy lost destroyers USS

  Bush and Colhoun and other ships were severely da

  -

  maged. “Shichisei” units were sent against ships off

  Okinawa, Yoronjima, Kikai, and Tanegashima islands

  in several missions till May 14. Only one of them re

  -

  turned to base due to bad weather. Lt. Miyatake was

  born in Kagawa Prefecture and graduated from the

  Etajima Naval Academy in 1942. Before the mission,

  he wrote farewell letters to his mother and three si

  -

  sters. His father was interned in Siberia at the time.

  Nobuo Miyatake was posthumously promoted to the

  rank of Commander. His aircraft from Nakajima pro

  -

  duction is designated “Ke-113”.

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard50

  January 2023

• Page 51

  OVERTREES

  OVERLEPT

  #82111X

  A6M2

  1/48

  #82212-LEPT

  A6M2 Zero Type 21

  1/48

  Product page

  Product page

  Recommended:

  for A6M2 Zero Type 21 1/48

  481076 A6M2 landing flaps (PE

  -

  Set)

  481077 A6M2 Zero (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE1238 A6M2 seatbelts STEEL (PE

  -

  Set)

  644128 A6M2 LööK (Brassin)

  644134 A6M2 LööKplus (Brassin)

  648693 A6M2 wheels (Brassin)

  648694 A6M2 engine PRINT (Brassin)

  648695 A6M undercarriage legs BRONZE (Brassin)

  648698 A6M2 seat PRINT (Brassin)

  648723 A6M2 cannon barrels & cockpit guns PRINT (Brassin)

  648724 A6M2 landing flaps PRINT (Brassin)

  3DL48050 A6M2 SPACE (3D Decal Set)

  D48098 A6M2 stencils (Decal Set)

  D48100 A6M2 national insignia (Decal Set)

  EX821 A6M2 TFace (Mask)

  Cat. No. 648694

  Cat. No. 648724

  Cat. No. 644128

  KITS 01/2023

  INFO Eduard

  51

  January 2023

• Page 52

  BRASSIN

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard

  and STEEL seatbelts for Bf 109G-2 in 1/32 scale.

  Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Revell

  Set contains:

  - resin: 1 part

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - hammer for German WWII AFV in 1/35 scale.

  The set consists of 4 hammers. Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 4 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  634029

  Bf 109G-2 LööK

  1/32 Revell

  635018

  WWII German hammer PRINT

  1/35

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard52

  January 2023

• Page 53

  BRASSIN 02/2022

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - axe for German

  WWII AFV in 1/35 scale. The set

  consists of 4 axes. Made by

  direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 4 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - clamps for German WWII AFV

  in 1/35 scale. Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 50 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  635019

  WWII German axe PRINT

  1/35

  635021

  WWII German clamps Type 2 PRINT

  1/35

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  53

  January 2023

• Page 54

  Collection of 4 sets for F4F-3 in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Eduard

  - LööK set (pre-painted Brassin dashboards & Steelbelts)

  - TFace painting mask

  - seat

  - undercarriage wheels

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard and STEEL

  seatbelts for SE.5a in 1/48 scale. Easy to assemble,

  replaces plastic parts. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - resin: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  644191

  F4F-3 early LööKplus

  1/48 Eduard

  644192

  SE.5a LööK

  1/48 Eduard

  BRASSIN

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard54

  January 2023

• Page 55

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard

  and STEEL seatbelts for Mosquito FB Mk.II

  in 1/48 scale. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Tamiya

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard

  and STEEL seatbelts for Beaufort Mk.I in 1/48 scale.

  Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: ICM

  Set contains:

  - resin: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  644193

  Mosquito FB Mk.II LööK

  1/48 Tamiya

  644194

  Beaufort Mk.I LööK

  1/48 ICM

  BRASSIN 02/2022

  BRASSIN

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  55

  January 2023

• Page 56

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - the cockpit for Fw 190A-8 in 1/48 scale.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 19 parts

  - decals: yes

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - oxygen tanks for US WII aicraft in 1/48 scale.

  The set consists of 6 tanks. Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 6 parts

  - decals: yes

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  648785

  Fw 190A-8 cockpit PRINT

  1/48 Eduard

  648809

  WWII USAAF oxygen cylinder A-6 PRINT

  1/48

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard56

  January 2023

• Page 57

  BRASSIN 02/2022

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for F4F-4

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels

  and a tailwheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - resin: 5 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  648810

  WWII USAAF oxygen tank G-1 PRINT

  1/48

  648815

  F4F-4 wheels early

  1/48 Eduard

  Product page

  Product page

  Brassin set - oxygen tanks for US WII aicraft

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of 6 tanks.

  Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 6 parts

  - decals: yes

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  INFO Eduard

  57

  January 2023

• Page 58

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for F4F-4

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a tailwheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - resin: 6 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: yes

  Brassin set - landing flaps for F4F-4 in 1/48 scale.

  The set consists of the deployed flaps for both wings.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 8 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  648816

  F4F-4 wheels late

  1/48 Eduard

  648817

  F4F-4 landing flaps PRINT

  1/48 Eduard

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard58

  January 2023

• Page 59

  BRASSIN 02/2022

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - folding wings for F4F-4 in 1/48 scale.

  The set consists of parts for both wings.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 10 parts

  - plastic: 4 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for F-35B

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a nose wheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Italeri

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  648818

  F4F-4 folding wings PRINT

  1/48 Eduard

  648819

  F-35B wheels

  1/48 Italeri

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  59

  January 2023

• Page 60

  Fw 190A8/R2

  1/48 Eduard

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - the exhausts for F4F-4 in 1/48 scale.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Easy to assemble,

  replaces plastic parts. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  648820

  F4F-4 exhausts PRINT

  1/48 Eduard

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for Yak-9D

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a tailwheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Zvezda

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  648821

  Yak-9D wheels

  1/48 Zvezda

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard60

  January 2023

• Page 61

  Brassin set - Carley type lifeboats for 60 people

  in 1/350 scale. The set consists of 10 floats.

  Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 10 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  653015

  Carley float for 60 people – Type 1 PRINTType 1 PRINT

  1/350

  BRASSIN 02/2022

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for F-16A MLU

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a nose wheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Kinetic

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  648822

  F-16A MLU wheels

  1/48 Kinetic

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  61

  January 2023

• Page 62

  BRASSIN

  Brassin set - Carley type lifeboats for 60 people

  in 1/350 scale. The set consists of 10 floats.

  Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 10 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  653016

  Carley float for 60 people – Type 2 PRINT

  1/350

  Product page

  E

  -

  BUNNY SQUAT

  INFO Eduard62

  January 2023

• Page 63

• Page 64

  BRASSIN

  SIN64897

  A6M3 Zero ESSENTIAL

  1/48 Eduard

  Product page

  Collection of 4 sets for A6M3 Zero in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Eduard

  - cockpit PRINT

  - wheels

  - exhausts PRINT

  - undercarriage legs BRONZE

  All sets included in this BIG SIN are available separately,

  but with every BIG SIN set you save up to 30 %.

  cockpit PRINT

  A6M undercarriage legs BRONZE

  A6M3 exhausts PRINT

  wheels

  INFO Eduard64

  January 2023

• Page 65

  BRASSIN

  Collection of 3 sets for P-38J in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Tamiya

  - nose guns PRINT

  - superchargers PRINT

  - landing flaps PRINT

  All sets included in this BIG SIN are available separately,

  but with every BIG SIN set you save up to 30 %.

  SIN64898

  P-38J ADVANCED

  1/48 Tamiya

  Product page

  nose gun bay PRINT

  landing flaps PRINT

  superchargers

  PRINT

  INFO Eduard

  65

  January 2023

• Page 66

  3DL32010 Bf 109G-2/4 SPACE 1/32 Revell

  3DL48097

  Mosquito B Mk.IV SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  easy

  application

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard66

  January 2023

• Page 67

  3DL48098 A-10C SPACE 1/48 Hobby Boss

  3DL48099

  Spitfire Mk.V SPACE 1/48 Airfix

  SPACE

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  67

  January 2023

• Page 68

  SPACE

  3DL48100 Bf 109G-6 SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL48101

  P-51D-5 SPACE 1/48 Airfix

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard68

  January 2023

• Page 69

  SPACE

  3DL48102 Spitfire Mk.I SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL72007

  P-51C SPACE 1/72 Arma Hobby

  3DL72008

  S-199 SPACE 1/72 Eduard

  Product page

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  69

  January 2023

• Page 70

  3DL72009 CS-199 SPACE 1/72 Eduard

  3DL72010

  Ki-21-Ib SPACE 1/72 ICM

  SPACE

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard70

  January 2023

• Page 71

  DECAL SET

  D48107

  Mosquito B Mk.IV stencils

  1/48 Tamiya/Revell

  Product page

  Product page

  ER48005

  Su-25 raised rivets & surface details

  1/48 Zvezda

  EDDIE THE RIVETER

  INFO Eduard

  71

  January 2023

• Page 72

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  JANUARY 2023

  Austin K2/Y

  ambulance

  1/35 Airfix

  36493

  INFO Eduard72

  January 2023

• Page 73

  BRASSIN 02/2022BRASSIN 02/2022

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  36494

  Jagdpanzer IV

  1/35 Border Model

  INFO Eduard

  73

  January 2023

• Page 74

  481096

  Beaufort Mk.I

  undercarriage

  1/48 ICM

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  481094

  Beaufort Mk.I bomb bay

  1/48 ICM

  INFO Eduard74

  January 2023

• Page 75

  53289

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  USS Alaska CB-1 part 1

  1/350 Hobby Boss

  INFO Eduard

  75

  January 2023

• Page 76

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  73789

  Ki-21-Ib

  1/72 ICM

  INFO Eduard76

  January 2023

• Page 77

  PHOTO

  -

  ETCHED

  SS789

  Ki-21-Ib

  1/72 ICM

  INFO Eduard

  77

  January 2023

• Page 78

  BIG ED

  All sets included in this BIG ED are available separately,

  but with every BIG ED set you save up to 30%.

  BIG33146 Ju 87G-1/2 1/35 Border Model

  BIG49352

  F3F-2 1/48 Academy

  BIG49353

  Spitfire Mk.XII 1/48 Airfix

  321000 Ju 87G-1/2 1/35

  33334 Ju 87G-1/2 seatbelts STEEL 1/35

  JX295 Ju 87G-1/2 1/35

  491304 F3F-2 1/48

  FE1305 F3F-2 seatbelts STEEL 1/48

  EX891 F3F-2 1/48

  481090 Spitfire Mk.XII landing flaps 1/48

  491302 Spitfire Mk.XII 1/48

  FE1303 Spitfire Mk.XII seatbelts STEEL 1/48

  EX897 Spitfire Mk.XII 1/48

  Product page

  Product page

  Product page

  INFO Eduard78

  January 2023

• Page 79

  BIG49355 Mi-35M 1/48 Zvezda

  481088 Mi-35M exterior 1/48

  481089 Mi-35M cargo interior 1/48

  491308 Mi-35M interior 1/48

  FE1309 Mi-35M seatbelts STEEL 1/48

  EX895 Mi-35M 1/48

  Product page

  All sets included in this BIG ED are available separately,

  but with every BIG ED set you save up to 30%.

  BIG ED

  BIG49354 P-47N 1/48 Academy

  491306 P-47N 1/48

  FE1307 P-47N seatbelts STEEL 1/48

  EX893 P-47N 1/48

  Product page

  INFO Eduard

  79

  January 2023

• Page 80

  MASKS

  IT FITS!

  JX303 Tornado IDS

  1/32 Italeri

  JX304 Tornado IDS TFace

  1/32 Italeri

  EX912 Z-326 TFace

  1/48 Eduard

  EX913 Mosquito B Mk.IV TFace

  1/48 Tamiya

  EX914 Spitfire Mk.V TFace

  1/48 Eduard

  EX915 A-10C

  1/48 Hobby Boss

  EX916 A-10C TFace

  1/48 Hobby Boss

  EX917 Anson Mk.I

  1/48 Airfix

  EX918 Anson Mk.I TFace

  1/48 Airfix

  CX637 AJ-1

  1/72 Roden

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib

  1/72 ICM

  CX639 Ki-46-III Interceptor

  1/72 Hasegawa

  CX640 Do 335A

  1/72 Hobby 2000/Roden

  CX641 Meteor F.8

  1/72 Airfix

  EX917 Anson Mk.I

  EX915 A-10C

  EX918 Anson Mk.I TFace

  EX918 Anson Mk.I TFace

  EX916 A-10C TFace EX916 A-10C TFace

  EX912 Z-326 TFace

  EX913 Mosquito B Mk.IV TFace EX913 Mosquito B Mk.IV TFace

  EX912 Z-326 TFace

  INFO Eduard80

  January 2023

• Page 81

  CX637 AJ-1

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib

  CX640 Do 335A

  CX641 Meteor F.8

  CX639 Ki-46-III Interceptor

  CX637 AJ-1

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib

  CX640 Do 335A

  CX641

  Meteor F.8

  CX637 AJ-1

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib

  CX640 Do 335A

  CX641

  Meteor F.8

  MASKS

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib

  INFO Eduard

  81

  January 2023

• Page 82

  RELEASES

  JANUARY 2023

  KITS

  PE

  -

  SETS

  ZOOMS

  MASKS

  7012 B-25J Mitchell STRAFER 1/72 ProfiPACK

  84186 Spitfire Mk.Vb mid 1/48 Weekend edition

  8486 Sopwith F.1 Camel 1/48 Weekend edition

  7083 Bf 110E Re-release 1/72 ProfiPACK

  8092 P-400 Re-release 1/48 ProfiPACK

  82212 A6M2 Zero Type 21 Re-release 1/48 ProfiPACK

  53289 USS Alaska CB-1 part 1 1/350 Hobby Boss

  32480 Tornado IDS exterior 1/32 Italeri

  321004 Tornado IDS interior 1/32 Italeri

  321005 Tornado IDS undercarriage 1/32 Italeri

  36493 Austin K2/Y ambulance 1/35 Airfix

  36494 Jagdpanzer IV 1/35 Border Model

  481096 Beaufort Mk.I undercarriage 1/48 ICM

  481097 A-10C exterior 1/48 Hobby Boss

  481098 A-10C armament 1/48 Hobby Boss

  491324 A-10C 1/48 Hobby Boss

  73788 AJ-1 1/72 Roden

  73789 Ki-21-Ib 1/72 ICM

  73790 Do 335A 1/72 Hobby 2000/Dragon

  33341 Tornado IDS 1/32 Italeri

  33342 Tornado IDS seatbelts STEEL 1/32 Italeri

  FE1322 Spitfire Mk.Vb Weekend 1/48 Eduard

  FE1323 Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) Weekend 1/48 Eduard

  FE1324 A-10C 1/48 Hobby Boss

  FE1325 A-10C seatbelts STEEL 1/48 Hobby Boss

  SS788 AJ-1 1/72 Roden

  SS789 Ki-21-Ib 1/72 ICM

  SS790 Do 335A 1/72 Hobby 2000/Dragon

  JX303 Tornado IDS 1/32 Italeri

  JX304 Tornado IDS TFace 1/32 Italeri

  EX912 Z-326 TFace 1/48 Eduard

  EX913 Mosquito B Mk.IV TFace 1/48 Tamiya

  EX914 Spitfire Mk.V TFace 1/48 Eduard

  EX915 A-10C 1/48 Hobby Boss

  EX916 A-10C TFace 1/48 Hobby Boss

  EX917 Anson Mk.I 1/48 Airfix

  EX918 Anson Mk.I TFace 1/48 Airfix

  CX637 AJ-1 1/72 Roden

  CX638 Ki-21-Ib 1/72 ICM

  CX639 Ki-46-III Interceptor 1/72 Hasegawa

  CX640 Do 335A 1/72 Hobby 2000/Dragon

  CX641 Meteor F.8 1/72 Airfix

  EDDIE THE RIVETER

  ER48005 Su-25 raised rivets & surface details 1/48 Zvezda

  INFO Eduard82

  January 2023

• Page 83

  RELEASES

  BIG-EDBIG-ED

  BIG ED

  BRASSIN

  LöökPLUS

  BIG SIN

  SPACE

  DECAL SET

  BIG33146 Ju 87G-1/2 1/35 Border Model

  BIG49352 F3F-2 1/48 Academy

  BIG49353 Spitfire Mk.XII 1/48 Airfix

  BIG49354 P-47N 1/48 Academy

  BIG49355 Mi-35M 1/48 Zvezda

  634029 Bf 109G-2 LööK 1/32 Revell

  644192 SE.5a LööK 1/48 Eduard

  644193 Mosquito FB Mk.II LööK 1/48 Tamiya

  644194 Beaufort Mk.I LööK 1/48 ICM

  635018 WWII German hammer PRINT 1/35

  635019 WWII German axe PRINT 1/35

  635021 WWII German clamps Type 2 PRINT 1/35

  648785 Fw 190A-8 cockpit PRINT 1/48 Eduard

  648809 WWII USAAF oxygen cylinder A-6 PRINT 1/48

  648810 WWII USAAF oxygen tank G-1 PRINT 1/48

  648815 F4F-4 wheels early 1/48 Eduard

  648816 F4F-4 wheels late 1/48 Eduard

  648817 F4F-4 landing flaps PRINT 1/48 Eduard

  648818 F4F-4 folding wings PRINT 1/48 Eduard

  648819 F-35B wheels 1/48 Italeri

  648820 F4F-4 exhausts PRINT 1/48 Eduard

  648821 Yak-9D wheels 1/48 Zvezda

  648822 F-16A MLU wheels 1/48 Kinetic

  653015 Carley float for 60 people –

  Type 1 PRINT 1/350

  653016 Carley float for 60 people –

  Type 2 PRINT 1/350

  644191 F4F-3 early LööKplus 1/48 Eduard

  SIN64897 A6M3 Zero ESSENTIAL 1/48 Eduard

  SIN64898 P-38J ADVANCED 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL32010 Bf 109G-2/4 SPACE 1/32 Revell

  3DL48097 Mosquito B Mk.IV SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL48098 A-10C SPACE 1/48 Hobby Boss

  3DL48099 Spitfire Mk.V SPACE 1/48 Airfix

  3DL48100 Bf 109G-6 SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL48101 P-51D-5 SPACE 1/48 Airfix

  3DL48102 Spitfire Mk.I SPACE 1/48 Tamiya

  3DL72007 P-51C SPACE 1/72 Arma Hobby

  3DL72008 S-199 SPACE 1/72 Eduard

  3DL72009 CS-199 SPACE 1/72 Eduard

  3DL72010 Ki-21-Ib SPACE 1/72 ICM

  D48108 Mosquito B Mk.IV stencils 1/48 Revell/Tamiya

  JANUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  83

  January 2023

• Page 84

  BUILT

  Cat. No. 82201

  marking E

  built by Josef Blažek

  Product page

  1/48

  F4F-3 Wildcat

  Kat. č. 648769

  F4F gun barrels PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648767

  F4F-3 wheels early

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648777

  F4F-3 cockpit w/ reflector gun sight PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 644171

  F4F-3 early LööK

  1/48 (Brassin)

  INFO Eduard84

  January 2023

• Page 85

  BUILT

  BuNo. 2531, Lt. Elbert S. McCuskey, VF-42, USS Yorktown (CV-5), May 1942

  Elbert Scott McCuskey was born February 8, 1915

  in Little Rock, Arkansas, and after attending uni-

  versities in Alabama and Arkansas, he signed up

  for naval aviation training on May 28, 1938. After

  successfully undergoing pilot training, he was as-

  signed to VS-41 on the USS Ranger as an Ensign

  in October 1939. In July 1941, he was reassigned to

  VF-42 on the USS Yorktown, on which he would

  serve until July 1942. Then, until June 1943, he

  trained young Naval Aviators in the art of flying,

  floowing this up with a return to operational flying

  as a unit commander, first with VF-6, and then,

  from March 1944, with VF-8. Both of these units

  were flying the Hellcat by then. During his com-

  bat career in the Second World War, he gained

  13.5 kills. He remained loyal to the Navy after the

  war, not retiring until July 1965. He died of a he-

  art attack on June 15, 1997. With this Wildcat, he

  shot down a Zero in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

  The aircraft was camouflaged in the same way as

  the Wildcat flown by Lt. Edward O’Hare, and even

  the markings were similar, with one difference

  being the application of large American markings

  on the fuselage and wings. An interesting facet

  to this aircraft was the original markings on the

  wings being visible under the new ones.

