New from Aeronaut Books and author Jon Guttman is 2nd Pursuit Group, USAS

Entering combat on the Western Front in the summer of 1918 to expand the United States Army Air Service, the 2nd Pursuit Group was composed of the 13th, 22nd, 49th, and 139th Aero Squadrons. Although the 103rd Aero Squadron was temporarily assigned, it was eventually traded for the 49th Aero so it could serve as the nucleus for the 3rd Pursuit Group. Although not as famous of the 1st “Hat-in-the.Ring” Group or the “Indian Head” 3rd Group, the 2nd made its own significant contribution to Allied victory in the air. Its full story is told here for the first time with 288 photos and color profiles of 41 aircraft.

The book is available in paperback format and spans 184 pages.

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New this month from Eduard is a “Weekend Edition” model kit of the MiG-21F-13 Fishbed in 1/48 scale.

The type was the first major production version of the Soviet MiG-21, a single-engine, supersonic day interceptor with a distinctive tailed-delta wing design that gave it strong speed and climb performance. Entering service in 1960, it was relatively compact, used the Tumansky R-11F-300 engine, and was armed with one 30 mm cannon plus early infrared air-to-air missiles, making it a simple but highly influential Cold War fighter.

The new offering (84213) includes Eduard plastic parts and decals with marking options for five aircraft.

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A 1963 Cessna 172D has been spotted for sale. The listing states:

The aircraft has full logs flies great but needs a wing and propeller for annual.

The aircraft is located in Alpine, Texas and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

ICM has released their new “Last Marauder” model kit representing B-26G-25-MA 44-68254 “Tail End Charlie,” which was The final B-26G bomber of the legendary Marauder series to roll off the production line.

The aircraft made its maiden flight on 18 April 1945 and became a symbolic link between the beginning and the end of the Marauder production story. It was flown by test pilot Pat Tibbs, while the co-pilot’s seat was occupied by Ken Abel — the company’s chief designer, who had also taken part in the first flight of the original production B-26 five years earlier. As a result, Abel became one of the very few pilots to have flown both the first and the final aircraft of a series that ultimately totalled 5,266 machines.

The last Marauder never saw combat service. On 10 May 1945, just two days after Germany’s surrender, the aircraft was officially transferred to the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air). Since active hostilities in Europe had already ended, the aircraft was assigned to the CEAM Test Centre at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base.

Serving with the French Air Force, ‘Tail End Charlie’ was used for nearly four years for technical evaluation flights and transport duties. According to archival records, the service life of the final B-26 Marauder came to an end in April 1949, when the aircraft was officially written off.

The kit (48329) faithfully reproduces the geometry and proportions of the original aircraft and includes a detailed cockpit and fuselage interior equipment as well as decals reproducing “Tail End Charlie’s” markings.

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A 1974 Varga 2150A Kachina airframe (2,237 total time) has been spotted for sale.

According to the listing, the a two-seat, all-metal, tricycle-gear aircraft is styled like a 1940s–50s warbird, featuring tandem seating under a fighter-style canopy, U.S. Air Force markings, and a well-preserved interior with 4-point harnesses. It was damaged in a takeoff accident, resulting in compromised wings, center section, and tailcone, though portions of the tail remain usable; it is being sold as a complete airframe without engine or prop but includes landing gear, cowling, exhaust, logs, manuals, and documentation. Last flown and certified as of January 2026, it is best suited for parts, display, or simulator use rather than repair, and is currently mounted on a trailer in Lakeville, Minnesota for easy transport.

It is currently available for US $3,495 although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

A Beechcraft Musketeer B19 Sport has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Total time: 5898. Lycoming O 320-D2C 10 hours since completely overhauled to NEW specs. 160 hp. Engine has all NEW parts including new crankshaft. Only the case, connecting rods, and sump are original engine parts. Case overhauled by Divco, and sent to Lycon for the stc modification to install an o ring between case halves, eliminating oil leaks. Engine mount was overhauled and powder coated. All new accessories. New tires. Recent 24 month static, and transponder encoder check. New 406 elt, with battery good till 2031. Great paint, interior is nice. Always hangared. Plane is ready to go! All logs since new, no damage.

