Airfix Launches Latest Model Kits

Airfix has sent over some information about a selection of new model kits that are available to buy now, including new tooling for the North American P-51D Mustang and a brand new de Havilland DH.88 Comet.

However, first up there's a new tooling for the Panzerkamphwager VI Ausf. B 'King Tiger' Tank (A03310). The Tiger II, which the Germans called the King Tiger, first saw action on the Eastern Front in May 1944, its first action on the Western Front was in August 1944. Weighing in at a staggering 68 tons with a 690 bhp engine, the Tiger II was a formidable weapon. It also used a vast amount of fuel which the Germans were finding very difficult to produce due to Allied bombing of fuel plants. Two 503rd Army Heavy Panzer Battalion decal schemes are supplied.

Airfix also has new tooling for the North American P-51D Mustang (A01004). The Mustang was among the best and most well-known fighters used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, appearing in action in just about every theatre. Over 8,000 were built and the P-51D arrived in quantity in Europe in the spring of 1944, becoming the USAAF's primary long range escort fighter.

The decal scheme for this brand newly tooled kit is for the P-51D of First Lieutenant Spurgeon Ellington of 100th Fighter Squadron - one of The Tuskegee Airmen squadrons of World War II.  The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is portrayed in the 2012 film 'Red Tails' from Lucasfilm and 20th Century Fox.

Finally, a new release comes in the form of the de Havilland DH.88 Comet (A01013A). The aircraft was a twin-engined British aircraft that won the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race. It set many aviation records during the race and afterwards as a pioneer mail plane. G-ACSR came 4th in the race and the pilots Cathcart Jones and Waller went on to record a return time of 13½ days to set a new record.