  Accessories used:

  644171 F4F-3 early LööK (Brassin)

  648766 F4F-3 exhausts PRINT (Brassin)

  648767 F4F-3 wheels early (Brassin)

  648769 F4F gun barrels PRINT (Brassin)

  648777 F4F-3 cockpit w/ reflector

  gun sight PRINT (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648766

  F4F-3 exhausts PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  INFO Eduard

  85

  January 2023

• Page 86

  1/48

  Spitfire Mk.Vb late

  BUILT

  Cat. No. 82156

  marking B

  built by Jan Baranec

  Product page

  Kat. č. 644113

  Spitfire Mk. V LööK

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648663

  Spitfire Mk.V cockpit

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648668

  Spitfire Mk.V three-stacks exhausts fishtail

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648664

  Spitfire Mk.V wheels

  1/48 (Brassin)

  INFO Eduard86

  January 2023

• Page 87

  BUILT

  Spitfire Mk.Vb, AB276, F/Lt Václav Hájek, No. 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron, RAF Hornchurch,

  Great Britain, January–June, 1942

  Spitfire Mk.Vb AB276 served operationally with

  No.313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron from January

  13, 1942 to June 8 of the same year. It was most

  often flown by F/Lt Václav Hájek, who on April

  10, 1942 likely shot down a I./JG 26 Fw 190 south

  of Gravelines. Other pilots who flew missions in

  AB276 were Sgt. K. Pavlík, Sgt. F. Bönisch and P/O

  V. Michálek. No. 313 (Czechoslovak) Squadron

  Spitfires are known for their carrying Walt Disney

  characters through the first half of 1942, when the

  unit was a component of Hornchurch Wing. The

  author of the artwork was Sgt. Karel Pavlík, who

  put his talents as a graphic artist to good use and

  applied the characters below the windscreen of

  individual aircraft according to the wishes of the

  pilots. The rendering of the kitten “Figaro” with the

  inscription “Mnoho Štěstí” (Best of Luck) is pro-

  bably the most recognized because of a photo-

  graph of it, in which Sgt. Pavlík is shown during

  its creation. Its likeness also appears on a granite

  monument near to where Sgt. Pavlík crashed, not

  far from the town of Dranouter, Belgium.

  Accessories used:

  644113 Spitfire Mk. V LööK (Brassin)

  648663 Spitfire Mk.V cockpit (Brassin)

  648664 Spitfire Mk.V wheels (Brassin)

  648668 Spitfire Mk.V three-stacks exhausts fishtail (Brassin)

  INFO Eduard

  87

  January 2023

• Page 88

  F-4B Phantom II

  1/48 Tamiya

  built by Shane Doak

  Accessories used:

  EX803 F-4B TFace (mask)

  648682 F-4B wheels (Brassin)

  D48094 F-4B stencils (decal)

  648690 F-4B exhaust nozzles PRINT

  SIN64877 F-4B Air to Ground weapons

  648700 F-4B undercarriage legs BRONZE

  648709 F-4B ejection seat early PRINT

  648716 F-4B refueling probe PRINT

  648728 F-4B airbrakes PRINT

  648732 F-4B tail hook PRINT

  3DL48040 F-4B SPACE

  D48093 F-4B NAVY (decal)

  648128 Mk.82 bombs w/ airbrake early (Brassin)

  648227 MER (Brassin)

  648232 TER (Brassin)

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard88

  January 2023

• Page 89

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard

  89

  January 2023

• Page 90

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard90

  January 2023

• Page 91

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard

  91

  January 2023

• Page 92

  built by Josef Choreň

  PP

  --

  38J38JPP

  --

  38J38J

  Accessories used:

  648782 P-38J wheels (Brassin)

  648783 P-38J landing flaps PRINT (Brassin)

  648784 P-38J undercarriage legs BRONZE (Brassin)

  648790 P-38J nose gun bay PRINT (Brassin)

  648791 P-38J superchargers PRINT (Brassin)

  648812 P-38J cockpit PRINT (Brassin)

  ER48003 P-38J raised rivets and surface details (Eddie the Riveter)

  D48107 P-38J over Europe (Decal Set)

  EX884 P-38J TFace (Mask)

  Kat. č. D48107

  P-38J over Europe

  1/48 (Decal Set)

  Kat. č. 648790

  P-38J nose gun bay PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648784

  P-38J undercarriage legs BRONZE

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648782

  P-38J wheels

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. 648791

  P-38J superchargers PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. EX884

  P-38J TFace

  1/48 (Mask)

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard92

  January 2023

• Page 93

  Kat. č. 648783

  P-38J landing flaps PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. ER48003

  P-38J raised rivets

  and surface details

  1/48 (Eddie the Riveter)

  Kat. č. 648784

  P-38J undercarriage legs BRONZE

  1/48 (Brassin)

  Kat. č. ER48003

  P-38J raised rivets

  and surface details

  1/48 (Eddie the Riveter)

  Kat. č. D48107

  P-38J over Europe

  1/48 (Decal Set)

  Kat. č. 648812

  P-38J cockpit PRINT

  1/48 (Brassin)

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard

  93

  January 2023

• Page 94

  Beaufort Mk.I

  ICM kit 1/48

  built by Matthias Becker

  Accessories used:

  481094 Beaufort Mk.I bomb bay (PE

  -

  Set)

  491318 Beaufort Mk.I (PE

  -

  Set)

  FE1319 Beaufort Mk.I seatbelts STEEL (PE

  -

  Set)

  3DL48094 Beaufort Mk.I SPACE (3D Decal Set)

  EX909 Beaufort Mk.I TFace (Mask)

  Kat. č. 481094

  Beaufort Mk.I bomb bay

  1/48 (PE

  -

  Set)

  Kat. č. 491318

  Beaufort Mk.I seatbelts STEEL

  1/48 (PE

  -

  Set)

  Kat. č. 3DL48094

  Beaufort Mk.I SPACE

  1/48 (3D Decal Set)

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard94

  January 2023

• Page 95

  Kat. č. 491318

  Beaufort Mk.I

  1/48 (PE

  -

  Set)

  Kat. č. EX909

  Beaufort Mk.I TFace

  1/48 (Mask)

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard

  95

  January 2023

• Page 96

  1/48 Eduard

  P-51D-10+ wheel

  bay PRINT

  Cat. No. 648742

  built by Jan Baranec

  Product page

  BUILT

  INFO Eduard96

  January 2023

• Page 97

  HOuse of Phantoms Decals

  Our new line of decals for Phantomiacs!

  Each decal contains a plethora of different marking

  options and stencils for two aircraft!

  Wetterkreuz 13, 91058 Erlangen, Germany

  Phone: +49-9131-52828 / Office Hours: Tue + Thu 09:00 to 16:30 Hrs

  www.houseofphantoms.com / www.shopofphantoms.com

  contact@shopofphantoms.com

  Ho use of P hantoms, W etterkre uz 13, 9 105 8 Erlang en

  Ge rmany – www.houseo fphantom s.com

  Prin ted i n It aly b y

  All right s re serve d!

  © 20 22 Ho use of Ph antom s

  Ove r 15 d iffe ren t m ark ing op tions,

  wi th stenci ls f or two ai rcraft !

  Ho PD 48003

  1/48

  Scale

  USAFE phantoms PART 1

  Ramstein based F-4E of the 86

  th

  TFW and 26

  th

  TRW

  Des ign ed for Zou kei -Mu ra kits !

  DANGER

  ARRESTING HOOK

  Price: Euro 25,17*

  HoPD 48003

  USAFE Phantoms Part 1:

  Ramstein based F-4Es of the 26

  th

  TRW and 86

  th

  TFW.

  Over 15 different marking options,

  three of which are early hard

  wing” F-4Es with short gun

  muzzle. Aircraft with standard

  SEA, SEA-wraparound and Euro 1

  camouflages included.

  Decal designed for the Zoukei-Mura

  range of F-4 kits, but can be used

  on any other 1/48 scale F-4E model

  kit with a bit of tweaking.

  Ho use of P hantoms, W etterkre uz 13, 9 105 8 Erlang en

  Ge rmany – www.houseo fphantom s.com

  Prin ted i n It aly b y

  All right s re serve d!

  © 20 22 Ho use of Ph antom s

  Ove r 30 d iffe ren t m ark ing op tions,

  wi th stenci ls f or two ai rcraft !

  Ove r 30 d iffe ren t m ark ing op tions,

  wi th stenci ls f or two ai rcraft !

  Ho PD 48002

  1/48

  Scale

  Luftwaffe phantoms

  F-4F in Norm 81A /1B Camouflage

  Des ign ed for Zou kei -Mu ra kits !

  HoPD 48002

  Luftwaffe Phantoms:

  F-4F in Norm 81A/B Camouflages.

  This sheet features over 30

  marking options, including “shark

  mouth” aircraft, “TAM” exercise

  markings, fancy colourful tails as

  well as special nose art. All wings

  included. Features stencils for two

  Phantoms.

  Decal designed for the Zoukei-Mura

  range of F-4 kits, but can be used

  on any other 1/48 scale F-4E/F

  model kit with a bit of tweaking.

  Price: Euro 25,17*

  * All prices excluding VAT and

  shipping costs, which will be added

  during checkout!

  Ho use of P hantoms, W etterkre uz 13, 9 105 8 Erlang en

  Ge rmany – www.houseo fphantom s.com

  Prin ted i n It aly b y

  All right s re serve d!

  © 20 19 Ho use of Ph antom s

  18 diffe ren t mark ing optio ns,

  wi th ste nci ls for tw o airc raf t!

  Ho PD 48001

  1/48

  Scale

  USAF phantoms

  F-4C

  s

  and Candy Canes of the 58

  th

  TFTW at Luke AFB

  Price: Euro 21,01*

  HoPD 48001

  USAF Phantoms:

  F-4C Candy Canes of the 58th

  TFTW at Luke AFB.

  Over 15 different marking options,

  including all of the striped ‘Candy

  Cane’ high-viz aircraft, the 1976

  Bi-centennial aircraft as well as

  F-4C MiG-killers. Stencils for two

  aircraft are provided.

  Decal designed for the Zoukei-Mura

  range of F-4 kits, but can be used

  on any other 1/48 scale F-4C model

  kit with a bit of tweaking.

• Page 98

  ON APPROACH

  FEBRUARY 2023

  634030

  Bf 109G-4 LööK

  1/32 Revell

  644198

  Buccaneer S.2C/D LööK

  1/48 Airfix

  674002

  P-39Q LööK

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  632186

  Bf 109G-2 wheels

  1/32 Revell

  IG33147 F-35C 1/32 Trumpeter

  BIG49356 F4U-1A 1/48 Hobby Boss

  BIG49357 F-35B 1/48 Italeri

  BIG49358 Buccaneer S.2C/D 1/48 Airfix

  634030 Bf 109G-4 LööK 1/32 Revell

  644198 Buccaneer S.2C/D LööK 1/48 Airfix

  674002 P-39Q LööK 1/72 Arma Hobby

  632186 Bf 109G-2 wheels 1/32 Revell

  632187 Sopwith Camel seat PRINT 1/32 WNW/Academy

  635022 WWII German NOTEK rear lights PRINT 1/35

  648792 F4F-3 engine early PRINT 1/48 Eduard

  648823 Buccaneer S.2C/D ejection seats PRINT 1/48 Airfix

  648830 Beaufort Mk.I wheels 1/48 ICM

  648831 F-16 airbrakes PRINT 1/48 Kinetic

  648832 F-16C wheels early 1/48 Kinetic

  648833 F-16C wheels late 1/48 Kinetic

  648834 MB Mk.6 ejection seat upper handles PRINT 1/48

  653017 Balsa life raft PRINT 1/350

  672303 P-39Q wheels PRINT 1/72 Arma Hobby

  672304 P-39Q wheels w/rims PRINT 1/72 Arma Hobby

  672305 P-39Q exhaust stacks PRINT 1/72 Arma Hobby

  672306 P-39Q seat PRINT 1/72 Arma Hobby

  672307 P-39Q gun barrels PRINT 1/72 Arma Hobby

  644195 F-35B LööKplus 1/48 Italeri

  644196 Yak-9D LööKplus 1/48 Zvezda

  SIN64899 P-38J ESSENTIAL 1/48 Tamiya

  BIG ED (February)

  BRASSIN (February)

  LöökPlus (February)

  BIGSIN (February)

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard and STEEL

  seatbelts for Bf 109G-4 in 1/32 scale. Easy to assemble,

  replaces plastic parts. Recommended kit: Revell

  Set contains:

  - resin: 1 part

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard

  and STEEL seatbelts for Buccaneer S.2C/D in 1/48

  scale. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Airfix

  Set contains:

  - resin: 5 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  LööK set - Brassin pre-painted dashboard and STEEL

  seatbelts for P-39Q in 1/72 scale. Easy to assemble,

  replaces plastic parts. Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - resin: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for Bf 109G-2

  in 1/32 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a tailwheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Revell

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  INFO Eduard98

  January 2023

• Page 99

  632187

  Sopwith Camel seat PRINT

  1/32 WNW/Academy

  ON APPROACH

  Brassin set - seat for Sopwith Camel in 1/32 scale.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Easy to assemble, replaces

  plastic parts. Recommended kit: Wingnut Wings / Academy

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 1 part

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes, pre-peinted

  - painting mask: no

  635022

  WWII German NOTEK rear lights PRINT

  1/35

  648792

  F4F-3 engine early PRINT

  1/48 Eduard

  Brassin set - NOTEK rear lights for German WWII AFV in 1/35

  scale. The set consists of 3 types of NOTEK (6 pcs of each).

  Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 18 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - the engine for F4F-3 in 1/48 scale.

  The cowling are included. Made by direct 3D

  printing. Recommended kit: Eduard

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 29 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  INFO Eduard

  99

  January 2023

• Page 100

  ON APPROACH

  FEBRUARY 2023

  648823

  Buccaneer S.2C/D ejection seats PRINT

  1/48 Airfix

  648830

  Beaufort Mk.I wheels

  1/48 ICM

  648831

  F-16 airbrakes PRINT

  1/48 Kinetic

  Brassin set - the ejection seats for Buccaneer S.2C/D

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of 2 seats. Made by direct

  3D printing. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Airfix

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 10 parts

  - decals: yes

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for Beaufort Mk.I

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a tailwheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: ICM

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  Brassin set - the airbrakes for F-16

  in 1/48 scale. Easy to assemble, replaces

  plastic parts. Recommended kit: Kinetic

  Set contains:

  - resin: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  INFO Eduard100

  January 2023

• Page 101

  ON APPROACHFEBRUARY 2023

  648832

  F-16C wheels early

  1/48 Kinetic

  648833

  F-16C wheels late

  1/48 Kinetic

  648834

  MB Mk.6 ejection seat upper handles PRINT

  1/48

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels

  for F-16C in 1/48 scale. The set consists

  of the main wheels and a nosewheel.

  Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Kinetic

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for F-16C

  in 1/48 scale. The set consists of the main wheels

  and a nosewheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Kinetic

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  Brassin set - pre-painted upper handles

  for Martin Baker ejection seats in 1/48 scale.

  The set consists of the 5 handles.

  Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 5 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  INFO Eduard

  101

  January 2023

• Page 102

  ON APPROACH

  653017

  Balsa life raft PRINT

  1/350

  672303

  P-39Q wheels PRINT

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  672304

  P-39Q wheels w/rims PRINT

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  Brassin set - balsa lifeboats in 1/350 scale.

  The set consists of 20 rafts. Made by direct 3D printing.

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 20 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: yes

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for P-39Q in

  1/72 scale. The set consists of the main wheels and

  a nose wheel. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic

  parts. Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  Brassin set - the undercarriage wheels for P-39Q

  in 1/72 scale. The set consists of the main wheels

  and a nose wheel. Easy to assemble, replaces

  plastic parts. Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - resin: 3 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: yes

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard102

  January 2023

• Page 103

  ON APPROACH

  672305

  P-39Q exhaust stacks PRINT

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  672306

  P-39Q seat PRINT

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  672307

  P-39Q gun barrels PRINT

  1/72 Arma Hobby

  Brassin set - the exhaust stacks for P-39Q

  in 1/72 scale. Made by direct 3D printing.

  Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 2 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - seat for P-39Q in 1/72 scale. Made by direct

  3D printing. Easy to assemble, replaces plastic parts.

  Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 1 part

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details:

  yes, pre-painted

  - painting mask: no

  Brassin set - gun barrels for P-39Q in 1/72 scale.

  Made by direct 3D printing. Easy to assemble,

  replaces plastic parts. Recommended kit: Arma Hobby

  Set contains:

  - 3D print: 4 parts

  - decals: no

  - photo-etched details: no

  - painting mask: no

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  103

  January 2023

• Page 104

  ON APPROACH

  644195

  F-35B LööKplus

  1/48 Italeri

  Collection of 3 sets for F-35B in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Italeri

  - LööK set (pre-painted Brassin dashboards & Steelbelts)

  - TFace painting mask

  - undercarriage wheels

  644196

  Yak-9D LööKplus

  1/48 Zvezda

  Collection of 4 sets for Yak-9D in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Zvezda

  - LööK set (pre-painted Brassin dashboards & Steelbelts)

  - TFace painting mask

  - exhaust stacks

  - undercarriage wheels

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard104

  January 2023

• Page 105

  SIN64899

  P-38J ESSENTIAL

  1/48 Tamiya

  Collection of 3 sets for P-38J in 1/48 scale.

  Recommended kit: Tamiya

  - cockpit PRINT

  - wheels

  - undercarriage legs BRONZE

  All sets included in this BIG SIN are available separately,

  but with every BIG SIN set you save up to 30 %.

