Twin Mustang

Here are some images plus a composite of Modelcraft's 1/48 scale F-82 E Twin Mustang. From Wikipedia "The North American F-82 Twin Mustang was the last American piston-engine fighter ordered into production by the United States Air Force. Based on theP-51 Mustang, the F-82 was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter in World War II, however the war ended well before the first production units were operational, so its postwar role changed to that of night-fighting. Radar-equipped F-82s were used extensively by the Air Defense Command as replacements for the P-61 Black Widow night fighter. During the Korean War, Japanese-based F-82s were among the first USAF aircraft to operate over Korea. The first three North Korean aircraft destroyed by U.S. forces were shot down by F-82s, the first being a North-Korean Yak-11 downed over Gimpo by the USAF 68th Fighter Squadron".

Fulcrum

Here are some images of Minicraft's 1/48 scale Mikoyan MIG-29UB Fulcrum. Created at the same time as the MIG 29 A the UB version does not carry the chaff (window) dispensers and pulse Doppler radar found on the single seat version but is fully equipped with all manner of ordinance. The MIG 29UB as expected is used for training purposes as well as other duties.

Zundapp

Here are some images of Aurora/ESCI's 1/9 scale Zundapp KS-750 motorcycle with BMW sidecar. The Zundapp was the most advanced motorcycle of its day. The Zundapp was a very rugged and versatile motorcycle. The shaft drive setup that was powered by a 751cc engine proved to be very dependable with good acceleration with an overdrive giving it a top speed of 60 mph. Along with the BMW 750 the Zundapps rugged reliability was to make it a common sight on all fronts during the war. One of the things that made the Zundapp unique was it's winterizing gear. This was a heating system for the hands and toes which drew heat from the exhaust system which I'm sure was greatly appreciated by its riders especially on the Russian front.

Merlin

Here are some images of Trumpeter's 1/24 scale Rolls Royce Merlin 45 engine. If I had to choose one of the great engines of all time the Merlin would definitely make it on the short list. This engine in my opinion practically won the war for England and her allied nations including Canada supplying power for such aircraft as the Spitfire, Lancaster, Beaufighter, P 40, Mosquito, Fairy Battle, Halifax,Hurricane, Mustang, etc. The list is almost endless. Could you imagine having a Car with one of these engines powering it?

July 4th

To the best neighbor a country could have Happy birthday. Now blow out your 234 candles. Anyway here are some images of a diorama featuring an American bomber crew examining a Corsair (it could have happened). The Corsair is a Minicraft 1/48 scale F4U 1 Birdcage and the Staff car is well a 1/48 scale GM Staff car from Tamiya.

Type 90 Kyū-maru

Here are some images plus a composite of Tamiya's 1/35 scale Type 90 Tank with mine roller. From Wikipedia "The Type 90 tank ( Kyū-maru-shiki-sensya) is the current main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It is built byMitsubishi Heavy Industries and was designed as a replacement for all deployed Type 61s and a portion of their Type 74 tanks, and entered service in 1990. It is slated to be complemented by the Type 10 tank.". The type 92 mine roller was used on the main tank of the Japanese defense force, the type 90 tank each holds 2 arms which holds 5 steel disks each suspended by a chain. With a weight of about 12 tons this unit proved effective in the detonation of pressure sensitive mines.

Bark

Here are some images of Italeri's 1/48 scale Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik. From Wikipedia "The Ilyushin Il-2 was a ground attack aircraft (Shturmovik) in the Second World War, produced by the Soviet Union in very large numbers. In combination with its successor, the Ilyushin Il-10, a total of 42,330 were built, making it the single most produced military aircraft design in all of aviation history, as well as one of the most produced piloted aircraft in history along with the Cessna 172 and the Polikarpov Po-2. It is regarded as the best ground attack aircraft of World War 2. It was a prominent aircraft for tank killing with its accuracy in dive bombing and its 37mm guns penetrating their thin back armor.

To Il-2 pilots, the aircraft was simply the diminutive "Ilyusha". To the soldiers on the ground, it was the "Hunchback," the "Flying Tank" or the "Flying Infantryman". Its postwar NATO reporting name was "Bark". The Il-2 aircraft played a crucial role on the Eastern Front, and in Soviet opinion it was the most decisive aircraft in the history of modern land warfare. Joseph Stalin paid the Il-2 a great tribute in his own inimitable manner: when a particular production factory fell behind on its deliveries, Stalin sent a cable to the factory manager, stating "They are as essential to the Red Army as air and bread.".

O Canada Pt 2

In keeping with todays Canada Day theme we have a series of images brought to us by David Porter. First up we have ESCI's 1/72 scale CF 5B "The Grape". Next we have Hasegawa's 1/48 scale F-104 with the proper conversion to make it Canadian. And finally we have Protar's 1/24 scale 1982 Ferrari 126 driven by Canada's own the great Gilles Villeneuve.

O Canada

In honor of Canada's 143rd birthday I present you with some aircraft sporting Canadian markings (gee big surprise). First up we have Airfix's 1/48 scale BEA Hawk. Next we have (you've seen this before) Kinetic's 1/32 scale F86 Canadair Sabre with Golden Hawks markings. After that we have a classic amongst bush piloting Hobbycraft's 1/48 scale De Havilland Otter. Next we have Hobbycrafts 1/48 scale Supermarine MK XV Seafire. After that we have Minicraft's 1/48 scale North American T6 Harvard. And finally the lovely and useful Hobbycraft 1/48 scale Canadair CT-114 Tutor. And now that that's out of the way, SING WITH ME NOW! ana 1 ana 2

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love thou dost in us command.
We see thee rising fair, dear land,
The True North, strong and free;
And stand on guard, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada!
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.
Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.
How dear to us thy broad domain,
From East to Western Sea,
Thou land of hope for all who toil!
Thou True North, strong and free!

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc.

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies
May stalwart sons and gentle maidens rise,
To keep thee steadfast through the years
From East to Western Sea,
Our own beloved native land!
Our True North, strong and free!

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc.

Ruler supreme, who hearest humble prayer,
Hold our dominion within thy loving care;
Help us to find, O God, in thee
A lasting, rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.

Refrain
O Canada! O Canada! etc.