PLA J-20 Stealth Fighter Test Flight 2011 (1:144 scale) - China stunned the world on 11 January 2011 with the maiden flight of its first ever stealth fighter, the J-20. The surprising disclosure of this new fifth-generation aircraft signals China's bid to join the exclusive club of stealth-aircraft operators. The new single-seat fighter flew for 20 minutes after taking off from Heungtianba Airbase in Chengdu, and although its introduction into military service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is still some years off, it's a milestone for China and its manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The J-20 is larger and heavier than the American F-22A Raptor, and it uses thrust vector-controlled nozzles (TVC) on its twin jet engines. Its large size allows internal weapons stowage, something essential for a stealth fighter.

Mercury Spacecraft - Liberty Bell 7 (1:72 scale) - NASA"s Mercury program was a series of manned spaceflights in the important buildup to putting man on the Moon. Spacecraft >Liberty Bell 7> flew 480km at a maximum altitude of 190km and maximum speed of 1,969m/s. The naming is because of the shape of the craft, as well as an association with the original Liberty Bell. Indeed, a >crack> was painted onto the side of the craft to add to the illusion. Of interest, the 1,286kg Liberty Bell 7 was the first Mercury craft with a centerline trapezoid-shaped window instead of two portholes. Another innovation with this spacecraft was an explosive hatch release that allowed a rapid emergency escape. After performing its flight, Liberty Bell 7 splashed down in the ocean, although the craft subsequently sank to the bottom before it could be retrieved by helicopter. As a fitting final note, the Mercury spacecraft was salvaged 38 years later in 1999.