  BRASSIN 02/2022BRASSIN 02/2022

  ON APPROACHFEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  105

  January 2023

• Page 106

  PE

  -

  SETS

  53290 USS Alaska CB-1 part 2 1/350 Hobby Boss

  36495 A34 Comet 1/35 Tamiya

  36496 Jagdpanther Ausf. G1 1/35 Academy

  36497 Jagdpanther Ausf. G1 schurzen 1/35 Academy

  481099 Anson Mk.I landing flaps 1/48 Airfix

  481100 Anson Mk.I bomb bays 1/48 Airfix

  491326 Anson Mk.I 1/48 Airfix

  491328 F-16C Block 25 1/48 Kinetic

  491329 F-16C Block 42 till 2005 1/48 Kinetic

  491330 F-16C Block 42 from 2006 1/48 Kinetic

  72727 Bf 110E 1/72 Eduard

  73791 Meteor F.8 1/72 Airfix

  73792 F6F-3 1/72 Eduard

  73793 F6F-5 1/72 Eduard

  ZOOMS

  FE1326 Anson Mk.I 1/48 Airfix

  FE1327 Anson Mk.I seatbelts STEEL 1/48 Airfix

  FE1328 F-16C Block 25 1/48 Kinetic

  FE1329 F-16C Block 42 till 2005 1/48 Kinetic

  FE1330 F-16C Block 42 from 2006 1/48 Kinetic

  FE1331 F-16C Block 25/42 seatbelts STEEL 1/48 Kinetic

  FE1332 F-35A 1/48 Tamiya

  FE1333 F-35A seatbelts STEEL 1/48 Tamiya

  SS791 Meteor F.8 1/72 Airfix

  MASKS

  EX919 F-16C Block 25/42 1/48 Kinetic

  EX920 F-16C Block 25/42 TFace 1/48 Kinetic

  EX921 F-35A 1/48 Tamiya

  EX922 F-35A TFace 1/48 Tamiya

  EX923 Spitfire Mk.VIII TFace 1/48 Eduard

  EX924 F-35A RAM coating late 1/48 Tamiya

  CX642 Fw 190A-8/R2 1/72 Eduard

  SPACE

  3DL32011 Tornado IDS SPACE 1/32 Italeri

  3DL48103 Anson Mk.I SPACE 1/48 Airfix

  3DL48104 F-16C Block 25 SPACE 1/48 Kinetic

  3DL48105 F-16C Block 42 till 2005 SPACE 1/48 Kinetic

  3DL48106 F-16C Block 42 from 2006 SPACE 1/48 Kinetic

  3DL72011 Meteor F.8 SPACE 1/72 Airfix

  3DL72012 P-39Q SPACE 1/72 Arma Hobby

  DECAL SETS

  D32020 Mosquito FB Mk.II stencils 1/32 Tamiya

  D32021 Mosquito B Mk.IV stencils 1/32 HKM

  D48109 Mosquito FB Mk.II stencils 1/48 Tamiya

  ON APPROACH

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard106

  January 2023

• Page 107

  ON APPROACH

  A6M3 Zero Type 22 #82214 1/48

  Lt. Cdr. Shirō Kawai, Kōkūtai 201,

  Rabaul air base, New Britain, September 1943

  Lt. Usaburō Suzuki, Kōkūtai 582,

  Buin airfield, Ballale Island, April 1943

  c/n 3257, Kōkūtai 252, Wake Island,

  November 1943

  Iwakuni Kōkūtai, Iwakuni airbase,

  Japan, 1944

  Kōkūtai 261 (Tora), Kagoshima airbase, Japan, 1944

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  107

  January 2023

• Page 108

  ON APPROACH

  HIND E 1/48#11163

  Mi-24V, 7353, kpt. Tomáš Brom, npor. Hynčica, prap. Tisoň,

  221 Squadron, 22 Helicopter Base, Náměšť nad Oslavou,

  The Last Flight of the „Night Tiger“, May 27, 2015

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard108

  January 2023

• Page 109

  ON APPROACH

  Mi-24V, 0834, mjr. Bohuslav Dvořák, kpt. Jan Jiřík,

  pprap. Viliam Švacho, 2 Squadron, 11 Helicopter Regiment,

  Líně airfield, CIAF Hradec Králové, July 17, 1993

  Mi-24V, 0815, kpt. Rudolf Straka, npor. Martin Vaniš,

  kpt. Ondřej Pospíšil, 331 Attack Helicopter Squadron,

  33 Helicopter Base, Přerov, NATO Tiger Meet, Beja,

  Portugal, Jun 28 – July 9, 2002

  Mi-35, 3370, 221 Helicopter Squadron, 22 Helicopter Base,

  Náměšť nad Oslavou, RIAT Fairford, United Kingdom,

  July 14–16, 2015

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  109

  January 2023

• Page 110

  ON APPROACH

  Mi-24V 0786, mjr. Bohuslav Dvořák, kpt. Richard Plos,

  nrtm. Petr Vavrík, 2 Squadron, 11 Helicopter Regiment,

  Plzeň-Bory airfield, CSIAF Bratislava, Slovakia,

  September 5, 1992

  Mi-24V, 0837, pplk. Jaroslav Špaček, npor. Pavel Heřman,

  kpt. Radek Spáčil, 231 Attack Helicopter Squadron,

  23 Helicopter Base, Přerov, the last flight,

  route Přerov–Želátovice, December 12, 2005

  Mi-35, 3361, 221 Helicopter Squadron, 22 Helicopter Base,

  Náměšť nad Oslavou, NATO Tiger Meet, Cambrai-Épinoy,

  France, May 9–20, 2011

  Mi-24V, 0835, 331 Attack Helicopter Squadron,

  33 Helicopter Base, Přerov, March, 2002

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard110

  January 2023

• Page 111

  MT775, S/Ldr Neville F. Duke,

  No. 145 Squadron, Loreto, Italy,

  July–September 1944

  1Lt. Leland P. Molland, 308th FS,

  31st FG, Castel Volturno, Italy,

  December 1943–February 1944

  A58-602, W/Cdr Robert H. M. Gibbes,

  No. 80 Wing, Sattler airfield, Australia,

  December 1944–April 1945

  MT507, F/O Len A. Smith,

  No. 152 Squadron, Sinthe,

  Burma, March 1945

  Spitfire Mk.VIII #84154 1/48

  ON APPROACHFEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  111

  January 2023

• Page 112

  ON APPROACH

  Fw 190A-8/R2 1/72#7467

  WNr. 681382, Hptm. Wilhelm Moritz,

  Stab IV./JG 3, Schongau, Germany,

  August 1944

  Hptm. Gerhard Schröder, CO of II.(Sturm)/JG 4,

  Welzow, Germany, September 1944

  WNr. 680747, Oblt. Hans Weik,

  CO of 10.(Sturm)/JG 3, Memmingen,

  Germany, June 1944

  Fw. Adalbert Koch, 6./JG 300, Löbnitz,

  Germany, fall 1944

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard112

  January 2023

• Page 113

  ON APPROACH

  Lt. Ernst Udet, Jasta 4,

  Beugneux-Cramoiselles Airfield,

  France, June 1918

  VzFlgMstr. Franz Mayer, MFJ III, Jabbeke,

  Belgium, September 1918

  Lt. Walter Blume, Jasta 9,

  Sissone, France, September 1918

  Lt. d. R. Kurt Monnington, Jasta 18,

  Montoy-Flanville, France, August 1918

  Uffz. Alfred Bäder, Jasta 65, Tichémont,

  France, November 1918

  Lt. d. R. Hans Besser, Jasta 12,

  Chéry-les-Pouilly, France, August 1918

  Fokker D.VII (OAW) #8136 1/48

  www.eduard.com

  D.VII

  FFookkkkeerr DD..VVIIII ((OOAAWW))

  1/48

  Scale Plastic Model Kit

  Eduard - Model Accessories

  Mírová 170

  435 21 Obrnice

  Czech Republic

  1/48

  PLASTIKOVÁ STAVEBNICE

  PRO POKROČILÉ MODELÁŘE

  plastové díly pro stavbu jednoho modelu

  obtisky pro 6 markingů

  fotoleptané díly a vyřezávané masky

  VYROBENO V ČESKÉ REPUBLICE

  Sběratelská položka pro dospělé modeláře

  SCALE PLASTIC MODEL KIT

  FOR ADVANCED MODELLERS

  plastic parts for one scale model

  decals for 6 marking options

  photo etched parts & die cut masks

  MADE IN CZECH REPUBLIC

  Collectible item for adult collectors only

  © Eduard-Model Accessories 2023

  39,95

  Fokker D.VII Fokker D.VII (OAW)(OAW)

  8136

  item

  Scale Plastic Model Kit

  www.eduard.com

  1/48

  1/48

  scale

  scale

  scale

  item

  8136

  8136

  item

  8136

  item

  1 48

  D.VII

  (OAW)

  Fokker

  D.VII

  (OAW)

  Fokker

  I

  I

  I

  1

  ?

  3

  24

  26

  25

  36

  2

  Fokker

  (OAW)

  Lt. Ernst Udet,

  Jasta 4,

  France,

  June 1918

  Lt. Walter Blume,

  Jasta 9,

  France,

  September 1918

  Uffz. Alfred Bäder,

  Jasta 65,

  France,

  November 1918

  VzFlgMstr.

  Franz Mayer,

  MFJ III, Belgium,

  September 1918

  Lt. d. R. Kurt

  Monnington,

  Jasta 18,

  France,

  August 1918

  Lt. d. R. Hans

  Besser,

  Jasta 12,

  France,

  August 1918

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard

  113

  January 2023

• Page 114

  ON APPROACH

  Bf 110E

  Re-release

  1/48 #8203

  6./ZG 1, Russia, Summer 1942

  Lt. Felix-Maria Brandis, 1.(Z)/JG 77, Malmi, Finland, 1942

  Lt. Herbert Kutscha, 5./ZG 1, Soviet Union, 1942

  4./NJG 1, St. Trond, France, February 1942

  4./ZG 76, Sonderkommando Junck,

  Mosul Air Base, Iraq, May 1941

  FEBRUARY 2023

  INFO Eduard114

  January 2023

• Page 115

  INSTEAD OF TEC, A FEW NOTES

  ON TRIOBO.

  So here I am again. Not that I'm a gra-

  phomaniac, but we've had a colleague,

  Richard, fall ill, and it is his turn on

  this month's Tail end Charlie. And since

  Richard is the person who pushed Triobo

  for the publication of the Info magazine,

  I'll add a few notes on this novelty at the

  end. The first is a reminder that today-

  's issue will not be available in Triobo

  until Monday. The reason for this is that

  the current issue is still being published

  both traditionally and in the new Triobo

  way, and there are a few adjustments

  to be made over the weekend to get it

  done properly in the new system. Thanks

  again to everyone for the comments

  sent in during the trial run in December.

  Based on them, we ended up making

  a few minor tweaks that will hopefully

  benefit the cause. One last note is that

  all issues of the Info magazine up to June

  2010 are now available in Triobo as well.

  Unfortunately, the older ones cannot be

  flipped over there anymore.

  And that's really all for today. Once again,

  I wish you a prosperous new year. It pro-

  bably won't be that much better than the

  last year, but it will bring changes. For

  example, here in the Czech Republic we

  will certainly have a new president, and

  right now we still have a chance that he

  will be more dignified and decent than

  the current one. Also, part of Eduard will

  move to a new facility this year, and it is

  already certain that it will have a more

  efficient heating system than the current

  hall. It sound promising, so the chances

  of change for the better are clearly there.

  So I wish us all that we will have plenty of

  reasons for good cheer this year!

  Vladimír Šulc

  INFO Eduard

  115

  January 2023

• TECH

  Instead of TEC, a few notes on Triobo.

  So here I am again. Not that I'm a graphomaniac, but we've had a colleague, Richard, fall ill, and it is his turn on this month's Tail end Charlie. And since Richard is the person who pushed Triobo for the publication of the Info magazine, I'll add a few notes on this novelty at the end. The first is a reminder that today's issue will not be available in Triobo until Monday. The reason for this is that the current issue is still being published both traditionally and in the new Triobo way, and there are a few adjustments to be made over the weekend to get it done properly in the new system. Thanks again to everyone for the comments sent in during the trial run in December. Based on them, we ended up making a few minor tweaks that will hopefully benefit the cause. One last note is that all issues of the Info magazine up to June 2010 are now available in Triobo as well. Unfortunately, the older ones cannot be flipped over there anymore.

  And that's really all for today. Once again, I wish you a prosperous new year. It probably won't be that much better than the last year, but it will bring changes. For example, here in the Czech Republic we will certainly have a new president, and right now we still have a chance that he will be more dignified and decent than the current one. Also, part of Eduard will move to a new facility this year, and it is already certain that it will have a more efficient heating system than the current hall. It sound promising, so the chances of change for the better are clearly there. So I wish us all that we will have plenty of reasons for good cheer this year!

   

  Vladimír Šulc

  
  

  
  

• Fast and low

  Text: Richard Plos

  Illustration: Adam Tooby 

  Cat. No. 7012

  
  

  The sea surface runs just a few feet below the bomb bay of the Mitchell, whose nose's eight half-inch guns shake the entire aircraft in a long burst that nails the freighter's personnel to the deck. The lead-spewing Mitchell approaches the ship at over 250 mph, the bomb bay opens, the pilot lowers the altitude even more and judges the moment. The bomb must be dropped from such a height and at such a speed that when it hits the water surface it bounces in a skipping manner towards the ship. Now! The bomb is released, hits the surface and after the first bounce it flies just above the sea to the target. A second bounce follows, and then the bomb hits the hull. The explosion engulfs the middle of the ship in fire and smoke as a thunderous shadow sweep over it, making a sharp turn towards the shore. Another round of machine gun fire showers the damaged ship, and just seconds later another bomb, sent by the second Mitchell of the attacking pair, hits the hull. The ship's fate is sealed, and the sailors seek salvation in lifeboats. The cargo destined for the Japanese troops sinks inevitably to the bottom of the sea, and the other ships of the supply convoy, which are attacked by other Mitchells, "fare similarly". This scene was recreated by Adam Tooby on a boxart for the B-25J STRAFER kit. His dramatic painting faithfully depicts a situation typical of Mitchells' attacks on supply convoys. 

  Destroying ships by bombing proved to be a difficult task during the war. Conventional bombing encountered several problems, from heavy anti-aircraft fire to the difficulty of hitting slender maneuvering targets. Torpedo or dive bombers did not have sufficient range to operate from land bases in such a large operational areas, and there were not enough aircraft carriers to guard all the sea lanes through which supplies flowed to Japanese forces. So as early as 1942, 5th Air Force units under the command of General George C. Kenney began experimenting with what was called "Skip Bombing", i.e., bombing from very low altitudes using the bomb's bouncing off the water's surface. However, the standard B-25D had to be modified for this task. First, the aircraft needed to be equipped with as powerful forward-firing armament as possible to silence the anti-aircraft fire of the vessels. Since no bombardier was needed for this type of bombing, his entire “office” in the nose was used to install machine guns. The main work in this regard was done by Paul Irvin "Pappy" Gunn, a legendary figure whose life story we described in a three-part article in issues 10, 11 and 12/2022. A mechanic, designer and pilot in one, he created an improvised design with four machine guns in the bombardier's compartment, the other four machine guns being placed in housings on the lower part of the fuselage sides. With the Mitchells thus modified, often equipped with internal auxiliary tank as well to increase operational range, the pilots then set out for their targets. After the introduction of the B-25J version, a factory modification of the machine gun version was then created, which had up to 14 forward-firing machine guns.

  Among the most prominent bomber groups that switched to this type of attacks, was the 345th Bombardment Group called "Air Apaches". The 499th BS, which adopted the nickname "Bats Outa Hell", was part of its lineup. During the 26 months that the 345th BG fought in the Pacific, its crews made 10,609 attacks and flew 58,562 combat hours. In all, they dropped 58,000 bombs weighing a total of 6,340 tons and expended over twelve and a half million rounds. All this resulted in the sinking of 260 enemy vessels, with 275 more damaged. In addition, the “Apaches” destroyed 260 Japanese aircraft on the ground and shot down another 107 in aerial combat. A Mitchell named Betty's Dream was assigned to this unit in June 1945 and completed 22 missions, during which she claimed two sunken vessels. On August 21, 1945, she then escorted a pair of white Japanese Betty bombers aboard which Japanese peace envoys were traveling to le Shima after the previous surrender in Manila. This aircraft was assignated to pilot 1/Lt Charles "Pop" Rice, Jr., the co-pilot was 2/Lt. Victor Tatelman. Today, the restored 45-8835 Mitchell flies in the "Betty's Dream" livery at the Texas Flying Legends Museum.

• The black day of the Jagdgeschwader “Udet”

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Piotr Forkasiewicz 

  Cat. No. 84186

  
  

  Among the German fighter units that moved from the Eastern Front to Western Europe at the end of summer 1943 was II./JG 3 “Udet” under the command of Maj. Kurt Brändle. From the eastern battlefield, its Stab and three Staffeln returned with more than 2,100 kills to their credit. It suffered its heaviest losses during the Battle of Kursk and in the following weeks of July, losing 24 Messerschmitts Bf 109 in combat and 14 pilots killed, wounded or missing. After moving west in late August 1943, JG3 was supplemented with a large group of novices, but its core was still a strong group of experienced veterans. The transition to combat with American bombers and their fighter escorts was no easy task. Brändle’s unit scored more than thirty kills during September and October, but lost 22 pilots with 17 Bf 109s  shot down, while another 20 were written off due to crashes. However, the worst was yet to come.On November 3, 1943, American heavy bombers made a raid on Wilhelmshafen, accompanied by one Fighter Group with P-38s and seven others armed with P-47s. Germans were only able to send 139 fighters due to bad weather. Brändle’s II./JG 3 took off from Schiphol and in a 30-minute battle with P-47s of 4th Fighter Group under the command of Lt. Col. Blakeslee claimed four victories. Two P-47s were lost and Brändle scored his 171st and 172nd victories in the process.However, the situation was reversed in the afternoon when Schiphol airfield was attacked by 64 B-26 Marauders. The first box of Marauders flew under the protection of Coltishall Wing and the second box was protected by Spitfires of the Canadian Digby Wing, commanded by W/Cdr Lloyd W. Chadburn. Brändle’s unit was ordered to make an emergency take-off at 15.40, but alarm came late as bombs began to fall on the airfield as the last of the 109s were taking-off. Brändle didn’t have time to organize his unit against the attacking formation. The fighter escort faced about fifteen 109s, which were scattered in flights of two to four fighters. Spitfires attacked them immediately.The first kill was recorded by F/O A. Bradshaw of No. 129 Sq at 15:56 over Zandvoort, on the coast. Canadian No. 416 Sqn. fought the 109s in a wild dogfight at 1,000 feet over the same town. At 16.00 one fighter was shot down by F/Lt D. E. Noonan over the town´s centre. His victim was apparently Fw. Walter Stienhans of 6./JG 3, whose machine crashed into the town and the pilot was killed. On the outskirts of Zandvoort one Bf 109 each were claimed by F/Lt R. D. Booth, F/O W. H. Jacobs and F/Lt A. H. Sager. Noonan and Sager together shot down one more. There was probably some overclaiming, because only Gefr. Hans Hahn, also of 6./JG 3, crashed on the outskirts of the town and perished. A member of this Staffel, Fw. Walter Stienhans, shot down Jacobs, who was last seen with black smoke coming from his Spitfire and did not survive. Over Schiphol one Bf 109 was shot down by S/Ldr M.G.L.M Donnet of No. 64 Sq. This may have been the machine that crashed at Hoofdorp and its pilot escaped unhurt. Two other Messerschmitts made emergency landings at Schiphol, one with combat damage, the other due to pilot error. Over the sea off Ijmuiden, W/C Chadburn hit  another Bf 109, whose pilot bailed out. F/Lt John D. Mitchner of No. 402 Sq RCAF first pursued one fighter whose pilot bailed out before the Canadian could open fire. He then sent down another machine, burning, whose pilot also bailed out. This moment is captured by Piotr Forkasiewicz in the painting of this boxart story.Chadburn claimed another Bf 109, whose pilot also bailed out from burning machine. The final success was achieved by S/Ldr G. W. Northcott of No. 402 Sq RCAF, who hit a Bf 109 which caught fire and disintegrated. Northcott mistakenly thought his wingman's machine was on fire. However, his wingman flew unhurt through the explosion and lost contact with his leader. This situation was recreated by Piotr Forkasiewicz on the boxart of the previously released 1/48 scale kit Spitfire Mk. Vb late. The five victories listed above correspond to the three losses that occurred over the sea. Major Brändle, Lt. Horst Brock of 6./JG 3 and Uffz. Horst Kirschner of 4./JG 3 did not survive. The crushing defeat of II./JG 3 became one of the most successful actions in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

  Among the German fighter units that moved from the Eastern Front to Western Europe at the end of summer 1943 was II./JG 3 “Udet” under the command of Maj. Kurt Brändle. From the eastern battlefield, its Stab and three Staffeln returned with more than 2,100 kills to their credit. It suffered its heaviest losses during the Battle of Kursk and in the following weeks of July, losing 24 Messerschmitts Bf 109 in combat and 14 pilots killed, wounded or missing.

  After moving west in late August 1943, JG3 was supplemented with a large group of novices, but its core was still a strong group of experienced veterans. The transition to combat with American bombers and their fighter escorts was no easy task. Brändle’s unit scored more than thirty kills during September and October, but lost 22 pilots with 17 Bf 109s  shot down, while another 20 were written off due to crashes. However, the worst was yet to come.

  On November 3, 1943, American heavy bombers made a raid on Wilhelmshafen, accompanied by one Fighter Group with P-38s and seven others armed with P-47s. Germans were only able to send 139 fighters due to bad weather. Brändle’s II./JG 3 took off from Schiphol and in a 30-minute battle with P-47s of 4th Fighter Group under the command of Lt. Col. Blakeslee claimed four victories. Two P-47s were lost and Brändle scored his 171st and 172nd victories in the process.

  However, the situation was reversed in the afternoon when Schiphol airfield was attacked by 64 B-26 Marauders. The first box of Marauders flew under the protection of Coltishall Wing and the second box was protected by Spitfires of the Canadian Digby Wing, commanded by W/Cdr Lloyd W. Chadburn. Brändle’s unit was ordered to make an emergency take-off at 15.40, but alarm came late as bombs began to fall on the airfield as the last of the 109s were taking-off. Brändle didn’t have time to organize his unit against the attacking formation. The fighter escort faced about fifteen 109s, which were scattered in flights of two to four fighters. Spitfires attacked them immediately.

  The first kill was recorded by F/O A. Bradshaw of No. 129 Sq at 15:56 over Zandvoort, on the coast. Canadian No. 416 Sqn. fought the 109s in a wild dogfight at 1,000 feet over the same town. At 16.00 one fighter was shot down by F/Lt D. E. Noonan over the town´s centre. His victim was apparently Fw. Walter Stienhans of 6./JG 3, whose machine crashed into the town and the pilot was killed.

  On the outskirts of Zandvoort one Bf 109 each were claimed by F/Lt R. D. Booth, F/O W. H. Jacobs and F/Lt A. H. Sager. Noonan and Sager together shot down one more. There was probably some overclaiming, because only Gefr. Hans Hahn, also of 6./JG 3, crashed on the outskirts of the town and perished. A member of this Staffel, Fw. Walter Stienhans, shot down Jacobs, who was last seen with black smoke coming from his Spitfire and did not survive.

  Over Schiphol one Bf 109 was shot down by S/Ldr M.G.L.M Donnet of No. 64 Sq. This may have been the machine that crashed at Hoofdorp and its pilot escaped unhurt. Two other Messerschmitts made emergency landings at Schiphol, one with combat damage, the other due to pilot error.

  Over the sea off Ijmuiden, W/C Chadburn hit  another Bf 109, whose pilot bailed out. F/Lt John D. Mitchner of No. 402 Sq RCAF first pursued one fighter whose pilot bailed out before the Canadian could open fire. He then sent down another machine, burning, whose pilot also bailed out. This moment is captured by Piotr Forkasiewicz in the painting of this boxart story.

