May 23, 2013

De Havilland Tiger Moth

De Havilland Tiger Moth De Havilland Tiger Moth (1:24 scale)

PLA J-20 Stealth Fighter Test Flight 2011

PLA J-20 Stealth Fighter Test Flight 2011 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

Mercury Spacecraft - Liberty Bell 7 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.

Apollo 11 Lunar Command and Service Module

Apollo 11 Lunar Command and Service Module Apollo 11 Lunar Command and Service Module (1:48 scale) - Apollo 11 is probably the most famous space mission of all time. It was this specific spaceflight that put man on the Moon for the first time more than 50 years ago. The momentous event occurred on 20 July 1969 as millions of TV viewers around the world watched with bated breath. The Lunar Module (LM) known as Eagle safely landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin Jr on lunar soil for the first time. During the 21.5 hours that Eagle rested on the Moon, the Command/Service Module (CSM) was orbiting above with astronaut Michael Collins aboard. The CSM was named Columbia after Columbiad, the giant cannon-shell craft that was fired to the Moon in Jules Verne's novel "From the Earth to the Moon". After the Moon landing, Eagle's ascent stage successfully docked with the CSM before the crew began its return voyage to Earth. Dragon's Space Collection is now proud to offer a 1/48 scale fully built-up model of the CSM, which comes after the release of the earlier 1/72 version. This larger scale permits a stunning level of detail to be incorporated into the Apollo 11 module, with features such as photo-etched radar antennas. The miniature is fully painted, and metal-skinned parts are beautifully captured. The CSM also carries accurate markings and logos. Thanks to the sleek metal display stand, the model works extremely well as a standalone desktop decoration. The launch of this new 1/48 scale Apollo 11 CSM from Dragon will have space fans over the moon!

Atlantis Space Shuttle

Atlantis Space Shuttle Atlantis Space Shuttle (1:72 scale) - This kit requires glue, paint and brushes to complete (not included). Skill level 5.

Martin B-26 Marauder (USAAF)

Martin B-26 Marauder (USAAF) Martin B-26 Marauder (USAAF) (1:144 scale)

Fairey Gannet AS14 (Indonesian Navy)

Fairey Gannet AS14 (Indonesian Navy) Fairey Gannet AS14 (Indonesian Navy) (1:72 scale) - The Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft of the post Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy"s Fleet Air Arm by the Fairey Aviation Company. It is a mid-wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage manned by a crew of three and double turbo-prop engine driving two contra-rotating propellers.

Lockheed C-130K Hercules C3 (RAF 47 Squadron)

Lockheed C-130K Hercules C3 (RAF 47 Squadron) Lockheed C-130K Hercules C3 (RAF 47 Squadron) (1:400 scale) - The Warbirds range from Dragon has created an all-new diecast model of the long-body C-130K serving with the RAF. As the first C-130K in the collection, the model makes use of brand new toolings. Attached to the new fuselage is an aerial refueling probe, a device that extends the original aircraft's range to more than 4,000 nautical miles. With more than 2,300 aircraft manufactured to date, the C-130 Hercules has the longest ever continuous production run for a military aircraft. And now collectors can have their very own RAF version of this workhorse too!

Boeing B-17 SB-17G Flying Fortress (Air Sea Rescue)

Boeing B-17 SB-17G Flying Fortress (Air Sea Rescue) Boeing B-17 SB-17G Flying Fortress (Air Sea Rescue) (1:48 scale)

Boeing KC-46A NextGen Tanker with F16C Fighter

Boeing KC-46A NextGen Tanker with F16C Fighter Boeing KC-46A NextGen Tanker with F16C Fighter (1:400 scale) - Aerial refueling aircraft are extremely important force-multiplying assets for any self-respecting military force. They allow fighters and other aircraft to remain aloft for hours on end in order to accomplish far-ranging missions. The mightiest military in the world, the US Air Force (USAF), has many aerial refueling assets. These include KC-135E Stratotankers, aircraft that are now quite aged and in need of replacement. On 24 February 2011, the USAF declared the Boeing KC-767 as the winner of a competition for new aerial refueling aircraft. Based on the Boeing 767-200LRF, this aircraft will be called KC-46A in US service. It features an improved refueling boom taken from the KC-10, and this "NewGen Tanker" also borrows the cockpit display from the Boeing 787. The awarded contract calls for 18 KC-46 planes to be delivered by 2017. Quick off the mark, Dragon Warbirds now brings an exciting 1/400 scale model of Boeing's NewGen tanker. As would be expected, the model makes use of Warbirds' existing Boeing 767 molds, but it adds all the requisite parts to make the latest air-to-air refueling craft. As a special bonus for this release, a brand new 1/400 F-16C fighter is also included. Both USAF aircraft can be displayed flying together on a special stand. The KC-46A will be a very important asset in the USAF, just as this model will be in any aircraft collection!