Both of these magnificent ships were popular additions to the Airfix model range and their inclusion in the growing Vintage Classics range has been welcomed by many. We are pleased to announce that both are now ‘on the water’ and scheduled for imminent release. An armoured minister of wrath Airfix’s Dogfight Doubles series has a new item, with the adversaries being the company’s new-tool 1/72 North American P-51D and Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a – the latter being known as the Schwalbe (Swallow) by the Luftwaffe. These two popular kits, featuring praiseworthy detail, come with decals for all-new liveries and a multi-pose display stand that accommodates both models. Also in the box are acrylic paints, two paintbrushes and a tube of Poly Cement. The Vintage Classics range is about to welcome the return of two much loved and eagerly anticipated warship kits, one British and one German, but both possessing strong links to the sea battles of the Second World War. For this reason, it can be surprising to learn that the Fokker Dr.1 was not actually built in huge numbers and was only in service during the final months of the war and despite its links to the Red Baron, he only used this aircraft to score the final 17 of his 80 aerial victories. The vast majority of his victories were actually scored using various Albatros fighters.

We begin by looking at a pair of Vietnam War classics brought together for an Airfix modelling tribute, before featuring arguably the most eagerly anticipated aviation addition to the Vintage Classics range in the current catalogue. We follow this up with articles looking at a pair of 20th century warships and a Second World War military vehicle which went by a distinctly ecclesiastical name. Relying heavily on our extremely busy photographer David, we are hoping to end with exclusive build images of a recent release which is the third of our 1/48th scale Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary releases, but this will definitely be going right to the wire if we do manage to include them. OK, we have a lot on our modelling agenda, so we had better make a start straight away. Agile adversaries clashThis latest Dogfight Double kit is due for imminent release and should be available through your usual model supplier over the next few weeks. Italian ‘Sparrowhawk’ a classic addition

Fokker Dr.1 425/17 is without doubt one of the most famous aircraft in the history of flight, the aircraft in which Manfred von Richthofen scored his final two aerial victories against British Sopwith Camel fighters on 20th April 1918 and also the machine in which he met his death the following day.Full scheme details of the final aircraft flown by Manfred von Richthofen and the one in which he flew his final sortie.

Due to changing requirements and constantly altering the design of the ship, a later refit was to take an unacceptably long eight years and whilst initially intended that a complete carrier air group would be embarked on the ship, the ever increasing size of aircraft dictated that no more than 28 aircraft (both fixed wing and rotary) were ever deployed on the ship. After a glorious service career, the end for Victorious came with distasteful haste towards the end of the 1960s and a withdrawal which was confirmed at extremely short notice. Scrapped in July 1969, this was a sad end for a ship which had served so valiantly and with such distinction. The classic combination of Spirit and any other worthwhile adversary would lead to a classic kit combination. However in this case, the rather strange pairing of these two craft in a realife dogfight led to Airfix combining these two in a 'one-of-a-kind' Dogfight Double. The legendary tale of the first encounter of this other-worldly craft by Flight Lieutenant Paul Dugget in 1944 and an unknown and unnamed Nazi airman has left an imprint on our collective minds much greater than the impact of the actual battle on the outcome of events in World War II. Dugget's encounter was the first reported example of an allied aircraft being engaged by what the Allied pilots began to call "a tinhat". The brief encounter can barely be called a dogfight as the Haunebu MkII was merely making its fast vertical assent when a chance came to fire a burst of 20mm cannon at the unaware Allied craft cruising in horizontal flight. The fact that the allied plane was untouched by fire and was unable to engage the enemy craft in return does reduce this 'dogfight' to the more prosaic realms of a mere encounter. However, the concept of these two craft, built for entirely different roles, trying to engage each other in mortal combat has an enduring appeal that has had modellers, over the decades, creating far more Haunebu models than ever were constructed in real-life. How many children have run around the Christmas bedroom holding a model of the 'tinhat' flying saucer pursuing a spirit in a life-or-death mortal struggle to the bitter end? In reality we know that Paul Dugget survived the encounter but how many more allied craft succumbed to such an encounter unable to report their own destruction? We shall never know. The origins of No.39 Squadron began with No.19 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron and how in February 1916, they were assigned to fly Home Defence duties, protecting the greater London area. In April, the unit was renumbered No.39 (Home Defence) Squadron, initially based at Hounslow, but also operating from satellite airfields at Hainault Farm and Suttons Farm. In August 1916, the Squadron's 'A Flight' relocated to North Weald, where they were joined by the rest of the Squadron early the following year. Bristol F2B Fighter E2581 initially served with No.1 Communications Squadron at Hendon, but was later transferred to No.39 Squadron at North Weald in a Home Defence role. Interestingly, she is now preserved and on display as part of the Imperial War Museum's collection at Duxford.From the modeller’s perspective, one of the most interesting features of WWII Italian aircraft is their presentation and looking at this magnificent 252a Squadriglia machine, it is not difficult to see why this latest addition to the Vintage Classics range has been so well received. Combining the distinctive shape of this handsome aeroplane with the attractive three tone upper surface scheme it wears, this will surely encourage many modellers to look for more Regia Aeronautica projects to keep their new Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero company. This beautiful new model is scheduled for imminent release and with only a small number of kits remaining unallocated, this really is a final opportunity to make sure you are not one of the ones missing out. Ruling the waves With both the A-4 Skyhawk and MiG-17 available in large numbers by the time of the Vietnam War, the scene was set for an aviation showdown in the skies of Southeast Asia and a meeting of two of the world’s most agile combat jets.