  Chadburn claimed another Bf 109, whose pilot also bailed out from burning machine. The final success was achieved by S/Ldr G. W. Northcott of No. 402 Sq RCAF, who hit a Bf 109 which caught fire and disintegrated. Northcott mistakenly thought his wingman's machine was on fire. However, his wingman flew unhurt through the explosion and lost contact with his leader. This situation was recreated by Piotr Forkasiewicz on the boxart of the previously released 1/48 scale kit Spitfire Mk. Vb late. The five victories listed above correspond to the three losses that occurred over the sea. Major Brändle, Lt. Horst Brock of 6./JG 3 and Uffz. Horst Kirschner of 4./JG 3 did not survive. The crushing defeat of II./JG 3 became one of the most successful actions in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

• High sky collision

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Adam Tooby

  Cat. No. 8486

  
  

  Canadian William Melville “Mel” Alexander was one of the most famous aces in the Royal Naval Air Service and the RAF. Of his 22 victories (23 are also given) he achieved a total of 10 during 1917 in the Sopwith Triplane N5487 “Black Prince” as a member of the Black Flight of No. 10 Naval Squadron. He also took part in the air battle of July 6, 1917, in which the commander of Jasta 11, Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, was severely wounded.

  When Alexander went on leave in mid-October, he had 12 victories to his credit, two of them already on Camels. On his return in late December, his unit was fully rearmed with Camels. Later Alexander would remember this type as an excellent aircraft, but tricky one. Anyway, if a pilot passed the first 10 to 15 flying hours unscathed, he usually had the plane firmly in his hands.

  It was in Camel B6289 that Alexander achieved his first victory after returning from leave. It was marked with a white letter A, which placed it in the unit’s A Flight, and an individual color motif was painted on the wheel discs. The aircraft itself already had two victories to its credit, achieved in 1917 by Flt. Sub-Lieut. H. L. Nelson. It was later turned over to No. 9 Naval Squadron and crashed in June 1918.

  When Alexander took off with B6289 from Teteghem, near Dunkirk, on January 23, 1918, at 14.05 he was part of the High Offensive Patrol of ten machines of No. 10 Naval Squadron. The formation headed over the front at 7,000 feet. Five minutes ahead of them, a formation of Camels from No. 3 Naval Squadron had taken off as well. Over the Houthulst forest, they came into combat with four DFWs escorted by three fighters of a new type. They managed to shoot down one of the two-seaters, but after the fight the English Flt. Sub-Lieut. Herbert S. J. E. Youens was missing. The German planes were apparently Pfalz scouts from Jasta 7, and Youens, who was captured, was then a guest at that unit's airfield at Aertryke. The commander of Jasta 7, who was Lt. d. R. Carl Degelow, claimed in his memoirs, after the war, that he had shot down Youens, but was not credited with the victory. However, this is probably a fabrication.

  Victory over Youens was awarded to Lt. d. R. Gustav Wandelt from Jasta 36, at 15.45 near Staden. Then just five minutes later, also near Staden, Jasta 36 clashed with the Camels of Naval 10. The Naval pilots with their biplanes were just in the clouds chasing three two-seaters escorted by one fighter. These were soon joined by five Albatross from Jasta 36. Flt. Lieut. W. A. Curtis first hit a green-painted two-seater which broke up in mid-air, and then dove to pursue another two-seater with silver paint. Flt. Sub-Lieut. Nelson fired a burst at two Albatross in succession during the chase in the clouds, but to no avail. “Mel” Alexander chased one Albatros above the cloud layer and managed to hit it from below in the fuselage during a turn, the German went into a spin. Alexander followed his adversary through the clouds and lost contact when he had to focus on another enemy machine. He was credited with an “out of control” victory.

  A painting by Adam Tooby shows just the moment in the opening stages of the battle, with Alexander flying close to an Albatros with blue paint on the nose, the identifying feature of the Jasta 36 machines.

  This German fighter unit recorded in its diary that it was attacked by six Sopwiths. Wandelt was pursuing one Camel when suddenly his machine was hit in the engine and collided with another Camel. He did not survive the crash. The unfortunate pilot who collided with Wandelt’s Albatros was Canadian Flt. Sub-Lieut. Ross A. Blyth, who was also killed. Blyth’s colleagues did not see the collision, but both Alexander and Flt. Sub-Lieut. Manuel saw falling planes. The latter stated in his report that the machines fell together in a spin then hit the ground together. On the German side, both Wandelt’s victories and the circumstances of his death were witnessed by Lt. d. R. Heinrich Bongartz and Max Naujock. The wreckage of Blyth’s Camel was photographed by the Germans with a large group of soldiers, a common custom at the time. The picture is characteristic in that none of the onlookers look triumphant or cheerful. The 25-year-old Canadian aviator is buried today in Perth cemetery, near Leper (Ypres), Belgium. Wandelt’s final resting place is unknown.

• In the clouds over the Channel

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration by Petr Štěpánek

  Cat. No. 7083

  
  

  The German Navy found itself in a very disadvantageous situation in the second half of the 1941. The battleships Scharnhost and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen were anchored in Brest thus becoming the target of repeated RAF raids. The Germans did not want to risk the ships sailing around the west coast of Great Britain and Ireland on way to their home ports in Northern Europe, because there they could not provide air cover. There was the option of sailing through the Channel, but to some of the German Navy leadership such an idea seemed too risky. The last time a group of large warships had operated so close to British shores was in 1588, it was the Spanish Armada.  

  The Channel option prevailed under code name Cerberus. The action was to be carried out in poor weather to make it more difficult for the British to threaten the ships. The Germans began to clear mines in the route and started jamming of radio communication and radars.

  The British knew of the impending evacuation thanks to the ULTRA intercepts. They also had information about the mine clearance. In early February 1942, they expected German ships to sail north any day. And so, they tried to place new naval mines along the anticipated route.

  On the Luftwaffe side, the then General der Jagdlflieger, the legendary Oberst Adolf Galland, was given the task to organize air cover for the ships. He was also the author of its cover name for this air operation – Donnerkeil (Thunderbolt). He had 252 fighter aircraft at his disposal. The bulk of these were Bf 109s and Fw 190s from JG 1, JG 2 and JG 26. He was also given the operational part of the training unit Jagdfliegerschule 5 as well as Bf 110 night fighters from NJG 1 and NJG 3. Bombers from KG 2 also took part. The commanders of these units learned of the plan the day before, on 11 February 1942. In the evening, Brest was bombed by RAF planes and the task force did not set sail until 22:45. Coincidentally, neither British submarines nor patrolling radar aircraft picked it up. Scharnhost, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen set off accompanied by six destroyers, which were joined by other vessels, mostly torpedo boats, during the following day.

  Galland led fighter operations from the headquarters of his former unit JG 26 in Audembert. Directly on board Scharnhorst was fighter pilot Oberst Max Ibel, former Kommodore of JG 27. He commanded fighter units within Luftflotte 3 (Jafü 3). But within this operation he served as Jafü Schiff and was tasked with coordinating with the fighter units. He took direct command at the end of the air battle.

  During the night of 11-12 February, night fighter aircraft carried out routine activities which were not intended to draw attention to the ships. The first fighter escorts appeared over the task force at 08:50 (German time) near Cherbourg. Coincidentally, these were Bf 110 night fighters. They were involved mainly because of their experience of flying in poor weather conditions. Formations of fighters, numbering between ten and sixteen machines, were gradually launched over the task force during the day. Worse weather prevailed on the British side of the Channel, but some German fighters took off with visibility of 100 meters.

  The British became suspicious at 11:00 (German time), and on radar they spotted a group of circling aircraft moving at about 20 to 25 knots. Two pairs of Spitfires independently detected the ships around 11:30. One of them broke radio silence and reported the vessels, which at the same time prepared the Germans for an air attack.

  At a 13:15, the Germans came under inaccurate fire from the Dover batteries, which were firing in bad weather according to information from radar operators. Fifteen minutes later, six valiant Swordfish crews tried to release torpedoes, but all were shot down. The British lost a total of 42 aircraft out of 450 deployed in the afternoon attacks, and one destroyer and several escort vessels were also damaged. By nightfall the Germans had made 396 fighter sorties and 50 bomber sorties. They lost 22 machines. The only damage suffered by the escorted vessels was to Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, which ran into mines. On the RAF side, there were a number of shortcomings in communications and armament. The Germans managed to achieve a tactical victory, but it was de facto a strategic retreat in the Battle of the Atlantic.

• Headhunters over Buna

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Adam Tooby 

  Cat. No. 8092

  
  

  The air war over New Guinea in 1942 is one of the best-known episodes of the Pacific War thanks to the memoirs of Saburō Sakai, who served with Tainan Kōkūtai until he was wounded on August 7, 1942, near Guadalcanal. Japanese naval aviators on New Guinea first used the Lae and Salamaua airfields. Buna was captured in July. After a few weeks, Type 32 Zeroes from the 2nd Kōkūtai and Tainan Kōkūtai began operating from there.

  The Japanese were trying to fight their way to Port Moresby in southern New Guinea, to establish a base for an attack on Australia. In the air, the experienced invaders were initially faced by Australian pilots of Kittyhawks. These were gradually supplemented and replaced by American fighters with Airacobras, who quickly learned how to fight the Zeros. The forces thus began to balance out until finally the Japanese could not be sure of their superiority. Michael J. Claringbould describes the fights in this area in his well-researched publications.

  One of the fresh American units to arrive on the battlefield was the 80th Fighter Squadron “Headhunters”, which was part of the 8th Fighter Group. From mid-May 1942 it had been preparing to fight near Brisbane, Australia. Unit moved to Port Moresby on 20 July under the command of 1/Lt Phil H. Greasley. Their frequent duties included escorting twin-engine bombers and attacking cargo vessels, mostly in the vicinity of Buna.

  Greasley flew to Buna at the head of eight Airacobras on August 26, 1942. However, he soon had to return with another pilot due to technical difficulties. He handed over the lead to Bill Brown, who mistakenly headed east to Milne Bay. His wingman, Danny Roberts, eventually broke radio silence and alerted him to the error. Brown quickly corrected the course and the Americans arrived at Buna from an unexpected direction.

  Two trios of Zeros were just taking off from the airfield. The first was led by Warrant Officer Kazu-o Tsunoda (9 victories) of the 2nd Kōkūtai and the second by Lt.(jg) Jōji Yamashita of Tainan Kōkūtai. They did not expect an American attack at all. Brown and Roberts hit the first trio. They killed PO1c Ki-ichi Iwase and PO3c Daizō Ihara. Tsunoda's machine “Q-102” received ten hits, he was able to open fire on the attackers, but after landing his aircraft was no longer repairable and was later captured by the Australians.

  The second trio came under fire from Lieutenants Helveston and Roberts, they killed PO3c Kyoshi Nakano. His fellow PO2c Ichirōbei Yamazaki (14 victories) was wounded but helped Yamashita to score victory over one of the Airacobras. It may have been 2/Lt Rogers, who, thinking he was hit by flak, ditched off the coast with his damaged machine and was rescued by natives. The Americans claimed a total of seven victories, which, although inflated, did not detract from their clear victory over the seasoned IJN veterans.

  Tainan Kōkūtai, with its main base in Rabaul, was fighting on two fronts at the time. The other one, more important, was on Guadalcanal. During that same 26 August, the well-known Lt.(jg) Jun-ichi Sasai (27 victories) led eight Zeroes on escort mission to the fateful island. However, along with two other pilots, he was killed in a dogfight with Marine Wildcats. His victor was probably the legendary Marion Carl.

  But the bad news wasn't over yet. The very next day, August 27, an aviator from Tainan Kōkūtai was killed by an Airacobra pilot. On another mission from Buna, eight fighters from Tainan Kōkūtai took off under Yamashita's command to escort eight Val bombers from the 2nd Kōkūtai to Rabi airfield. The bombers dropped their loads and since there were no enemy fighters in sight, Yamashita unexpectedly authorized an attack on ground targets, including the tempting four-engine B-24. But two fliers, including Yamashita, were shot down by ground fire. One of them ditched near shore, and two of his colleagues were shot down as they tried to destroy his Zero to keep it from falling into enemy hands. They were surprised by Australian Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron RAAF, led by the famous Les Jackson. Two Vals fell victim to them too. Tainan Kōkūtai thus lost nine Zeros and ten pilots, including two Buntaichō officers, in two days. This elite unit had to be withdrawn from the battlefield after another two months of fierce fighting.

• Bailing out over the jungle

  Text: Jan Bobek

  Illustration: Piotr Forkasiewicz 

  Cat. No. 82212

  
  

  The duel between Japanese naval fighter Saburō Sakai and Wildcat pilot “Pug” Southerland, which took place on August 7, 1942, over Guadalcanal, is one of the most famous stories from the Pacific battles. Thanks to the books published about Sakai, as well as the interviews he gave after the war, his experiences during this encounter are fairly well known. For a depiction of this battle and his dramatic return to Rabaul in the Zero's cockpit, see the article on Saburō Sakai in the 06/2022 issue of INFO Eduard magazine.

  James Julian “Pug” Southerland was born in 1911 in Norberth, Pennsylvania. He joined the Navy in 1930 and graduated from the Naval Academy six years later. He first served on the battleships Texas and New York but began flight training in 1939. He became a naval aviator in February 1940 and was assigned to VF-5. Two years later he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

  On this fateful 7 August, he took off from the deck of the USS Saratoga a total of three times. During the last sortie, he led a formation of four Wildcats that were part of the defence against a Japanese raid by G4M Betty bombers from the 4th Kōkūtai escorted by Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai. The Japanese wanted to attack the transport vessels that were supporting the Guadalcanal landings. Southerland was the first to spot the bombers over their target in the intense cloud cover. He claimed to have shot down two Bettys, but all three of his wingmen were attacked by Zeros led by Shirō Kawai. Two were shot down and the third returned to the carrier with a badly damaged machine.

  Southerland used up all of his ammunition in the attack on the Bettys, and his machine was slightly damaged by the Betty´s gunners. This made things very difficult for him when he was attacked by Zeros piloted by PO3c Ichirōbei Yamazaki, who broke away from Kawai's formation, and two of Sakai's wingmen, PO2c Enji Kakimoto and PO3c Kazushi “Popo” Utō.

  Against the enemy's superior numbers, Southerland  calmly fought a manoeuvre battle, getting into firing position several times, but unfortunately he was out of ammunition. He was quite protected from the effects of the Zeros' fire by the Wildcat's armor and sturdy construction. After Yamazaki broke away from the fruitless power play, Saburō Sakai flew in to help his wingmen, and the ensuing development is well known.

  Piotr Forkasiewicz captured the final seconds of the Wildcat's flight in his painting. Southerland bailed out of the machine at a very low altitude and the machine exploded just before hitting the ground. The American pilot managed to open his parachute and landed on the ground. He was in shock, exhausted and had eleven wounds.

  At dawn on 8 August, Southerland headed east towards Lunga Point, cautiously passing through several deserted villages. He then attempted to use a canoe, but it leaked  so he continued on foot along the coast. At one of the  next villages he met two native boys, one of whom was in contact with an Allied coastal watcher. Southerland was led to the village of Mamara and he could regain his strength there until dawn on 10 August. The locals were all very friendly, but they were understandably concerned about the fighting they had seen or heard in the past few days. Only the oldest man in the village was unfriendly and expressed himself in terms that he used to eat white men, but those days were gone.

  On the morning of 10 August, three boys loaded Southerland into a canoe, managed to bypass the Japanese camp at the mouth of the Mantanikau River, and turned the Wildcat pilot over to a unit of U.S. Marines. On the way back, the canoe came under fire from the Japanese, sank, and the young natives fell into captivity. Fortunately, they managed to escape after a short time. Southerland departed Guadalcanal on 12 August aboard a Catalina, the first machine to land at Lunga airfield.

  In April 1944, he was appointed commander of VF-83 on USS Essex and later served with VF-23 on USS Langley, becoming commander of CAG-23. With both units he flew Hellcats in 1945 and achieved three more victories. On October 12, 1949, while serving with VF-43, he was killed in a F4U-4 accident during takeoff from USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The wreckage of his Wildcat was first examined by aviation researchers in the 1990s. 

• Markings B-25J Mitchell STRAFER 1/72

  B-25J-30, 44-30934, 1/Lt Charles E. Rice, Jr., 449th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945

  The most significant mission of the Mitchell named Betty’s Dream was escort of two white Betty bombers aboard which Japanese peace envoys traveled to le Shima on August 21, 1945, after the previous surrender in Manila. The aircraft was assigned to 1/Lt Charles “Pop” Rice, Jr. who later became the unit’s operations officer. The Betty’s Dream ship was only briefly with the 449th BS, having been assigned to the unit in June 1945. Due to that, it showed just a little sign of war wear and tear. The typical drawing of a bat on the nose referred to the unit’s name, Bats Outa’Hell. The famous Indian head was painted in its later form, which was the artwork of Cpl. Charles O. Metzel and was applied on the aircraft of the “Air Apaches” from March 1945.     
  

  
  

  B-25J-10, 43-28145, 71st BS, 38th BG, 5th AF, Lingayen, Philippines, 1945

  The “Sunsetters”, as was the 38th Bombardment Group known, consisted of four squadrons, of which the 71st BS was nicknamed “Wolf Pack”. Tis aircraft is known in two marking states, as it originally sported smaller wolf head painted on the nose and no bombing mission marks under the cockpit. Later the wolf head was changed for bigger one and marks indicating 106 missions were added. Originally, the side gun packs were fitted, known photos of the later state of marking show they had been removed. The decals of this marking option refer to the early version. Unfortunately, not too much is known about this aircraft. There was nothing found about it in the squadron’s official records, as many mission reports do not specify the aircraft participating. There is also uncertainty about the color of the Estrallita inscription as well as of the wolf’s head, as it was usually painted either brown or dark gray. We tend to believe it was brown in this case. Regarding the Estrallita sign we offer green and red option to choose from…
  

   

  B-25J-20, 44-29147, Lt. William J. Faucher, 396th BS, 41st BG, 7th AF, Kadena, Okinawa, July 1945

  The 41st Bombardment Group moved from Hawai to Okinawa for the final part of the war in June 1945 and they were the first unit to use the Mitchells to attack the Japanese home soil since the famous Doolitle Raid in 1942. The mission No. 1-45 was flown by 15 aircraft which attacked the Chiran airfield on Kyushu Island. The 44-29147 did not participate but was flown on other occasions. The aircraft was assigned to Lt. “Bill” Faucher, who was usually in crew with Lt. F. E. Brown as co-pilot. The aircraft was one of those left in natural metal finish and sported the girl wearing blue bikini swimsuit on the port side of the nose. The painting was probably one of many within USAAF inspired by famous Alberto Vargas’ paintings.
  

   

  B-25J-20, 44-29657, 1/Lt Thomas Cockrell, 100th BS, 42nd BG, 13th AF, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, 1945

  Activated on January 15, 1940, 42nd BG patrolled the west coast during 1942 and moved to the Pacific theater in March and April 1943. The Group named “Crusaders” was assigned to 13th AF and entered combat in June 1943, operating from bases in the Solomon Islands. In March 1945 the group moved to the Philippines and attacked shipping along the China coast, targets in French Indochina and bombed airfields and installations in the Philippines. They also supported ground operations on Mindanao and supported Australian forces on Borneo during May and June 1945. Early in 1945 fifth unit, 100th BS, previously known as 106th Reconnaisance Squadron, was incorporated into the Crusaders. This Mitchell was assigned to Lt. Thomas Cockrell, whose son Gordon later followed father’s footsteps as he served with US Army as a helicopter pilot. The colors of the noseart are not known, we tend to believe the blue colors of Crusaders’ shield and of the insignia were used. Red central circle is also possible, but the red circles were something unwanted on the aircraft fighting against Japanese…  
  

   

  B-25J-30, 44-31063, 498th BS, 345th BG, 5th AF, le Shima, Okinawa, Japan, July 1945

  One of the most famous and colorful units in the Pacific, the “Air Apaches”, was constituted on September 3, 1942, as 345th Bombing Group (medium) and after activation they trained immediately with B-25s. Originally, they were to be deployed in UK, but Major General George C. Kenney had successfully pledged for more B-25 units to be assigned to his 5th Air Force. Thus, in April 1943, the Group moved to the Pacific Theatre and after arrival to Australia, their B-25Ds were field-modified to Strafer version according to the instructions set-up by famous “Pappy” Gunn, at the time already the Technical Officer of the 5th Air Force. The “Air Apaches” participated with these and later with B-25Js in no less than nine major campaigns. All four squadrons they consisted of had their distinctive markings and names, the 498th BS being known as “Falcons” with the stylized falcon head adorning the nose of each aircraft of the unit. The state of Darlin’ Donna portrayed here matches the appearance of the aircraft when it arrived at le Shima at the end of July 1945. It was not sporting the famous Indian head nor the white wingtips, applied at the time already. The leading edges of the tail surfaces and wing had irregular strikes of the green color darker than the original and worn Olive Drab.     
  