The aircraft is located in Three Lakes, Wisconsin and is currently available for US $69,000 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Helion & Company and authors Ole Nikolajsen and Mehmet Haluk Sevel is The History of Turkish Military Aircraft Volume 1: From Inception to the War of Independence 1912-1923:

The History of Turkish Military Aircraft book-series charts the development of Turkish military aviation from its fragile first steps on the eve of the First World War to its current strength as one of the largest air forces in Europe. Richly illustrated with exclusive photographs and illustrations, the series provides a comprehensive account of the development of the Turkish Air Force through the aircraft it flew, including unique data on each individual machine in Turkish service.

Volume 1 opens the series with the foundation of military aviation in Turkey in the context of the Ottoman Empire’s waning years, its maturation during the First World War and subsequent near destruction after the Armistice, followed by its rebirth during the Turkish War of Independence (1919–1923). It details all 62 aircraft types flown by the Ottoman and then Turkish Air Force during this period, including thorough service histories and 49 accompanying colour profiles. This wide variety encompassed French, British, German, and Russian designs, procured and maintained as often through subterfuge and guile as by conventional means: from Nieuport 17 fighters salvaged from a stranded steamer to DFW C.V reconnaissance aircraft restored using egg white and potato starch for service in the War of Independence.

The product of decades of combined research by expert authors Ole Nikolajsen and Mehmet Halûk Sevel and generously illustrated with photography from the archives of the Turkish Air Force’s History Branch, Turkish Military Aircraft, Volume 1 will appeal to anyone interested in Turkey’s aviation heritage and the pioneer era of flight.

The 144 page paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 15.

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Eduard has released new details on their upcoming new tool “Royal Hybrid” P-51B Mustang kit in 1/32 scale.

The premium offering (932011) combines injection-molded, new tool Eduard plastic parts as well as an extensive range of 3D-printed accessories (cockpit, landing gear bays, wheels and landing gear legs, machine gun barrels, exhausts). Also included are pre-painted photo-etched parts, painting masks and Eduard decals with eight marking options for aircraft that served with the USAAF’s 8th and 9th Air Forces during World War II. In addition, the kit boasts a 100-page publication dedicated to the operational service of the P-51B/C Mustang. It features stories of aircraft and their pilots, color schemes of more than 100 P-51B and C aircraft, a description of the development of the P-51B, and photographic documentation of pilot equipment.

The kit, which marks the first release in the new Royal Hybrid series, is currently available for pre-order with shipping beginning in the second half of July. Click below to check out additional images.

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A 1976 Piper PA-23-250 Aztec F airframe project has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

According to the listing the airframe has 4,982 total time. It is being sold as a rebuildable or parts aircraft after a taxi incident caused left wingtip damage and a nose gear collapse resulting in a twisted outboard wing extension and fiberglass nosecone damage. The main wing structure, control surfaces, right wing, tail, and most of the fuselage remain undamaged. The engines and props are removed, but it includes landing gear, a clean 6-seat interior, ram’s horn yokes, and substantial avionics such as a Century III autopilot, Bendix radar, Collins NAV/ADF, King DME, intercom, and full instrument set, with complete logbooks and overall good condition aside from the noted damage.

The aircraft is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is currently available for US $3,995 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Geoff Coughlin is Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning.

The English Electric Lightning, the RAF’s first supersonic fighter, entered service in 1960 and was at the heart of UK and RAF Germany air defence until its retirement in 1988. It was an instant favourite at air shows, thrilling audiences with its incredible manoeuvrability and rate of climb. Indeed, the vertical climb out after take-off became the aircraft’s signature manoeuvre.

The Lightning served with many RAF squadrons during the Cold War and bore a wide variety of brightly coloured unit markings, with the most famous being the red and white markings worn by the ‘Firebirds’ display team. As camouflage became more appropriate, flamboyant squadron schemes gave way to tactical green/grey upper surfaces, and then to various shades of grey, making the aircraft harder to detect in visual combat.

Cold War Aircraft in Scale: English Electric Lightning contains extensive reference material, including colour profiles and close-up photographs, as well as multiple in-depth step-by-step scale model builds featuring the wide range of schemes worn by the type. All the main scales are covered, with special attention given to detailed features to help you enhance your scale model builds of this iconic Cold War fighter.

The 160 page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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