• Markings Spitfire Mk.Vb mid 1/48

  BM211, F/Lt John D. Mitchner, No. 402 Squadron RCAF, RAF Merston, United Kingdom, September–November 1943

  John Mitchener was born in Saskatoon, Canada in 1914 and before he joined RCAF in October 1940 he had worked for three years as a bookseller. In June 1941 he finished his basic pilot training and after that, in the middle of August, he was transferred to Britain. In the beginning of September, he was assigned to No. 263 Squadron equipped with Whirlwinds where he flew until June 1942. After his brief instructor’s stunt at No. 55 OTU in July he was assigned to No. 247 Squadron and next month to No. 116 Squadron. In November he was transferred to No. 402 Squadron where, in the beginning of 1943, he scored his first victory. In October he was decorated with DFC and in February 1944 he completed his tour of duty. After his return to Canada, he served at Tealing and in August 1944 returned to Europe where he was attached to No. 421 Squadron as a flight leader. In the end of September, he was transferred to No. 416 Squadron and in November he assumed command of the whole unit. In 1946 he returned to Canada and continued his service with RCAF. In 1953 he became commander of Sylvestre and Lac St. Debis air bases and in 1960 he retired due to the health issues. He passed away on December 8, 1964. During his wartime career John Davidson Mitchner scored 11 confirmed kills and three probables. He also damaged three enemy aircraft. At No. 402 Squadron John Mitchner regularly flew Spitfire LF Mk. Vb BM211 coded AE-J in the fall of 1943. On the fuselage starboard side, the aircraft carried his personal nose art of sunbathing Miss Jane, a character from the Daily Mirror magazine. This Spitfire featured the newer exhausts introduced as the standard with Mk.IX version. Majority of the No. 402 Squadron Spitfires Mk.Vb were equipped with these exhausts since they helped improve the aircraft performance.
  

   

  BL594, W/Cdr Alexandr Gabszewicz, No. 2 Polish Wing, RAF Northolt, United Kingdom, February–May 1943

  BL594 was delivered to No. 242 Squadron in April 1942 but in May it was damaged in an accident, consequently repaired, and delivered to No. 303 (Polish) Squadron, at that time operating out of the Kirton-in-Lindsey airfield.
  

  It was coded RF-G and assigned to F/O Horbaczewski as his personal mount. In the beginning of February 1943 No. 303 Squadron was transferred to Heston but BL594 was left at Kirton-in-Lindsey airfield assigned to No. 2 Polish Wing commander Alexandr Gabszewicz as his personal mount. His new Spitfire was re-painted to No. 302 (Polish) Squadron standards including the unit insignia. Gabszewicz had his personal score, seven and half black crosses, painted on the drop tank port side including the name “Smarkata” (which refers to the very young age of his fiancée, Elizabeth Helen Bullimore). In the beginning of June, No. 302 (Polish) Squadron was transferred to No. 1 Polish Wing in Heston and BL594 was left with No. 308 (Polish) Squadron. It was rebuilt to LF Mk.Vb standard and in January 1944 assigned to No. 234 Squadron. On May 9, 1944, BL594 was shot down by flak near Berck-sur-Mer. Its pilot, F/O D. N. Greenhalghem, bailed out however did not survive.

   

  BL384, F/Lt John A. A. Gibson, No. 457 Squadron RAAF, RAF Andreas, United Kingdom, December 1941

  On December 11, 1941, Sptfire BL351 was assigned to the Australian No. 457 Squadron. Initially P/O Ken James was frequently at its controls. Later this pilot was credited with 2.5 kills. In February 1942, BL351 was assigned to F/Lt John Gibson, a New Zealander who in 1940 claimed 11.5 kills while flying Hurricanes with No. 501 Squadron. Gibson had his personal marking, Donald Duck, painted on his new Spitfire, including all his confirmed aerial victories, 13.5 of them at that time. In March 1942, BL351 was transferred to No. 452 Squadron and ultimately destroyed in a ground collision on May 8 of the same year.
  

   

  BM309, 2/Lt Robert A. Boock, 335th FS, 4th FG, Debden, United Kingdom, February 1943

  During WWII the 4th Fighter Group was a component of the 8th USAAF. The group operated out of Debden airbase which gave it a nickname Debden Eagles. Between September 1940 and July 1941 three Eagle Squadrons were formed out of the American volunteer pilots before the United States entered WWII in December 1941. These units operated under the RAF command until September 29, 1942, when they formed the 4th FG of the 8th USAAF. The No. 71, No. 121 and No. 133 Squadron RAF became 334th, 335th and 336th FG of the USAAF. During the last large scale engagement of the 4th FG on January 22, 1943 2/Lt. Robert A. Boock from 335th FS flying Spitfire Mk.Vb BM309 shot down a Fw 190 North-West of Dunkerque. His Spitfire carried an unofficial 4th FG insignia on the starboard side of the engine cowling.
  

• Markings Sopwith F.1 Camel (Clerget) 1/48

  B6289, W. M. Alexander, No. 10(N) Squadron RNAS, Téteghem, France, January 1918

  Canadian William Melville Alexander was native from Toronto, and he was keen to learn to fly as soon as he turned out 18. As the Curtiss and Wright Brothers flying schools were at full capacity, he took a journey to Stinson school in San Antonio, Texas. There he got just 3,5 hours of training prior to his flying test. He succeeded and received Aero Club of America Certificate No. 447. In 1916, back in Canada, he was appointed a flight sub-lieutenant in the RNAS and after future training he was sent overseas to become member of No. 3 (Naval) Wing in France. There he was flying Sopwith 1½ Strutters. Four months later, his unit was disbanded, and Alexander was posted to the new No. 10 (N) Squadron to fly Sopwith Triplanes as a part of Raymond Collishaw’s “Black Flight”. He achieved his first victory on June 2, 1917, (shared) and he added seven more by the end of July. After the unit started to receive new Camels, Alexander achieved his first victory on this type on August 16. He was also still using Triplane for some time alongside Camel. On August 27 he was appointed an acting Flight Commander. Altogether he achieved 23 victories, most of them classified as Out of Control (OOC) which was also the case of the only victory achieved with Camel B6289. He did not continue military service after the war and died on October 4, 1988, in Canada.
  

   

  E7232, No. 4 Flying School, Freiston, United Kingdom, 1918

  This Camel was manufactured by Ruston Proctor & Co Ltd. In September 1918 and was posted to No. 4 Flying School in Freiston, where it got colorful painting of white and red colors. The upper side of the top wing obtained the motif of the rays of rising sun, while upper side of bottom wing got simple stripes of white and red color. The name Dimps was painted on the left side only probably. The site of the RNAS Freiston Shores was established in 1917 and served as a satellite base for air-weapon training for nearby RNAS Cranwell. Originally it was nothing more than a field on area of about 80 acres and was originally used for final two weeks of training of officers on the advanced flying course at RNAS Cranwell. However, its role was soon extended, and the airfield was expanded and hangars, accommodation blocks and a control tower were built. The airfield was originally known as the RNAS Gunnery School or Armament Training School and then became the School of Aerial Fighting and Bomb Dropping when the RNAS became amalgamated into the newly formed RAF in 1918. The name of the school than changed again to the No. 4 School of Aerial Fighting and Gunnery and was redesignated again as No. 4 Fighting School. The base was disbanded in March 1920.    
  

   

  D6402, Henry W. Woollett, No. 43 Sqn, Avesnes-le-Comte, France, April 1918

  Henry Winslow Woollett was set to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a doctor. Henry, medical student at the outbreak of WWI, was commissioned in the Linconshire Regiment in August 1914 and took part in the Suvla Bay landings in the Dardanelles. He was transferred to the RFC in 1916 and after training he joined No. 24 Squadron RFC in November. They were flying DH-2s in France, which were getting obsolete at the time. Woollett managed to shoot down one enemy flying this “bunch of wires”. After converting to DH-5s, he added for more. In August 1917 Woollett returned to England, became Flight Commander. Back to France in March 1918, he joined No. 43 Squadron with Camels. As a leader of the C Flight, he brought his score to 35 by early August. Of these victims 11 were balloons. His specialty in fighting these heavily defended targets, was the reason behind the adoption of irregular fields of very light color over the upper wing and rudder. This was to mimic the appearance of more colorful German aircraft. This additional camouflage lasted only for a couple of days before being ordered to be painted out. Some sources state white color of these fields, but on the existing photo they look somewhat darker and might be of very light blue as well. This is up to every modeler to choose.     
  

   

  B5406, Lt. Sadhar H. Malik, No. 28 Squadron RFC, Droglant, France, October 1917 

  Sadhar Hardit Malik became the first Indian to fly as a pilot with the RFC in the WWI. He travelled to England from Punjab at the age of 14 to attend preparation school and college studies at Balliol College. After his graduation in 1915 he applied to join the RFC but was denied. He then served with the French Red Cross in 1916 as an ambulance driver and still determined to fly he applied to join the Aéronautique Militaire in 1916. When his Oxfortd tutor Francis Urquhart learned about it, he considered it scandalous and wrote to head of the RFC General Henderson. The intercession paid off and Malik was accepted as an air cadet. On April 6, 1917, he received a temporary commission as a second Lieutenant in the RFC and was trained as a pilot. His first assignment was with No. 26 Sqn from July 13, 1917. As an observant Sikh, he wore a turban instead of a helmet, later covered by specially designed flying helmet. Malik was transferred to No. 28 Sqn in 1917 and managed to score his first victory on October 18. Just eight days later he scored another kill but was wounded in his right leg. He was set to get back to the action after convalescence, but he was diagnosed as having an allergy to the Sopwith Camel’s castor oil lubricant. Due to that he spent rest of the war flying Bristol F.2b Fighters and returned to India after the end of the hostilities to serve in the Indian Civil Service. He was very successful and held several trade and diplomatic posts, namely as Indian Ambassador to France. He died on October 31, 1985. 
  

• Markings Bf 110E 1/72

  4./NJG 1, St. Trond, Belgium, February 1942

  NJG 1 was the oldest night fighter Luftwaffe unit and was founded by the legendary Oberst Wolfgang Falck. At the beginning of 1942, the unit’s II. Gruppe was led by Major Walter Ehle, who kept the commanding position for over next three years. In 1942, the well-known night fighter Wilhelm Herget, for example, also served within the ranks of 4. Staffel II./NJG 1. This “G9+JM” is interesting not only for the shark mouth marking, but also for the temporary application of a “naval” RLM 72 green on the upper surfaces, as this plane took part in patrol flights for Operation Donnerkeil. A quick identification mark came in the form of a yellow fuselage band. During the operation, the Germans managed to navigate the battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as well as the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen through the English Channel from Brest (Bretagne, France) to northern Germany. The Luftwaffe, between February 11 and 13, 1942, ensured uninterrupted patrols over the formation. II./NJG 1 and II./NJG 3 were tasked with cover duty during twilight and overnight hours. On the second day of operations, elements of both night fighter units relocated to Lister airbase in Norway, from which the last segment of the fleet’s cruise was covered. The unit’s detachment stayed in Norway through to the end of February. All air to air victories during Operation Donnerkeil were achieved by day fighters of the Luftwaffe.
  

   

  Lt. Herbert Kutscha, 5./ZG 1, Soviet Union, 1942

  Herbert Kutscha ((*1917 †2003) served with II./JG 77 at the beginning of the war, but he was soon transferred to 5./ZG 1 equipped with Messerschmitts Bf 110. During the Battle of France, he shot down a number of aircraft, including a Bf 109 of the air force of neutral Switzerland. Later, he also gained much success on the Eastern Front as a ground attack pilot, partially due to II./ZG 1 transformation into II./SKG 210. Kutscha’s II.Gruppe, under the command of Hptm. Rolf Kaldrack, was specialized in ground attack operations, especially in low level bombing. The Bf 110 was able to move faster over the enemy territory than other bombers. Here is where the term “fast bombardment wing” (SKG; Schnellkampfgeschwader) was coined. Kutscha was awarded the Knight’s Cross after his 22nd victory. At that time there were 41 aircraft destroyed on the ground, 41 tanks, 15 locomotives, 11 anti-aircraft guns and 157 transport vehicles added to his tally. In June 1943 he took command of 15. Staffel JG 3 “Udet”, utilizing single engine fighters. In the summer of 1944, he took control of II./JG 3 in Normandy and by the end of the year he changed the unit to lead II./JG 27. From February 1945 he commanded III./JG 1 on the Eastern Front. All in all, he flew over 900 sorties and achieved 47 kills, six of which were four engine heavy bombers and 22 of his kills he achieved behind controls of Bf 110. German Geschwader was much bigger unit than RAF or USAAF Squadron. In fact, it was corresponding to USAAF Wing, while Gruppe was equal to USAAF Group and Staffel was similar unit as the USAAF squadron.
  

   

  Lt. Felix-Maria Brandis, 1.(Z)/JG 77, Malmi, Finland, 1942

  One of the aircraft of 1.(Z)/JG 77 commander Lt. Felix-Maria Brandis while stationed on the Eastern Front. His credit count tallied 14 victories of which five victims were British (including a pair of Fairey Albacores) and nine Soviet aircraft. Lt. Brandis died on February 2, 1942, when flying Bf 110E-2 (WNr. 2546) LN+AR at Olang. He crashed on the return leg of a combat sortie in bad weather conditions. By that time, his unit had been re-designated 6.(Z)/JG 5 (January 25, 1942). The designation of the unit progressively changed from 1.(Z)/JG 77 to 6.(Z)/JG 5, 10.(Z)/JG 5 and 13.(Z)/JG 5. On the nose of the aircraft, there was the emblem of a dachshund with a Rata (Polikarpov I-16) in its mouth. It was a typical marking of this unit, as a number of these dogs were mascots of the “Dackelstaffel” through its existence, irrespective of the unit designation carried at any particular time. Some sources even say each crew had their own dog. The wiener dogs even occasionally flew on combat missions with the crew. The unit opposed British aircraft as well as Soviet ones in northern Europe. This aircraft, flown by Lt. Harry Kripphal, fell a victim of anti-aircraft fire 30 km west of Murmansk on June 18, 1942.
  

   

  WNr. 4035, Sonderkommando Junck, Mosul Air Base, Iraq, May 1941

  After the outbreak of the Anglo-Iraqi War, which lasted from April 18 to May 30, 1941, the Italians and Germans gave their military support to the Iraqis. The Luftwaffe opposed the RAF with the unit named Sonderkommando Junck, which had Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters, Heinkel He 111 bombers, and Junkers Ju 52 transport planes in its inventory. The unit was commanded by Oberst Werner Junck, who, during the course of the First World War with Jasta 8, gained five aerial victories. Between the wars, he was a well-known sport pilot. The Messerschmitts Bf 110 carried Iraqi national insignia but were manned by German crews. In fact, the aircraft in question came from ZG 76 and ZG 26. The only unit’s victory during this episode was achieved on May 20, 1941 by Lt. Martin Drewes (a future night fighter ace) of II./ZG 76, when he shot down a Gloster Gladiator flown by Sgt. Smith of A Squadron of Habbaniya Strike Force over Fallujah. Messerschmitt Bf 110E WNr. 4035 was found by the British after a forced landing. It was repaired in September 1941 and christened “Belle of Berlin”. Later it was flown to Egypt to No. 267 Squadron. The aircraft was written off after a forced landing enroute to South Africa.
  

   

  6./ZG 1, Russia, Summer 1942

  The wasp emblem (Wespe) was designed in the autumn of 1939 by Lt. Richard Malchfelder, a technical officer of one of the Zerstörergruppe (II./ZG 1). It was originally composed of three small wasps, and was utilized by the same Gruppe of heavy fighters that went through several designation changes (including II./SKG 210) and, finally, in early 1942, ended up as II./ZG 1. Soon, other Gruppe of Zerstörergeschwader 1 came to use the wasp emblem and their Geschwader carried the operational name of “Wespen”. This aircraft sported the RLM 74/75/76 camouflage pattern.
  

• Markings P-400 1/48

  80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, Autumn 1942

  On August 26, 1942, the formation of Airacobras of 80th FS managed to ambush Japanese Zeros taking off from the Buna airbase and shoot down six of them during two attacks with two more claimed as damaged. The interesting fact is, that it all happened due to the “lucky” navigational error. Owing to the minimal activity of the Japanese air forces over New Guinea during the second half of 1942, these were the only kills credited to 80th FS in the course of 1942. George T. Helveston and Gerald T. Rogers claimed one Zero each, so it is therefore highly probable that Airacobra carrying Y letter code and kill marking belonged to one of these airmen. Black painted propeller spinner and vertical tail surface are very unusual and not documented on any other Airacobra operating over New Guinea. The aircraft also featured replacement rudder.
  

   

  AP356, Lt. Edward J. Kurt, 35th FS, 8th FG, Milne Bay, New Guinea, 1942–1943
  

  Airacobra named “Earthquake McGoon” was personal aircraft of Lt. Edward J. Kurt and flew with 35th FS from Gurney Field built on the Eastern peninsula of New Guinea island during 1942/43.
  

  Lt. Kurt joined the squadron in August 1942 after he received his transfer orders at 15th FG based on Hawaiian Islands. His Airacobra sports the standard British camouflage scheme, however with many repair patches on the surface. There is a color touch up with darker grey paint on the aircraft nose lower part and patches in distinctly darker green color are visible on the fuselage. Another curiosity is the cockpit door salvaged from the Airacobra belonging to the sister 36th FS commander, Maj. McNay, who left the position in October 1942. The artwork adorning the left door was painted over during the aircraft service life and in the pictures taken on Gurney Field it only the white circle is apparent. Blue painted propeller spinner and top of the vertical tail surface indicate that this Airacobra originated from 39th FS inventory. A single bomber kill marking on the starboard side of the fuselage was probably achieved by another pilot of the same unit since Lt. Kurt did not claim any victory while serving with 35th FS.

   

  67th FS, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, November 1942

  P-400 listed in the squadron records as “Old 13” was one of few original Airacobras delivered to 67th FS in the spring of 1942 and still serving on Guadalcanal in the beginning of 1943. Rudimentary conditions of the remote Pacific airbases and lack of the spare parts forced the ground personnel into many improvisations. Textbook example is the story of the “Old 13” Airacobra which already crash-landed during her service on New Caledonia and her wreck was cannibalized for the spare parts. 67th FS heavy losses after its transfer to Guadalcanal and the critical lack of the aircraft on the island caused the abandoned Airacobra wreck to be restored to the airworthy condition after a complex repair. The aircraft received a new wing and also a number of many fuselage panels and hatches had to be replaced. According to the surviving repair record the replacement parts were painted in Olive Drab/Neutral Grey colors and therefore the Airacobra sported the unique display of the British and American camouflage shades. Furthermore, the more powerful engine was installed, and the damaged propeller blade was replaced by another one balanced by pouring the melted plumb into its tip. The instrument panel was furnished with the essential gauges only, there were only holes after the rest of the instruments. This repaired Airacobra was christened “The Resurrection” and this inscription was painted on both sides of the fuselage. Unfortunately, no photographic evidence exists so the inscription appearance is based on another 67th FS airplane.
  

   

  BX163, 80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, December 1942

  Airacobra BX163 served originally with 39th FS where she received the marking in the form of the numeral 18 and blue painted propeller spinner as well as the top of the vertical tail surface.
  

  The inscription “Helen” painted on the port side of the aircraft nose originated from the service with 39th FS as well. At 80th FS the typical shark mouth and yellow letter V were added. The camouflage in Olive Drab and Neutral Gray colors was applied before the plane’s dispatch to the combat unit, same as with many other P-400s delivered to the Southwest Pacific area in the spring of 1942. On December 24, 1942, the Airacobra BX163 was damaged during the emergency landing at Kila Drome, one of many aerodromes built in the vicinity of Port Moresby for its protection.

   

  Lt. Eugene A. Wahl, 39th FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby New Guinea, Summer 1942

  One of the best known Airacobras was named “Wahl’s Eye/Pat” and participated in the fiercest air combats during the defense of Port Moresby. Its teethed mouth reminded more of the jaws of the deep-sea living fish than usual shark mouth. The blue propeller spinner and top of the vertical tail surface as well as the white number on it were a standard 39th FS marking. The airplane was flown by Lt. Eugene Wahl who was, together with several other 35th FG pilots, assigned for traineeship with 8th FG on New Guinea during the middle of May. On May 26 he claimed a victory over a Zero. Luck did not abandon him on June 9 when, after combat with Zeros from the famous Tainan Kōkūtai, he had to perform the emergency landing. However, after several days of hiking through the jungle he was able to rejoin his unit. Here he flew sorties until the end of June when the 39th FS was withdrawn to Australia to reorganize and re-equip with the more powerful P-38 Lightning fighters.
  

• Markings A6M2 Zero Type 21 1/48

  c/n 5379, PO1c Tsuguo Matsuyama, Hiryū Fighter Squadron, aircraft carrier Hiryū, December 7, 1941

  During second attack against Hawaii the Hiryū aircraft carrier sent nine Zeros under the command of Lt. Sumio Nōno. His pilots attacked Kaneohe and Bellows bases, claiming two destroyed aircraft and one car. Third Shōtai was led by PO1c Matsuyama, who shot down in coopeartion with his wingman P-40s piloted by 2nd Lieutenants George Whiteman and Samuel Bishop of the 44th Pursuit Squadron. Matsuyama had combat missions with the 13th Kōkūtai in China on his account already. On February 25, 1938, as wingman of the legendary Sadaaki Akamatsu, he participated in shooting down four aircraft. During the raids on Ceylon on April 9, 1942, Matsuyama's shōtai shot down a Blenheim Mk.IV, probably of S/Ldr Kenneth Ault´s crew, who was leading formation of No. 11 Squadron RAF in an attack on Japanese ships. Matsuyama later served on the aircraft carrier Hiyō and was killed on April 7, 1943 in combat with the Wildcats off Guadalcanal. The airplane BII-124 was shot down on February 19, 1942 during the raid on Darwin. After being hit by anti-aircraft fire, Seaman 1st class Hajime Toyoshima landed on Melville Island and was captured by Aboriginal Matthias Ulungura. Toyoshima was the first captured Zero pilot and used alias "Tadao Minami". He became one of the organizers of the largest prisoner escape in World War II. On August 5, 1944 at Cowra POW Camp he gave signal to escape. Total of 1,104 POWs attempted to espace, 231 were killed and four Australians lost their lives as well. Toyoshima was mortally wounded, so he lighted a cigarette and committed suicide.
  

   

  PO1c Saburō Sakai, Tainan Kōkūtai, Lakunai airfield, Rabaul, New Britain island, August 1942

  Saburō Sakai is best known Japanese fighter pilot, thanks to his memoirs and meetings with Allied airmen after World War II. He was born in 1916 and served from September 1938 with the 12th Kōkūtai in China. In October 1941, he was assigned to the newly organized Tainan Kōkūtai in Taiwan and took part in campaign heading South until he was wounded on August 7, 1942 off Guadalcanal. After recovering, he served as an instructor with Ōmura Kōkūtai, and later, despite bad eyesight, was combat deployed with Yokosuka Kōkūtai on Iwo Jima. At the end of war he served with Kōkūtai 343 (II) and Yokosuka Kōkūtai. He is listed as an ace with 64 victories, but Sakai himself claimed the number of his victories was lower. With the first two units he actually achieved 12 individual victories, 8 shared and 4 probables. The V-128 was also flown by PO2c Arita and PO1c Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, who is credited with 87 victories. The color of the stripes is chosen from Sakai's recollection, but there are other interpretations, such as a black or yellow stripe on the fuselage. During a fighter escort to Guadalcanal on August 7, Sakai shot down Wildcat “F12” from VF-5 piloted by "Pug" Southerland in an epic dogfight. Sakai was later severely wounded in the face by fire from VB-6 Dauntless near Tulagi Island. After nearly five hours and more than 1,000 km, he managed to land back at Rabaul. Sakai died in 2000 after formal dinner with members of the US Navy.
  

   

  PO2c Kōtarō Koyae, Zuihō Fighter Squadron, Rabaul, New Britain island, April 1943

  Petty Officer 2nd Class Koyae was born in 1923 in Miyazaki Prefecture and completed his flight training in November 1942. He was than assigned to the fighter unit of the aircraft carrier Zuihō in March 1943. In April, the unit moved to Rabaul and Koyae flew the aircraft during Operation I-gō. In this period, green paint was applied to Zeros in field conditions. It was usually painted by hand, the edges of the green fields being softened with thinner sometimes. However, according to the unit log, Koyae did not fly combat sorties in April 1943. In fact he did not encounter the enemy until November 1943 over Rabaul. During the same month he was transferred to Kōkūtai 253 at Rabaul and by early 1944 he was undergoing intense fighting. Upon his return to Japan, he was assigned to the Ōmura Kōkūtai. While on leave, on February 17, 1944, he spotted a Japanese bomber circling in the rain at night over the village of Goda, Miyazaki Prefecture. Koyae, with the help of the villagers, established a navigation signal and after some time he managed to guide the crew to right heading. For this achievment he received a written commendation from commander of Ōmura Kōkūtai. In July 1944, Koyae was assigned to Hikōtai 701 and fought in the defense of the Philippines. After returning to Japan, he was assigned to Hikōtai 701 (II) and served with Ōmura Kōkūtai at the end of the war. After the war he worked as a fireman and published his memories. According to the local press, he achieved 20 victories, but these may be victories achieved by fighter formations in which he took part.
  

   

  Lt. Kunio Kanzaki, CO of Hikōtai 311 of Kōkūtai 381, Kendari airfield, Celebes island, May 1944

  Kōkūtai 381 was established in October 1943 at Kendari Base on the island of Celebes. It was a mixed Kōkūtai with 48 fighter-bombers (Hikōtai 602), 24 night fighters (Hikōtai 902) and 48 fighter aircraft in Hikōtai 311, the latter commanded by Lt. Kanzaki. During the 1944 he operated from bases on islands in Indonesia and the Philippines. Their most frequent opponents were U.S. Army aircraft. Kanzaki's unit used special phosphorus anti-aircraft bombs to attack enemy bombers. Kanzaki's aircraft, manufactured by the Nakajima company, has been reconstructed in the past with various color markings. It is assumed that the vertical tail surfaces and part of the upper wing surfaces were painted the same color like lower surfaces. The front part of the engine may also have been painted grey or yellow. It is not entirely clear from the photograph of the aircraft whether the white stripes on the lower fuselage are joined. It may have been designed to improve the mutual identification of Army and Navy aircraft when fighting Allied fighters. Another reason for this camouflage may have been for easier identification during night fighter flights. For example, Lt. Kanzaki and his wingman shot down a B-24 of the 380th BG over Balikpapan on the night of January 12-13, 1944. Some aircraft of Kōkūtai 331 were also painted in the same upper and tailplane camouflage. Both units operated in one tactical group during part of 1944.
  

   

  Lt. Nobuo Miyatake, Kamikaze Tokubetsu Kōgekitai, 1. Shichisei-tai, Kanoya airbase, Japan, April 1944

  From the April 3, 1945 a total of eight special attack units with the battle name “Shichisei” were organized from the airmen serving in Genzan Kōkūtai (II) and Hikōtai 306 (part of Kōkūtai 721). Lt. Miyatake, who was 24 years old at the time, led the 1st Shichisei-tai in an attack on a convoy off Okinawa on April 6, 1945. During that day, eleven other airmen from Genzan Kōkūtai (II) sacrificed their lives along with him. They took off successively in four formations. Their formation was part of the 524 aircraft of special attack units and escort fighters from IJN and IJA sent against Allied vessels off Okinawa as part of Operation Kikusui I. The U.S. Navy lost destroyers USS Bush and Colhoun and other ships were severely damaged. “Shichisei” units were sent against ships off Okinawa, Yoronjima,  Kikai, and Tanegashima islands in several missions till May 14. Only one of them returned to base due to bad weather. Lt. Miyatake was born in Kagawa Prefecture and graduated from the Etajima Naval Academy in 1942. Before the mission, he wrote farewell letters to his mother and three sisters. His father was interned in Siberia at the time. Nobuo Miyatake was posthumously promoted to the rank of Commander. His aircraft from Nakajima production is designated “Ke-113”.
  

• Editorial

  Dear Friends and Fellow Modellers,

  Welcome to the first newsletter of 2023. The January issue traditionally introduces our planned projects for the year. This year will be no different, so we’ll waste no time and get right down to the nitty gritty. We’ll start off with January, new releases for which are already available from our e-shop and have been since last week.

  
  

  New Kits for January

  For the second time in a row, a new release within the ProfiPACK line untraditionally draws on plastic from an external source. Such sources are generally used by us in releasing kits in our Limited Edition line, but there have been some exceptions in the past. In December, we released a 1:72nd scale Bf 109E-3 with the plastic coming from  Special Hobby, and last year in February, the ProfiPACK line saw a Hurricane Mk.I that hailed from the Polish firm Arma Hobby. This time around, again in 1:72nd, we have a B-25J based around the Hasegawa molds, along the same lines as September’s Limited Edition ‘Gunn’s Bunny’. I expect this ProfiPACK B-25J Straffer, a B-25J with the metal plated gunned nose, will be just as popular as Gunn’s Bunny, not just because of an attractive assortment of accessory items, but also because the marking options include items that simply could not be included in Gunn’s Bunny due to space limitations. That felt like a crime. But the development of this item was not to just create the opportunity to rectify  said crime. It was more of a response to the slowing of the market brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The market slowing was a reaction to this idiotic war. Between April and September of last year, it dropped our sales by some twenty percent, and we reacted by reducing the number of editions of some of our kits, notably in the Limited Edition line. That gave us a surplus of B-25J plastic, that was then diverted to this January release.

  Coincidentally, we have another 72nd scale twin coming out this month, the Bf 110E. It is a repop of the original ProfiPACK, and signals a continuation of the return of the Bf 110 family to our catalog. January has a total of three such re-editions, and besides the aforementioned Bf 110E, we have our tried and tested P-400 Airacobra in 1:48th, and the recently sold out A6M2 Zero Model 21.

  Besides the four ProfiPACKS, we have a couple of new Weekend kits, the Sopwith Camel with a Clerget engine and the Spitfire Mk.Vb. The Mk.Vb is an extremely complicated type, featuring a host of consecutive manufacturing modifications. The subtype being released this month can be considered, albeit as a bit of an oversimplification, a mid production version, characterized by an armored windscreen  and a newer wing with asymmetrical kidney shaped cannon fairings under the wings.

  
  

  New Kits for February

  Coming in February is the 48th scale Limited Edition kit of the Hind-E. The kit will feature Zvezda’s plastic and eight marking options. Besides masks and coloured photoetched, accessories will include Brassin wheels, chaff/flare dispensers and GPS antennae. The theme of the markings is geared towards service with the air forces of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. As with our other 72nd and 48th scale Hind kits previous, this edition will include a publication from noted Czech military pilot Jaroslav Spacek.

  The Hind E is historically a striking subject matter for a kit, and one that we will return to one more time in 2023 with a specific item. No less striking, however, is the ProfiPACK Fokker D.VII (AOW), signaling a return to World War One subjects. This kit was originally envisioned as a re-edition of the most successful of the Fokker D.VII kits, the ProfiPACK Fokker D.VII (OAW) with the catalog number 8131. But because this was repeatedly reissued several times in the past, we decided to create a new item this time around. The boxart shows what is quite possibly the most depicted aircraft of the First World War, Lo!, flown by Lt. Ernst Udet, during combat in the cockpit of a very elegant Fokker D.VII which this popular aviation personality flew during that time. The aircraft carried the somewhat enigmatic inscription ‘Du Doch Nicht!!’ on the elevators and was shot down by defensive fire from the Breguet being attacked. The marking options are a collection of six choices used in previous issues of the Fokker D.VII OAW kit. All in all, the options offer an attractive set of both striking and historically significant aircraft that includes among others the red and white aircraft flown by Lt. Kurt Monington of Jasta 18 with a raven and skull on the fuselage and another famed Fokker with artwork inspired by a fable of the Seven Swabians (the Brothers Grimm) from Jasta 65.

  The February ProfiPACK line picks up with the Zero line, and will come in the form of an A6M3 Model 22/22a. It contains decals for five aircraft that served with ground based units of the Japanese Navy in the South Pacific and Japan. And be aware, the A6M3 Model 22 is not identical to the Model 32!

  Carrying on with the Pacific theme, we have another kit, the Spitfire Mk.VIII in 1:48th, which is being released as a Weekend kit. The kit is based around the proven Spitfire Mk.IX/VIII/16 molds, and same as other February new kit releases, it is a component of our range renewal efforts. The decal options will allow building one of four aircraft that served with the RAAF in Australia and Indonesia, and within the RAF in Italy and Burma.

  Another item for February’s Weekend line and based on older but proven molds is our popular Fw 190A-8/R2 ‘Sturmbock’ in 1:72nd scale. These armored machines were developed for combat with American four engined bombers and their kits are traditionally among our best selling items. One interesting fact related to this is that the subtypes Fw 190A-8 and Fw 190A-8/R2 account for half of all Fw 190 kit sales, which is furthermore the most popular type of aircraft we have kitted in terms of sales. This kit includes four marking options from JG 3, JG 4 and JG 300. The boxart depicts some of the most dramatic aerial combat to take place during the Second World War over Austria.

  A significant force behind the momentum of our aforementioned range revival comes in the form of the only February re-edition. This is the ProfiPACK Bf 110E in 1:48th. This is the first Bf 110 release in 1:48th since our fire, the second anniversary of which came just before Christmas on December 19th. The re-emergence of these kits had to wait that long due to production capacity limits. In the coming months, Bf 110 kits in both 48th and 72nd scales will be expanding  into the ProfiPACK and Weekend lines, and both kits will come back in the Limited Edition family as well, under the name Adlertag. At approximately the midway point of the year, the much requested Bf 110G-4, catalog Number 8208, will be making a comeback.

  
  

  New Kits for March

  For March, we are prepping  for the continuation of the Wildcat series with a Limited Edition kit dubbed ‘Guadalcanal’. This will be dedicated to the F4F-4 Wildcat early and late versions. It will be another of the Dual Combo kits, with two complete kits in the package. In this case, it will be one set for the early version F4F-4, the other will be geared towards the later variant. These differ in the fuselage. The decal options will cover not only Guadalcanal operations conducted by the Cactus Air Force, but also aircraft operating off of aircraft carriers in various regions of the PTO during the same timeframe.

  In March, the ProfiPACK line will see another 48th scale Spitfire, this time the Mk.Vc Trop and a 72nd scale Bf 109E-4. The Weekend line will grow by a 72nd scale Bf 110G-2, while the re-edition concept will be applied to the MiG-21bis and Avia B.534 of the fourth production series. Both of these will be in 1:48th. Actually, I can’t rule out that the MiG might be a new item with new markings. We have what we need to go down that road.

  
  

  Kits for the Second Quarter

  Truth be told, every year I have a greater problem with the structuring of information regarding planned kits for the upcoming twelve months. It’s mostly the result of the sheer number of new releases that come out each year. Despite the fact that many modellers on internet forums complain that we release too few kits and the wait times are long, we do put out some seventy new items per year. That sort of a schedule makes it very difficult to put together a summary of all planned releases. There is also the perception held by many modellers that only the initial release of a given kit can and should be considered a true new release. Anything else is often considered a repop and is overlooked by both the buying public and reviewers. I have a problem with this, because at least in our case, the re-editions are carefully planned items and not straight repops. It’s not like we put the exact same items into twenty different boxes. Each of our projects includes as much as a dozen sprues. Typically, we try to group into main sprues all of the fine details that will be common for a specific type, and complement these with version specific sprues that hold fuselages and wings that are the items that normally will bear the brunt of the differences. The kit then contains the relevant combination of sprues. As a goal, we avoid requiring the end user to apply any surgery to these types of things, which would allow a certain level of modularization. This would be a comparatively comfortable ‘out’ and would be pretty cheap to boot, but the same cannot be said for the modeller. So, we reject that route and keep the end user at a higher level of priority, which explains why we include version specific fuselages and wings of a given type.

  It will be during the second quarter when this philosophy will show itself in all its glory. That is when we will be unveiling our Rufe. Formally, it is a version of the Zero. However, our version will not have very much in common with our Zero Model 21, from which the float equipped A6M2-N was derived. The new kit begs for four new sprues for its proper evolution. I have to say that I am very much looking forward to this kit. Initially, we thought that we would suspend the tradition of releasing new kits as Limited Edition items, but after a detailed historical analysis of the type, we thought that it would be a shame to do so. So, in April, we will start off with the now-traditional Limited Edition kit. The ProfiPACK version will follow in July.

  For May, we have another Limited Edition kit coming. This will be the F-104C in 1:48th, another in the line of Starfighters, of which we have released a few to date. In this case, however, we have changed the supplier of the plastic and this Vietnam War version will hail from Kinetic.

  June will see a significant premiere. The Limited Edition Wunderschone Neue Maschinen Pt.1 will introduce the Bf 109F-2 and F-4, the first of our Bf 109F, G and K kits in 1:72nd scale, which will be with us for a good number of years. The 1:72nd scale Bf 109F, G and K  are a very complex undertaking, and up to now, we have never committed to such an expansive type under one project umbrella. This is one of the reasons why it has taken as long as it has. Another major reason that the road to fruition was as long as it was even for us is that the basis for the project was data developed for our 1:48th Bf 109F/G/K, and we changed and corrected it to a large extent. These were on a technological as well as a conceptual level. Since those first 48th scale kits were released, our technological abilities have evolved, and with them, our view as to how a model kit should look and go together. Those of you familiar with last year’s released S-199 and CS-199 will now have insight into how these Bf 109s will look, because the S-199s are part of the overall same project and share a lot in common with the Bf 109F/G/K.

  The release schedule of the Bf 109F, G and K will be the same as the 1:48th scale Spitfire Mk.I-V. the Zeros, the Wildcats and Trener kits. Taking it in order, in the coming months we’ll see Wunderschone Neue Maschinen Pt.2 with the Bf 109G-2 and G-4. This will be followed by ‘Gustav’, with the Bf 109G-6, and next year,  we’ll pick up with the G-14. This will be followed by the G-6/AS and G-14/AS. This year will also see the release of the first ProfiPACK Bf-109F-2 and F-4. New kits of specific Bf 109F, G and K variants will be spread out over several years and will total somewhere in the neighborhood of dozens. The entire project includes fourteen sprues (not counting the molds for the S-199 and CS-199), and most of these deal with differences in the fuselages and wings. We are also, of course, covering detail changes as well, including such things as the sizes and types of tires and wheel hubs, tailwheels and rudders. As with the Rufe model, this approach will raise your comfort level in the build without the need of any major surgery. For those of you that really want to take your work to the next level, we are also preparing a slew of accessory items, such as photoetched, and 3D printed parts, starting with simple wheels to more complex items like engines and cockpits.
  

  We’ve got one more special edition coming in the second quarter. We decreased the number of kits produced for the Hind E, and diverted the resulting balance to a truly unique release. Unlike the Hind E kit, this one will not include the publication and will feature just one decal option. This will be for Mi-35 coded 3366, a Hind who’s paint scheme was inspired by the Alien franchise. The decals are the centerpiece of this project. From a graphic development standpoint, this is a very complex item, and its development was accompanied by constant doubt within our design team. But, after successfully completing the rivet sets for the Mi-24 and Mi-35, it was concluded that the completion of this decal set was well within our capabilities as well. In the past, we have designed and produced many large decal sheets, but in the case of Alien, it’s a collection of decals that end up covering the entire model. The project is unique, and a first. It will be produced in very limited quantities, no more than 1,000 units, and will also likely become a real collector’s item.
  

  We don’t live off of unique items alone, and so there are ProfiPACK and Weekend kits planned for the second quarter, as well as for the following ones. Amongst 1:48th scale ProfiPACK kits, this will include the initial release of the naval Camel 2F.1, the Z-326 Trener Master, and there will be another Wildcat. It may be a late F4F-4, or we may opt for the FM-2. This year, we’ll put out both, but the order of their release has not yet been set. Putting out a Dual Combo FM-2 boxing as a Limited Edition release is also on the table. The second quarter will also see a Bf 109E-1. Re-edition efforts will centre around a quarter scale Bf 109G-6, MiG-21PFM, another Bf 110, and in 1:72nd, an Fw 190F-8, MiG-21MF (Fighter Bomber), and a MiG-15UTI. For the Weekend line, we are planning a Tempest Mk.II and a Series 2 Tempest Mk.V, an Fw 190A-4 and A6M2 Zero Model 21. Not long ago, someone wrote in a modelling forum  that after the release of Academy’s Model 21 Zero, this will be the final option for a release of this type from Eduard. Rest assured that this is definitely not the case. As always, we will give you plenty of reasons to consider the Eduard kit as your FIRST choice!

  
  

  Third Quarter

  Here, we begin to skate on some thin ice. Not that there are no plans, but as a rule, that has so far not been broken, plans  tend to be subject to some dynamic changes after the second quarter. In any case, the main project for the third quarter is the 1:48th scale Bf 109K-4, which we would dearly like to release in time for the IPMS Nationals in San Marcos. This model is in a similar boat as the 72nd scale Bf 109 line – this kit also comes out of the earlier Bf 109F and G releases that came before it, but the design of the Bf 109K-4 introduced some technological and conceptual changes and innovations. The same can be said for the S-199 and CS-199, being prepared for the end of the year. In both cases, we have achieved technological and conceptual maturity, and I dare say we’ve fine tuned these things just right. When we get to the realization of the Kurfurst Limited Edition kit, we’ll do the same for the marking options. Of course, we’ll complement it all with accessory items, down to 3D prints, so you have something to really look forward to!

  The third quarter also sees plans for a Limited Edition Z-526 Trener, the final sub variant of the line. There will also be Wilde Sau Episode Three, the Final Countdown, dedicated to Wilde Sau units equipped with various versions of the Fw 190A. In the ProfiPACK line, we should see the 48th scale Rufe, another Wildcat, another Camel, and the aforementioned Bf 109F-2. The Weekend line will expand by the addition of the A6M3 Zero Model 32, another quarter scale Bf 110, Spitfire Mk.16 and an I-16 Type 10.

  
  

  Fourth Quarter

  Economists would call this venturing into speculation. At this point in the New Year, the fourth quarter is still very far off and plans change. At the moment, what Limited Edition kits based around outside sourced plastic will be developed is up in the air. Whatever it will be, this item is normally the hit of E-day in the fall. Finalizing agreements for the supply of the outsourced plastic won’t occur until next month at Nuremburg, and there are currently several items in the running. Where this will go is uncertain also because the Nuremburg Toy Fair, at least as far as our industry is concerned, will not be exactly a beehive of activity due to kit producer attendance. And really, the same can be said of retailer attendance, so this will be the most unusual Toy Fair over the past fifty years. I do hold out some hope that it won’t be so bad, and that it might end up like this past E-day, or the soccer World Cup in Qatar. These were also events that had a lot of negative predictions associated with them, but came through surpassing all expectations. Regardless of this year’s outcome, I believe that the Toy Fair will rebound over the coming years, recovering from the covid restrictions, and return to its former prosperity. How the fair goes, I will report on in the March newsletter.

  Be that as it may, the main focus for the fall will be the 1:48th scale Avia S-199. It will have its premiere at E-day, and same as the Bf 109K-4, it will come from a completely new set of molds. We are also planning a Limited Edition kit for the end of the year, ‘Malta’, featuring the Spitfire Mk. V, and the aforementioned 1:72nd scale Gustav, the Bf 109G-6, which will apparently also include a Bf 109G-5.

  We also have another new release planned for the very end of the year, and on the table are several possibilities. Whether it will be the MiG-21F-13, the P-51B Mustang, the A6M5 Model 52 Zero or something in 1:72nd will be finalized in the coming months. Take it as an early Christmas surprise, to be revealed at E-day, because within our system of releasing information, it just has to be that way.

  
  

  Accessory Items for 2023

  Out of the planned accessory items, I will point out those that jump out at me from the long list of things to come. The first of these would be the Brassin wingfold set for the F4F-4 Wildcat . I consider this a true masterpiece, able to turn a normal model into the pearl of a collection and able to attract the eye of any onlooker like a pole dancer. This printed set contains a set of plastic wings, because its integration naturally requires the cutting up of these items, which is much easier to do with two sets of wings rather than with just the one set from the kit. The Brassin line will also include 3D printed parts for the Fw 190A-8 in 1:48th scale. The first of these will be the cockpit, replacing the older cast resin item, and among other things, illustrates the advances made in this technology. Our plan is to replace the cast cockpits with 3D printed ones over time. We are also going to produce 3D prints for armor in 1:35th and ships in 1:350th. Also of note are eleven new Space sets, complemented by a set for the raised rivets on the 1:48th scale Su-25 using the same technology.  Among new mask and photoetched sets, I would point out items for the Tornado IDS in 1:32nd from Italeri and the first sets for the 48th scale Airfix Anson.

  Shows

  It looks like the revival of the show season is unstoppable. That would mean that after Nuremburg, we will attend all significant shows through the spring, including Prosek and Moson, and even Lingen between them. We will also attend some smaller local shows, although these will be more for exposure of our new items than as vendors. In the summer, we will be in Texas at the IPMS Nationals, the fall will have us at E-day, in which we want to draw on the success of the last show, and take it a step further. Unfortunately, Telford will is not in our plans.

  Excellent news has come out of Slovakia, which will see the return of Bratislava’s Plastic Winter. It will be the return of a legend in a big way. It will have a new venue and you have no idea how much I am looking forward to this show! So much so that the final big premiere of our making that I mentioned in the last paragraph will take place in Bratislava on November 11th, 2023!

  
  

  Articles

  There are two, in this issue, both from Mira Baric. There is the tenth edition of his report on the air war over Ukraine and the second part of Midway, about the search for sunken ships with Paul Allen. As is now our custom, we have five Boxart Stories. This newsletter is published in the classic PDF format and can be downloaded as you have in the past. At the same time, it is available through the Triobo publishing vehicle. You had an opportunity to test this new system out back in December, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There are some negative points that were raised, but among modellers, how can it be any other way? It does appear as though there are no fatal flaws in the system. If you should run into an issue, though, you can bring it to our attention, and we can discuss the principles of its functionality. Starting with February, our newsletter will be published using Triobo exclusively.

  
  

  2022

  The space allocated for my introduction to the newsletter has been pretty much used up, but I would at least like to summarize some stats for 2022. The year has been an interesting one and somewhat surprising, because over a six month period of the market cooling, and the associated drop in sales, it ended with a recovery that brought us in line with our best year ever, 2020. This is because of excellent performance over the first and fourth quarters last year, brought on by your support for us and our products. Our main markets, traditionally the Czech Republic, the EU, the United States and Japan, even saw relatively significant growth. This amounted to 7% in the Czech Republic, 9% in Japan, and as high as 14% in the US. There were some major jumps in the year in smaller markets, such as China by 58% and Australia  by 71%, but the champion amongst the developed world is Canada, with a jump of 84%.

  With the EU, it is a bit more complicated, because we trade with individual nations. The results vary, and while we recorded an increase in sales of 11% in France and even 26% in Poland, in Germany we registered a decrease of 11%. There were downturns elsewhere as well. Predictably, Russia fell by 47% and this year the bottom will fall out if the war doesn’t end soon. We’ll see no sales in the Russian market immediately at the start of this year. Less understandable is the drop in sales to Great Britain, where they amounted to 25%. In a market that has seen long term growth, this is rather shocking. It can’t be blamed on Brexit, and in Britain we saw a drop in the year before last of 5%, in line with the global figure compared to 2020. In short, everything appeared pretty normal and back then, there was a drop of about a percentage across the board. Last year’s 25% drop in sales is more dramatic, and I would venture a guess that it points to a worsening condition for mutual trade between Great Britain and the EU. Furthermore, even we are seeing worsening conditions with respect to imports from Britain, almost to the level seen back in the days of communism. We have even refused delivery of some items, because the additional duties and import taxes were higher than the cost of the actual goods. Add to that the cost of postage, which has risen, and continues to rise enormously, and you can see why there is fear for the future of international trade. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all those who, despite these conditions, still purchased items off our e-shop.  Your help in maintaining this avenue of sales is not taken for granted.

  That was the good news. Here’s the bad news. The other side of the coin when it comes to sales are expenses. These, unfortunately, rose exponentially. At the end of the summer, it even appeared as though these would not see any limits. There were also the effects of supply issues from earlier in the year. Luckily, our industry was not as hard hit as, say, the automobile sector. We never had to stop, or even limit, production. Nevertheless, inflation raised our expenses significantly, bit into our profits and put the brakes on development. The fall brought some relief on all fronts, including on the threat of further increases in energy costs, even though if these costs reach the government mandated ceiling, we’ve got something to look forward to….we’ll still end up paying three times as much as last year. The rising cost of production is the main, and really, the only, reason for price increases which we needed to implement with the New Year. We tried to minimize these as best we could, and because this was our responsibility alone, I put a lot of careful thought into this step. Despite all this, I firmly believe that we still provide the best value for the money compared to other firms. I believe that this will be noticed by you, and that we can count on your continued support for 2023!

  And, I wish all the best for the New Year, much success and good health!

  Happy Modelling

  Vladimir Sulc

  
  

• The air war over Ukraine

  The Ukrainian soldiers in trenches near Bachmut, 2022. Source: ZSU

  The British soldiers in the battle of Passchendaele, 1917. Source: National Library of Scotland
  

  
  

  Bogged in the mud

  Text: Miro Barič 

  
  

  During the period of November 1 through December 1 the most important event was finding out how long the eternity takes. It is 42 days. This was exactly the time which elapsed since the Russian president Putin proclaimed that Kherson will be Russian forever until the moment the city was liberated by the Ukrainian troops. Otherwise, there were no ground movements in Ukraine due to the poor weather. The massive shelling of the cities by the Russian missiles continues as well as strengthening of the Ukrainian air defenses.

   

  Kherson was captured by Russian right at the beginning of the invasion. Besides Donbas it was the only regional center and large city the Russians managed to capture. It is located on the Dnieper right bank and its importance was as a launching point for the further advance on Mykolaiv and Odessa. Since the further advance was stopped and due to the Ukrainian counterattack in the end of August, Kherson became a logistics nightmare.

  With the unstoppable regularity, the Ukrainians shelled and destroyed the bridges across the river Dnieper, weapons dumps and command centers. Simultaneously they exercise the permanent pressure on the Russian front lines. And despite the Russian occupation administration organized the mock referendum after which the Kherson area, together with other three ones, was “forever” annexed to the Russian Federation, it was clear to the Army command that holding the positions on the Dnieper right bank will only lead to further losses. So, on November 11, an anniversary of the armistice that ended WWI, they retreated from Kherson to the left bank and destroyed all the bridges behind them.

  The legendary Chornobayivka was liberated on the way to Kherson. The Ukrainians had launched the large number of the rocket and artillery attacks on its airbase destroying a large quantity of the Russian helicopters and ground equipment. Gradually the airport was turned to a one huge graveyard. The Ukrainians recaptured two of their own helicopters (Mi-8 and Mi-24P) which had been captured by Russians at the beginning of the invasion in non-airworthy condition and painted their Z markings on them. Now the aircraft returned to the hands of their original owners.

   

  Much like during WWI

  In November the larger operations at different front sections were limited by rainy weather and mud. The worst conditions were around Bachmut in Donetsk area where the Russians have been pushing for several months. The images from there started to resemble the battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) during WWI-trenches filled with water, shot up trees and ever-present mud. While the activity at the front (except Kherson) practically stopped it continued to be “hot” in the air. The Russians continued with their attacks against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. They used rockets, cruise missile launched from the ships and airplanes as well as the kamikaze drones. For example, on November 23 ten strategic bombers tu-95 took part in the attack and from the safety of the Russian airspace far from the front launched more than 70 cruise missiles. More than 50 were shot down by the Ukrainian AA defense. Those who penetrated however caused a massive damage. In the course of October and November the Russians have launched altogether seven attack waves and hit around 40% of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. After each of these attack wave millions of people remained without electricity, heating and running water.

  During the last three November weeks, no Iranian unmanned vehicle Shahed-136 appeared which prompted great speculations about these kamikaze drones. In the end it turned out that the Russians had only exhausted the first batch and awaited further delivery. For more than two months Iran vehemently denied any drones deliveries to Russia. It was an obvious lie though. Ultimately on Saturday November 11 Iranian Secretary of State admitted the drones deliveries with the caveat they had been done a longer time before the outbreak of the war and the quantity was small. According to the Ukrainians it is another lie since the large-scale deployment of the Iranian drones in Ukraine was confirmed by many photographs, wrecks of the shot down aircraft even captured, almost intact crashed UALs.

  Shot up trees near Bachmut, 2022. Source: ZSU

  The Australian soldiers in shop up forest near Passchendaele, 1917. Source: Australian War Memorial collection

  
  Blood-stained selfie

  Since we mentioned the Iranian drones let’s recall an incident briefly mentioned in the previous part. Details about the case which occurred on Saturday October 12 near the city of Vinnytsya when the Ukrainian AF lost a Mig-29 surfaced only recently. The fighter was hit by a debris from Shahed-136 drone just shot down and the pilot had to eject. A month later the photograph of the pilot with blood on his face was published and a little later his whole story. At that time there was another wave of the Russian rockets and drones headed towards the Ukrainian cities. The defenders dispatched Mig-29 fighters against them. One of them was flown by Major Vadym Vorochylov from 204th Brigade of the Tactical Aviation. His call sign was Karaya. Those of you who are familiar with the name Erich Hartmann do not need further explanation on the call sign. Voroshylov had chosen it in 2014. The Ukrainian citizens however gave him the nickname Ghost of Vinnytsya. Contrary to Ghost of Kiev this is a real person.

  He treated his airplane as a living thing. Talked to it and touched it so as it worked as best as possible. His favorite was the aircraft with bort number 10 which he flew on about 20 combat missions and always could rely on it. On that fateful day Voroshylov woke up at 4 am due to the air scramble. The pilot from his unit destroyed two Shahed in the south of Ukraine of the first mission. Voroshylov flew the next mission. He shot down three Iranian drones and returned to the base without any problems.

  At dusk however another wave of raids came in. Major Voroshylov took off from the frontline airfield in the south of Ukraine and headed towards Vinnytsya area. He started to scan for targets and first he destroyed a drone. Then he launched a missile against another one. The drones generate rather weak thermal trace therefore they had been attacked at relatively short distance. So, when Voroshylov hit his fifth drone on that day its debris hit his Mig-29 fighter as well. “It broke my windshield and destroyed the aircraft nose” said the pilot later. “I was not seriously wounded but the blood from my facial cuts got into my eyes and impaired my situational awareness. My first though was that I did not want to eject. I saw the lights of some village in front of me. I checked my controls, and the rudder did not work. I could only control the pitch. Making turns was very limited. I turned left and saw a dark spot. I said to myself that it was probably a field and there is nothing on it. At that moment the flames erupted on the right side of the cockpit and when the fire reached me I promptly ejected, exactly according to the manual”, as the pilot recalled the dramatic moments. While he was still on the parachute, he pulled out a mobile phone to check his wounds. Thus, the selfie with his blood-stained face was taken. At the same time, he wanted to let the ground control know that he was okay. It took him approximately two minutes to land. For his conduct president Volodymyr Zelenskyi awarded him with the highest award, Hero of Ukraine.

  This pilot shot down 5 drones in a day. He should also be credited with two cruise missiles. Source: ZSU

  Vadym Voroshylov in the Mig-29 cockpit. Source: ZSU

  Major Vadym Voroshylov took selfie of his bloodied face while he was still on the parachute. Source: ZSU

  
  

  Blue-yellow markings

  Also, the fighter flown by Voroshylow had the long history. It had been manufactured in the summer of 1990 and delivered to the 161st Fighter Squadron of the Soviet AF at Limanske airbase near Odessa. The aircraft sported the standard camouflage of light gray and green-gray colors and carried the bort number “blue 31”. After the breakup of the Soviet Union it remained in Ukraine and sometime in 2001-2002 it was assigned to the 204th Brigade of the Tactical Aviation in Belbek, Crimea. The bort number was changed to “blue 10”. During 2007-2008 this Mig-29 was grounded since his airframe has reached the prescribed maximum flight hours. In 2014, after the Crimea was occupied by the Russians together with the other non-airworthy aircraft it was dismantled and transported by trucks to a new airbase of the 204th Brigade of the Tactical Aviation at Kulbakine near Mykolayiv. During 2015-2017 it flew again but when its unit was transferred to Luck airbase “blue 10” ended up in the group of other grounded airplanes at Ivano-Frankivsk airbase. This group of the non-airworthy airplanes became the target of the rocket attack in the very beginning of the Russian aggression launched on February 24. “Blue 10” was parked a little further and escaped without damage. The plane remained there until April at least and then, with the help of the allies who supplied the spare parts, was repaired and in June returned to service. At that time it was painted in the blue-yellow livery reminding of the former Ukrainian aerobatic group Falcons. It was returned to its original unit where it flew sporting this new marking until its last flight.

  Wreck of the Voroshylov’s Mig-29 fighter carrying blue 10 bort number. Source: ZSU

  Mig-29 in blue-yellow livery was returned to service in June 2022. Source: ZSU

  Ukrainian Su-24 with a distinct blue-yellow markings on the fuselage bottom including the drop tanks. Source: ZSU

  
  

  Strengthening of the Air Defense

  The continued attacks against Ukraine carried another side effect-they sped up the supplies of the Western AA systems to Ukraine. In October Germany delivered the first of four promised IRIS-T systems which was immediately deployed in the defense of the Ukrainian cities. In November the batch of various AA systems arrived from several countries. USA for example delivered the first two out of eight promised NASAMS batteries. In the end of 1990s this system was developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg in the cooperation with the American company Raytheon. AIM-129 AMRAAM missile is used in this system. Initially it was air-air rocket, and it is its first application in NASAMS system as ground-air missile. Its range is 50 kilometers. NASAMS can also use AIM-9X sidewinder or IRIS-T rockets. In that case the range is 25 kilometers. According to the reports from the Ukrainian battlefield the weapon is very efficient. During the one of the Russian attacks in the middle of November NASAMS fired 10 rockets and destroyed 10 targets. Britain and Netherlands promised to supply additional AMRAAM missiles for these systems. Britain promised in total 1000 AA rockets of various types.

  On November 7 the Ukrainian Secretary of Defense, Oleksyi Reznikov, announced also acceptance of the Aspide system alongside the first NASAMS battery. These are originally Italian rockets developed in 1970s. Their range is 25 kilometers. In fact they were supplied by Spain who also, in the middle of October, finished the training of the Ukrainian soldiers to operate these rockets. Crotale is another older but still efficient system. It was developed in France in the 1960s but was continuously modernized. Its latest version is dated in 2008. It is the short-range system – 16 km range and 9 km altitude. It is capable of hitting the UALs, cruise missiles and certain types of rockets. In November France delivered two Crotale batteries.

  In November the picture was published confirming the delivery of the Polish systems Neva SC. Two Ukrainian soldiers were photographed in front of one of them. The Polish modernized the originally Soviet rockets S-125 Neva (SA-3 Goa NATO code name). Many analog components were replaced by digital ones resulting in the rockets‘ higher accuracy and reliability. The mobility was increased by mounting them on the WZT-1 tank chassis, a T-55 towing version. The picture was apparently taken in the summer and the details about Neva SC supplies remain unknown. In the past the Ukrainians retired their S-125 Neva rockets but then they modernized them to S-125-2D Pechora standard featuring 40 kilomenters range and in 2020 they re-introduced them to the service.

  Polish system Neva SC mounted on the WZT-1 tank chassis. Source: ZSU

   

  More was awaited

  In December the delivery of another older western system was anticipated. MIM-23 Hawk battery was supposed to arrive from Spain. These rockets were introduced to the service in the USA in 1960s however they were gradually modernized. Spain delivered Phase III version which appeared in 1980s and 1990s. Around 20 countries still use these rockets including Greece, Romania, Egypt, Israel and Japan. In the USA this system was retired in 2002 but Americans will send additional rockets to Ukraine to arm six launchers delivered by Spain.

  In December additional four AN/TWQ-1 Avenger systems were supposed to arrive from the USA developed on the chassis of the widely used Humvee utility vehicle carrying eight launching devices for Stinger rockets. Their range is 5 kilometers and ceiling 3.8 kilometers. The are primarily designated for defense against cruise missiles, drones, helicopters and low altitude flying aircraft. These four systems allocated to Ukraine will serve against Iranian drones and cruise missiles.

  Not only rocket systems but also artillery ones proved efficient against the drones. The German AA tanks take advantage of their highly accurate, radar controlled 35 mm cannons. A video was published showing a Gepard destroying a cruise missile with a short burst of fire. Besides already delivered 30 tanks Germany committed to supply another seven. Britain committed to deliver 125 AA cannons. Originally from Yugoslavia the 20 mm caliber M55 Zastava cannons showed up in Ukraine. The Ukrainians upgraded them by installing the night vision devices. The origin of these weapons is unknown, they could have been delivered from Croatia, Slovenia or Northern Macedonia.

  20 mm caliber cannon Zastava of Yugoslav origin which the Ukrainians upgraded by night vision gunsight. Source: ZSU

  
  

  Brimstone 2 in ground-to-ground version

  Ukraine not only received weapons for the AA defense. In the end of November, the Great Britain supplied the improved Brimstone 2 rockets. These were initially developed for the air-to-ground role to be launched from Tornadoes and Eurofighter Typhoon. Its first version has been in the production since 1999. After it is fired by the aircraft Brimstone 1 range is more than 20 kilometers. Brimstone 2 version was introduced into service in 2015. Its range is more than 60 kilometers and features the larger 6.2 kilos warhead efficient against the modern tanks. The missile flies to the target area on an autopilot and once there it chooses its target by its own radar and laser guided system and attacks. It can destroy the moving targets as well. In April Ukraine received Brimstone 1 rockets which however are not fired from the aircraft. Simple launching device was modified and mounted on the trucks or pickups. On May 17, first two Russian tanks were reported destroyed by these rockets. The ground launching device however means the shorter range due to the lack of the initial altitude and speed which it would have had when fired from the aircraft. According to the published video the Brimstone 2 missiles were transported by a C-17 from 99th Transport Squadron RAF from Brize Norton airbase. They were offloaded at a non-specified location and a C-17 returned immediately. The Ukrainian will launch Brimstome 2 rockets from the ground as well i.e., sacrificing the range with higher accuracy though in comparison to the earlier version.

  The Ukrainians use simple ground launchers for their Brimstone rockets.

  The photograph was probably taken during the training. Source: ZSU

  
  

  Ukrainian Sea Kings

  On November 23 the British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace announced that he was sending three Sea King helicopters to the Ukraine. At the time of the announcement the first one already reached its destination. From the beginning the British informed that these aircraft are in SAR version (Search and Rescue). It did not stop various speculations about possible anti-submarine or early warning versions. Even though it is a non-combat, older version the impact is large. Sea King is the very first western-made type Ukraine aquired since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The most important information is that already six weeks before the announcement ten Ukrainian crews and ground personnel had been undergoing the training on this type in Britain. It shows that the western countries keep the information secret until the deal is completed. If the West decides to donate to Ukraine other (for example combat ready) helicopter or airplanes, or the modern aviation ammunition we will learn about it only after the Ukrainian aviators training will be finished and the aircraft deployed at the frontline.

  This Mi-8 originally belonged to 11th Brigade of the Army AF and in February, during the retreat, it was abandonded at Cornobayivka airport. In November the Ukrainians recovered it. Initially it should have been “red 89” in the command version. Source: Twitter / mil­_in_ua – W M Blood

  Mi-17 helicopter originally procured by the USA for Afghanistan. Now it is located in the snow-covered Ukraine sporting the desert camouflage. Source: ZSU

  This Mi-17 was donated to Ukraine by Slovakia in June. Its first image appeared only now. Source: ZSU

  This Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopted was captured by Russians in Chornobayivka as well in non-airworthy condition and now it was returned back to its original owners. Source: Twitter / mil­_in_ua – W M Blood

  
  

  Czech drones from Luxembourg

  Our Czech readers will be interested to learn about the Luxembourg military aid to Ukraine. This tiny country (population of 650,000) donated 28 Humvee utility vehicles, 20 12.7 mm caliber machine guns, 50 satellite communication terminals and 470 night vision goggles. Luxembourg also acquired for Ukraine 400 122 mm caliber rockets for the Grad launchers. The most important delivery however was six Primoco One 150 reconnaissance drones manufactured by a Czech company. These aircraft are 3.65 m long, have 4.85 m wingspan, their range is 200 km and endurance up to 15 hours. Their airspeed is 150 kph, maximum weight 150 kilos and their standard equipment is the movable camera but according to the customer’s specifications they can be equipped with other sensors.

   

  Small losses

  Despite several reports by both sides about the shot down aircraft during this reporting period only one loss of a piloted vehicle was confirmed. It could be also related to the combat operations slowed down by muddy terrain. That confirmed loss was an Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter from 456th Transportation Brigade which was on November 11 hit by a portable missile during its mission in Donetsk area. The entire crew, Col. Serhyi Khomik, Maj. Viktor Penkovyi and MSgt. Vitalyi Golda. He acted as a hero when he retrieved Col. Khomik from the burning wreck. Sadly he could not be helped and Golda suffered the injuries to which is succumbed on November 16. In addition to this confirmed loss during November 1 through December 1, another wrecks of two Ukrainian helicopters were found (Mi-24P and Mi-8MTS) which had crashed during the earlier, non-specified period. On the Russian side a Ka-52 wreck, until now not registered as destroyed, was found near Kherson. Su-34 “red 22” registered as RF-95005 was found near Kupyansk. Most likely it is an aircraft shot down in this area on September 24.

  Wreck of the Su-34 marked “red 22” and carrying the registration RF-095005 found near Kupyansk. Source: ZSU

   

  Tragedy in Poland

  On Tuesday November 15 in the afternoon a tragic event took place. A rocket landed on the Polish territory and killed two people in Przewodow, Lublin County, barely 10 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The rocket explosion created a large crater and knocked over a tractor with trailer. The investigation confirmed it was a rocket from the S-300 system belonging to the Ukrainian AA defense. It had been launched during a Russian attack against the missile headed towards the Ukrainian power station. The rocket however missed the target and the self-destructing system for such situation failed as well. It only exploded after hitting the ground and two Polish civilians lost their lives.

  The tragic results of the Ukrainian S-300 missile impact in Polish Przewodow. Two people lost their lives. Source: Twitter

• Searching for the lost ships with Paul Allen

  Aerial shot of Midway on November 24, 1941, shortly before the start of the war with Japan. Source: US Navy

  
  

  MIDWAY

  Text: Miro Barič

  
  

  To describe the Battle of Midway would be beating of the dead horse. The details about the air combat can be found in Tom Cleaver’s article in the Info No. 152 (issue 10/2022). Therefore, in the following text we will focus on some key moments and also look into the search for the ships sunken during this battle.

   

  Battle of the Corral Sea, described in the previous part of this series, marked the very first aircraft carriers encounter in the history. It was a Japanese tactical victory since they lost only one small aircraft carrier, Shōhō and one destroyer while they sank a large American aircraft carrier Lexington, a tanker and a destroyer. Strategically the battle meant an Allied success since they prevented the Japanese landing at Port Moresby.

  In comparison Midway represented the very first American victory which not only hampered the Japanese offensive plans but also struck a devastative blow against their Navy from which they have never fully recovered. The ground for this was laid exactly by the Battle of the Corral Sea during which the aircraft carrier Shōkaku was severely damaged by three bombs and required the dry dock repairs. The second aircraft carrier, Zuikaku avoided the damage however lost a half of her aircraft crews and waited for the replacements. Therefore, both ships were missing at the attack on Midway.

  On the other side the American aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, seriously damaged in the Corral Sea, was repaired with the enormous effort and barely withing a month could join another battle. It was an unpleasant surprise for Japanese.

  Midway became the target of the first attack as early as December 7, 1941. Pictured here is the wreck of PBY-3 Catalina (BuNo 0824), destroyed in a night bombardment by the destroyers Ushio and Sazanami. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  
  

  Ace in the sleeve

  The greatest American advantage though was the intelligence acquired by decoding the Japanese messages. It helped to uncover the Japanese plan to land at Port Moresby – and thanks to it the Commader of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Chester Nimitz started to trust the judgment of the HYPO station on Hawaiian Islands much more while evaluating the intercepted Japanese messages. And precisely their information played the critical role in the case of the Battle of Midway. It is the proof that even the nerds can help win the wars!

  HYPO station was one of two main cryptographic intelligence unit of the USN in the Pacific. The other one was in Melbourne. The third station in Philippines had to be evacuated before the Japanese onslaught and the personnel was incorporated into the Australian unit. HYPO station was commanded by Cpt. Joseph Roschefort, a very colorful individual in the otherwise dull uniformed world. Rochefort was born in 1900 in Dayton, Ohio. In 1917 he enlisted in the US Navy. During the enlistment process he lied he had been born in 1898 and this age difference accompanied him throughout his whole career which started by graduating from the Navy Mechanic School and starting the service on the tanker USS Cuyama. There, another officer noticed his passion in solving the rebus and cross words and recommended him for the Navy crypto-analytical studies. During 1929-1932 the Navy ensured he could master the Japanese language (including the studies in Tokyo) a when he was in the beginning of 1941 commissioned to lead HYPO station, he had already had nine years of service in the intelligence units under his belt. He was allowed to personally choose the majority of his team members, so he molded his team according to his needs. Their main task was to break the Japanese Navy code called JN-25 by the Americans.

  In cooperation with British, Australian and Dutch colleagues the American analytics gradually achieved the capability to read 10 to 15% of each Japanese message. To estimate the rest of the contents was a problem. That the large-scale Japanese offensive was being prepared was clear even before the first shot were fired in the Corral Sea. Those in Washington though supposed that the attack will be directed to the south, then towards Johnston Island. And finally estimated the date of the attack no sooner than middle of June 1942. On the contrary Rochefort was convinced that the Japanese operation is headed towards the central Pacific and its target is Midway and it will commence in the beginning of June. And that he was right in all aspects made him a lot of enemies in Washington. Luckily, Admiral Nimitz fully agreed with his conclusions and made the corresponding arrangements. Had he relied on the instructions from Washington he would have reached Midway after its capture by the Japanese. Instead, he could wait for Japanese and set the trap for them while they had no idea about the main American forces movement.

  USS Yorktown in dock at Pearl Harbor on May 29, 1942. Damage from the Battle of the Coral Sea was repaired in record time. Source: US Navy

  Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi at sea in the summer of 1941. Three A6M Zero fighters are parked forward. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Joseph Rochefort

  
  

  Trick on Japanese and their own command

  In order to confirm its judgement HYPO station came up with the deceit Admiral Nimitz also agreed with. One intercepted message contained the words “koryaku butai” which had been confirmed as “invasion fleet” combined with the designation AF. As a target of the attack AF was mentioned in further Japanese messages. Rochefort was convinced that AF is Midway. But people in Washington believed it to be Johnston Island. Then one of Rochefort’s team members, Wilfred “Jasper” Holmes proposed that Midway faked the water supply problems. Nimitz gave the plan green light and the instructions were sent to Midway by underwater cable. Consequently, the island reported in the plain language that the sea water processing equipment suffered from the explosion and the drinking water supplies will last for two weeks only. The message was intercepted by the Japanese station on Kwajalein and sent it to the higher command. A couple of hours later commander of the air group scheduled to occupy AF sent the request to the headquarters for the emergency water supplies. This confirmed the identity of the target.

  All these analytical successes were not for free. During the month of May 1942, when any piece of informational was invaluable, for days Rochefort did not leave his bunker and worked for more than 12 hous a day. He did not follow the military rules and regulations but applied his own methods which were successful. While at work he wore the bathing robe and flippers. One can easily picture the image of Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce from MASH series played by Alan Alda. Rochefort was lucky as well. In the very end of May 1942, the Japanese ceased to use JN-25 code and replaced it with another. That would have been broken from the scratch – however all that was important for the battle of Midway the American cryptanalytics had already found out. Nimitz wanted to reward Rochefort’s efforts and proposed his decoration with Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Nimitz’s superior, Admiral Ernest King refused it. He considered Rochefort the officer with the least military look he has ever met. After some other officers from Washington complained about him, he was transferred to San Francisco and put in charge of a dry dock and was no longer involved in crypto analytics until the end of war. Despite King’s objections he was awarded Legion of Merit at the end of war. He passed away in 1976 and received a real award for his work only after his death. In 1985 he was awarded long denied Navy Distinguished Service Medal and in 1986 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

  Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga after modernization in the mid-1930s. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  The stern of the Kaga circa 1941. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu during training cruises in January 1938. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  
  

  Disastrous losses

  The result of the Battle of Midway is well known. Japan deployed four large aircraft carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū and Soryū) and lost all four of them. In addition, Japan lost a heavy cruiser. US Navy sent three aircraft carriers to a battle (Enterprise, Hornet, Yorktown) and lost one of them including a destroyer. What contributed to the catastrophic Japanese defeat was the fact that the Americans knew their plan and that this plan was extremely complicated. Japanese fleet was divided into several independent groups with different tasks and moving far from each other. Therefore, in case it was necessary, they could not help each other and their coordination was very demanding. The battle started on June 3, 1942, by the unsuccessful B-17 attack against the transportation ships from the invasion fleet. At night the PBY Catalina flying boat’s torpedo hit and damaged the tanker Akebono Maru. It was the only American successful torpedo attack during the whole battle. In the morning of June 4 Admiral Chūichi Nagumo dispatched the Japanese carrier-borne aircraft to attack Midway Island. They were opposed by 26 F2A Buffalo and F4F Wildcat fighters of the US Marines led by Major Floyd Parks. Fifteen of them were shot down and most of the returning aircraft were seriously damaged. Among them a Wildcat flown by Marion Carl for who this mission was a baptism of fire. Several months later he became famous during the battles of Guadalcanal where he was credited with the majority of his 18.5 victories.

  In the meantime, bombers from the island were sent on the counterattack against the Japanese aircraft carriers. Without the fighter escort however, they did not score any hits and suffered heavy losses. Five out of six Avengers were shot down, out of fours B-26 Marauders two did not return, out of eleven SB2U Vindicator two were lost and out of 16 SBD Dauntless eight were destroyed. Their pilots had not been trained sufficiently yet and attacked from gliding flight instead of diving. Their commander, Major Lofton Henderson was killed and in August 1942 an airport at Guadalcanal was named after him. Only 15 B-17 bombers attacking from the high altitude returned without a loss. It was clear to Nagumo that the aircraft arrived from Midway where Japanese failed to catch them on the ground. The first attacking wave also reported that they did not manage to destroy all installations and suggested to launch another wave. Therefore, its aircraft were being prepared in hangars to attack the ground targets. Nagumo however had no idea that at that time the aircraft from the American carriers were already airborne. One of the ships was discovered by a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and Nagumo ordered to stop the aircraft re-arming and armed them with torpedoes and armor piercing bombs.

  And then all hell broke loose for the Japanese Admiral. Arming the aircraft and dispatch of the second attack wave from the carriers ideally took Japanese 45 minutes but experiencing the complications it could have easily been an hour and even more. He did not have that time. The first wave from the attack on Midway was returning and if he did not want to lose them ditching in the ocean having exhausted all their fuel, he had to receive those first. At the same time first aircraft from the American carriers showed up. They however did not wait to form a large group but dispatched their units individually. Consequently, TBD Devastator torpedo bombers reached the Japanese formation first. Attacking one after another it was first 15 aircraft from Hornet’s VT-8, then 14 from VT-6 from Enterprise and 12 from Yorktown’s VT-3. All 15 Devastators from the first group were shot down and 29 out of 30 aviators were killed including the commander, John Waldron. The commander of the second group, Eugene Lindsay was also killed. VT-6 lost nine aircraft and only two Devastators from the last group survived.

  Therefore 34 out of 41 deployed torpedo bombers were lost without achieving a single successful hit. It was the Devastator’s very last combat mission. Their sacrifice though was not futile. They caused another delay in re-arming of the Japanese aircraft. And above all they lured A6M fighters protecting the formation down to low altitudes at the time when the SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VB-6, VS-6 and VB-3 were approaching at the high altitude. Then they could choose the targets at will and undisturbed. Kaga received five direct hits, Akagi only one but another near miss disabled the steering and Soryu was hit directly at least three times. Under the normal circumstances the bomb hits would not have been fatal. On all three ships however, the explosions occurred in the hangars among the aircraft full of fuel. They were surrounded by bombs and torpedoes which the servicemen did not have time to store in the protected ammunition storages. All of it caught fire and started to explode. Within couple of minutes the Japanese ships were in flames from the bow to the stern.

  Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū dodges bombs from American B-17s on the morning of June 4, 1942. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  A Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat (BuNo 5244) takes off from Yorktown on the morning of June 4, 1942. This is aircraft No. 13 of the VF-3 unit flown by Lt. (JG) William Leonard. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless No. 17 of unit VS-5 prepares to board Yorktown on the morning of June 4, 1942. Seated in the cockpit is Ens. Leif Larsen. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  This F4F-3 Wildcat from VMF-221 was flown by Capt. John Carey on June 4, 1942. He was wounded in combat and made an emergency landing. His partially disassembled BuNo 4006 is photographed in late June 1942. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  
  

  Hiryū versus Yorktown

  The only undamaged Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryū wasted no time and launched 18 D3A Val dive bombers escorted by six fighters which followed the returning American aircraft and attacked the first ship they discovered. It was USS Yorktown which sustained three bomb hits. Those tore a huge hole in the deck and disabled most of her boilers. Within an hour the ship’s crew managed to temporarily cover the deck and restore the propulsion. When another wave from Hiryū arrived in the form of ten B5N Kate torpedo bombers escorted by six fighters the ship appeared to them undamaged, and they concluded it was another ship. This time they hit Yorktown with two torpedoes. The vessel without the power started to list to the port side. The Japanese were convinced that they sank two American carriers and balanced the powers. They were preparing to strike the remaining enemy ships when 24 American dive bombers arrived and hit Hiryū with four to five bombs. The morning scenario repeated itself with large scale fires and the ammunition explosions which sealed the ship’s fate. While Soryu and Kaga sank on June 4 evening, Akagi followed then only next day early morning and Hiryū sank last on June 5 at 9 am.

  The main forces consequently avoided the further confrontation, and the Japanese withdrew. The cruisers Mogami and Mikuma however were left behind due to their earlier collision and damage. In the following two days they were the target the air raids which ultimately sank Mikuma on June 6.

  Mogami escaped heavily damaged. On the American side the efforts to save Yorktown continued ultimately marred by I-168 submarine. On June 6 she hit the carrier with two torpedoes, third one struck destroyer Hamman which sank with the loss of 80 crew members. On the following day, June 7 in the morning, she was followed by Yorktown to the ocean bottom. The Battle of Midway final act was capturing of several Japanese sailors. First USS Trout submarine picked up two survivors from Mikuma on June 9. Then, on June 14 a Catalina crew spotted a small boat hundreds of miles off Midway.

  Five days later, on June 19, it was found by USS Ballard which picked up 35 Japanese sailors from it. There were mechanics left behind on the sinking Hiryū. They made their way up from bellow the deck, found a boat, launched it on the water just minutes before Hiryū disappeared under the surface. They tried to reach their own territory. Originally there were 39 of them but five of them did not survive the two weeks on the ocean. The rest became POWs and were transferred to Pearl Harbor. Three American aviators were also captured but their fare was much worse. Pilot Fran O’Flaherty and his gunner Bruno Peter Gaid from Enterprise were interrogated and the murdered by throwing them overboard with the weight attached. Japanese tried to kill Wesley Osmus from Yorktown in the same way but he resisted so they killed him with a hatchet and threw his dead body overboard.

  
  

  The burning USS Yorktown during the Japanese attacks on June 4, 1942. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Attacking torpedo bomber B5N Kate (top right) seen from the deck of Yorktown. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  This SBD-3 Dauntless (BuNo 4542) belonged to VB-6 of the USS Enterprise. However, its crew, pilot George Goldsmith and radio operator James Patterson, landed aboard Yorktown due to damage and lack of fuel. The aircraft was later lost with that ship. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  One of a pair of SBD-3 Dauntlesses from VB-3 that were unable to land aboard Yorktown due to damage and thus ended up in the water alongside the cruiser USS Astoria. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  The burning aircraft carrier Hiryū on the morning of June 5, 1942, shortly before sinking. Source: US Navy

  The destroyer USS Hammann sinks after being hit by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine. The image was taken from the deck of the Yorktown, which was also hit. At the top right is the 127 mm caliber gun platform. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  The aircraft carrier Yorktown tilted after being abandoned by her crew. On board are two Wildcat fighters. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Dauntlesses from VS-8 of Hornet attack the Japanese cruiser Mikuma on June 6, 1942. Source: US Navy

  Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma on June 6, 1942 shortly before sinking. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  After the battle. In the cockpit of an F4F-4 with seven downed symbols sits Lt. (JG) Elbert McCuskey. At left is Ensign George Gay, the only member of VT-8's Hornet squadron to survive her Devastators' attack on the Japanese ships. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  Japanese sailors from Hiryū who were captured by the USS Ballard on June 19, 1942. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command

  
  

  Kaga and Akagi found

  Midway was a turning point in the Pacific war and ships sunken in this battle would have been valued exhibits in Paul Allen’s collection. He was heavily involved in searching for the shipwrecks however on October 15, 2018 he passed away after sudden illness. The company he had founded continued in his efforts for some time afterwards. Precisely a year after Allen’s death his ship RV Petrel sailed on expedition to Midway. First, on October 18, 2019, they found Kaga’s wreck. Her parts had been discovered by the US Navy in 1999 during the exercise involving mapping the ocean bottom. The had discovered 15 meters long bulkhead, two 25 mm caliber cannons posts and landing lights in 5200 meters depth. RV Petrel discovered the whole wreck in 5400 meters depth. The wreck is upright but significantly covered with sediments and most of her deck and superstructure is missing. She is surrounded by a lot of debris. Two days later, on October 20, 2019, RV Petrel crew discovered Akagi’s wreck as well with the help of high frequency sonar in the depth of 5490 meters. The ship is upright but as opposed to Kaga is fairly undamaged. The photographs could not be made since the underwater robot was damaged while researching Kaga two days ago.

  Platform for one of the Kaga's anti-aircraft guns. Source: PaulAllen.com

  The odo on the side of the Kaga wreck below the platform for one of the 127 mm guns. Source: PaulAllen.com

  The platform of the 127 mm gun. Source: PaulAllen.com

  One of the 203 mm guns on the port side of the Kaga. Source: PaulAllen.com

  
  

  Sources:

  Hrbek, I., Hrbek, J. - Krvavé oceány, Naše vojsko, 2002

  Hubáček, M. - Pacifik v plamenech, Mladá Fronta, 2001

  Layton, E., Pineau, R., Costello, J. - And I Was There: Pearl Harbor and Midway – Breaking the Secrets, William Morrow & Co, 1985

  Lundstrom, J. - The First Team, Naval Institute Press, 1990

  www.history.navy.mil/

  warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/battle-of-midway-ijn-aircraft-carriers-kaga-and-akagi-discovered.html